Source: https://mactoolbox.app/best-image-converter-for-mac

# Best image converter for Mac

By Nikhil Barik · Published November 3, 2026 · Prices and features checked November 5, 2026

## Quick answer

For one or two photos, open them in Preview and use File > Export. For a folder of HEIC or other photos, use Toolbox or XnConvert. XnConvert is free for private use and has more options. Toolbox is simpler and also writes WebP.

## Our ranking

Four ways to convert images on a Mac.

| # | App | Best for | Price | Runs in / Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Preview | One or two images | Free, built into macOS | File > Export |
| 2 | Toolbox | Folders of photos, simple settings | From $19 one-time | JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF, WebP. Offline |
| 3 | XnConvert | Many formats and batch actions | Free for private or educational use; business licenses from 15 EUR | Reads 500+ formats, exports to about 70. Universal DMG |
| 4 | Permute | Images alongside video and audio | $14.99 one-time (Permute 4) | Permute 4 needs macOS 26 and Apple Silicon |

## Preview

Use it first.

- Pros: Nothing to install, and it handles the common formats.
- Cons: Slow for large batches.

## Toolbox

Toolbox is a Mac app with many tools in one, sold as a one-time purchase with no subscription.

- Pros: Drop a folder, pick a format and quality, and choose whether to keep metadata. Originals stay as they are.
- Cons: Fewer formats than XnConvert, and paid.

## XnConvert

Better than Toolbox if you need rare formats.

- Pros: Free for private use and very capable, with many batch actions.
- Cons: Dense interface, and company use needs a paid license.

## Permute

Good if you also convert media files.

- Pros: Converts video, audio and images with drag and drop; a trial is offered.
- Cons: Permute 4 needs macOS 26 and Apple Silicon.

## How we chose

We looked at what each app does for this one job, what it costs, and where it runs. Prices and features were checked on each maker's own site on 2026-11-03 and can change. Where a price page did not show a figure we could confirm, the table says to see their site.

Toolbox is our own app, so treat our ranking with that in mind. We list it where it fits the job and say plainly when another app is the better pick. Toolbox needs macOS 15 Sequoia or later. We looked at batch support, supported formats and whether files stay on your Mac.

## Frequently asked questions

**How do I convert HEIC to JPG on Mac?**

Open the photo in Preview and choose File > Export, or use a batch tool such as Toolbox or XnConvert for many files.

**Which format should I pick?**

JPEG for sharing, PNG for lossless images with transparency, WebP for small web files.

**Is the original changed?**

Not in Toolbox. It writes copies to a new folder.

## Tools mentioned

- [**Convert Images**: Save photos as JPEG, PNG, HEIC, TIFF or WebP.](https://mactoolbox.app/heic-to-jpg-mac)
- [**Compress Images**: Make photos smaller without visible loss in quality.](https://mactoolbox.app/compress-images-mac)
- [**Resize Images**: Scale photos by percentage, longest side or exact size.](https://mactoolbox.app/resize-images-mac)

## Keep reading

- [Convert Images](https://mactoolbox.app/heic-to-jpg-mac)