Looking for a Squoosh Alternative?
Squoosh is the Google Chrome team's free, open-source, in-browser image optimizer with deep format and codec controls. Start Page HQ is the image compressor that lives on every new tab — same in-browser privacy, paired with 63+ other widgets.
What People Love About Squoosh
Before we get into where Start Page HQ goes further, credit where it's due.
- Free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license, with no account or sign-up required.
- Built by the Google Chrome team — runs entirely in the browser using WebAssembly, so files never upload.
- Wide codec support including MozJPEG, OxiPNG, WebP, AVIF, and JPEG XL with detailed quality and effort sliders.
- A side-by-side compare slider that lets you eyeball quality versus file size before saving.
- A polished single-file UI that has set the standard for in-browser image tooling.
Where Start Page HQ Goes Further
Specific differences, not vague claims.
Lives on Every New Tab
Squoosh is a separate site you have to open. Start Page HQ ships an Image Compression widget that's already there every time you open a new tab — drag, drop, download, move on.
Sits Alongside 63+ Other Widgets
Squoosh is a single-purpose tool. Start Page HQ pairs the Image Compression widget with JSON Formatter, Regex Tester, Text Diff, QR Codes, and 63+ more — all on the same dashboard.
One Plan, All Your Tools
Squoosh is free, but you'll still tab over to JSONLint, Regex101, Diffchecker, and QR Code Monkey for everything else. Start Page HQ rolls all those use cases into one plan.
Custom Pages for Your Dev Workflow
Build a "Dev Tools" page with image compression, JSON, regex, and diff in a single grid. Build a separate "Personal" page with notes, todos, and weather. Switch between them with a click.
Native Browser Extensions
Install on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge to make Start Page HQ — and the Image Compression widget — open with every new tab. Or use the hosted web app at startpagehq.com on any browser.
Cross-Device Sync Built In
Dashboard layout syncs across every browser and device automatically. Sign in once and your dev-tools page travels with you.
Side-by-Side Comparison
An honest line-by-line look at how the two stack up.
| Feature | Squoosh | Start Page HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free, open source | Free plan; $3.99/mo, $25/yr, $49 LTD |
| Free tier | Yes, full product | 1 page, 8 widgets |
| Open source | Apache 2.0 | No |
| PNG compression | Yes | Yes |
| JPG compression | Yes | Yes |
| WebP / AVIF / JPEG XL | Yes | No |
| SVG compression | No | Yes |
| Codec quality / effort sliders | Detailed | Basic |
| Side-by-side compare slider | Yes | No |
| Runs locally (no upload) | Yes | Yes |
| Lives on every new tab | No | Yes |
| Chrome | Web only | Yes |
| Firefox | Web only | Yes |
| Safari | Web only | Yes |
| Edge | Web only | Yes |
| Browser extensions | No | Yes |
| Cross-device sync | No | Included |
| Other dev tools (JSON, regex, diff, QR) | No | Yes |
| Notes, todos, RSS, weather | No | Yes |
Widgets That Replace Squoosh
Drop these onto your dashboard and you've covered Squoosh's core features — plus a lot more.
Frequently Asked Questions
If image compression is the only tool you reach for, Squoosh is excellent — keep using it, it is free and open source and always will be. Start Page HQ also has a free plan, so the dashboard habit costs nothing to start: 1 page with 8 widgets on it, enough for image compression alongside JSON formatting, regex testing, diff, and QR codes. You pay when you want more pages, the 8 premium widgets, or file uploads — $3.99/month, $25/year, or $49 once.
Squoosh ships fine-grained controls for MozJPEG, OxiPNG, WebP, AVIF, and JPEG XL — that's its specialty. Start Page HQ's Image Compression widget handles PNG, JPG, and SVG with simple quality controls. For squeezing the absolute last byte with WebP or AVIF, keep Squoosh in the toolbox; for everyday compression, the widget covers it.
No. The Image Compression widget runs entirely in your browser — same in-browser-only privacy model as Squoosh. Files never upload anywhere.
Yes — there is a free plan. Signup takes no credit card and gives you 1 page with 8 widgets on it, 55 of the 63 widget types including Image Compression, cross-device sync, every browser extension, and 50 AI credits once. Extra pages, the 8 premium widgets, and file uploads need a paid plan: $3.99/month, $25/year, or $49 one-time. There is also a demo at startpagehq.com/demo with every widget unlocked and no signup.
Yes. Start Page HQ has native extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, plus a hosted web app at startpagehq.com that works in any modern browser — the same as Squoosh itself.
Of course. The widget handles 90% of compression jobs from the new tab; Squoosh remains a great deep-dive when you need to compare AVIF vs JPEG XL with the slider. Many users keep both.
Ready to Try Start Page HQ?
Start free — 1 page, 8 widgets, sync across devices, no credit card. Or open the live demo first, no signup needed.