ProRank vs EWWW Image Optimizer: image compression compared
EWWW Image Optimizer can compress images on your own server with no account. So can ProRank, which adds caching and the SEO tools. Here is how they compare, with our own compression test and its limits.
- Features and prices checked on .
- Compression test run by ProRank on , with EWWW Image Optimizer 7.9.0.
ProRank and EWWW Image Optimizer in brief
EWWW’s free version optimizes an unlimited number of images on your own server without an account, losslessly, and adds WebP conversion and lazy loading. It needs the compression tools to run on your host.
Lossy compression needs paid credits or a plan. AVIF and the image CDN come with Easy IO, a paid service, and page caching and critical CSS with SWIS Performance, part of EWWW’s paid bundles. It has no SEO features.
ProRank’s free plan compresses on your own server, including AVIF conversion, and adds page caching and the SEO tools. Its cloud optimizer, which the test used, comes with paid plans.
File size reduction in our test
Three 2400px photos, against the original JPEG. Higher means smaller files; the larger reduction is in bold.
| Output format | ProRank | EWWW Image Optimizer |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG | 79.4% | 62.4% |
| WebP | 82.7% | 68.0% |
| AVIF | 91.7% | Not tested |
| JPEG XL | 55.9% | Not tested |
- Of the two formats both were tested on, ProRank made smaller files in JPEG and WebP.
- One lab test by ProRank; visual quality was not scored. Details are below.
How the image test was run
- Run by
- ProRank, on 16 February 2026. This is our own test, not an independent one.
- Images
- Three 2400px-wide JPEG photographs (2,766 KB in total)
- Compression
- Each plugin’s own lossy compression; ProRank used its paid cloud optimizer (cjpegli for JPEG, Sharp for WebP and AVIF, cjxl for JPEG XL).
- Measured
- Size reduction against the original JPEG. Higher means smaller files; visual quality was not scored.
- Versions
- EWWW Image Optimizer 7.9.0 (the current version is 8.9.2).
- Figures shown
- Our two records of this test disagree on some numbers. Where they do, this page shows the figure less favorable to ProRank.
- Raw files
- Not published.
- EWWW Image Optimizer in this test
- EWWW was tested through its cloud compression, as recorded; it was not tested for AVIF or JPEG XL.
Features compared
What each plugin offers today, and which ProRank plan you need for it. EWWW Image Optimizer is checked against its own website and documentation.
| Feature | ProRank | EWWW Image Optimizer |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | ||
| Lossy compression | Free plan | Paid planPremium compression |
| Lossless mode | Free plan | Included |
| WebP conversion | Free plan | Included |
| AVIF conversion | Free plan | Paid add-onEasy IO CDN |
| Bulk-optimize the media library | Free plan | Included |
| Where images live | ||
| Optimized files kept on your server | Free plan | Included |
| Works without an account or API key | Free planOn-server compression | IncludedNeeds server tools |
| CDN delivery | Free planYour own CDN; no ProRank CDN | Paid add-onEasy IO, from $5 a month |
| Lazy loading | Free plan | Included |
| Beyond images | ||
| Page caching | Free plan | Paid add-onSWIS Performance |
| Critical CSS | Pro plan | Paid add-onSWIS Performance |
| SEO titles, meta and sitemaps | Free plan | Not included |
Checked on against EWWW Image Optimizer’s own pages (version 8.9.2):
- EWWW Image Optimizer on WordPress.org (version 8.9.2)
- EWWW features
- EWWW plans
- Easy IO CDN
- EWWW blog on AVIF (January 2026)
“Paid plan” means the feature needs EWWW Image Optimizer’s paid version; “Paid add-on” means a separate paid product or service. “Not included” means the vendor’s own feature list and documentation did not offer it on that date. Rows we could not confirm are left out. ProRank’s plan labels come from our pricing page. Plugins change often; if you spot something out of date, tell us and we will correct it.
The image settings in ProRank
Image optimization sits with ProRank’s other speed settings and shows how much of your media library is converted and how much space it saved.
What each costs
Both have a starting point you can try first. Competitor prices are as shown on their own pricing pages on . Prices change and sale prices end, so check before you buy.
ProRank SEO
- Free
- Free, on WordPress.org
- Pro
- $99 a year, 1 site
- Business
- $199 a year, 5 sites
- Agency
- $399 a year, 25 sites
US dollars, excluding VAT, billed yearly. 30-day money-back guarantee. The test used ProRank’s cloud optimizer, which comes with paid plans: 5,000 images a year on Pro (up to 416 a month), 20,000 on Business and 100,000 on Agency. The free plugin compresses on your own server.
EWWW Image Optimizer
Free version on WordPress.org. Paid version from:
$8 a month or $80 a year
Standard bundle for unlimited sites: Easy IO CDN (50 GB), premium compression credits and the SWIS Performance plugin with page caching. Easy IO alone starts at $5 a month; compression credits start at $3 for 1,500. The free plugin compresses unlimited images losslessly.
Try ProRank on your own images
The free plugin compresses images on your own server and converts them to WebP and AVIF, alongside page caching and the SEO tools.