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Image Optimizer by Elementor

Elementor's cloud image compressor with lossless/lossy modes, WebP/AVIF conversion, resizing and backups, sold on annual image credits.

Image Optimization Verified 14 Oct 2026
Free installs1M+WordPress.org, active
Est. Pro installs~53KLikely 27K–110K
Vendor claims1M+Vendor's own figure
Rating1.7/581 reviews
Price from£48/yrFreemium
Last updated22 Sep 2026Version 1.7.7

Overview

Image Optimizer (now listed on WordPress.org as Image Optimization) is Elementor’s standalone image compression plugin. It does not require the Elementor page builder, but it does need a connection to an Elementor account, because images are processed on Elementor’s servers rather than your own.

What it does

Uploads can be optimised automatically, the existing library processed in bulk in the background, or single images handled from the media screen. You choose between lossless and lossy compression, optionally convert to WebP or AVIF, strip EXIF data, and resize anything wider than a set maximum (1920px by default). Originals are backed up and can be restored per image, and you can pick which registered thumbnail sizes are processed to save credits. A dashboard shows credit usage with alerts at 80% and 100%.

Pricing model

Every feature is available on every plan; plans differ only in credits and maximum upload size. The free trial covers up to 200 image files (about 50 uploads with default sizes) with a 10 MB per-file cap. Paid annual plans such as Image Optimizer 30K raise the allowance and the cap to 25 MB, and credits reset yearly. Image optimisation is also included through the shared monthly credits of an Elementor One subscription. Elementor states Image Optimizer Pro purchases are non-refundable.

  • Cloud processing, no server load
  • Unlimited websites per subscription
  • Simple, mostly automatic setup

Limitations

Converted WebP/AVIF files replace the media file rather than being served by browser negotiation, there is no CDN, lazy loading or custom folder support, and no WP-CLI. The free allowance is effectively a trial, and the WordPress.org rating is low, with many reviews complaining about the account connection and credit limits.

Best for Elementor customers, especially Elementor One subscribers, who want straightforward cloud compression without adding another vendor.

Best for: Elementor users who want simple cloud compression and format conversion bundled with their existing Elementor account or Elementor One plan.

Image Optimizer covers the compression basics well (two levels, WebP/AVIF, resizing, backups) and keeps the workload off your server. Its trial-sized free allowance, account requirement and lack of delivery features make it hard to recommend outside the Elementor ecosystem, where Elementor One credits make it effectively included.

Pros

  • Lossless and lossy compression choices
  • WebP and AVIF conversion included on all plans
  • Backups of originals with per-image restore
  • Processing happens on Elementor's servers in the background
  • Pick which thumbnail sizes use credits
  • One subscription covers unlimited websites

Cons

  • Free allowance is a small one-off trial (about 50 uploads)
  • Requires connecting an Elementor account
  • No browser-negotiated WebP/AVIF delivery, CDN or lazy loading
  • No WP-CLI, custom folders or PDF support
  • Paid Image Optimizer plans are non-refundable; low WP.org rating
Image Optimizer by Elementor screenshot 1 Image Optimizer by Elementor screenshot 2 Image Optimizer by Elementor screenshot 3 Image Optimizer by Elementor screenshot 4 Image Optimizer by Elementor screenshot 5

Key features

What Image Optimizer by Elementor highlights on its WordPress.org page and its own website, split by version.

Free version WordPress.org

  • Lossless and lossy compression
  • Optimise on upload automatically
  • Bulk and single image optimisation
  • Background processing in the cloud
  • WebP and AVIF conversion
  • Resize images above a max width
  • Optional EXIF metadata removal
  • Backup and restore originals
  • Choose thumbnail sizes to optimise
  • Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, GIF

Pro / paid adds From £48/yr

  • 30K or 100K annual image credits
  • 25 MB maximum upload per image
  • Unlimited websites per plan
  • Credit dashboard with usage alerts
  • Included in Elementor One credits
  • Same feature set as free trial
  • Credits reset each year
  • Lossless, lossy, WebP and AVIF included

Feature checklist

13 of 25 features we track in Image Optimization, feature score 59/100

Compression 6/7

Lossy & lossless compression Key

Choose between lossless and one or more lossy compression levels.

Two levels: lossless or lossy.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Bulk optimisation Key

Optimise every existing image in the media library.

Bulk optimise the whole library in the background.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Optimise on upload

New uploads are optimised automatically.

Optimise on upload setting.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Keep & restore originals Key

Backs up originals so you can restore them.

Backs up originals and restores all sizes for selected media.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Resize large images

Scales down oversized uploads to a maximum size.

Resizes images above a set max width (1920px default).

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Strip EXIF metadata

Removes camera and location metadata.

Optional EXIF metadata removal.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

PDF compression

Compresses PDF files in the media library.

Service accepts JPG, PNG, GIF and WebP images only.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included
Next-gen formats 3/4

WebP conversion Key

Creates WebP versions of images.

Converts images to WebP.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

AVIF conversion Key

Creates AVIF versions of images.

Converts images to AVIF.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Automatic next-gen delivery

Serves WebP/AVIF to supporting browsers via picture tags, rewrites or CDN.

Media file itself is converted; no picture-tag or rewrite-based negotiation found.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Partial

PNG to JPG conversion

Converts photos saved as PNG to smaller JPGs.

No PNG-to-JPG option; conversion targets are WebP and AVIF.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included
Delivery 0/4

Image CDN Key

Serves images from a CDN, often with on-the-fly optimisation.

No CDN delivery; optimised files are stored on your server.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

Adaptive image sizes

Serves the right size for each screen or device.

No per-device resizing service.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

Lazy loading

Defers off-screen images.

No lazy loading feature.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

CSS background images

Also optimises or converts images used in CSS backgrounds.

Only media library attachments are processed.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included
Processing & limits 2/5

Local processing

Optimises on your own server with no external API.

Requires Elementor's cloud service.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

Cloud processing

Optimisation runs on the vendor's servers, saving your server's CPU.

Images are optimised on Elementor's dedicated servers.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Generous free tier

Free version optimises unlimited images, or a large monthly quota.

Free trial of up to 200 image files, about 50 uploads.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

No small file-size cap

No restrictive per-image size limit in the free version.

Free plan caps uploads at 10 MB per image (25 MB on paid).

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

Thumbnail control

Choose which thumbnail sizes are optimised.

Choose specific registered thumbnail sizes to optimise.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included
Extras & compatibility 2/5

Optimise other folders

Optimise theme, plugin or custom folders outside the media library.

Works on media library images only.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

WooCommerce & gallery plugins

Optimises WooCommerce product and gallery-plugin images.

Product images are Media Library attachments, so bulk/auto optimisation covers them.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Multisite support

Works across a WordPress multisite network.

Multisite support is not documented.

Not verified

WP-CLI

Run bulk optimisation from the command line.

No WP-CLI commands of its own in the plugin code.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Not included

Savings reports

Shows space saved and optimisation statistics.

Dashboard shows optimisation stats and credits used/remaining.

SourceChecked 6 Oct 2026
Included

Pricing

Free

$0

On WordPress.org

Free trial

Freeone-off

Unlimited

Up to 200 image files (about 50 uploads with default sizes); 10 MB max per image.

Image Optimizer 30K

£48per year

Unlimited

Up to 30,000 image files per year, 25 MB max per image; UK-localised price. A 100K plan is also listed.

Elementor One

£192per year

1 site

First year £144; includes Editor Pro and 25,000 monthly shared credits (10 credits per optimised image).

Prices are list prices from the vendor's site, checked 14 Oct 2026. Many vendors discount the first year.

How many sites use Image Optimizer by Elementor?

Free installs from WordPress.org, the vendor's own claim, and our estimate of paid installs.

Free version (WordPress.org) 1M+

Active installations reported by WordPress.org.

Vendor claim 1M+

Sites/users claimed on the vendor's website. source

Estimated Pro / paid installs ~53K

Our estimate, see method below.

How we estimated this: The vendor figure (1M+) is within WordPress.org's rounding of the free installs, so it says nothing about paid sites. About 1.5M free installs x 3.5% (the usual share of free sites that also run the paid version when a hosted service whose free tier is generous, lower for very large free bases) gives 52K. Likely range: 27K to 110K. This counts sites running the paid version, including sites whose licence has lapsed. Estimates are rough and based on public figures as of 14 Oct 2026.

Stats & health

Weekly downloads

42,168 downloads last week, 16.4M all time

Rating breakdown

5 ★10
4 ★1
3 ★6
2 ★4
1 ★60
Version1.7.7
Last updated22 Sep 2026 (42 days ago)
Tested up toWordPress 7.0.8
RequiresWordPress 6.7+, PHP 7.4+
Support threads (2 months)1 of 1 resolved
On WordPress.org since8 Jan 2024

Company & policy

Refund policyNon-refundable (Image Optimizer Pro) (source, 6 Oct 2026)
Product page says Image Optimizer Pro is non-refundable and suggests the free trial instead.

Image Optimizer by Elementor compared

Alternatives to Image Optimizer by Elementor

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Smush

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ShortPixel Image Optimizer

300K+ ★ 4.5 $9.99/mo

Credit-based cloud image optimizer with lossy, glossy and lossless modes, free WebP/AVIF, PDF compression and an optional CDN.

90

Optimole

200K+ ★ 4.7 £228.96/yr

Cloud image optimisation service for WordPress that compresses, resizes and converts images on the fly and serves them from a CloudFront CDN.

77

Converter for Media

500K+ ★ 4.9 $5/mo

Converts JPEG, PNG and GIF images to WebP (free) or AVIF (PRO) and serves them via server rewrites, leaving originals untouched.

74

Imagify

900K+ ★ 4.3 $59.88/yr

Cloud image optimizer from WP Media (WP Rocket) with Smart Compression and free WebP/AVIF, billed by monthly data quota.

69

FAQ

Is Image Optimizer by Elementor free?

Yes. Image Optimizer by Elementor has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at £48/yr.

How many sites use Image Optimizer by Elementor?

WordPress.org reports 1M+ active installations of the free version. The vendor claims 1M+ sites in total. We estimate around 53K sites run the paid version.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have lossy & lossless compression?

Yes: included. Two levels: lossless or lossy.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have bulk optimisation?

Yes: included. Bulk optimise the whole library in the background.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have keep & restore originals?

Yes: included. Backs up originals and restores all sizes for selected media.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have webp conversion?

Yes: included. Converts images to WebP.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have avif conversion?

Yes: included. Converts images to AVIF.

Does Image Optimizer by Elementor have image cdn?

No: not included. No CDN delivery; optimised files are stored on your server.

Do I need the Elementor page builder?

No. It is a standalone plugin, but you must connect it to an Elementor account because images are processed on Elementor's servers.

How many images does the free plan cover?

The trial includes up to 200 image files. WordPress creates several sizes per upload, so that is roughly 50 uploads unless you reduce the sizes processed.

How do credits work on paid plans?

Standalone plans give an annual pool of credits (one per image file) that resets yearly without rollover. In Elementor One, each optimised image uses 10 shared monthly credits.

Can I restore the original images?

Yes. Originals are backed up and can be restored for selected media files, and backups can be deleted to save space.

What happens if I cancel?

Already optimised images stay compressed on your site; you just cannot optimise new images beyond the free allowance.

Last updated 6 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit.