WP Plugin Shortpixel Image Optimiser
Comparison & Alternatives

ShortPixel Image Optimizer - Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF

ShortPixel Image Optimizer is a versatile WordPress plugin developed by ShortPixel - Convert WebP/AVIF & Optimize Images and was first released on 2014-11-05. With over 300,000+ active installations, the plugin aims to boost website speed through efficient image and PDF optimization. ShortPixel stands out from competitors by supporting a wide range of compressed image formats such as JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP and AVIF. Particularly notable is the automatic conversion to modern formats, which can significantly improve both SEO and user experience. The plugin targets a variety of users, from small blogs to large WooCommerce online stores and agencies that offer unlimited image optimization for a monthly fee. The average rating in the official WordPress plugin store is 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 790 reviews. The next section takes a closer look at the specific features of the ShortPixel Image Optimizer.

"ShortPixel really sped up my website and significantly improved results on GTmetrix and PageSpeed Insights."

Features - Diverse image optimization capabilities

The ShortPixel Image Optimizer impresses with its comprehensive feature set that goes far beyond traditional image compression functions. In addition to the aforementioned support for various image and file formats and automatic conversion to modern formats, the plugin offers advanced optimization options such as bulk image optimization. This allows optimizing all media library images with a single click, greatly speeding up the workflow. Another notable feature is support for Smart Cropping, particularly useful for e-commerce sites to generate the right thumbnails.

"The variety of features ShortPixel offers makes it one of the most versatile image optimizers on the market."

Free Features - Limited but useful capabilities

• 100 free credits per month - Allows optimizing images up to a certain limit at no cost.
• Compression of JPG, PNG, GIF and PDF - Supports the most common image formats.
• Automatic conversion from PNG to JPG - Reduces file size when beneficial.
• CMYK to RGB conversion - For better color representation.
• Backup of original images - Originals are stored locally and can be restored with one click.

Pro Features - Advanced options for comprehensive image optimization

• Unlimited image optimization for agencies - Flat rate for agencies with many images.
• Bulk optimization - Optimize all images in the media library with one click.
• Background optimization - Images can be optimized without keeping a browser tab open.
• Automatic conversion to WebP and AVIF - For better performance and SEO ranking.
• Smart Cropping - AI-powered thumbnail generation, ideal for e-commerce sites.
• Advanced exclusion options - Exclude images based on filename, path or size.
• Automatic scans of custom media folders - For new images.
• Integration with Cloudflare - Automatic synchronization with the Cloudflare cache.

"With the Pro version of ShortPixel I was able to take my image optimization to a new level, and the integration with Cloudflare is a real bonus."

License & value for money - User ratings and options

ShortPixel offers flexible licensing options that include both free and paid plans. For users who only perform occasional image optimizations, the 100 monthly credits provide a generous option. For more intensive use, Pro plans are available that allow unlimited image optimizations without limits. Users particularly praise the cost-effective pricing model, where they only pay for the optimizations they actually need. This makes ShortPixel an attractive option for website owners and agencies with high image volumes. The pricing reflects the plugin's comprehensive features, and the ability to purchase one-time credit bundles is seen as advantageous.

"The costs are very reasonable compared to the performance and results I was able to achieve."

Technical details - A look under the plugin's hood

The ShortPixel Image Optimizer offers an extensive repertoire of developer options that meet even advanced technical requirements. Developers benefit from a variety of actions and filter hooks that allow influencing the plugin's behavior in depth. For example, upon successful image optimization the hook do_action( 'shortpixel_image_optimised', $post_id ); is called, providing the possibility for custom adjustments after optimization. There are also specific filters that affect backup folder management, such as apply_filters("shortpixel_backup_folder", $backup_folder, $main_file_path, $sizes);. These integrations give developers flexibility to further personalize image optimization and adapt it to specific use cases. A particular technical finesse is the plugin's ability to work seamlessly with multisite installations, allowing multiple websites to be efficiently operated under a single API key.

"The ability to create different API keys for each installation is a big advantage."

System requirements - Requirements for installation

To use the ShortPixel Image Optimizer efficiently, certain system requirements must be met. The plugin requires at least PHP version 7.4, ensuring even older hosting environments are supported. Additionally, a WordPress version from 4.8.0 is required. The plugin has been tested up to WordPress version 6.8.3, offering high compatibility with current WordPress versions. The current plugin version number is 6.3.5, and the last update in 2025-10 was performed. These regular updates ensure the plugin's security and performance.

"The regular updates and broad support for older PHP versions are definitely pluses."

Quality - Performance and user experiences

The quality of the ShortPixel Image Optimizer is characterized by its advanced features and the stable results praised by many users. The main advantage of the plugin lies in the speed and efficiency with which it optimizes images. By offloading optimization processes to the ShortPixel Image Optimization Cloud, local server resources are conserved, enabling operation even on shared hosting environments. Integration of advanced formats like WebP and AVIF not only improves website load times but also enhances overall user experience. Optimizations happen automatically and resource-efficiently, which is especially beneficial for large image volumes.

The quality of the service is complemented by the excellent support from the development team, which is praised by many users, particularly for quick and effective problem solving. However, there are occasional critical voices pointing to suboptimal image compression that can produce artifacts with some image types. The ability to customize compression levels is appreciated, as it allows users to balance quality loss and file size.

"I was amazed by the results this plugin delivers. Other optimization plugins don't reach ShortPixel's level."

Support - Competent support around the clock

Support for the ShortPixel Image Optimizer is often cited as one of its standout features. According to users, support is not only fast but also effective at resolving issues. Particularly noted is the ability to receive assistance around the clock for questions or problems. A commonly mentioned advantage is the response speed, which in many cases occurs the same day. Support is available through various channels, including email, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, allowing flexible communication. For specific inquiries, there is the option to consult the official support in the WordPress Plugin Store or to contact the developer support directly. Despite generally positive feedback, some users are not fully satisfied with the support's problem-solving capability, especially for more complex technical issues.

"Support exceeded my expectations."

Rating - User opinions and reviews

With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and 790 reviews, the ShortPixel Image Optimizer enjoys strong approval among WordPress users. Many praise the plugin's efficiency and support. Particularly emphasized is the noticeable improvement in website speed and the support, which is only rarely described as insufficient.

An example of the positive reviews is:

"A great plugin, works very well, 62% reduction overall."

On the other hand, there are also critical voices expressing concerns about the cost and suitability for larger volumes of images:

"Not recommended if you have many images and want a free solution."

Nevertheless, positive experiences prevail, as reflected in comments highlighting the plugin's added value and range of features:

"The secret ingredient for a WordPress website."

Criticism - Weaknesses and suggestions for improvement

Despite the many positive aspects of the ShortPixel Image Optimizer, there are also some criticisms raised in user reviews. A frequently criticized issue is technical difficulties that can cause conflicts in certain setups. Some users report that the plugin made their websites unstable. Another critical aspect is insufficient protection against security vulnerabilities. According to one review, the plugin, for example, allows the creation of submenus that cannot be removed. These submenus enable users to restore backups or perform bulk actions like deleting optimizations, which could unintentionally lead to data loss.

"This plugin crashed my website, and I thought I had lost a year of hard work until I discovered it was incompatible with one of the apps I use."

Another common criticism concerns image quality after optimization. Some users report that images suffer a drop in quality after compression, which is particularly noticeable in heavily compressed images. These complaints underscore the need for flexible settings to adjust the balance between file size and image quality individually.

"Some of my images had really terrible quality, were noisy due to heavy compression."

Additionally, it is criticized that the backup feature sometimes does not work adequately and cannot fully restore all images, which poses serious challenges for users. Suggestions for improvement aim to optimize this backup function and ensure that a complete restoration is actually possible.

"The backup that was promised to be safely stored did not work - after trying to restore most images, they remained as ShortPixel left them: unusable."

Although many users are satisfied with the plugin's performance, these critical voices point to areas for improvement that ShortPixel could address to make its software even more user-friendly and secure.

Conclusion - A neutral overview of pros and cons

The ShortPixel Image Optimizer proves to be a powerful image optimizer with a variety of features beyond basic compression. Developed by ShortPixel, the plugin is particularly appealing to users who value ongoing image optimization and want to benefit from integration with modern image formats like WebP and AVIF. Especially convincing is the ability to optimize many images at once and in the background, which significantly eases workflow. While support is often praised for its efficiency, some concerns about technical issues and the backup feature are evident. The flexible pricing model appeals to a wide user base, from occasional users to agencies with high image volumes. Overall, the ShortPixel Image Optimizer offers a solid combination of performance and usability, even though there is room for improvement in image quality for heavily compressed versions.