MegaOptim Image Optimizer – Optimize WebP & AVIF, Compress Images, Convert to WebP & AVIF

FAQ

Can MegaOptim further compress existing WebP and AVIF images?

Yes — this is a main focus of MegaOptim 2.0. MegaOptim Cloud can take WebP and AVIF files you already have and reduce them further, in addition to working on JPG, PNG, and GIF.

Does MegaOptim work without an API key?

Yes. The plugin is free with the local method. If your server has GD or Imagick, you can do WebP conversion (JPEG/PNG/GIF sources), local AVIF generation where supported, and JPEG/PNG compression at no cost. MegaOptim Cloud is needed for smarter compression, compressing GIF / WebP / AVIF files, and further optimization of existing WebP/AVIF files.

How much does MegaOptim Cloud cost?

The cloud plan is about $54 per year and works on unlimited sites. It provides smarter compression, offloads work from your server, and unlocks further optimization of existing WebP and AVIF files.

How do I convert JPEG to WebP in WordPress?

Install and activate MegaOptim, open Media > MegaOptim, choose Convert mode, set the output format to WebP, and start a bulk job from the Media Library or File System view.

Can I convert PNG images to AVIF?

Yes. MegaOptim can generate AVIF images through MegaOptim Cloud, or locally where your server supports AVIF encoding. If your server does not support local AVIF encoding, use MegaOptim Cloud.

Can MegaOptim convert GIF images to WebP or AVIF?

Yes. MegaOptim 2.0 can convert GIF images to next-gen formats as part of its conversion workflow, alongside JPG and PNG.

Can I just optimize JPEG and PNG without converting them?

Yes. Use Compress mode to reduce file size while keeping the original format. Local compression handles JPEG and PNG, runs free on your server, and uses fixed quality levels. MegaOptim Cloud additionally compresses GIF, WebP, and AVIF — and applies Smart Compression (SSIM-tuned per image) for smaller files at visually identical quality.

What is the difference between Convert and Compress?

Convert creates next-gen WebP or AVIF files alongside the original image. Compress optimizes the image in its existing format — including further compressing existing WebP and AVIF files — without changing the format.

Why use MegaOptim Cloud compression instead of local compression?

Local compression is free and runs entirely on your own server. MegaOptim Cloud is the recommended option when you want smarter compression, further optimization of existing WebP and AVIF images, and less CPU and memory usage on your hosting. The cloud plan is $54 per year for unlimited sites.

Can MegaOptim automatically convert uploaded images?

Yes. You can enable automatic conversion or automatic compression for newly uploaded images. MegaOptim processes those jobs in the background so new uploads can be handled without manual bulk actions.

How are WebP and AVIF images served on the front end?

MegaOptim can serve next-gen images through Apache .htaccess rules or a PHP passthru delivery mode. Both options are designed to serve WebP and AVIF to supported browsers while keeping the original image as a fallback.

Can I restore my original images?

Yes. If you compressed originals with backups enabled, MegaOptim can restore the original image and regenerate thumbnails. You can also remove generated WebP and AVIF derivative files without changing the original upload.

Can I process folders outside the Media Library?

Yes. MegaOptim 2.0 includes a File System view that lets you browse server folders and bulk-process images outside the WordPress Media Library.

Does MegaOptim support WP-CLI?

Yes. Current commands include wp megaoptim convert, wp megaoptim stats, wp megaoptim reset, wp megaoptim log, wp megaoptim queue:process, and wp megaoptim queue:stats.

What happens when I upgrade from an older MegaOptim version?

MegaOptim 2.0 migrates legacy settings and attachment data in the background. If migration is needed, the plugin shows a migration progress banner in the admin area while the old data is being imported into the new 2.0 tables.