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.
Converter for Media – Optimize images | Convert WebP & AVIF
Speed up your website by using our WebP & AVIF Converter. Optimize images and serve WebP and AVIF images instead of standard formats!
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | Smush | Converter for Media |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 6.4+ | 4.9+ |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Plugin age | 18 yrs | 7 yrs |
Quick Verdict
Converter for Media is the better choice for most WordPress sites. The plugin holds a 96% five-star rating from over 1,000 reviews, while Smush sits at 90%. Smush has 2x more installs, but Converter for Media delivers a higher satisfaction rate and focuses purely on WebP and AVIF conversion without extra bloat. Pick Converter for Media if you want the best image compression plugin WordPress users trust for quality results.
Feature Comparison: Smush vs Converter for Media
| Feature | Smush | Converter for Media |
|---|---|---|
| WebP conversion | Yes, built-in | Yes, built-in |
| AVIF conversion | Yes, built-in | Yes, built-in |
| Lazy load | Yes, built-in | No |
| Image CDN | Yes, global CDN included | No |
| Image compression (lossy) | Yes | Yes |
| Bulk conversion | Yes | Yes |
| Convert existing media library | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic conversion on upload | Yes | Yes |
Who Should Use Smush
- Site owners who want an all-in-one speed tool with lazy load built-in, saving them from installing a separate lazy load WordPress plugin (trusted by 1.0M+ installs).
- Developers managing high-traffic sites who need a global image CDN without paying for a third-party service, since Smush includes it directly.
- Users who prioritize a large user base and established track record, backed by 90% five-star ratings from 6047 reviews.
Who Should Use Converter for Media
- Anyone focused purely on image optimization WordPress tasks who wants a plugin dedicated to WebP and AVIF conversion without extra features they won't use.
- Site owners who value user satisfaction data, since Converter for Media earns 96% five-star ratings, significantly higher than its competitor's 90%.
- Users who want to convert images to WebP in WordPress with minimal configuration, as the plugin processes new uploads automatically and converts existing libraries in bulk.
Community & Support
Converter for Media shows a strong satisfaction gap in its ratings breakdown. 96% of its reviews are five-star, and only 2% are one-star. Smush's ratings show 90% five-star and 3% one-star. Both plugins had a small sample of support threads over the last two months, so no conclusions should be drawn from that data. The higher five-star percentage for Converter for Media suggests users run into fewer issues or get them resolved more smoothly.
Verdict: Smush or Converter for Media for WordPress sites?
Pick Smush if you need lazy load and a built-in CDN without installing extra plugins. It's a solid choice for sites that want to optimize images for WordPress speed with minimal effort. Pick Converter for Media if you want the best image compression plugin WordPress users actually rate highest. Its 96% five-star score beats Smush's 90%, and the plugin handles WebP and AVIF conversion with zero feature bloat. For most sites, Converter for Media is the smarter pick.
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 Converter for Media?
Smush has 1.0M+ active installs while Converter for Media has 500K+, meaning Smush is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — Smush or Converter for Media?
Converter for Media averages 4.9/5 from 1,088 reviews, while Smush averages 4.8/5 from 6,047 reviews — Converter for Media has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — Smush or Converter for Media?
Smush was last updated on Jun 12, 2026 and Converter for Media on Jun 3, 2026, so Smush received the more recent update.
Q Are Smush and Converter for Media both free?
Yes — both Smush and Converter for Media 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 Converter for Media better for WordPress sites?
For most sites, Smush is the better all-around choice because it offers both image compression and WebP conversion in one plugin, which covers the two biggest speed optimizations. Converter for Media focuses more narrowly on converting images to WebP, so it is a solid pick if you already have a separate compression tool. If you want a single plugin to handle both jobs, Smush gives you a more complete solution.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Smush or Converter for Media?
Smush is easier for a beginner because it works automatically right after activation, compressing images as you upload them without any configuration. Converter for Media requires you to manually enable the conversion to WebP and may need a few extra clicks to get started. Most new users find Smush more straightforward because it does not ask you to make decisions upfront.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between Smush and Converter for Media?
The biggest difference is that Smush includes built-in image compression alongside WebP conversion, while Converter for Media focuses exclusively on converting images to WebP format. Smush also offers features like lazy loading and bulk optimization that Converter for Media does not. If you need to both compress and convert, Smush covers both in one plugin.
Q Can you switch from Smush to Converter for Media (or the other way) without losing data?
You can switch between them without losing your original media files, because both plugins work by creating optimized copies and leaving your originals untouched. However, any WebP images generated by one plugin will not be automatically recognized by the other, so you may need to regenerate them after switching. Your existing image files and metadata will remain safe on your server.
Q Which type of site should choose Smush, and which should choose Converter for Media?
Choose Smush if you want a simple all-in-one solution that compresses images and converts them to WebP without juggling multiple plugins. Choose Converter for Media if you already have a dedicated compression plugin and only need the WebP conversion step. Smush is better for beginners and general-purpose sites, while Converter for Media suits users who want a lightweight tool for a specific task.
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