WP Plugin Image Optimization
Review

Image Optimizer - Optimize Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF

Image Optimization is a plugin integrated into WordPress that was Elementor.com developed by and released on 2024-01-08 was. With over 1,000,000+ active installations it is a widely used tool for image optimization on WordPress websites. The plugin is characterized by its ability to efficiently compress images while preserving image quality, which ultimately shortens loading times and improves the user experience. A unique feature is background optimization, which allows images to be optimized in the background without the user having to actively monitor it. This feature makes it particularly suitable for site owners who use a large number of images and want to optimize their loading times without affecting site performance. The plugin has an average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars based on 63 reviews in the official WordPress Plugin Directory. The next section will go into detail about the plugin's features and functions.

“The ability to convert images to WebP provides faster load times without sacrificing quality.”

Features - Extensive options for image optimization

The WordPress plugin "Image Optimization" offers a variety of features that go beyond basic image compression. One of the outstanding features is support for various image formats, including JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF and GIF. This versatility ensures that users can optimize a wide range of image types. Another notable feature is automatic resizing, which allows uploaded images to be reduced to a predetermined pixel width. This feature is particularly useful to ensure that image sizes do not impair the website's performance.

“It's super easy to use - just a few clicks, and my images were optimized without loss of quality.”

Free Features - Comprehensive functions in the free version

• Supported image formats - Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF and GIF.
• Background optimization - Optimizes images in the background without the page needing to remain open during optimization.
• Resizing large images - Ability to set a maximum pixel width after which images are automatically resized.
• 2 compression levels - Lossless (highest quality with minimal compression) and lossy (maximum compression with some reduced quality).
• Optimize on upload - Images are automatically optimized when they are uploaded.
• Bulk or single optimization - Flexible options for image optimization, both on demand and for the entire media library.
• EXIF metadata - Option to remove image metadata to further reduce size without affecting image quality.
• Backup original images - Option to permanently delete backups to save storage space.
• Restore original images - Option to restore original images (all sizes) for selected media files.
• Conversion to WebP and AVIF - Enables more efficient and faster-loading formats for better web performance.
• Image thumbnails - Default resizing of all image sizes; users can select specific image sizes based on WordPress-registered thumbnail sizes.

License - Flexible usage options

The "Image Optimization" plugin is offered as a free version that covers many image optimization features. Through its broad range of features it enables users to achieve high-quality image compression with reduced effort. Users appreciate the flexibility of the plugin and the fact that it incurs no immediate costs. The absence of paid features in the base version makes it an attractive option for site owners seeking a cost-effective solution.

Technical details - Behind the scenes of Image Optimization

The WordPress plugin "Image Optimization" by Elementor is deeply integrated into the site's infrastructure and offers both developers and IT professionals interesting insights into its operation. Primarily, the plugin works in conjunction with an external third-party service that is responsible for optimizing uploaded images in JPG, PNG, GIF, or WEBP format. This optimization runs in the file system, with original images being replaced by web-optimized versions depending on user-selected automatic or manual settings.

A central aspect is the API integration necessary for connecting the Elementor account and the plugin. This interface not only ensures smooth user identification but also enables image management via hooks. This architecture allows developers to further customize and optimize the functionality by using filters and actions.

Database interaction is minimal because the plugin largely relies on server-side operations controlled via the file system. This significantly reduces database load and provides higher performance for the entire web application. Web developers appreciate this efficient use of resources and the potential customization options through technical hooks.

Integration into multisite environments is theoretically possible; however, specific implementations in large networks are not yet comprehensively documented. This could present a hurdle for operators of large networks to meet individual requirements.

System requirements - Technical requirements at a glance

The "Image Optimization" plugin requires specific system requirements to function properly. At minimum a PHP version of 7.4, as well as a WordPress version of 6.2 is required. The plugin has been tested up to WordPress version 6.8.3 and thus provides a certain level of compatibility assurance with more recent installations.

The current plugin version number is 1.6.9 and the last update was published in 2025-11. These details are important to ensure the plugin can be operated on a compatible and secure basis.

“It meets the technical requirements and is well compatible with current WordPress versions.”

Quality - High-quality image compression and savings

The WordPress plugin "Image Optimization" is distinguished by a high quality in its compression methods. User reports emphasize that the plugin's compression efficiency is impressive, as it significantly reduces file size without noticeably impairing image quality. In particular, support for modern formats like WebP and AVIF enables savings in load times and bandwidth, which positively affects the user experience. The choice between lossless and lossy compression offers flexibility to meet the varying requirements of site owners. Nevertheless, there were occasional negative feedback regarding technical issues that could possibly impair the user experience. However, these are rather the exception and the basic functionality and quality of the plugin remain highly regarded.

“The plugin delivers amazing compression efficiency while maintaining image quality, which has significantly improved my site's overall performance.”

Support - Experiences and availability

Experiences with support for the "Image Optimization" plugin are mixed. Users emphasize both positive and negative aspects. Some praise the quick response time and helpful assistance, while others report unsatisfactory experiences where support did not appear competent or helpful. Contact options include the official support forum as well as a commercial support option from the developer available. Through these channels a variety of user inquiries are handled, with the quality and satisfaction with the provided support varying widely.

“If a support manager at Elementor reads this, they should reconsider how they support—or fail to support—their paying customers.”

Rating - Divergent user opinions

The "Image Optimization" plugin from WordPress has an overall average rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars based on 63 reviews received. The reviews paint a mixed picture: while some users praise the plugin's functionality and performance, others voice criticisms, particularly regarding inclusion in paid plans.

Some users are enthusiastic about the plugin's capabilities:

“This plugin is a real game-changer! It feels like it was designed specifically for web developers like me.”

Others are bothered by the pricing policy and missing features in certain subscriptions:

“This should be included in the Pro plan that I already pay for.”

Nevertheless there is a lot of positive feedback highlighting the plugin's compression efficiency:

“The plugin works so well compared to other solutions.”

Criticism - Bugs and shortcomings of the plugin

The WordPress plugin for image optimization, despite its popularity, faces some criticism regarding its functionality and user-friendliness. A frequently mentioned issue is the spam-like behavior that occurs when the plugin is not activated. Users report that Elementor repeatedly prompts to install the plugin, which is perceived as annoying. Additionally, the pricing is seen as misleading; the final cost often only becomes clear during use and can lead to unexpected charges.

Another problem concerns the technical challenges and errors of the plugin. Users report long optimization times and frequent error messages, especially in connection with the Rankmath plugin, which affects image compression. Such technical hurdles make smooth usage difficult and worsen the user experience.

The criticism also includes installations without prior consent, where the plugin is installed automatically, which is considered unacceptable. The quality of support has also been rated negatively; it is accused of being inefficient and lacking knowledge in handling customer inquiries.

The aspect of security, however, gives little cause for concern, as there are no specific reports of security vulnerabilities. This also applies to data protection aspects, where no significant shortcomings were identified.

“The plugin was installed without my consent, which is an absolute no-go.”

Conclusion - A versatile but controversially discussed plugin

The plugin "Image Optimization" by Elementor offers a comprehensive solution for image compression and optimization for WordPress websites. With support for numerous image formats and flexible compression options, it simplifies image management and helps improve load times. Nevertheless, the plugin is not without criticism. Users report unexpected installations and incompatibilities with other plugins, which can impair the user experience. There are also mixed reviews of support, with response times and efficiency varying. Despite these challenges, the core functionality remains impressive and provides a significant improvement to website performance through effective image compression.