Hieu Dinh founded CompressionX, a new MacOS app that simplifies video compression. If you are a content creator, video editor, or professional who regularly shares videos, you’ll appreciate what CompressionX brings to the table. It allows you to reduce your video file size by up to 90% without compromising quality—all while working completely offline.
With five different quality options, you can fine-tune how much you want to compress your videos. The app also has a Raycast extension, speeding up workflows. Plus, its clean, straightforward design stands out in a crowded space of overly complicated compression tools.
And here’s something refreshing in today’s subscription-heavy world: CompressionX is sold for a one-time fee, giving you lifetime access. No recurring payments, just a one-and-done purchase.
Let’s dive into Hieu’s journey in building this app and what inspired him to create such a powerful yet simple tool.
What’s Your Backstory, and How Did You Come Up With the Idea for CompressX?
In November 2023, while working as a lead iOS engineer, I encountered a common problem: GitLab’s 10 MB file upload limit was hindering my team when it came to sharing video demos.
Although we used FFmpeg for compression, the terminal-based workflow was cumbersome. That’s when the idea for CompressX was born—a simple, offline tool to efficiently compress videos and images without compromising quality.
Given my experience with macOS app development, and after successful projects like Expense Buddy and my collaboration with my brother on Xnapper, I was excited to create a solution that directly addressed this need.
CompressX is more than just a compression tool; it’s designed to significantly reduce file sizes while preserving quality, all without requiring an internet connection—perfect for privacy-conscious users like myself.
How Did You Create the Product?
Creating CompressX was a journey that built on my experience as an iOS engineer deeply familiar with the Apple ecosystem. The initial development took about two weeks, with a focus on a single feature: video compression.
My objective was to quickly validate the idea with a minimal viable product (MVP). The process involved a lot of learning, experimenting, and leveraging the macOS development tools I was already comfortable with.
When I shared the first version on social media, the positive feedback encouraged me to keep iterating. Challenges like designing a user-friendly interface and balancing compression quality were met with persistence and valuable user input.
How Did You Launch the Product?
The official launch of CompressX on Product Hunt took place in January, backed by strategic efforts focused on marketing materials and tapping into my Twitter community. Early posts and active audience engagement turned out to be crucial, helping the product quickly climb to the #1 spot before ending the day as the #2 product.
My approach involved building an initial audience by sharing my progress, introducing the product early, and creating buzz ahead of the launch. Navigating new digital marketing channels on my own was a learning experience, revealing both the strengths and limitations of platforms like Product Hunt and X (formerly Twitter).
How Are You Doing Today, and What Does the Future Look Like?
Today, CompressX has achieved impressive milestones, with over 1,000 monthly active users and approximately 380,386 files compressed, leading to more than 22 terabytes of data reduction. The app has been downloaded over 6,000 times, generating around $15,000 in revenue—a clear sign of its value to users.
Looking forward, I plan to expand CompressX’s feature set, improve its SEO performance, and solidify our market presence. My goal is to make CompressX the go-to media compression tool for a wide range of user needs.
What Advice Would You Give to Aspiring Entrepreneurs Who Are Just Starting Out?
For those starting their entrepreneurial journey, focus on solving your own problems first—this approach gives you deep insights that are hard to come by otherwise. Once you have an idea, take immediate action by building a quick MVP to test and gather feedback.
Make your process public; sharing your journey builds a community that can provide valuable advice and support.
Don’t be afraid to learn new skills outside your main expertise, like design and marketing—they are essential for turning your vision into a reality. Embrace the learning curve, see mistakes as opportunities, and always remember that execution is what truly brings an idea to life.
Learn more about CompressX and Hieu Dinh
