Permute vs MediaOptim: Honest Comparison (2026)
An unbiased look at Permute ($14.99) and MediaOptim ($8.99 one-time). We'll tell you when Permute is the better choice.
Quick Verdict
Permute is one of the best drag-and-drop media converters on Mac—simple, fast, and indie-built. If you just need to convert files between formats once in a while, it's a great $14.99 pick. But Permute doesn't scan your drive for large files and isn't built around the "free up space" workflow. MediaOptim is for when storage is the problem, not just conversion.
$14.99 (One-time)
$8.99 (One-time)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Permute | MediaOptim |
|---|---|---|
| Video Compression | ||
| Photo Compression | ||
| Audio Compression | ||
| Batch Folder Processing | ||
| Space Scanner | ||
| HEVC/H.265 Support | ||
| 100% Local & Private | ||
| Format Conversion (WebP/AVIF) | ||
| Price | $14.99 | $8.99 |
Detailed Breakdown
Price
Permute is $14.99 one-time (or included with Setapp at $9.99/month). MediaOptim is $8.99 one-time. Both reject subscriptions for the core product. If you want the cheapest Mac-native option that handles all media types, MediaOptim is slightly cheaper, but Permute has years of indie-trust behind it.
Features
Permute is a focused drag-and-drop converter: drop files, pick a format, done. It's great at that. MediaOptim does conversion too, but adds a Space Scanner that finds large media files on your disk and lets you batch-compress them in one pass. They're different shapes of the same problem.
Ease of Use
Both are extremely easy. Permute is famously simple—possibly the simplest converter on Mac. MediaOptim is also drag-and-drop but adds workflows like "scan a folder for big files" that Permute doesn't offer. For pure conversion, Permute may feel lighter.
Privacy
Both fully local. Permute is a long-trusted indie app; MediaOptim also processes everything locally with no uploads.
Format Support
Permute supports a wide range including video, audio, images, PDF, WebP, SVG. MediaOptim supports video (H.264, HEVC), photos (JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, HEIF), audio (MP3, AAC, FLAC, WAV). Permute has the edge on rare formats like SVG; MediaOptim has the edge on storage-focused workflows.
When to Choose Permute
- You know which files you want to convert and just need a converter
- You like Mac-native indie apps with one-time pricing
- You already pay for Setapp (Permute is included)
- You need niche format support like WebP and SVG conversion
When to Choose MediaOptim
- You don't know where your storage went—you need a scanner
- You want to process entire folders at once, not file by file
- Your goal is freeing disk space, not just converting formats
- You want the "scan + compress" combined workflow
Permute: Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- Beloved Mac-native indie app with strong reputation
- Drag-and-drop simplicity—near zero learning curve
- Hardware acceleration for HEVC (3x faster)
- Supports rare formats like WebP and SVG
- Available on Setapp subscription bundle
- One-time license at $14.99
Weaknesses
- No Space Scanner to find what's eating your storage
- No batch folder processing—you add files manually
- Conversion-focused, not storage-recovery focused
- No "find big videos on my Mac" workflow
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Permute worth $14.99?
Does Permute scan for large files?
Permute vs MediaOptim—which is simpler?
Can I get Permute through Setapp?
Ready to Free Up Storage?
Compress your videos, photos, and audio files without losing quality. One-time purchase, no subscription, 100% private.
$8.99 one-time. Free trial available. macOS only.