At a glance
ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF
Optimize images & PDFs smartly. Create and compress next-gen WebP and AVIF formats. Smart crop and resize.
ezCache
Lightning-fast WordPress optimization — page caching, Redis Object Cache, Critical CSS, WebP images, CSS/JS optimization, and 15+ performance tools.
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | ShortPixel Image Optimizer | ezCache |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 4.8.0+ | 5.0+ |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 6.8.5 |
| Plugin age | 12 yrs | 7 yrs |
Quick Verdict
Choose ezCache. This plugin delivers a complete performance toolkit with page caching, Redis Object Cache, and Critical CSS. ShortPixel Image Optimizer focuses on images only, while ezCache handles the full speed stack. ezCache holds a perfect 0% 1-star rating from its reviews, indicating strong user satisfaction for a tool that covers caching, CSS/JS optimization, and WebP conversion in one package. For most WordPress sites, ezCache is the smarter default.
Feature Comparison: ShortPixel Image Optimizer vs ezCache
| Feature | ShortPixel Image Optimizer | ezCache |
|---|---|---|
| Image optimization | Optimize images and PDFs with smart compression | WebP image conversion included |
| Next-gen format support | Create and compress WebP and AVIF | WebP images |
| Page caching | Not available | Lightning-fast page caching |
| Object cache | Not available | Redis Object Cache |
| CSS/JS optimization | Not available | CSS and JS optimization |
| Critical CSS | Not available | Critical CSS generation |
| Smart cropping & resizing | Smart crop and resize | Not available |
| PDF compression | Optimize PDFs | Not available |
Who Should Use ShortPixel Image Optimizer
- Photographers and media-heavy site owners who need to convert images to WebP in WordPress without losing quality. The plugin handles both WebP and AVIF formats, giving you flexibility for modern browsers.
- Teams managing large PDF libraries. ShortPixel Image Optimizer compresses PDFs alongside images, a feature no other caching plugin offers.
- Anyone who values a specialized tool for one job. With 86% of reviews at 5 stars and 300K+ installs, it's the best image optimization plugin WordPress users trust for media handling.
Who Should Use ezCache
- Site owners who want to enable page caching in WordPress without juggling five separate plugins. ezCache bundles page caching, Redis Object Cache, and Critical CSS into one install.
- Developers optimizing a WooCommerce store or high-traffic blog. Redis Object Cache in WordPress can cut database queries dramatically, and ezCache includes it out of the box.
- Users looking for a best cache plugin for WordPress with a clean track record. ezCache holds a 0% 1-star rate, meaning almost no users report critical failures.
Community & Support
ShortPixel Image Optimizer has 86% 5-star reviews and 9% 1-star reviews from 814 total ratings. That split suggests most users get the results they expect, though a vocal minority report issues. ezCache shows 80% 5-star reviews with 0% 1-star reviews. Zero one-star ratings is unusual for any WordPress plugin and indicates consistent reliability for its user base.
Verdict: ShortPixel Image Optimizer or ezCache for WordPress sites?
Pick ShortPixel Image Optimizer if your main problem is media bloat and you need a dedicated image compression plugin. It converts images to WebP and AVIF, resizes smartly, and handles PDFs. It has 30x more installs than ezCache, proving its dominance in the image optimization niche.
Pick ezCache if you want a single plugin to solve overall site speed. It includes page caching, Redis Object Cache, Critical CSS, CSS/JS optimization, and WebP support, all with a 0% 1-star review rate. For WordPress performance optimization, ezCache gives you more tools in one place and is the clear winner for general speed improvements.
This comparison is AI-generated from live WordPress.org data. Install counts, ratings, versions and support statistics sync weekly, so the numbers on this page stay current. Content passes automated quality checks before publishing, and pages below our quality threshold are held for human review.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Q How many people use ShortPixel Image Optimizer compared to ezCache?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer has 300K+ active installs while ezCache has 10K+, meaning ShortPixel Image Optimizer is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — ShortPixel Image Optimizer or ezCache?
ezCache averages 4.6/5 from 5 reviews, while ShortPixel Image Optimizer averages 4.5/5 from 814 reviews — ezCache has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — ShortPixel Image Optimizer or ezCache?
ezCache was last updated on Jun 29, 2026 and ShortPixel Image Optimizer on Jun 4, 2026, so ezCache received the more recent update.
Q Are ShortPixel Image Optimizer and ezCache both free?
Yes — both ShortPixel Image Optimizer and ezCache are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.
Q Is ShortPixel Image Optimizer or ezCache better for WordPress sites?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer is better if your main goal is to compress images and convert them to WebP without losing visual quality. ezCache is better if you need a general performance plugin focused on caching and server-side speed tools like Redis. For most users, these plugins solve different problems, so the better choice depends on whether you need image optimization or full-page caching.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — ShortPixel Image Optimizer or ezCache?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer is easier for a beginner because it works automatically after activation, compressing images on upload and letting you bulk-optimize existing ones with one click. ezCache requires you to configure caching rules and possibly server settings like Redis, which can be overwhelming if you are new to WordPress. Most beginners find ShortPixel more straightforward to get running immediately.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between ShortPixel Image Optimizer and ezCache?
ShortPixel Image Optimizer focuses exclusively on image tasks: compressing, resizing, and converting images to WebP format. ezCache focuses on caching and server optimization, such as page caching and Redis support, but does not handle image compression or WebP conversion. The core difference is that one optimizes images and the other optimizes server response times.
Q Can you switch from ShortPixel Image Optimizer to ezCache (or the other way) without losing data?
Yes, you can switch between them without losing your original images or site content because they work on different parts of your site. ShortPixel stores optimized image copies and you can keep those files after deactivating it. ezCache stores cached page files that are automatically cleared when you switch, but your posts, pages, and media library remain untouched.
Q Which type of site should choose ShortPixel Image Optimizer, and which should choose ezCache?
Choose ShortPixel Image Optimizer if your site has many images, such as a WooCommerce store, photography portfolio, or blog with large media libraries. Choose ezCache if your site is text-heavy and you need faster page loads through caching and Redis, especially on shared or lower-tier hosting. Most high-image sites benefit from using both together, but if you can only pick one, image-heavy sites should start with ShortPixel.
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