Best Image Format Converters for Mac (Free, 2026)

# Best Image Format Converters for Mac: 7 Free Tools Compared

An image format converter changes your files from one type to another — PNG to JPG, HEIC to WebP, TIFF to PNG, and so on. If you work with images on a Mac, you've likely needed this at least once. Maybe a website only takes JPGs. Maybe a client sent HEIC files and you need PNGs. Maybe you want smaller WebP files for your blog.

The good news: your Mac has built-in tools that handle most conversions. For more complex needs, free online and desktop apps fill the gaps.

Here are seven free ways to convert image formats on Mac, from the simplest to the most powerful.

When you need to convert image formats

Before diving into tools, here's when format conversion matters:

• Web publishing — PNG screenshots are too large for websites. Convert to WebP or JPG for faster page loads.
• Email and chat — Some apps don't preview HEIC or TIFF. Convert to JPG or PNG for wide support.
• Print work — Printers often need TIFF or high-quality JPG at 300 DPI. Web formats won't cut it.
• App requirements — Some tools, forms, or uploads only accept certain formats.
• File size — A 5MB PNG screenshot might shrink to 200KB as a WebP. That matters when you share dozens per day.
• Transparency — Need a see-through background? You must use PNG, WebP, or TIFF — not JPG.

Knowing which format fits which job saves time. We'll cover that in the format comparison table below.

Built-in Mac tools for image conversion

You don't need to install anything for basic conversions. macOS has three built-in options.

Preview (single files or small batches)

Preview is the fastest way to convert one or a few images.

Single file:

1. Open the image in Preview.
2. Go to File → Export.
3. Pick the format from the dropdown (JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, or PDF).
4. Set quality if needed.
5. Click Save.

Batch convert:

1. Open all images in Preview (select them in Finder, right-click → Open With → Preview).
2. In the sidebar, press ⌘ + A to select all.
3. Go to File → Export Selected Images.
4. Pick a format and output folder.
5. Click Choose.

Preview handles PNG, JPG, HEIC, TIFF, GIF, BMP, and PDF. It doesn't support WebP export, though. For WebP, use one of the tools below.

According to Apple's Preview guide, you can also hold the Option key while clicking the Format dropdown to see extra formats like JPEG 2000 and OpenEXR.

For more on editing images in Preview, check our edit screenshot guide.

sips (Terminal one-liner)

The sips command is built into macOS and handles format conversion from Terminal. It's fast for quick one-off conversions.

# Convert a single file
sips -s format png input.heic --out output.png

# Convert all JPGs in a folder to PNG
for f in *.jpg; do sips -s format png "$f" --out "${f%.jpg}.png"; done

Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, TIFF, GIF, BMP, HEIC, and more. No WebP support.

When to use sips: You're already in Terminal and need a quick convert without opening any app. It's also great for scripts and automation.

Automator (batch workflows)

Automator can build a reusable workflow for format conversion:

1. Open Automator and choose Quick Action.
2. Set "Workflow receives current" to image files in Finder.
3. Add the action Change Type of Images.
4. Pick your target format (JPEG, PNG, TIFF, BMP).
5. Save the workflow with a name like "Convert to PNG."

Now you can right-click any image (or group of images) in Finder, go to Quick Actions, and pick your converter. It runs in a flash.

The downside: Automator only supports the same formats as Preview. No WebP, no AVIF.

Best free online image converters

Online tools handle formats that Mac's built-in tools can't — like WebP, AVIF, and SVG.

ScreenSnap Pro's free online converter

Our own image format converter runs right in your browser. No upload to a server — the conversion happens on your device.

• Supports PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, BMP, TIFF
• Files stay on your Mac (no cloud upload)
• Free, no sign-up
• Works on any browser

This is the best option when privacy matters. Your images never leave your computer.

We also have specific converters for common tasks:

• PNG to JPG
• JPG to WebP
• WebP to JPG
• WebP to PNG
• HEIC to JPG
• SVG to PNG

CloudConvert

CloudConvert is the most versatile online converter. It supports over 200 formats — not just images but also documents, videos, and audio.

• Formats: PNG, JPG, WebP, AVIF, SVG, TIFF, HEIC, ICO, PDF, and many more
• Batch: Up to 25 files at once (free tier)
• API: For developers who need to automate
• Privacy: Files are deleted after 24 hours

Free tier: 25 conversions per day. Paid plans start at $8/month for more volume.

CloudConvert is the go-to when you need a rare format or want fine control over quality settings. The interface is clean, and it shows a preview before you download.

Convertio

Convertio is another solid online option. It's simpler than CloudConvert but handles common image formats well.

• Formats: PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, BMP, TIFF, SVG, ICO
• Batch: Up to 2 files at once (free), more on paid plans
• Max file size: 100MB (free)

The free tier is tight — only 2 files at a time. But it works well for occasional one-off conversions.

Privacy note: Both CloudConvert and Convertio upload files to their servers. Don't use them for private or sensitive images. Use ScreenSnap Pro's converter or a desktop tool instead.

Best Mac apps for image conversion

For heavy use — hundreds of files, complex settings, or WebP/AVIF support — a desktop app is the way to go.

XnConvert (free, powerful)

XnConvert is a free batch image converter and editor. It's the best free desktop option for Mac.

• 500+ input formats including RAW, WebP, AVIF
• Output: PNG, JPG, WebP, TIFF, BMP, GIF, and more
• Batch mode: Process thousands of files at once
• Actions: Resize, crop, rotate, watermark, and adjust colors during conversion
• Profiles: Save your settings for repeated use

XnConvert stands out because it's not just a converter — it's a batch processor. You can chain actions: resize to 800px wide, convert to WebP at 80% quality, and add a watermark — all in one run.

Pricing: Free for personal use. $20 one-time for commercial.

ImageMagick (developer tool)

ImageMagick is the Swiss Army knife of image processing. It runs from Terminal and handles almost any format.

# Install
brew install imagemagick

# Convert single file
magick input.png output.webp

# Batch convert all PNGs to WebP at 85% quality
for f in *.png; do magick "$f" -quality 85 "${f%.png}.webp"; done

# Convert and resize
magick input.tiff -resize 1200x output.jpg

ImageMagick supports PNG, JPG, WebP, AVIF, HEIC, TIFF, GIF, SVG, PDF, BMP, ICO, and hundreds more. It can also strip metadata, adjust quality, crop, and transform in a single command.

When to use it: You're comfortable with Terminal and need to convert lots of files, or you want to put conversion into a script or CI pipeline.

For a related workflow, see our guide on converting MOV to GIF on Mac.

Image format comparison: which format for what?

Picking the right format is half the battle. Here's a quick guide:

Quick rules of thumb

• Taking screenshots? Save as PNG for quality. Convert to WebP for sharing on the web.
• Sharing photos? JPG at 85% quality gives a good balance of size and looks.
• Building a website? Use WebP. It's 25-35% smaller than JPG with the same quality.
• Sending to a printer? TIFF at 300 DPI. Or high-quality JPG if TIFF is too big.
• Need transparency? PNG or WebP. Never JPG — it doesn't support it.
• iPhone photos for non-Apple users? Convert HEIC to JPG so everyone can open them.

If you change your Mac's default screenshot format, you can skip conversion for new captures. See our change screenshot format guide.

How to convert screenshots with ScreenSnap Pro

If you take lots of screenshots, ScreenSnap Pro fits into this workflow well. While it's a capture and annotation tool (not a file converter), it can save screenshots in the format you need from the start.

The typical flow:

1. Capture with ScreenSnap Pro using a keyboard shortcut.
2. Add annotations, backgrounds, or blur sensitive info.
3. Save or share in your preferred format.

This avoids the "capture as PNG, then convert" step. You get the format you need right away.

For screenshots you've already taken, use any converter from this guide. Our free image compressor also helps shrink files without changing the format.

Batch conversion workflows

When you need to convert 50, 100, or 1,000+ images at once, here are the best approaches:

Quick batch: Finder + Preview

1. Select all images in Finder.
2. Right-click → Open With → Preview.
3. ⌘ + A to select all in the sidebar.
4. File → Export Selected Images.
5. Pick format and folder.

Works for up to ~100 files. Gets slow after that.

Medium batch: Automator Quick Action

Build the Quick Action once (see the Automator section above). Then select files in Finder, right-click → Quick Actions → your converter. Handles hundreds of files well.

Large batch: XnConvert

Open XnConvert, drag in your folder, set output format and any transforms, click Convert. It shows progress and handles thousands of files without slowing down.

Developer batch: ImageMagick + shell script

#!/bin/bash
# Convert all images in a folder to WebP
INPUT_DIR="$1"
OUTPUT_DIR="$2"
mkdir -p "$OUTPUT_DIR"

for f in "$INPUT_DIR"/*.{png,jpg,jpeg,tiff,heic}; do
  [ -f "$f" ] || continue
  name=$(basename "${f%.*}")
  magick "$f" -quality 85 "$OUTPUT_DIR/$name.webp"
  echo "Done: $name.webp"
done

Save this as convert-to-webp.sh, make it executable (chmod +x), and run with ./convert-to-webp.sh ~/input ~/output.

Speed comparison

For daily use, Automator or XnConvert are the sweet spot. For scripts and pipelines, ImageMagick wins.

Tips for better conversions

1. Keep your originals. Always convert a copy, not the source file. You can't undo lossy compression.
2. Set quality to 80-85% for JPG and WebP. Below 80, you start to see blur. Above 90, the file gets big with little visible gain.
3. Strip metadata for web use. EXIF data (camera info, GPS location) adds to file size and may share private info. Most converters have a "strip metadata" option.
4. Resize before converting. A 4000px wide screenshot compressed to WebP is still huge. Resize to 1200-1600px for web use first.
5. Test with one file first. Before batch-converting 500 images, convert one and check the quality. Saves time if the settings need tweaking.
6. Use WebP for new projects. It's the best all-around web format in 2026 — smaller files, good quality, and full browser support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best free image format converter for Mac?

For single files, Mac's built-in Preview app works great. For batch jobs, XnConvert is the best free option — it handles 500+ formats and lets you resize, crop, and convert in one step. For quick web-based conversion, our free converter tool works right in your browser without uploading files.

Can I convert HEIC to JPG on Mac for free?

Yes. Open the HEIC file in Preview, go to File → Export, and pick JPEG. For batch conversion, select multiple HEIC files, open in Preview, select all, and Export Selected Images as JPEG. You can also use our HEIC to JPG tool online.

How do I convert PNG to WebP on Mac?

Mac's built-in tools don't support WebP export. Use ImageMagick (magick input.png output.webp), XnConvert, or an online tool like our JPG to WebP converter which also handles PNG input. CloudConvert is another solid option.

Does converting images reduce quality?

It depends on the format. Converting to a lossy format (JPG, WebP lossy) always reduces some quality — but at 85% quality the difference is nearly invisible. Converting between lossless formats (PNG to TIFF) keeps full quality. Converting from lossy to lossless (JPG to PNG) doesn't restore lost detail — it just makes the file bigger.

What's the smallest image format for web?

AVIF is the smallest but has limited browser support. WebP is the practical winner — it's 25-35% smaller than JPG at the same quality and works in all modern browsers. For screenshots with flat colors and text, PNG with compression is often smaller than JPG.

Can I batch convert images on Mac without installing anything?

Yes. Use Preview (open multiple files, Export Selected Images) or build an Automator Quick Action. Both are built into macOS. For formats they don't support (like WebP), you'll need a third-party tool or online converter.