Perxel Image Optimizer
Perxel Image Optimizer

Perxel Image Optimizer

0/5 (0 ratings) — active installs Updated Sep 21, 2026
Optimization: the prepare screen shows the whole-library image count, an estimated time, and a choice of Background or Fast run.

Optimization: the prepare screen shows the whole-library image count, an estimated time, and a choice of Background or Fast run.

Perxel Image Optimizer converts your WordPress media library to WebP locally,
on your own server, and serves it – entirely from an admin page, built for shared
hosting.

  • No third party. Conversion runs in PHP via WP_Image_Editor (GD/Imagick).
    Nothing is uploaded to a CDN or an external optimization service, and there is
    no API key, account or paid tier. Your images never leave your host.
  • Free. The whole plugin, no upsell.
  • Runs in the background. A light scan estimates the work, then a background
    job (Action Scheduler) converts the library newest-to-oldest, one calendar
    month at a time. Pause, resume, cancel, close the tab – progress is durable.
    Optional email report when a run finishes.
  • Or run it Fast. An opt-in mode that drives the conversion from the open
    admin tab, so the server works continuously – much quicker on shared hosting
    with no cron. It throttles itself if the host pushes back, and stopping never
    loses work.
  • Originals are untouched. foo.jpg gets a foo.jpg.webp sibling; the
    source file is never modified.
  • Serving through a managed .htaccess block on Apache/LiteSpeed, with an
    to <picture> fallback on nginx or when .htaccess is not writable.
  • Per-attachment Convert / Reconvert / Remove buttons in the Media library.
  • New uploads are converted automatically, shortly after upload.

The admin area is two screens under Media > Optimization: an Optimization page (scan
prepare live monitor) and a separate Settings page (environment,
conversion options, serving, notifications, cleanup).