Smush Pro is one of the most popular WordPress image optimization plugins, trusted by over 1 million sites. It handles everything from automatic image compression and resizing to lazy loading and next-gen format conversion. When you upload an image, Smush compresses it in the background without slowing you down. You can also bulk optimize existing images, convert them to WebP and AVIF, and serve them through a global CDN. The plugin includes lossless and lossy compression modes, so you can choose between maximum quality or smaller file sizes. Compared to image optimization plugins like Imagify, Smush offers a broader feature set with built-in lazy loading, CDN, and automatic resizing in the Pro version.
The free version is already powerful enough for most sites, while the Pro version adds WebP and AVIF conversion, CDN delivery, automatic image resizing, and unlimited file size support.
Competitive Features
- Automatic compression on upload — compress images as you add them to the media library without any manual steps
- Bulk optimization — optimize all existing images with one click, including thumbnails and scaled images
- Lossless and lossy compression — choose between Super Smush (lossy) for maximum savings or Basic (lossless) for perfect quality
- Lazy loading — enable lazy loading for images, iframes, and videos with customizable effects and exclusions
- WebP and AVIF conversion — automatically convert images to next-gen formats with local or CDN delivery (Pro)
- Global CDN — serve images from 119 global servers with up to 500 GB bandwidth (Pro)
- Automatic image resizing — dynamically resize images to fit containers, fixing PageSpeed “properly size images” warnings (Pro)
- Directory Smush — compress images outside the media library, including theme and plugin folders
Key Features
- Bulk restore — restore multiple original images at once if you need to revert compression
- Preload critical images — mark above-the-fold images for early loading to improve LCP scores
- Activity log — track all optimization activity, including scans, compressions, and configuration changes
- Background processing — bulk optimize large libraries without keeping the browser tab open
- Config system — save and apply configuration presets across multiple sites
- RTL support — full right-to-left language support across all UI components
- White label — rebrand the plugin for client sites (Pro)
- WooCommerce integration — works with product galleries and catalog images
Comparison with Competitors
Smush Pro vs Imagify
| Feature | Smush Pro | Imagify |
|---|---|---|
| Compression levels | Lossless + Lossy + Ultra | Lossy only (3 levels) |
| Lazy loading | Built-in | Requires separate plugin |
| WebP conversion | Local + CDN | Local + CDN |
| Image CDN | 119 global servers | Not included |
| Automatic resizing | Yes | No |
| Bulk optimization | Background processing | Yes |
Smush Pro vs ShortPixel
| Feature | Smush Pro | ShortPixel |
|---|---|---|
| Compression types | Lossless, Lossy, Ultra | Lossless, Lossy, Glossy |
| WebP/AVIF | Both formats | Both formats |
| PDF compression | Not supported | Included |
| PNG to JPG conversion | Yes | Yes |
| Image CDN | Included | Not included |
| Lazy loading | Built-in | Built-in |
| API credits | Unlimited (Pro) | 100 images/month (free) |
Recommended Stack — pair Smush Pro with WP Rocket to combine image optimization with full-page caching, minification, and database optimization for maximum site speed.
Official Changelog
Version 4.3.2
Release Date: August 24, 2026
- Improvement: Accessibility option in Smush.
- Improvement: Improved transparent PNG detection accuracy.
- Improvement: Improved savings calculation in the optimization complete modal.
- Improvement: Security improvements.
- Fix: Image sets without a URL not being lazy loaded.
- Fix: Image sets without a URL not served correctly through the CDN.
- Fix: Network activation status not updating without a page reload or button press.
- Fix: Async processing mistakenly turned off on some sites.
- Fix: Network-scoped option writable by a subsite administrator (reported by Jakub Herman).
Version 4.3.0
Release Date: August 10, 2026
- New: CDN 2.0 with multiple performance improvements and bug fixes.
- New: CDN domain migrated from smushcdn.com to assetcdn.net.
- New: Failed images list now displayed on the Directory Smush page.
- Improvement: Implemented missing notices throughout the Smush interface.
- Improvement: Added notice for API update status.
- Improvement: Optimization toast now shown on all pages after optimization completes.
- Fix: Image size not updated after editing an image in the media library.
- Fix: Individual Ignore button not working for skipped images in Bulk Smush.
- Fix: Image optimization not applied to large PNG images above 2560px with Super or Ultra Smush settings.
- Fix: Prevented saving corrupted images to avoid broken image issues.
- Fix: Images with URL parameters not served correctly when URL is changed.
- Fix: Images now correctly convert to AVIF when re-enabling WebP after a downgrade and upgrade.
Version 4.2.0
Release Date: July 6, 2026
- New: Full RTL language support across all Smush pages, modals, and UI components.
- Improvement: Improved bulk smush process reliability using atomic operations instead of MySQL locks.
- Improvement: Bulk smush health checks now run via Ajax for faster stall detection.
- Improvement: Visual feedback shown when the optimization process has stalled.
- Improvement: Updated Lazy Load exclusions UI/UX.
- Improvement: Rescan only required when setting changes create new savings opportunities.
- Fix: Lazy load iframe causing issues with the browser back button.
- Fix: Smush failing to detect existing Hub connection when WPMU DEV Dashboard plugin is installed first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Smush Pro reduce image quality?
No, Smush uses intelligent compression that removes unnecessary metadata and optimizes compression without visible quality loss. You can choose between lossless (Basic) and lossy (Super Smush) modes.
Can Smush Pro optimize images I already uploaded?
Yes, the Bulk Smush feature lets you optimize all existing images in your media library with one click, including all thumbnails and scaled versions.
Does Smush Pro support WebP and AVIF?
Yes, the Pro version can automatically convert images to WebP and AVIF formats and serve them to supported browsers. You can choose between local delivery or CDN delivery.
What is the difference between Smush Free and Smush Pro?
Smush Pro adds WebP/AVIF conversion, a global CDN with 119 servers, automatic image resizing, unlimited file size (up to 256MB), white labeling, and priority support.
Is Smush Pro compatible with WordPress 7.1?
Yes, the latest version 4.3.2 is tested up to WordPress 7.1 and requires PHP 7.4 or higher. It is actively maintained by the WPMU DEV team.
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