ShortPixel Review, Pricing, Pros and Cons
What is ShortPixel?
A free, user-friendly, portable, reliable, and up-to-date image compression plugin and optimization program is called ShortPixel. This particular plugin is notable not just for compressing photos but also PDF files, GIFs, and unconventional photo formats like webp.
Both when you upload several files at once and when using outdated photos that are already loaded on the website, bulk optimization is permitted. The servers will be under less strain when your site loads if the images are smaller. That’s advantageous for both your website’s user experience and SEO.
Even better, practically all popular presentations, galleries, and eCommerce plugins are compatible with ShortPixel. A team in Europe, which also manages the cloud image optimization service that links to the plugin, created ShortPixel.
The Particulars
One aspect of ShortPixel that stands out is that their optimization method is cloud-based, so you won’t need to use up your server’s CPU or RAM. Fortunately, ShortPixel avoids this typical problem, which is that many cloud-based plugins have a reputation for being inefficient and time-consuming.
Additionally, ShortPixel is supported by an easy-to-use API that allows the server to perform compression. With the same API key, ShortPixel may be used across several websites.
ShortPixel automatically optimizes photographs as they are uploaded, which is a convenient automated function and a significant time saver. Additionally, it stops you from just forgetting about it.
This is how the method operates. You add pictures to the WordPress Media Library of your website. The photographs are then immediately sent to ShortPixel’s cloud servers and compressed individually in accordance with the settings you’ve chosen.
For instance, you may select “Remove EXIF” and check the box. The picture file has information called EXIF, which includes GPS location, camera settings, and the date and time the shot was taken. In addition to shrinking the file size, eliminating this information also eliminates information that you might not want site visitors to see.
8 Major ShortPixel Features
1. Different Types of Compression
Images can be compressed using one of three techniques. You may select lossy, glossy, or lossless compression under the General tab’s section under compression type.
Lossy
The approach with the greatest compression rate is the default and preferred choice. With certain compression plugins, this option can be dangerous, however ShortPixel normally does an outstanding job. Rarely do I notice any change between the before and after pictures.
Glossy
For the majority of photography websites or those where photographs are considerably more essential than normal, glossy compression is excellent. Glossy photographs are compressed when you choose them, albeit there is a slight loss of detail. This is the typical JPEG compression default setting. You won’t have to sacrifice high-resolution image quality with glossy compression. These photos will undoubtedly be bigger than lossy images.
Lossless
When the least amount of compression is used, this kind is less effective. However, it is an alternative for webmasters who are really cautious about losing quality and better than nothing. PDF files and the most popular image formats, including JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP, may all benefit from lossless (as well as lossy) image optimization.
2. Different File Types Support
PNG, JPG (JPEG XR, JPEG, JPEG 2000), GIF (animated and static), WebP, and PDF formats are all supported by ShortPixel. Additionally, you have the option to have it automatically convert PNG files to JPEG images with transparent backgrounds. It utilizes progressive JPEG for bigger photos, which accelerates the image display. In all honesty, I wouldn’t advise photographers to optimize their PDFs and GIFs. When people often download PDF files from your website, ShortPixel’s ability to convert such files is useful. It’s also important to remember that RGB images may be created from CMYK photos.
Additionally, if you want to, you may convert JPEG, PNG, and GIF to WebP using an option in ShortPixel. Use the picture tag rather than the img tag if you want fresh WebP images to appear on front-end sites.
In addition, ShortPixel automatically reduces the size of Retina photos because it is WP Retina 2x compatible. Additionally, it works with WPML and WPML media plugins as well as watermarking plugins. Additionally, it is compatible with HTTP and HTTP websites.
The application also functions with websites hosted by WP engine, Foo Gallery, NextGEN Gallery, other slides and galleries, eCommerce websites using WooCommerce and other plugins, and other significant hosting companies.
3. Optimization of thumbnails
WordPress generates thumbnails, which are variously scaled representations of the photos you’ve submitted. ShortPress does not just optimize featured photos—it also does so for thumbnails.
By selecting the checkbox next to “Also include thumbnails” in the general tab of the settings menu, you may turn on that feature.
It’s important to note that optimized thumbnails will be included in your plan and might increase the number of photos you normally edit by two.
Advice: You can prevent some thumbnails from being optimized.
ShortPixel Pricing: How much does the ShortPixel Costs?
ShortPixel offers various types of pricing plans. The price of those plans are $0 to $1000 per month. They also offer annual and Lifetime pricing plans.. So, Pick the perfect plan which is the best fit for you.
ShortPixel Pricing Plans
Conclusion: Is It Valuable?
ShortPixel is a fantastic plugin that I have no problem praising.
The cost is quite low, especially considering how much the plugin offers. Impressive and comprehensive are the various ways that photos may be optimized and compressed. ShortPixel is a fantastic choice because it works well with many other plugins that are often used by websites.
ShortPixel is a fantastic option for taking care of your picture compression and optimization needs, whether you’re concentrating on one website or a portfolio of websites.
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