15 Best WordPress Image Optimizer Plugins Free (2024)

Are you looking for the best WordPress image optimizer plugins free? If yes, then you’ve landed at the right place.

Image optimization plugins will help reduce the size of the images used in your WordPress site. If your website has plenty of large-size images and has to make them small, then you need to use the image optimization plugins. Your website can now provide a better user experience with faster loading.

There are several free WordPress image compression plugins available to optimize your website images. But it may be difficult for you to choose the best ones which are more suitable for your needs. 

Don’t worry! We’ve come up with a collection of the best WordPress image optimizers for your website.

First, let’s start with how to choose a WordPress image optimizer plugin free for your website.

How to Choose a WordPress Image Optimizer Plugin? (6 Tips)

There are several things to look for while choosing the best WordPress image optimizer plugins for free. So, you need to make sure that the plugin you use has the following features:

• Automated Optimization: The first and foremost thing is that the plugin should automatically resize and optimize images. It also must serve modern image formats to any image source.
• Lazy Loader: Another thing is lazy loading. It must load images on your page only when you scroll or need them.
• The number of images that can be compressed: The next thing is how many images the plugin compresses from its free version. 
• Bulk Optimization: All your images should be able to be optimized at the same time.
• Compression Quality: Another important factor is that it must not degrade the image quality.
• Easy to use: Lastly, it should be easy to use and user-friendly.

So, here are the 15 best WordPress image optimizer plugins free to use for your WordPress website.

15 Best WordPress Image Optimizer (Compression) Plugins

1. Smush

Smush by WPMU DEV, founded in 2007 is an award-winning image optimizer WordPress plugin. It helps to optimize, compress, and resize your images. You can optimize up to 5 MB-size images in JPEG, GIF, and PNG format. Moreover, it takes some of your server load to improve your Google Page Speed.

It’s one of the best image optimizers and compressor plugins with over 1 million active installations in WordPress. Including automatic WebP conversion and image resizing, plus, GIF / Rest API support.

Features:

• Lossless compression to compress images without any effect on image quality.
• Lazy load to defer offscreen images with the flip of a switch.
• Bulk optimization to optimize and auto smushing.
• Incorrect size image detection to locate images that are slowing your website.
• Super servers are used to smush images with fast and reliable Smush API without downtime.
• Directory Smush optimizes images even when they are not located in the media library.

Pricing:

You can get the free version of this plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Also, there is a premium version available in 4 different pricing plans from its official site.

• Basic: $3/month with usage on 1 site.
• Standard: $5/month with usage on 3 sites.
• Freelancer: $10/month with usage on 10 sites.
• Unlimited: $20/month with usage on unlimited sites.

2. WP-Optimize

Trusted by 1+ million WordPress websites, WP-Optimize is an all-in-one plugin to clean databases, compress large images, and cache your website. It provides lossless compression that can convert large images used in your website to be compressed as files.

Moreover, it promotes high page loading speed. Because, webpages load much faster by loading web parts gradually, when they’re needed vs simultaneous loading of everything, all at once.

Features:

• Bulk compression to compress several images together with a single click.
• ‘Restore Originals’ function to retrieve and reverse back to your original images when you need to.
• Auto-compress function for images to be automatically compressed in your website.
• EXIF Data-Keeping to retrieve information about your original image even after being compressed.
• Compatible with PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, and TIF image files.
• Identify and delete unused images from your WordPress website, saving disk space.

Pricing:

Download the free version of this plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Also, there is a premium version available in 3 different pricing plans from its official site.

• Starter: $49/year with usage on 1-2 sites.
• Business: $99/year with usage on 3-5 sites.
• Unlimited: $199/year with usage on unlimited sites.

3. SiteGround Optimizer

SiteGround Optimizer is a WordPress plugin developed by SiteGround that is responsible for improving the performance of WordPress instances. If you’re a SiteGround user and using the SiteGround hosting platform, then you can use this plugin. Or use it with any other hosting platform.

It effortlessly compresses images to resize and reduce the space they occupy on your server. Also, the dimensions of the images will remain unchanged, allowing for optimized storage. You get to choose whether to create backups of the original images or not.

Please note that the image compression feature is exclusive to the SiteGround Environment.

Features:

• Enable or disable the use of automatic optimization for new images.
• Bulk optimization for old images.
• Enable or disable lazy load to images and even other multimedia elements.
• Exclude unrequired images to perform lazy load.
• WebP formats for new or existing images.

Pricing:

SiteGRound Optimizer is free to use, it’s available to download from the official plugin repository of WordPress.org.

4. Autoptimize

Autoptimize has an amazing 1+ million active installations, making it one of the popular image optimization plugins for WordPress. If you want your website to have a great performance, then this plugin provides remarkable web optimization performance services.

Apart from image optimization, it also performs HTML, CSS, and JavaScript optimization. It allows you to aggregate, minify scripts and styles, and injects CSS in the page head by default.

Features:

• Compatible with WebP and AVIF formats also.
• Optimize and perform lazy load to images. Exclude images like logos, social media icons, etc. It’s because they don’t require a lazy load.
• Specify which JavaScript should be delayed until user interaction (or 5s), ideal to delay 3rd party JavaScript OR delay all javascript.
• Delay iFrames with support for thumbnails from YouTube, Vimeo & Dailymotion.

Pricing:

Download the free version of Autoptimize for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Also, there is a premium version available in 3 different pricing plans from its official site.

• Single Site: $79/year.
• 5 Site: $299/year.
• 10 Sites: $552/year.
• 15 Sites: $829/year
• 20 Sites: $1,099/year.

5. EWWW Image Optimizer

With over 1 million installations and 4.7 stars out of 5, EWWW Image Optimizer is aimed to solve the issue of large images used in your websites. It’s the only plugin that allows using tools available on your own server for the optimization of images.

It allows you to optimize the existing images. Moreover, it automatically optimizes your new images on upload. 

Moreover, this plugin provides the best compression. It has no speed limits and can optimize unlimited file size. The use of leading tools of the industry in this plugin provides smooth handling for pixel-perfect optimization.

Features:

• Adaptive steering that has intelligent conversion options. This keeps accurate image format, whether JPG, PNG, GIF, or WebP.
• Comprehensive coverage that optimizes each image of your website. It also works for WordPress media libraries.
• Safe and secure with the use of the best SSL encryption.
• Provide one-to-one support to answer questions.
• 30 days of free image backups to store your original images.

Pricing:

The core plugin is free to download from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

while the premium version is available to purchase for $7/month from its official website.

6. Imagify

With a whopping 4.4 stars out of 5 on Trustpilot, Imagify is regarded as the most advanced tool to optimize images in WordPress. In a single click, you can auto-resize large images or optimize without degrading quality.

There are three 3 of compression namely Normal, Aggressive, and Ultra as per the degree of image optimization. Normal provides lossless compression without quality degradation. Aggressive provides stronger lossy compression leading to unrecognizable tiny loss of quality. While Ultra provides the strongest lossy compression.

Features:

• Compatible with animated or non-animated image formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, and GIF.
• Bulk optimizer enables optimizing your images existing in your website easily.
• Backup option to restore original images or optimize in another level.
• Compatible with WooCommerce and NextGen media gallery tools.
• You can optimize a 20 MB image size for free every month.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Growth: $5.99/month
• Infinite: $9.99/month

7. ShortPixel

ShortPixel Image Optimizer provides lossless compression for all the common image formats. Such as JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, AVIF, and PDF files. Additionally, glossy JPEG compression allows you to provide high-quality lossy optimization. This is best suitable for photographers.

It’s easy to use and install the plugin with automatic optimization and advanced background optimization. It’s highly compatible with any media gallery, or also with slider or eCommerce or watermarking plugins.

Moreover, you can now add images in Apple format (HEIC) directly from your iPhone. They will be automatically converted to JPG and then optimized according to your settings.

Features:

• Allows running on multiple websites or a multisite (whether HTTP or HTTPS) using a single API Key.
• All thumbnails on your website are not only optimized but also regenerated to fully display the subject of the image.
• Bulk optimization for existing images easily with a click.
• Image details and overall statistics in optimization report for 30 days.
• Directly integrate with CloudFare using an API Key or a Token.
• Display JPEG images quickly with progressive JPEG encoding.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Unlimited Monthly: $9.99/month
• Unlimited Yearly: $99.99/year

8. TinyPNG

TinyPNG allows your WordPress website to load fast by optimization of JPEG and PNG images. Images can be whether animated or not. This plugin consists of popular image compression TinyJPG and TinyPNG. It auto optimizes new images and compresses images in your media library.

You can automatically resize images by keeping the maximum width and/or height of your choice. You can also optimize and resize your image uploads from WordPress mobile app.

There isn’t any file size limit. You can also compress your images online and then use them on your website. This states that installing the plugin is not necessary. Moreover, it provides a simpler interface to use.

Features:

• Optimize about 100 images each month for free.
• Bulk optimization of existing media libraries.
• JPEG images are displayed faster by progressive JPEG encoding.
• Can save original image’s information and location.
• Single API key used to enable multisite support.
• Compatible with WooCommerce and WP Retina 2x.

Pricing:

You can use this plugin for free from the official plugin repository of WordPress.org.

A paid version of this plugin is available and can be enabled from the dashboard. But you need to contact the support team for that.

9. reSmush.it

reSmush.it image optimization service works on various CMS platforms (WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Magento, Prestashop, etc.) and is used by over 400,000 websites worldwide. It provides free image optimization to JPG, PNG, BMP, TIF, and GIF image format files.

The plugin is super easy to use (just 2 clicks!), and can be used to bulk optimize current images and automatically optimize all new images. You can also adjust the optimization levels and exclude certain images.

Features:

• Exclude images to not perform optimization.
• Change the optimization level that matches your needs easily.
• Revert to your original images.
• Original copy saved and optimization for its copy.
• Backup and restore original images.

Pricing:

It’s a completely free-to-use image optimization plugin that you can download from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

10. Optimole

Optimole is an all-in-one image optimizer plugin that consists of full automation and a wide range of evolutionary features. From a cloud-based system, it optimizes your images in real time. This provides high-quality images and speeds up your website.

You can optimize as many as images you want for up to 5K monthly visits. It’s compatible with WebP and supports Retina and watermarks.

Features:

• Lossy and lossless optimization for high-quality images even in small size.
• Smart cropping to keep the image well-sized without losing focus.
• Lazy load to defer offscreen images and seamless viewing experience without content shifting.
• Downgrade image quality when in weak connections.
• Free access to AWS CloudFront CDN with edge locations in over 450+ cities.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Starter: $19.08/month
• Business: $39.08/month
• Custom: Flexible pricing plan, you need to contact the Optimole support team.

11. Optimus

Optimus is another WordPress image optimizer plugin free to use by KeyCDN. It automatically reduces file size by up to 70% on upload. Numerous kilobytes are saved per image maintains the performance of the website through high-quality images.

The free version provides a limitation of up to 100 KB. It doesn’t require adjustments to code and allows bulk optimization with a single click.

However, photos should always be saved as JPEGs rather than PNGs. The PNG format works well for illustrations, JPEG on the other hand is the right choice for photographs. Another reason is the size reduction always works more quickly for JPEGs.

Features:

• Outputs progressive JPEG for quick image loading.
• Conversion is available to WP Retina 2x and WebP.
• Provides slightly lossy compression of JPEG images while lossless compression of PNG images.
• Option to not remove EXIF and IPTC files.
• Compatible with WordPress Multisite and WooCommerce.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Optimus HQ: $39/year
• Optimus HQ PRO: $169/year

12. Robin Image Optimizer

Robin Image Optimizer is a smart and advanced image optimizer that compresses 80% of your images without loss of image quality. Both free and premium versions have similar features which is the best part about it.

The free version has no limitations on the number of images that you optimize. Even though your image must be within 5 MB in size. You can also optimize images when on boot.

Features:

• Automatic optimization takes place for several images after every minute.
• Manual mass optimization by the press of a button.
• Original images are stored as a backup that can be restored or re-optimized.
• Choose among the three compression modes namely normal, regular and high.
• Statistics are available for optimized images.
• Reduce image weight by changing the size of the pre-optimized image.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• L Plan: $39 with 5000 images/month.
• XL Plan: $89 with 12000 images/month.
• XXL Plan: $299 with 55000 images/month.
• XXXL Plan: $499 with 120,000 images/month.

13. Image Optimization for SEO

Image Optimization for SEO is a WordPress plugin that resizes and compresses your images to increase your website speed. It’s an SEO-friendly image optimizer plugin, that perfectly optimizes Woo-commerce product images as well.

You can replace the title and alt tags of used images without affecting the code and database of your website. It provides complete documentation of the plugin. So, it’s easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.

Features:

• Insert Custom title, description, and caption in each single Image.
• Image library with Easy user-friendly interface.
• Bootstrap-based responsive plugin settings panel.
• Compatible with major browsers and WordPress themes.
• Remove delimiter characters (like dot dash etc) from the title and Alt tag.

Pricing:

You can download the free version of this plugin from the plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Or get the premium version for additional features that cost $11 per month from its official website.

14. WP Compress

WP Compress is a WordPress plugin that automatically optimizes your image to resize and convert your images and rank your website higher. It’s an all-in-one delivery solution that you may use for any or all components that you desire. It serves via Hybrid CDN, SVG via CDN, and serves WebP images.

WP Compress provides much more than image optimization. It allows local (media library) as well as live (real-time) image optimization. You can have a live chat and gain frequent updates from it. You can 50,000 Optimization Credits free for every month.

Features:

• Unlock lightning-fast server responses, slash resource consumption, and avoid unnecessary hosting upgrades.
• Bulk optimization and bulk restore with a single click.
• Lossless, Intelligent, and Ultra compression modes are available.
• Adaptive images for every device and Retina device support.
• Prevention against over-compression.
• Gain external URLs like Amazon S3.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Professional: $99/year.
• Whitelable: $499/year.

15. Image Optimizer by Elementor

Image Optimizer by Elementor is the popular plugin owned by the popular page builder Elementor. It reduces image size through various compression and resizing techniques. While preserving the highest possible image quality. It supports many popular formats, including JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, and GIF.

This plugin uses a 3rd party service operated by Elementor, which accepts a standard image in JPG, PNG, GIF, or WEBP format. And returns a web-optimized image based on the selected settings. This flow is triggered by the user or automatically based on the selected plugin settings.

Features:

• Optimizes your images in the background, without you having to stay on the page during optimization.
• Automatically optimizes images when you upload them.
• Select whether to clear image metadata to reduce size even more without impacting image quality.
• Ability to delete backups permanently to save space.
• Get an efficient and faster-loading format with WebP and AVIF for even better web performance.

Pricing:

Get this image optimizer plugin for free from the official plugin directory of WordPress.org.

Besides, there are other premium plans available from its official website.

• Optimizer 5K: $4.17/month.
• Optimizer 20K: $8.33/month.
• Optimizer 1M: $16.67/month.

Comparing Top 5 Image Optimizer Test Results

For this test, we are using a JPG image with a file size of 778 KB. Below is the test image.

Here are our results!

Which is the Best Free Image Compression Plugin?

Now that you’ve seen the most popular WordPress image optimizer plugins free, you can increase your website speed using it.

Smush ranks first as the best image compressor for WordPress due to its unlimited free lossless compression. Other plugins can be used specifically for image optimization as per its main impressive feature. This includes Optimole for responsive images, Imagify for excellent compression, EWWW Image Optimizer for no image size limits, and similarly others.

If you need plugins that work for multiple optimization performance services, you can use SG Optimize, WP-Optimize, or Autoptimize.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Let’s answer some of your common questions regarding image optimization.

Conclusion

That’s it! We’ve come to the end of our list of the 15 best WordPress image optimizer plugins free in 2024. We hope this article helped you to choose the free WordPress image compression plugin for your website.

We assure you that these plugins are free image optimizers that’ll get you lighter images without degrading their quality. From the above list, we recommend Smush if you’re looking for the best image optimizer plugin.

If you’re already using any of these mentioned plugins, then you can share your experience below in the comments section. If you have any more queries, then feel free to ask us.

You can also check our articles on how to choose the best WordPress plugins and best WordPress speed optimization plugins.

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