This ShortPixel review explains why I use the plugin to optimise images across my WordPress sites.
It is not a comparison roundup and it is not a list of the best image optimisation plugins. It is simply a record of the tool I use to compress images and keep media libraries efficient across the websites I run.
If a site only contains a small number of images, optimisation may not feel important.
But as posts accumulate and media libraries grow, images usually become the largest contributor to page size and page weight. Managing that layer properly makes a noticeable difference to site performance.
ShortPixel is the plugin I currently use to handle that part of the stack.
This post contains affiliate links. I use ShortPixel on my own sites and recommend it because it fits the lightweight WordPress setup I run.
Quick Summary
ShortPixel is the image optimisation plugin I rely on across my WordPress sites.
It compresses images automatically and can generate WebP versions without requiring manual resizing or compression before uploading files.
If a site only contains a handful of images, manual optimisation may be enough.
But once a media library grows and new content is published regularly, ShortPixel becomes a much easier way to keep images compressed and page sizes under control.
→ You can view the plugin and current plans on the ShortPixel website.
ShortPixel is part of the WordPress stack I use across my sites.
Decision Context
Images are one of the most common causes of slow WordPress sites.
Most images uploaded to WordPress come directly from cameras, phones, or editing software. These files are often much larger than necessary for web use.
At first this may not matter.
But as posts accumulate and the media library grows, large images quietly increase the size of every page.
This affects:
- page load speed
- bandwidth usage
- overall site performance
There are three typical ways site owners deal with this.
Some do nothing and upload images as they are.
Some manually compress images before uploading them.
Others use an optimisation plugin that compresses images automatically.
ShortPixel is the approach I use.
What ShortPixel Does
ShortPixel compresses images stored in the WordPress media library.
When images are uploaded, the plugin optimises them by reducing file size while preserving visual quality.
It can also generate WebP versions of images, which modern browsers load more efficiently.
In practical terms the plugin:
- compresses images automatically
- optimises existing media library images in bulk
- generates WebP versions
- reduces overall page weight
The goal is simply to keep images efficient without requiring manual work.
Image Compression Modes
ShortPixel allows you to choose how aggressively images are compressed.
Typical options include:
Lossy compression
This provides the strongest reduction in file size while maintaining visual quality for most web images.
Glossy compression
This mode is designed for higher-quality images, such as photography portfolios.
Lossless compression
This reduces file size without altering the original image data.
For most websites the default compression setting works well.
WebP Image Support
ShortPixel can also generate WebP versions of images.
WebP images are significantly smaller than traditional JPEG or PNG files while maintaining similar visual quality.
When enabled, ShortPixel automatically creates WebP versions and serves them to browsers that support the format.
This reduces page size further without changing the publishing workflow.
Proof I Use It
I purchased a ShortPixel lifetime plan around 5–7 years ago and have used it across my WordPress sites since then.
The plan provides 15,000 optimisation credits per month, which is more than enough for the sites I currently run.
For example, this month shows:
- 540 credits used
- 14,460 credits remaining
That capacity allows images to be optimised automatically without worrying about limits.
How I Use ShortPixel Day to Day
Once the plugin is installed and configured, it largely runs in the background.
My typical workflow looks like this:
- upload images normally to WordPress
- ShortPixel automatically compresses them
- WebP versions are generated
- the media library remains optimised over time
ShortPixel also optimises the additional image sizes WordPress generates automatically, such as thumbnails and medium-sized images.
If older images were uploaded before installing the plugin, ShortPixel can also optimise the entire media library in bulk.
This keeps both new and existing images compressed.
How ShortPixel Fits Into My WordPress Stack
ShortPixel is part of the lightweight stack I use across my WordPress sites.
Each tool handles a specific layer of the system.
For example:
- GeneratePress – theme and layout foundation
- Perfmatters – performance optimisation
- ShortPixel – image optimisation
- Slim SEO – technical SEO
Each tool solves one specific problem without adding unnecessary complexity.
ShortPixel’s role in that system is simply to keep image files efficient.
Who ShortPixel Works Best For
ShortPixel makes the most sense for sites that:
- publish content regularly
- upload many images
- have growing media libraries
- want to improve site performance
In these situations, automatic optimisation is much easier than manual compression.
Who Should Avoid It
ShortPixel may not be necessary if you:
- upload very few images
- manually optimise every image before uploading
- run extremely small websites
In those situations manual optimisation may be sufficient.
Pricing Reality
ShortPixel pricing is based on optimisation credits.
Each image optimisation uses a credit, although WordPress may generate multiple image sizes which can also consume credits.
There are both subscription plans and one-time credit packages available.
In my case I purchased a lifetime plan providing 15,000 credits per month, which has been more than enough for the sites I run.
For most small websites the lower tiers are usually sufficient.
You can get your copy of Shortpixel at their website
Pros
- automatic image compression
- WebP image generation
- bulk optimisation for existing images
- simple configuration
- runs quietly in the background
Cons
- credit-based pricing model
- additional plugin to manage
When I Would Stop Using ShortPixel
I treat infrastructure plugins as replaceable components.
If a tool stops aligning with how I run my sites, I replace it.
I would reconsider ShortPixel if:
- performance improvements disappeared
- pricing stopped making sense
- a simpler solution replaced it
So far the plugin has continued to perform its role well.
Quick Setup Overview
Setting up ShortPixel is straightforward.
If you want to try it yourself, you can create an account on the ShortPixel website.
The basic process is:
- install the plugin
- connect it to a ShortPixel account
- configure compression settings
- enable WebP generation
After that the plugin simply optimises images automatically as they are uploaded.
Once configured, it requires very little ongoing management.
FAQ
Does ShortPixel compress images automatically?
Yes. Once configured, images uploaded to WordPress are automatically optimised.
Can ShortPixel optimise existing images?
Yes. The plugin can run bulk optimisation on the entire media library.
Does ShortPixel support WebP images?
Yes. It can generate WebP versions of images for browsers that support them.
Do small websites need image optimisation?
Small sites may not notice the difference immediately, but optimisation becomes increasingly valuable as the number of images grows.
Conclusion
ShortPixel solves a simple but important problem in WordPress websites.
As sites grow, the media library gradually becomes one of the largest contributors to page size and page weight.
Managing that manually is possible, but it requires discipline.
ShortPixel automates that process by compressing images and keeping the media library efficient over time.
For sites that publish regularly and accumulate images, ShortPixel is the image optimisation plugin I rely on to keep the media layer under control.
If you want to see how the plugin works and whether it fits your WordPress setup, you can explore ShortPixel here.
