At a glance
Smush – Image Optimization, Compression, Lazy Load, WebP & CDN
Compress and optimize images, enable lazy load, serve WebP & AVIF, and speed up your site with a global image CDN.
Plugin Check (PCP)
Plugin Check is a WordPress.org tool which provides checks to help plugins meet the directory requirements and follow various best practices.
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | Smush | Plugin Check (PCP) |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 6.4+ | 6.3+ |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Plugin age | 18 yrs | 15 yrs |
Quick Verdict
Smush wins this comparison. The plugin has 1.0M+ active installs, which is 100x more than Plugin Check (PCP). Smush directly solves a common performance problem: image bloat. Plugin Check (PCP) serves a narrow audience of developers submitting code to WordPress.org. For nearly every site owner asking how to compress images in WordPress or looking for the best image optimization plugin WordPress, Smush is the right tool.
Feature Comparison: Smush vs Plugin Check (PCP)
| Feature | Smush | Plugin Check (PCP) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Image compression and optimization | Code checking against directory standards |
| Image compression | Built-in with lossy and lossless modes | Not applicable |
| Lazy load | Built-in, configurable | Not applicable |
| WebP conversion | Supported | Not applicable |
| AVIF conversion | Supported | Not applicable |
| Image CDN | Global CDN included | Not applicable |
| Plugin code analysis | Not applicable | Automated checks for performance, security, accessibility |
| Directory requirement checks | Not applicable | Verifies compliance with WordPress.org rules |
| Target user | Site owners and content editors | Plugin developers |
Who Should Use Smush
- Content teams who upload dozens of images per week. Smush automates compression so you never serve a 2 MB photo. It's trusted by 1.0M+ sites.
- Anyone who wants to convert images to WebP WordPress without manual conversion. Smush handles the format swap on the fly.
- Site owners who value user ratings. 90% of Smush's 6047 reviews give it 5 stars, showing consistent satisfaction.
Who Should Use Plugin Check (PCP)
- Developers submitting a plugin to WordPress.org for the first time. Plugin Check (PCP) runs automated tests against the directory requirements and best practices.
- Teams maintaining multiple plugins who need a quick audit for security or accessibility gaps. The tool flags issues before they reach users.
- Anyone learning WordPress plugin development. Running Plugin Check (PCP) on your code teaches you what the directory expects. 80% of its reviews are 5 stars, indicating it delivers on its promise.
Community & Support
Smush holds 90% five-star ratings and only 3% one-star ratings from 6047 total reviews. Plugin Check (PCP) shows 80% five-star and 6% one-star ratings from 35 reviews. The support thread data for both plugins is too small to draw meaningful conclusions about response quality.
Verdict: Smush or Plugin Check (PCP) for WordPress sites?
Pick Smush if you need to optimize images for WordPress speed. It handles compression, lazy load, WebP, AVIF, and image CDN in one plugin. With 1.0M+ active installs and a 90% five-star rating, it's the proven choice for performance.
Pick Plugin Check (PCP) if you write WordPress plugins and need a compliance checker. It validates your code against directory standards for security, accessibility, and performance. It's a developer tool, not a site performance plugin.
For 99% of WordPress site owners, Smush is the clear winner. It solves a real problem every site faces: bloated images. Plugin Check (PCP) solves a different problem for a different audience.
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 Smush compared to Plugin Check (PCP)?
Smush has 1.0M+ active installs while Plugin Check (PCP) has 10K+, meaning Smush is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — Smush or Plugin Check (PCP)?
Smush averages 4.8/5 from 6,047 reviews, while Plugin Check (PCP) averages 4.5/5 from 35 reviews — Smush has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — Smush or Plugin Check (PCP)?
Smush was last updated on Jun 12, 2026 and Plugin Check (PCP) on May 29, 2026, so Smush received the more recent update.
Q Are Smush and Plugin Check (PCP) both free?
Yes — both Smush and Plugin Check (PCP) 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 Smush or Plugin Check (PCP) better for WordPress sites?
Smush is better if your main goal is improving site speed by compressing images and converting them to WebP. Plugin Check (PCP) is better if you need to audit your site for security, accessibility, and performance best practices. They serve completely different purposes, so pick the one that matches your immediate need.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Smush or Plugin Check (PCP)?
Smush is easier for a beginner because you can install it and start compressing images immediately with default settings. Plugin Check (PCP) requires you to run a scan and then interpret the results, which assumes some technical knowledge. Most beginners will find Smush more straightforward right out of the box.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between Smush and Plugin Check (PCP)?
Smush focuses on image optimization including compression and WebP conversion, while Plugin Check (PCP) focuses on testing your site for plugin best practices, security, and accessibility issues. One changes your media files to make them smaller, the other analyzes your site's code for problems.
Q Can you switch from Smush to Plugin Check (PCP) (or the other way) without losing data?
Yes, you can safely switch between them because they do not overlap in function. Smush modifies your image files, and Plugin Check (PCP) only scans your site without changing any data. Uninstalling one will not affect the other's work or your existing content.
Q Which type of site should choose Smush, and which should choose Plugin Check (PCP)?
Choose Smush if you run a media-heavy site like a blog, portfolio, or online store where large images slow down page load times. Choose Plugin Check (PCP) if you are a developer or site maintainer who needs to verify your plugins follow WordPress coding standards and accessibility guidelines. A site focused on speed needs Smush, a site focused on code quality needs PCP.
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