Most websites don’t skimp when it involves images. One blog post can have a lot of photographs and screenshots subsequently media makes content more engaging and scan-able. However, the more images you increase on each page, the longer it's going to fancy load. That’s where a top-quality WordPress compression plugin can come to the rescue.
During this article, we’ll highlight the simplest WordPress image optimization plugins available. We’ve chosen them supported their feature sets, ratings and reviews, update histories, and pricing.
Let’s get to it!
1. EWWW Image Optimizer:
EWWW Image Optimizer is one of the primary powerful WordPress compression plugins which is the best for you'll use. If once you enable this tool, it automatically compresses any type of new images you upload to your website.
You can also use the Bulk Optimizer to compress the existing images in your Media Library:
Using EWWW Image Optimizer, you'll automatically resize images as you upload them, and take away metadata from your media files to save lots of space. The plugin also includes which takes times in loading functionality, and permits you to convert image files to the WebP format for increased compression ratios.
The free version of EWWW Image Optimizer bandages images on your server and doesn’t have a file size limit. You'll also choose the plugin’s best version, which uses a cloud service for image optimization and claims higher compression ratios.
Key Features:
- Compress image files as you upload the content to your
- website optimize existing files in your Media Library
- Automatically resize new images
- Enable lazy loading
- Convert images to WebP
EWWW Image Optimize is for you if…
…your server can handle the extra load from compression tasks. That shouldn’t be a drag unless you’re employing a very basic shared hosting plan otherwise you routinely upload many images to your website.
2. WP SMUSH:
WP SMUSH is a component of WPMU DEV’s family of plugins. This particular tool allows the user to automatically optimize images after uploading them to your website. a bit like our previous pick, WP SMUSH includes a majority optimization option (up to 50 images at a time) for compressing existing images.
What stands out about WP SMUSH is its interface (UI). like most of WPMU DEV’s plugins, the display is sleek and straightforward to understand:
WP SMUSH also includes resizing and lazy-loading functionality. Plus, you'll configure the plugin to strip image metadata after you upload new files.
This particular plugin supports images up to five MB. If you would like to travel over that limit, you’ll get to use the premium version, which also allows you to integrate a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for even faster loading times.
Key Features:
- Automatically optimize image files (up to five MB) after uploading them
- Compress existing images in your Media Library (up to 50 files at once)
- Strip metadata from your image files
- Automatically resize images as you upload them
- Enable lazy-loading
WP SMUSH is for you if…
This plugin offers the foremost user-friendly interface you’ll find among WordPress compression plugins. We’ve also tested WP SMUSH with Divi, and therefore the two bring an excellent combination.
Price: Free, with a premium version available starting at $6 per month | More Information
3. Short-Pixel Image Optimizer:
Short-Pixel Image Optimizer enables you to automatically optimize images and PDF files, also as resize images. While this is often a typical offering, one new feature this plugin offers is that the choice between lossy, lossless, and lossy compression.
Few WordPress image optimization plugins offer glossy compression. From a technical position, it provides a central ground between lossless and lossy density types:
Short Pixel Image Optimizer also allows you to copy your original image files after they’re optimized. It can assist you to remove metadata from images, and automatically resize them after the upload process. additionally, this plugin can automatically convert PNG files to JPEGs, also as optimize Retina images and thumbnails.
Despite all of its advanced functionality, there are a couple of downsides to using Short Pixel. First, the plugin requires you to share your email address to urge an API key for activation. Second, the plugin’s free version limits you to 100 image optimizations per month, which cannot be enough for a few users.
Key Features:
- Automatically compress new images on your website (up to 100 per month)
- Use bulk optimization to compress existing images
- Choose between lossless, lossy, and glossy compression
- Create backups of your images before compression
- Remove metadata from image files
- Automatically resize images
- Convert PNG files to JPEGs
- Optimize Retina images and thumbnails
Short Pixel Image Optimizer is for you if…
…you can work with the 100 image optimization limit per month, or buy the plugin’s premium version.
Price: Free, with a premium version available starting at $4.99 per month
4. Compress JPEG & PNG Images:
Compress JPEG & PNG Images may be a straightforward tool for image optimization in WordPress. By default, this plugin compresses images aggressively employing a lossy approach. It allows you to resize images automatically, and compress every size that WordPress generates once you upload new files: One downside of using Compress JPEG & PNG is that you simply got to register for a free Tinify account to urge an API key. Plus, the service limits you to 500 free image optimizations per month. Every additional image size that you simply want to compress takes up another slot.
Key Features:
- Optimize images as you upload them to WordPress, or within the background after they’re on your server
- Resize images automatically
Compress JPEG & PNG Images is for you if…
In our experience, the files that Compress JPEG & PNG Images generates still look great for many purposes.
5. Robin Image Optimizer
Robin Image Optimizer enables you to optimize WordPress images using multiple third-party server options. The plugin can assist you to compress images in bulk or optimize new files as you upload them to WordPress. In either case, you get to settle on whether to use a free server that limits image size to five MB, or a second option that works on a system (with 300 free optimizations per month):
This plugin also allows you to choose from multiple compression modes, including lossless, lossy, “high”, and custom options. Robin Image Optimizer includes a feature that allows you to create image backups before optimizing them, and you'll also use the plugin to get rid of metadata from your media files. Finally, it provides a handy feature that allows you to schedule image optimizations within the background.
Key Features:
- Choose from multiple compression types
- Automatically optimize images after uploading them
- Choose from multiple servers to manage image optimization
- Create backups of your image files before optimizing them
- Schedule image optimizations to run within the background
Robin Image Optimizer is for you if…
Robin Image Optimizer also offers a stimulating mixture of free features, like enabling you to settle on between servers.
Price: Free, with a premium version available starting at $39 per annum
6. reSMUSH.it
If you’re trying to find a plug-and-play WordPress compression plugin, reSMUSH.it should be one of your top picks. This plugin enables automatic image optimization right after you activate it, and it only includes a couple of settings. Among those, you’ll have the choice to switch image quality, enable logs, preserve metadata, and not save image backups:
smush.it also allows you to schedule image optimization to run within the background. However, it’s important to notice that the plugin can only optimize files up to five MB. apart from that, you'll use it without restrictions.
Key Features:
- Choose from multiple compression types
- Automatically optimize images after uploading them to WordPress
- Schedule image optimization beforehand
- Preserve or delete image metadata
- Create backups of your images before optimization
smush.it is for you if…
…you want to use a hassle-free image optimization plugin. the sole downside to reSMUSH.it is its 5 MB image file size limit.
Price: Free
7. WP-Optimize
WP-Optimize is quite just a WordPress compression plugin. This plugin also includes tools that enable you to wash your database, modify your caching settings, and minify scripts. In short, it’s an all-in-one solution for WordPress optimization.
When it involves image optimization specifically, the plugin relies on the smush.it engines to compress your images. you'll automatically optimize new images after uploading them, or compress files from your Media Library:
WP-Optimize gives you full control over your image optimization settings. However, it doesn’t include a choice to compress existing files in bulk, so it’s best suited to new websites.
Key Features:
- Choose from multiple compression types
- Automatically optimize images after uploading them to WordPress
- Compress images from your Media Library
- Optimize your WordPress database
- Configure your website’s caching settings
- Minify your website’s scripts
WP-Optimize is for you if…
…you need a one-in-all performance optimization solution for your website. WP-Optimize helps you tackle multiple key tasks employing a single plugin. However, if your website’s speed is already strong, you'll be happier employing a dedicated compression plugin.
Price: Free, with a premium version available starting at $39 per annum
8. Image Optimizer by 10web
The Image Optimizer by 10Web plugin allows you to choose from “easy” and “advanced” configuration modes. the straightforward mode enables you to pick what sort of compression you would like to use to pictures, and whether to optimize them automatically.
If you delve into the plugin’s advanced settings, you'll choose whether you would like to get rid of metadata from images, create backups for your media files, and even resize them:
However, it does include an option that allows you to exclude images smaller than a group size from optimization. meaning you'll avoid consuming your image quota for files that don’t require compression.
Key Features:
- Choose from multiple compression types
- Bulk optimize images in your Media Library
- Resize images after uploading them
- Remove metadata from your image files
- Create backups of your image files
- Exclude smaller images from optimization
Image Optimizer by 10web is for you if…
…you want something that’s even as customizable as you would like it to be, and you don’t mind the 100 images per month limit.
Price: Free, with a premium version available as a part of 10Web’s services or during a plugin bundle starting at $85
Conclusion:
There are tons of choices when it involves WordPress compression plugins. Most tools offer automatic image optimization, but during a lot of cases, that comes with a couple of caveats. With free plugins, there’s often a limit to what percentage of images you'll optimize or what maximum file size you'll compress.
With that in mind, our top suggestions for WordPress compression plugins are EWWWK Image Optimizer and WP SMUSH. Both tools offer a broad range of optimization options, and only a couple of limitations within the case of WP SMUSH specifically.
Do you have any questions on which WordPress compression plugin to use? read more about plugin development and contact us and we will help you in resolving your problem.
