Best WordPress Image Optimization Plugins Compared
Looking for a WordPress image optimization plugin? You'll quickly discover most plugins only solve half the problem. This guide compares the leading solutions and shows you how to get both image optimization AND alt text without juggling multiple tools.
The Problem: You Need Both Image Optimization and Alt Text
Here's what Google actually cares about for image SEO:
- Fast loading times (requires compressed, optimized images)
- Accessibility (requires descriptive alt text for screen readers)
- Contextual relevance (requires SEO-optimized alt text with keywords)
Most WordPress site owners end up using 2-3 separate tools to cover all these bases. That means multiple subscriptions, different dashboards, and constant context switching.
The Hidden Cost of Multiple Tools
If you piece together separate solutions, you're looking at:
- • Image optimization plugin: $5-10/month
- • Alt text AI service: $5-15/month
- • Time spent managing multiple tools: Priceless (but annoying)
- Total: $10-25/month minimum
What We're Comparing
We tested the most popular WordPress plugins and services across two categories:
- Image Optimization Tools: Smush, ShortPixel, Imagify, EWWW, Optimole
- Alt Text Tools: WP Accessibility, ImageSEO, AltText.ai
- All-in-One Solution: Altomatic (the only plugin that does both)
Comparison Table: Features & Pricing
| Plugin | Image Optimization | AI Alt Text | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altomatic | ✓ | ✓ | Free (50 credits/mo) $5/mo (500 credits) |
| Smush | ✓ | ✗ | Free (limited) $6/mo |
| ShortPixel | ✓ | ✗ | $4.99/mo |
| Imagify | ✓ | ✗ | Free (limited) $5.99/mo |
| AltText.ai | ✗ | ✓ | $9/mo |
| ImageSEO | ✗ | ✓ | $19.99/mo |
Notice how every other tool does EITHER image optimization OR alt text, but not both. If you want complete image SEO, you'd need to subscribe to two separate services.
Image Optimization Tools (No Alt Text)
Smush
One of the most popular WordPress image optimization plugins with over 1 million active installations.
What it does well:
- • Bulk smush up to 50 images at once
- • Lossless and lossy compression
- • Lazy loading built in
- • Free tier available (with limitations)
What's missing:
- • No alt text generation
- • No WebP conversion on free plan
- • Limited to 50MB/month on free tier
Pricing: Free (limited) or $6/month
ShortPixel
Known for aggressive compression and WebP support. Good balance of compression quality and file size reduction.
What it does well:
- • Excellent compression algorithms
- • WebP and AVIF support
- • Smart adaptive images
- • Converts PDFs to images
What's missing:
- • No alt text generation
- • Credit-based pricing can get expensive
- • Requires separate tool for accessibility
Pricing: $4.99/month for 5,000 images
Imagify
From the makers of WP Rocket. Clean interface and solid compression performance.
What it does well:
- • Three compression levels (Normal, Aggressive, Ultra)
- • Automatic WebP generation
- • Bulk optimization with resume capability
- • Integrates with WP Rocket
What's missing:
- • No alt text features
- • Free tier limited to 20MB/month
- • You'll need another plugin for accessibility
Pricing: Free (20MB/month) or $5.99/month for 1GB
Alt Text Tools (No Image Optimization)
AltText.ai
Focused entirely on AI-generated alt text. Popular but only solves half the image SEO equation.
What it does well:
- • Good AI accuracy for alt text
- • WooCommerce integration
- • Bulk processing available
What's missing:
- • Zero image optimization features
- • Doesn't compress files or convert formats
- • You'll still need a separate compression tool
Pricing: $9/month
ImageSEO
Another alt text-only solution. Higher priced than competitors with similar features.
What it does well:
- • Automatic alt text on upload
- • Renames image files for SEO
- • Supports multiple languages
What's missing:
- • No image compression
- • No format conversion (WebP, AVIF)
- • Higher price point than alternatives
Pricing: $19.99/month
The All-in-One Solution: Altomatic
Altomatic
The only WordPress plugin that combines professional image optimization with AI-powered alt text generation in one tool.
→Image Optimization Features
- • Up to 75% file size reduction
- • WebP and AVIF format conversion
- • Bulk optimization for entire media library
- • Lossless and lossy compression options
- • Automatic optimization on upload
→AI Alt Text Features
- • 98% accuracy AI-generated alt text
- • SEO keyword optimization
- • WCAG 2.1 accessibility compliance
- • Bulk alt text generation
- • Contextual, descriptive captions
Why Altomatic Saves You Money:
Using Separate Tools:
- ShortPixel: $4.99/month
- AltText.ai: $9/month
- Total: $13.99/month
Using Altomatic:
- Free: 50 credits/month
- Basic: $5/month (500 credits)
- Pro: $20/month (2,100 credits)
- Save $4-8+/month
Which Plugin Should You Choose?
The answer depends on what you actually need:
Choose Altomatic if:
- • You want both image optimization AND alt text (you should)
- • You're tired of managing multiple tools and subscriptions
- • You want the most cost-effective solution
- • You care about accessibility and SEO
- • You want everything automated in one workflow
Choose Smush/ShortPixel/Imagify if:
- • You only need image compression (though you're missing out on SEO)
- • You already have an alt text solution you're happy with
- • You don't mind paying for multiple subscriptions
Choose AltText.ai/ImageSEO if:
- • You only need alt text generation
- • You already have optimized images
- • You're willing to pay $9-20/month for just one feature
The Bottom Line
For most WordPress site owners, the question isn't "Which image optimization plugin?" or "Which alt text tool?" The real question is: "Why am I paying for two tools when I can get both in one?"
If you run a blog, ecommerce store, portfolio, or any content-heavy WordPress site, you need both optimized images and descriptive alt text. Altomatic is currently the only plugin that delivers both without requiring multiple subscriptions or context switching between tools.
Free Plan Available
You can start with Altomatic's free plan (50 credits/month) to test both image optimization and alt text generation. No credit card required. See if the all-in-one approach saves you time and money.
Try Altomatic Free
Get both image optimization and AI alt text in one WordPress plugin. Start with 50 free credits per month.