Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter
by Benjamin Intal · Performance
Also makes 10 other plugins · 114.7K+ installs across the portfolio →
Unlimited free image compression and WebP conversion, done instantly as you upload them. No quotas, no external servers, no limits.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
A 89/100
no flags
Active installs
10K+
≈12K estimated
Momentum
-9%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “optimization”, “compress” and “image” for “free image”, “image converter” and “image compression”. “optimization” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “free image” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “compress” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #22. “image converter” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “image” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #22. “image compression” sits at #13 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
89 health vs 69 average across 1,809 Performance plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →16%
of downloads still active
At least 10K of 61.7K lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Performance plugin keeps 1.4%, across 1,105 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Performance plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 10 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Well tuned across the board
Updated 18 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.9★ over 20 reviews, smoothed to 4.33★ and held back under 25 reviews
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
1 of 1 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
34
Momentum
Losing ground
-1.4
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
12%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+0.6
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| quotas | #2 | #3 | up 1 |
| free image | #5 | #8 | 0 |
| webp converter | #6 | #7 | down 3 |
| instant | #7 | #5 | down 2 |
| image optimizer | #7 | #10 | down 3 |
| image converter | #5 | #8 | 0 |
| webp conversion | #9 | #13 | 0 |
| converter | #13 | #10 | down 3 |
| image compression | #13 | #16 | down 5 |
| webp convert | #9 | #11 | 0 |
| convert your tag | #16 | #15 | down 5 |
| optimizer | #16 | #13 | down 8 |
| webp your tag | #20 | #17 | down 9 |
| image conversion | #13 | #18 | 0 |
| image your tag | #22 | #22 | 0 |
| compress your tag | #22 | #19 | down 1 |
| bulk image optimizer | #8 | #12 | 0 |
| image resize | #15 | #17 | 0 |
| compression | #22 | #21 | up 2 |
| image editor | #16 | #20 | up 1 |
| optimization your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
197 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 152 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 1 of its tags isn't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “optimization”, “compress” and “image” for “free image”, “image converter” and “image compression”. “optimization” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “free image” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “compress” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #22. “image converter” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “image” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #22. “image compression” sits at #13 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- Slipping on “convert”. Down 5 places since 2026-09-18, now #16. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
- Slipping on “webp”. Down 9 places since 2026-09-18, now #20. Check what shipped around then, and what moved above you.
Daily downloads
Since 30 Aug 2025 · 429 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 10.6K · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
10
releases in the last 12 months
18d ago
latest release · v1.5.0 · 14 Oct 2026
19
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “10K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 2 months ago and a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, so the real count is still just over 10K.
At the current install trend, crossing 20K+ in roughly 510 days.
Install history since 29 Aug 2025
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ fabiankunz015mo ago
+ Image Conversion happens for free inside editor browser+ Just works
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ lbdesign6mo ago
It does one thing, but does it very well. I rely on it. Thank you for this plugin.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ renemwor7mo ago
I really like this plugin. Set and forget! Limited options in the free version, but most of the time this is perfect.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Anonymous7mo ago
Awesome plugin, directly goes to my default install list ! Thank you for the great work !
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Jason L8mo ago
used to work perfectly. I wish I could find older versions, as 1.2.2 no longer automatically converts images when uploaded. never should have updated. so annoying, and now looking for a new solution. update after dev response: I updated to 1.2.2 on other sites, and all have broken functionality. Will revisit this review after the next update. Update after the update: I had to roll back to 1.2.0, and you can find that here in a dropdown menu at the bottom of the content area: https://wordpress.org/plugins/cimo-image-optimizer/advanced/ This topic was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by Jason L. Reason: more installs are no longer functioning after 1.2.2 update This topic was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by Jason L.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ alamea12mo ago
I uploaded 5 images between 6 MB and 20 MB in less than 3 seconds. And the plugin works perfectly with Image Regenerate & Select Crop. All my custom image styles were cleanly applied and compressed to a minimal file size, and the whole thing is crystal clear. Thanks for your development. Fantastic work!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ rrvoigt1.0y ago
Fantastic plugin – great work!We’d love to give it 5+ stars, but a few key features are still missing: Image gallery conversion: It would be incredibly useful to have an option to convert images already in the media gallery (e.g., a “Convert with Cimo” button). Bulk conversion: Support for bulk image conversion, similar to what other plugins offer, would be a major plus. Compression details: When uploading via the media library, conversion is fast — great! However, we don’t see any compression details unless we upload via the post’s featured image section. It would be a valuable addition to display this info directly in the media gallery view. We also tested the plugin with our theme (Voxel) and noticed that images uploaded through various media widgets aren’t being converted. This might be due to missing hooks or compatibility gaps. Looking forward to future updates – this plugin has great potential! Best regards,Robert
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Dave Barr1.1y ago
Very happy to give this a well deserved Five Stars (★★★★★) as it’s as ingenious as it is simple. The final touch of perfection is that it works seamlessly with the Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Image & Gallery field types. Big thanks to Benjamin Intal for this fine work! 🙌
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 1.4.1 Fixed: PHP error notice because of invalid big_image_size_threshold usage 1.4.1
- — Version 1.4.0 New: Smart Optimization (premium) – get even smaller image file sizes when uploading images #35 New: Video & audio can now be optimized in Bulk Optimization #37 New: Toggle optimization option – toggle Cimo’s optimizer o 1.4.0
- — Version 1.3.1 Fixed: Optimization metadata may not be attached if uploading images with the same filename #40 Fixed: Added view all stats link Fixed: Added upgrade links 1.3.1
- — Version 1.3.0 New: Bulk optimization without server processing (premium) New: Frontend file uploads can now be optimized (premium) New: Integrations to popular WordPress Form plugins (premium) New: Added stealth mode (premium) New: Ad 1.3.0
- — Version 1.2.3 New: Added SVG Optimization (premium) New: Added HEIC image format support (premium) Fixed: Dropping files stopped working in some instances #32 1.2.3
- — Version 1.2.2 Fixed: Uploading an image via Media > Add Media File doesn’t show stats #4 Fixed: Dragging multiple images in quick succession sometimes doesn’t optimize the image #3 Fixed: LQIP doesn’t work correctly when the image has 1.2.2
Behavioral tests
via WP HiveAutomated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 7.0
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 4 languages, 1 at 90% or more
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.
Readme readiness
7 of 8 pass · checked 29 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ! Says what it does Short description names no action; say what the plugin does for the site.
- ✓ Has a FAQ 14 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 14 of 14 read like questions a user would type.
- ✓ Names who it is for Names its audience or use cases ("for developers", "perfect for").
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Elementor, Gutenberg, Block editor and 7 more.
- ✓ Headings and lists 6 headings and 11 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 5,172 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text All 5 tags appear in the text.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-08-28 9K+ → 10K+ up after 45 days in tier
- 2026-07-14 8K+ → 9K+ up after 44 days in tier
- 2026-05-31 7K+ → 8K+ up after 38 days in tier
- 2026-04-23 6K+ → 7K+ up after 27 days in tier
- 2026-03-27 5K+ → 6K+ up after 25 days in tier
- 2026-03-02 4K+ → 5K+ up after 23 days in tier
- 2026-02-07 3K+ → 4K+ up after 24 days in tier
- 2026-01-14 2K+ → 3K+ up after 24 days in tier
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
EWWW Image Optimizer 1M+ installs · 4.8★ · 3 shared tags B -
Image Converter for WebP 1K+ installs · 4.2★ · 3 shared tags B -
Image Prioritizer 40K+ installs · 4.0★ · 2 shared tags B -
CompressX — AVIF & WebP Converter, Media Replacement 40K+ installs · 4.9★ · 2 shared tags A -
ShortPixel Adaptive Images – WebP, AVIF, CDN, Image Optimization 10K+ installs · 4.7★ · 2 shared tags A -
Enable SVG, WebP, and ICO Upload 10K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags A
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/cimo-image-optimizer" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter: 10K+ active installs, 4.9★ (20 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/cimo-image-optimizer
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