Smaller images. Faster pages. Nothing else to learn.
LeanPixel compresses the images in your WordPress media library and creates WebP and AVIF versions. Your originals are kept and can be restored with one click.
Download freeFree · Every feature included · Works with WordPress 5.8 and later
What it does
- Optimizes new uploads automatically, including every thumbnail size WordPress creates.
- Bulk-optimizes your existing library in the background. Close the tab and it keeps going.
- Three compression levels: lossless, balanced and aggressive.
- Creates WebP and AVIF versions and serves them to browsers that support them, at the same image address.
- Resizes oversized images to a maximum size you choose (1920, 2560 or 3840 pixels).
- Keeps your originals. Restore any image, or several at once, with one click.
- Shows what you saved, per image and for the whole library.
- Works with JPEG, PNG and GIF.
How it works
The compression runs on our servers, not yours.
Compressing images takes a lot of processing power. Most shared hosting plans do not have it to spare. LeanPixel sends each image to our optimization service, which shrinks it and sends it back. Your site does not slow down while this happens, and it works on any hosting plan.
Your images stay yours
- Nothing is sent until you connect the plugin.
- Each image is deleted from our servers as soon as its request finishes.
- We do not keep, share or use your images for anything else.
- Location data and other hidden photo details are removed from the optimized copies unless you choose to keep them.
Safe by default
- Originals are stored in a private folder that cannot be reached from the web.
- Every file we send back is checked to be the same picture at the same size before anything is replaced.
- If an image would shrink by less than 5%, LeanPixel leaves it alone.
- Remove the plugin and your images stay optimized; nothing breaks.
A real example
Before
433 KB
After
108 KB
75% smaller
On our test site, a 433 KB photo and its thumbnails came out at 108 KB, 75% smaller. Images that have already been compressed by another tool will save less. Results depend on your images.
Requirements
- WordPress 5.8 or later
- PHP 7.4 or later
- WebP/AVIF serving is automatic on Apache and LiteSpeed. On nginx, the plugin shows the few lines to add to your server configuration.
FAQ
Is it really free?
Yes. Every feature is included. There is a fair-use limit of 10,000 files per month. Each file counts once: the image you upload and each thumbnail size WordPress makes from it.
How big can an image be?
Up to 25 MB per file.
Can I get my original images back?
Yes, as long as “Keep a copy of every original” is switched on, which it is by default. Use “Restore original” next to the image in your media library.
Will keeping originals use more disk space?
Yes, until you delete them. The plugin shows how much space the kept originals use and has a “Delete kept originals” button to free it once you are happy with the results.
How are WebP and AVIF versions served?
They are saved next to the original. With serving switched on, browsers that support the newer format receive it at the same image address, so you do not need to change your pages.
Can I use it on more than one site?
Yes. One key works on up to 25 sites and they share the monthly allowance.
Does it work with a CDN?
Yes. If you serve WebP or AVIF, set your CDN to vary its cache on the Accept header.
What happens if I remove the plugin?
Your images stay optimized and your kept originals stay where they are. Settings and per-image records are deleted.