Optimole vs ShortPixel Image Optimizer
Updated 6 Oct 2026. 25 features compared side by side.
Cloud image optimisation service for WordPress that compresses, resizes and converts images on the fly and serves them from a CloudFront CDN.
Credit-based cloud image optimizer with lossy, glossy and lossless modes, free WebP/AVIF, PDF compression and an optional CDN.
Choose Optimole if…
- You need generous free tier
- You weigh user ratings (4.7 vs 4.5 on WordPress.org)
Choose ShortPixel Image Optimizer if…
- You need PDF compression and PNG to JPG conversion
- You also want no small file-size cap and thumbnail control
- You want the more complete feature set (90/100 vs 77/100)
- You prefer the more widely used option
Optimole includes 1 feature that ShortPixel Image Optimizer lacks, including Generous free tier; ShortPixel Image Optimizer has 4 that Optimole lacks, including PDF compression, PNG to JPG conversion and No small file-size cap. Both include 19 of the 25 features we track.
At a glance
Feature comparison
Click a screenshot to see both plugins side by side.
Optimole ShortPixel Image OptimizerCompression6/77/7
Auto (ML) plus High, Medium and Low quality presets; all lossy, no lossless mode.
Choose lossy, glossy or lossless compression.
Existing library images are optimised in the cloud on delivery, with background bulk processing.
One-click bulk optimization with background mode; uses credits.
New uploads are served optimised automatically once the site is connected.
New uploads and their thumbnails are optimized automatically.
Non-destructive: originals stay on your server; paid offload has one-click restore.
Local backups with one-click restore; optional smart backups of main image only.
Limit Image Sizes caps delivered width/height; stored originals are not resized.
Scales down large images to set maximum dimensions.
Advanced setting strips EXIF/IPTC metadata from delivered images.
EXIF can be kept or removed.
Docs state PDFs can be hosted but are not compressed or optimised.
Compresses PDF documents as well as images.
Next-gen formats3/44/4
Serves WebP automatically to browsers that support it.
Creates WebP versions; available to all accounts.
AVIF conversion included on the free plan.
Creates AVIF versions; available to all accounts.
Format chosen per browser and delivered through the Optimole CDN URLs.
Delivers WebP/AVIF via picture tags, .htaccess rules or the CDN.
Auto format picks WebP/AVIF or the original format; no PNG-to-JPG conversion documented.
Optional automatic PNG-to-JPG conversion when the result is smaller.
Delivery4/44/4
Images delivered via AWS CloudFront from 450+ locations, free plan included.
Built-in CDN delivery; traffic uses credits unless on Unlimited (500GB/month).
Resizes each image to the visitor's exact display size and pixel density.
Free ShortPixel Adaptive Images plugin serves viewport-sized images via CDN (uses credits).
Built-in jQuery-free lazy loading with placeholders and CLS protection.
Provided by the free ShortPixel Adaptive Images companion plugin.
CSS background image lazy loading and replacement can be enabled for selected elements.
CSS background images can be served from the CDN option, which consumes credits.
Processing & limits2/53/5
All optimisation happens in Optimole's cloud; nothing runs locally.
All optimization runs in ShortPixel's cloud.
Processing is done in Optimole's cloud, so hosting resources are not used.
Optimization runs on ShortPixel's servers, sparing hosting resources.
Unlimited images on the free plan, but only for up to 2,000 visits a month.
Only 100 credits per month, and each thumbnail counts as a credit.
'Optimize large images' is listed as a paid-plan feature, implying a free-plan size cap.
Per-image limit is 100MB, which is not restrictive for normal use.
Not applicable: sizes are generated on the fly, with no per-thumbnail selection.
Exclude individual thumbnail sizes from optimization.
Extras & compatibility5/55/5
Rewrites image URLs found in page output (e.g. theme images); no folder scanner.
Other Media lets you add custom folders to optimize.
WooCommerce product photos and galleries are optimised and served via CDN.
Compatible with WooCommerce, NextGEN, Modula, FooGallery and others.
Works on multisite per official support reply; each subsite is configured separately.
Works on multisite networks with a single API key.
wp optimole commands connect the API key, change settings and clear cache.
WP-CLI commands for background and scheduled processing.
Dashboard overview shows visits used and optimisation results.
Shows savings and a 30-day optimization report.
Statuses: Yes Pro Add-on Partial 3rd-party No ?
Pricing compared
Optimole Freemium
| Free | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free | Free per month, Unlimited |
| Starter | £228.96 per year, Unlimited |
| Business | £468.96 per year, Unlimited |
| Flexible | £948.96 per year, Unlimited |
ShortPixel Image Optimizer Freemium
| Free | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free | Free per month, Multiple |
| Unlimited (monthly) | $9.99 per month, Multiple |
| Unlimited (annual) | $99.90 per year, Multiple |
| One-time credits | $19.99 one-off, Multiple |
Downloads trend
Optimole
23,116 downloads last week
ShortPixel Image Optimizer
31,337 downloads last week
Verdict
ShortPixel Image Optimizer scores higher on our feature checklist (90/100 against 77/100) and includes PDF compression, PNG to JPG conversion and no small file-size cap that Optimole does not. Optimole still has the edge on generous free tier. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Biggest differences
Optimole: partial. ShortPixel Image Optimizer: not included. Unlimited images on the free plan, but only for up to 2,000 visits a month.
Optimole: not included. ShortPixel Image Optimizer: included. Compresses PDF documents as well as images.
Optimole: not included. ShortPixel Image Optimizer: included. Optional automatic PNG-to-JPG conversion when the result is smaller.
Optimole: not included. ShortPixel Image Optimizer: included. Per-image limit is 100MB, which is not restrictive for normal use.
Optimole: not included. ShortPixel Image Optimizer: included. Exclude individual thumbnail sizes from optimization.
Written from the feature, pricing and install data on this page, not from hands-on testing. How we compare.
Which would you choose?
0 votes so far. Vote to see the results.
Compare something else
FAQ
Which is better, Optimole or ShortPixel Image Optimizer?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer scores higher on our feature checklist (90/100 against 77/100) and includes PDF compression, PNG to JPG conversion and no small file-size cap that Optimole does not. Optimole still has the edge on generous free tier. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Which has more features?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer includes 23 of the 25 features we track, against 20 for Optimole. Feature count is only part of the picture; check which of the differences matter to you.
Is Optimole free?
Optimole has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at £228.96/yr.
Is ShortPixel Image Optimizer free?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $9.99/mo.
Feature data last changed 6 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit to Optimole or ShortPixel Image Optimizer. Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you; it never affects our data or rankings.