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P.A.R.Q.

Practical answers to reasonable questions

Real compression situations, real workflow guidance. Use Free for quick temporary work, Storage+ for saved cloud organization, and Local Processing for frequent heavy batches.

Compression

I compressed 1,000 JPEGs to AVIF and it took around 41 minutes. Is that normal?+

Yes, especially for AVIF. AVIF gives strong size reduction but is heavier to encode than JPEG or WebP. If you do thousand-image jobs often, use Local Processing so your own machine handles the workload without cloud queue limits.

Can I save gigabytes by converting JPEG to AVIF?+

Yes. A real batch can save multiple gigabytes, such as saving around 3.3 GB across roughly 1,000 images depending on preset, quality, dimensions, and source image type.

Which format should I use for websites?+

Use WebP for broad compatibility and AVIF when maximum compression matters. For product pages, blogs, landing pages, and SEO images, WebP is usually the safer default.

Why did some files barely shrink?+

They were probably already optimized, small, or encoded efficiently. Compression has less room to work when the original file is already lean.

Why did one image become bigger after compression?+

That can happen when converting formats, preserving quality too high, resizing upward, or processing a very small original. Use a lighter preset or keep original format.

Are JPEG, WebP, AVIF, and PNG lossy or lossless?+

JPEG, WebP, and AVIF are usually lossy in Pictobank because they re-encode with quality settings to make files smaller. PNG is mostly lossless or palette-optimized, but resizing, cropping, and format conversion can still change pixels. Pictobank is best described as a preset-based lossy optimizer with PNG optimization.

Speed

I compress images all the time and want it really fast. What should I use?+

Use Local Processing. It runs browser-side on your machine, uses updated presets, avoids cloud bottlenecks, and is meant for heavy repeat workflows.

Why does AVIF take longer than WebP or JPEG?+

AVIF is computationally heavier. It can create smaller files, but the tradeoff is slower encoding.

What should I use for a quick one-time compression?+

Use Free. Upload, compress, download, leave. No account needed.

What should I use for large batches that I do every week?+

Use Local Processing, especially if you process hundreds or thousands of images repeatedly.

Plan limits

How many images can I compress for free?+

Free is built for quick everyday compression: up to 600 images per day. Storage+ removes normal-use monthly compression counters and is meant for serious recurring workflows.

What is the biggest file I can upload?+

Free supports images up to 100MB each. Storage+ supports images up to 250MB each. Local Processing also has safety modes for larger local experiments.

How many images can I process in one batch?+

Free supports batches up to 30 images, with a 30-item queue. Storage+ supports larger workflows up to 500 batch images and a 500-item queue.

Can free users create share links?+

Yes. Free supports lightweight sharing for smaller image sets. Storage+ is designed for larger reusable cloud workflows, while very large delivery jobs are better handled through smaller share pages or Local Processing exports.

How much Vault storage does Storage+ include?+

Storage+ includes 5GB of Vault storage and 5GB of snapshot share storage. It is meant for saved exports, reusable assets, folders, and share pages.

Why should I use Local Processing instead of just Storage+?+

Use Local Processing when your main problem is high-volume compression speed and privacy. Use Storage+ when your main problem is saving, organizing, and sharing final exports in the cloud.

Why can some very large cloud jobs slow down or require smaller batches?+

Cloud workflows still need stability for uploads, ZIP generation, Vault storage, and sharing. Extremely heavy jobs may be slowed, split into smaller batches, or redirected toward Local Processing so the platform stays responsive for everyone.

Why is there a 40-megapixel hard image limit?+

The 40-megapixel limit protects the browser, memory, and processing pipeline from giant images that can freeze tabs or crash weak machines. It is not random. It is a safety rail so users can finish real work instead of gambling with browser explosions.

Why is there a 100MB hard input limit?+

A 100MB image can become much larger once decoded in memory. The hard input limit keeps the app stable across normal laptops, browsers, and mobile devices.

Why is output capped at 120MB?+

The output cap prevents rare cases where conversion, resizing, or format settings create a monster export. It protects downloads, ZIP creation, storage, and the user’s session.

Does Storage+ have a monthly compression limit?+

No. Storage+ is positioned as unlimited normal-use compression. The practical safety rails are around file size, storage, ZIP payloads, sharing, and abusive automated behavior so Pictobank stays fast and stable for everyone.

Storage+

What is Storage+ best for?+

Storage+ is best when you want unlimited normal-use compression plus a cloud Vault: saved exports, folders, share pages, ZIP downloads, and the ability to revisit files without recompressing.

Does Storage+ make compression faster?+

Storage+ improves the cloud workflow: unlimited normal-use compression, Vault storage, folders, share pages, and saved exports. For raw heavy batch speed, Local Processing gets its own spotlight because your machine becomes the engine.

What is the benefit of Storage+ plus Local Processing?+

That is the strongest setup: Local Processing handles heavy batch work, while Storage+ keeps final exports organized in Vault with share pages and folders.

Can I save exports and share them later?+

Yes. Storage+ saves exports in Vault so you can organize, download, and share them later.

Who should use Storage+?+

Creators, agencies, ecommerce sellers, marketers, photographers, and teams that reuse or share optimized images often.

What makes Storage+ feel different from a normal compressor?+

Storage+ turns compression into an asset system. You can save exports, organize folders, revisit files, create share pages, and avoid recompressing the same assets repeatedly.

Local Processing

What does Remove Local License do?+

Remove Local License only clears the saved Local Processing license from the current browser or device. It does not refund, cancel, delete, or invalidate your purchase. Use it when switching devices, testing a new key, or resetting Local Mode on that browser.

Who should buy Local Processing?+

Local Processing is for power users: photographers, ecommerce sellers, creators, agencies, marketers, and anyone repeatedly processing large folders. It is the best fit when privacy, speed, and high-volume device-side work matter more than cloud Vault storage.

Does Local Processing save my files in the cloud?+

No. Local Processing is designed to keep heavy processing on your machine. If you want cloud saving, pair it with Storage+ Vault.

After I buy Local Processing, do I get updates?+

Yes. Most updates are free, including preset improvements and normal fixes. Major upgrades may have a separate price if they add a large new capability.

Can Local Processing work with updated presets?+

Yes. The goal is to keep Local Processing aligned with the current preset system so local users are not stuck with stale tools.

Why is Local Processing different?+

Economically? it is a one time payment - no cloud subscription no recurrence, you basically own the service, Workwise? It lets heavy batch work happen on your own machine with Unlimited image processing and a much faster turn around time. That means more control, more workload done, better privacy, and fewer cloud-workflow bottlenecks for users who process images often.

Does Local Processing replace Storage+?+

No. Local Processing is the engine. Storage+ is the cloud workspace. Use Local Processing to create exports fast on your device, then use Storage+ when you want Vault folders, share links, cloud access, and reusable saved assets.

Who should not buy Local Processing?+

Do not buy it if you only compress one or two images once in a while. Use Free instead. Local Processing makes sense when image compression is part of your real workflow, not a one-time errand.

What makes Local Processing different from normal cloud tools?+

Local Processing is flexible by design. Your activation is not permanently trapped on one machine. You can deactivate the local key from one device and move it to another when your workflow, hardware, or setup changes.

Why do power users prefer Local Processing?+

Because large batches stop depending entirely on cloud queues. Your own hardware becomes the engine, which is often faster and more predictable for repeated workflows.

What happens if I upgrade my computer later?+

You can move your Local Processing activation to a newer machine instead of rebuying the product again. The workflow is designed to follow the user, not permanently lock itself to old hardware.

Does Local Processing help with privacy?+

Yes. Files processed locally can stay on your device instead of constantly traveling through external servers. This is especially useful for client work, drafts, internal assets, and large media batches.

Why is Local Processing useful for unstable internet connections?+

Your processing workflow does not completely stop when the network slows down. Large export runs can continue directly on your machine without depending on cloud upload speed for every action.

What type of users benefit the most from Local Processing?+

Photographers, ecommerce sellers, creators, marketers, designers, and anyone repeatedly handling large image folders benefit the most because repetitive export work becomes dramatically easier to manage.

Can I still use Storage+ together with Local Processing?+

Yes. Local Processing handles the heavy processing work on your device, while Storage+ handles cloud storage, Vault organization, share links, syncing, and reusable export history. In fact you can migrate all the exports you have inside in Vault Lite towards Storage+ Vault.

Why is there a 1000-file batch limit in Local Processing?+

The limit exists for stability and real-world performance. Extremely massive batches can create diminishing speed returns where the machine spends more time managing memory, previews, and browser workload than actually processing images. The 1000-file limit was chosen as a balanced point that works reliably across both older and newer hardware instead of optimizing only for high-end systems.

Privacy

Are free compressed exports saved by the system?+

No. Free compressed exports are temporary. They are meant for immediate download, not long-term storage by the admin or system.

What if I do not want images stored anywhere?+

Use Free for temporary compression or Local Processing for heavier private workflows. Avoid Storage+ if you do not want cloud Vault storage.

Why does Pictobank separate Free, Storage+, and Local Processing?+

Because users have different trust needs. Free is temporary, Storage+ is cloud organization, and Local Processing is machine-first for users who want heavier private workflows.

Billing

How do I cancel Storage+?+

Go to Billing, open the customer portal, and cancel the subscription there. Your access follows the subscription status handled through billing.

If I cancel Storage+, what happens?+

You should expect Storage+ cloud features like Vault storage and subscription-only workflows to stop after the billing period or cancellation rules apply.

Should I buy Storage+ or Local Processing first?+

Buy Storage+ if you need saved cloud exports and sharing. Buy Local Processing if your main pain is repeated heavy compression speed and privacy.

Can I use Storage+ only when I need cloud Vault?+

Yes. Storage+ is best treated as the cloud workspace layer. If you mainly need fast local batch compression, Local Processing may be the better first purchase.

Dev benchmarks

What machine were these P.A.R.Q. benchmarks tested on?+

Dev bench: MacBook Pro with M4 Pro, about 24GB unified memory, 512GB SSD storage, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, and Apple’s 16-core Neural Engine. Your machine may be faster or slower, so Local Processing includes safety modes instead of pretending every laptop is a workstation.

Can I batch compress by ZIP or folders?+

Yes. You can drop images, ZIP files, or folders. ZIP and folder drop are best when you have hundreds or thousands of assets and do not want to manually select files one by one.

How big can local files be?+

Local Processing has controlled file-size modes: Safe up to 100MB per file, Advanced up to 250MB per file, and Experimental with no fixed MB cap. Experimental lets users test what their own machine can handle.

What is a real Amazon preset benchmark?+

Amazon Main Image preset, 2000 × 2000 JPEG output, mixed source dimensions and file types but moslty jpeg (recompressed images), 1,000 images. Input was 1.25GB, output was 397.5MB, total saved was 852.5MB, about 68.2% smaller.

Where do those local benchmark exports go?+

The exports are automatically saved to Vault Lite on your machine first. If you later subscribe to Storage+, you can migrate that Vault Lite batch into cloud Vault.

How long did migration take for the 1,000-image Amazon preset batch?+

That specific Vault Lite to Storage+ migration benchmark took 10 minutes, 39 seconds, and 49 milliseconds.

Are there shortcuts for large local batches?+

Yes. Use Cmd/Ctrl + A to select exports quickly, and Cmd/Ctrl + C for fast copy-style workflows where supported. The goal is less mouse wrestling when managing hundreds of images.

What happened in the JPEG to AVIF 1,000-image trial?+

Another dev benchmark: 1,000 JPEG images totaling about 3.71GB were converted to AVIF. Around 244 images finished in 10 minutes, around 500 images finished in 20 minutes, around 970 images finished in 40 minutes, and the full run finished in 41 minutes, 24 seconds, and 40 milliseconds.

What does that JPEG to AVIF benchmark actually prove?+

It proves AVIF is powerful but heavy. If you do this kind of batch often, Local Processing is the honest recommendation because your own machine does the work instead of pretending a cloud queue is always the best answer.