wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “resize image”
wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →
For “resize image”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 12 of the top 20. 1 plugin is pushed down for signals wp.org ignores: errors, a host-installed base, or removal risk.
wp.org search ranks on
Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.
We add
A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether it throws errors on current PHP, whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.
Ranked above its merit
Image Optimizer – Compress Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF shows at wp.org #9 but places #23 on merit, a gap of 14 places. Its 1M+ installs carry it up the search order; its 1.7★ average from 81 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.
Buried gem
Imsanity places #10 on merit, 4.9★ from 291 reviews, but shows at wp.org #18. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.
Resize Image After Upload 80K+ · 4.8★ (56)
wp.org #1 2 
Smush – Image Optimization, Compression, Lazy Load, WebP & CDN 1M+ · 4.8★ (6053)
wp.org #2 3 
EWWW Image Optimizer 1M+ · 4.8★ (1842)
wp.org #3 4 
ShortPixel Image Optimizer – Optimize Images, Convert WebP & AVIF 300K+ · 4.5★ (830)
wp.org #5 1 too low 5 
Modula Image Gallery – Photo Grid & Video Gallery 100K+ · 4.7★ (616)
wp.org #7 2 too low 6 
Smart Image Resize for WooCommerce 7K+ · 4.6★ (82)
wp.org #4 2 too high 7 
Imagify Image Optimization: Optimize Images | Compress & Convert to WebP/AVIF 900K+ · 4.3★ (1656)
wp.org #6 1 too high 8 
reSmush.it : The original free image compressor and optimizer plugin 100K+ · 4.3★ (166)
wp.org #8 9 
Admin and Site Enhancements (ASE) 200K+ · 5.0★ (423)
wp.org #16 7 too low 10 Imsanity 200K+ · 4.9★ (291)
wp.org #18 ↓1 8 too low 11 
Kraken.io Image Optimizer – Compress, Convert to WebP & AVIF, Resize & Bulk Optimize 10K+ · 4.5★ (119)
wp.org #15 4 too low 12 
Perfect Images: Regenerate Thumbnails, Image Sizes, WebP & AVIF 60K+ · 4.8★ (279)
wp.org #20 8 too low 13 
Image Widget 100K+ · 4.9★ (287)
wp.org #22 9 too low 14 
Enable Media Replace 600K+ · 4.4★ (302)
wp.org #17 ↑4 3 too low 15 
Robo Gallery – Photo & Image Slider 40K+ · 4.3★ (406)
wp.org #21 ↓2 6 too low 16 
WP Image Zoom 10K+ · 4.3★ (119)
wp.org #19 ↓1 3 too low 17 
Cimo – Free Instant Image Optimizer & WebP Converter 10K+ · 4.9★ (20) thin reviews
wp.org #14 3 too high 18 
WP SVG Images 30K+ · 5.0★ (13) thin reviews
wp.org #13 5 too high 19 
Speed Optimizer – The All-In-One Performance-Boosting Plugin 1M+ · 4.2★ (641)
wp.org #24 5 too low 20 
Canvas Image Resize 1K+ · 4.6★ (10) thin reviews
wp.org #10 10 too high 21 
Compress, Resize & Lazy Load Images – WPvivid Image Optimization 10K+ · 4.3★ (7) thin reviews
wp.org #11 10 too high 22 
Image Gallery 3K+ · 4.4★ (32)
wp.org #23 1 too low 23 Image Optimizer – Compress Images and Convert to WebP or AVIF 1M+ · 1.7★ (81) host-installed base
wp.org #9 14 too high 24 
Resize Image Before Upload 70+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews
wp.org #12 12 too high Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.