I built CompressGIF: local GIF compression, plus REST and MCP APIs
A GIF can be useful in a README, bug report, or product demo—and still be too large to attach. Getting it below an upload limit often means trying compression settings, checking the animation, and trying again. I’m sharing CompressGIF , a tool I built for that workflow. It has a browser compressor for local files and a separate cloud API for automation. Start with the browser tool The free…
GIF files can be useful for documentation and demos, but they often exceed upload limits. CompressGIF is a tool I developed to help compress GIFs for these purposes. It offers a browser compressor for local files and a separate cloud API for automation. On the browser, users can choose from three modes: prioritize quality, size, or target a specific maximum file size.
The tool uses Gifsicle to handle compression, preserving animation details whenever possible. If a target size cannot be reached, the smallest valid candidate is kept, including the original if compression does not improve it.
For developers and automated workflows, a REST API provides an asynchronous compression service. After uploading a GIF or providing a URL, users can poll for the status and download the compressed file once it's ready. The API key must be kept secure, preferably in an environment variable. A paid Pro version offers larger batch sizes, custom target sizes, and ZIP downloads.
The Streamable HTTP endpoint exposes an MCP client, allowing users to interact with the same compression tools through a different interface. Free API access includes 500 credits per month, with cost varying based on the compression mode. Privacy is maintained for browser-based compression, as the file remains on the user's device. For more information, see the CompressGIF and REST/MCP documentation.
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