Image Optimization vs Optimole (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Image Optimization Plugins top 10: Image Optimization at #1 and Optimole at #6. Optimole leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Image Optimization
Image Optimization – Compress Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF
Automatically resize, optimize, and convert images to WebP and AVIF. Compress images in bulk or on upload to boost your WordPress site performance.
Optimole
Optimole – Optimize Images | Convert WebP & AVIF | CDN & Lazy Load | Image Optimization
Automatically optimize images with bulk compression, lazy loading, WebP/AVIF conversion & CloudFront image CDN. Boost Core Web Vitals & conversions.
Who leads on what
Optimole leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Image Optimization ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #6 in Image Optimization Plugins.
Image Optimization has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Optimole is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 638 reviews, against 1.7 from 77 reviews.
Optimole has more reviews behind its score: 638 against 77.
Optimole was updated more recently, on August 26, 2026; Image Optimization on July 7, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Image Optimization
Pick Image Optimization if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the plugin more sites already run.
Optimole
Pick Optimole if the review score matters most to you, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Image Optimization vs Optimole side by side
| Image Optimization | Optimole | |
|---|---|---|
| Image Optimization Plugins ranking | #1 | #6 |
| Rating | 1.7 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 77 | 638 |
| Active installs | 1 million+ | 200,000+ |
| Total downloads | 15,619,885 | 8,754,804 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Jul 7, 2026 | Aug 26, 2026 |
| First published | Jan 8, 2024 | Sep 23, 2018 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.4 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Image Optimization ratings
Optimole ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Image Optimization nor Optimole can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Image Optimization Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Image Optimization vs Optimole: common questions
Is Image Optimization better than Optimole?
Optimole leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Image Optimization ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #6 in Image Optimization Plugins.
Which has more users, Image Optimization or Optimole?
Image Optimization ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #6 in Image Optimization Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Image Optimization or Optimole?
Image Optimization has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 200,000+.
Are Image Optimization and Optimole free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Image Optimization may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Optimole may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Image Optimization and Optimole
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
More Image Optimization Plugins comparisons
- EWWW Image Optimizer vs Image Optimization
- EWWW Image Optimizer vs Optimole
- Image Optimization vs Imagify
- Image Optimization vs reSmush.it
- Image Optimization vs Robin Image Optimizer
- Image Optimization vs ShortPixel Image Optimizer
- Image Optimization vs Converter for Media
- Image Optimization vs Smush
- Image Optimization vs WPvivid Image Optimization
- Imagify vs Optimole
- Optimole vs reSmush.it
- Optimole vs Robin Image Optimizer
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What moved this week
One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.