WP Plugin Ewww Image Optimizer
Comparison & Alternatives

EWWW Image Optimizer

EWWW Image Optimizer, developed by Exactly WWW, has been a popular WordPress plugin since its release on 2012-06-07 with over 1,000,000+ active installations. The plugin improves website performance by optimizing images, which leads to reduced bounce rates and better SEO performance. A key unique selling point of EWWW Image Optimizer is image optimization directly on your own server, giving users full control over the process. This capability gives the plugin an edge over others that rely on external servers. The target audience primarily includes website operators who aim for a faster and more user-friendly experience. With an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from 1,802 reviews in the official WordPress Plugin Store, high user satisfaction and acceptance are evident. Below is an overview of the main features and functions of EWWW Image Optimizer.

"Optimizes all current and newly added images as if by magic."

Features - Extensive capabilities for optimized image presentation

EWWW Image Optimizer offers a wide range of features that help users optimize images efficiently. In addition to the aforementioned on-server optimization, the plugin also offers a bulk optimization feature that allows you to process all images on a website at once. Another notable feature is direct conversion of images to the WebP format, which yields faster load times and reduced storage usage. This automation makes it a time-saving solution for web administrators who want to run a high-performing website.

"Works better than other optimizers. It was painless to use and ran stably."

Free Features - No-cost functions for comprehensive image optimization

• Optimization of all existing images - Enables compression and conversion to a web-optimized format.
• Automatic image optimization - Automatic compression and adjustment of new images.
• Unlimited file size - No restrictions regarding image dimensions.
• Pixel-perfect optimization - Precise control over each image using leading tools.
• Smart conversion options - Format changes tailored to the specific need.
• Free backup - 30-day retention of original images.
• Bulk optimization - Optimizes all images on a website centrally from a single page.
• Plugin compatibility - Broad support and compatibility with numerous plugins and themes.
• CDN support - Integration with various Content Delivery Networks (CDNs).

License - Free to use for all users

EWWW Image Optimizer is available as freeware, making it especially appealing to small website owners and newcomers to web development. Users appreciate the benefits of a free plugin that still offers high-quality features. Availability without fees enables access to comprehensive image optimization tools without financial investment. This contributes to the plugin's popularity and high installation rate.

"Grateful that there is a free option."

Technical details - A deep dive for developers

EWWW Image Optimizer impresses with its ability to optimize images server-side directly on the WordPress installation. For developers, the plugin offers support via WP-CLI, enabling seamless bulk optimization processes through the command line and thus increasing efficiency, especially in scenarios with large image datasets. The plugin uses PHP's GD library by default to process images and also allows the use of more specialized tools like ImageMagick, jpegtran and OptiPNG if they are available. This extensibility provides precise control over compression settings and image quality. Another notable feature is WebP conversion, which can be handled by the GD library to deliver more efficient formats. EWWW also supports database-backed storage of metadata and optimization histories, enabling users to track exactly which images were optimized and to what extent.

System requirements - Compatibility overview

EWWW Image Optimizer requires at least PHP version 7.4, to function properly. Regarding WordPress, the plugin is compatible from version 4.7 and has been extensively tested up to the latest WordPress version 6.5. The plugin is currently available in version 8.2.1 and the last update was in 2025-08. These up-to-date compatibility and system requirement details underscore the plugin's ability to operate smoothly in a modern web environment and receive ongoing support and security updates.

"Updates come regularly and ensure seamless integration with new WordPress versions."

Quality - High-level image compression

EWWW Image Optimizer is characterized by its high image quality even after optimization. It offers an excellent balance between file size reduction and preservation of image sharpness. The plugin uses industry-leading algorithms to ensure images not only load faster but are also displayed at high quality. This optimization generally results in faster website load times, which can positively impact user experience and SEO rankings. Despite automatic processes, the plugin also allows detailed control over compression settings so users can tailor preferences for different use cases.

"This optimizer reduces file size and preserves quality impressively well."

Support - Scope of offerings and user opinions

Support for EWWW Image Optimizer is rated very positively by many users. The plugin provides comprehensive contact options to resolve issues and concerns. Users can visit the official support area of the plugin on WordPress.org or contact the development team directly via the official website. Email support is available for all users at no cost, and many existing customers report quick and helpful assistance. In addition to general troubleshooting queries, the team also accepts feedback and suggestions for future features, which is appreciated by the community.

User experiences with support vary. While some praise response speed and solution orientation, there are reports of longer wait times and insufficient help for specific problems. Nevertheless, support stands out through numerous positive reviews, especially in personalized assistance for the Pro version.

"Excellent support and quick solutions despite complex issues."

Rating - High satisfaction despite isolated criticism

EWWW Image Optimizer enjoys a high average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from a total of 1,802 reviews. These positive responses illustrate users' overall satisfaction with the plugin's performance and features. Many users praise its efficiency and reliability in image optimization.

Among the positive reviews is a user who is convinced of the plugin's trouble-free user experience:

"Works better than other optimizers. It was painless to use and ran stably."

Despite these positive responses, there are some critical voices. One user criticizes the plugin's behavior after deactivation:

"I deactivated this plugin on about 1,000,000+ installations and it still prompts me to leave a review."

Another praise highlights the plugin's optimization performance in the WebP area:

"Excellent for self-hosted WP sites for image optimization and WebP conversion."

These reviews reflect strong community acceptance, although there are points that could be considered for future updates to further improve the user experience.

Criticism - A differentiated look at weaknesses

The EWWW Image Optimizer, although largely positively reviewed, is also the focus of criticism by some users. A frequently mentioned criticism is malware warnings reported by security platforms like VirusTotal. These warnings have raised concerns for some users, although no actual harm has been found so far. Such security concerns are taken seriously, however, as the developer offers close cooperation with the Patchstack Vulnerability Disclosure Program to validate and fix vulnerabilities.

Another issue that is occasionally highlighted concerns the often intrusive requests to rate the plugin, which appear even after the plugin has been deactivated. Users find these prompts annoying and not user-friendly.

Reports of bugs and complications with the user interface are also present. Some users have found that the plugin occasionally works inefficiently, converting images into unusable code or affecting the structure of websites. The documentation is criticized as insufficient, particularly regarding default settings, which are often poorly documented and cause confusion.

Despite these points, it is acknowledged that the developer continuously works to fix reported bugs and respond to user feedback. A participatory roadmap allows the community to take part in the plugin's further development.

"While this EWWW Image Optimizer plugin triggers malware warnings on VirusTotal, no actual damage is visible so far." - Translation of user feedback.

These mixed experiences suggest that while the user base is broadly satisfied, specific areas for improvement have been identified to further optimize the plugin and adapt it to users' needs.

Conclusion - Summary of strengths and weaknesses

The EWWW Image Optimizer, developed by Exactly WWW, provides a powerful solution for optimizing images on WordPress sites. With a variety of features, including server-side processing and conversion to the WebP format, the plugin offers a solid foundation for improving website performance. The free availability and compatibility with a wide range of plugins and themes make it an attractive option for many site owners.

The predominantly positive reviews testify to widespread satisfaction within the community, although isolated criticisms regarding security warnings and user experience have been raised. Despite these challenges, the developer continuously strives to resolve issues and implement improvements. Ultimately, the EWWW Image Optimizer positions itself as one of the leading plugins in the field of image optimization for WordPress users.