Smush
Our take
Smush is an easy, set-and-forget image optimizer: new uploads are compressed automatically and lazy loading takes one switch. Be aware that WebP and AVIF conversion and the image CDN now belong to the Pro plan. If modern formats matter to you and you want them free, compare it with an optimizer that converts on your own server.
Good
- Compresses images automatically on upload
- Bulk optimization of the existing library
- Lazy loading and resizing of large uploads
- Can optimize images outside the media library
Watch out
- WebP and AVIF conversion is Pro
- Image CDN is Pro
- Upgrade prompts in the dashboard
Large images are often the heaviest part of a WordPress page. Smush makes them smaller as soon as you upload them, can scale down photos that are far bigger than your theme ever shows, and delays loading images until a visitor scrolls near them.
What you get for free
- Automatic compression of new uploads
- Bulk optimization of images already in the media library
- Lossless and lossy compression
- Resizing of oversized images to a maximum width and height
- Lazy loading for images
- Directory Smush for images in theme and plugin folders
Smush Pro
The paid version adds WebP and AVIF delivery and a global image CDN that serves pictures from servers close to each visitor.
Install from your dashboard
In WordPress, go to Plugins, then Add New. Search for “Smush” and click Install, then Activate.
Install from the zip file
Download the zip on this page. In WordPress, go to Plugins, then Add New, then Upload Plugin. Choose the file, click Install Now, then Activate.
Requires WordPress 6.4 and PHP 7.4 or newer.
Does Smush convert images to WebP for free?
No. WebP and AVIF delivery are part of Smush Pro. The free version compresses JPEG and PNG files and lazy-loads them.
Will Smush reduce image quality?
Lossless compression keeps images identical. Lossy compression shrinks files further with changes that are usually hard to see.