Top 20 WordPress Plugins to Improve your Page Speed Scores
Are you tired of slow loading times on your WordPress site? Look no further! We’ve compiled a list of the top 20 WordPress plugins for improving page speed. From caching and minification to image optimization and database cleaning, these plugins have got you covered. Keep reading to find out which plugins made the cut.
Litespeed Cache: This plugin is a caching and optimization plugin that improves page speed by caching pages, minifying CSS, JS, and HTML, and by providing a built-in image optimization and lazy loading. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various caching, optimization and lazy loading options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested, and by optimizing images.Litespeed Cache key features include:
Caching of pages and posts
Minification of CSS, JS, and HTML
Built-in image optimization and lazy loading
Support for Cloudflare
Support for WebP images
Integration with popular e-commerce and membership plugins
Compatibility with popular page builders such as Elementor and Beaver Builder
Browser caching
Object caching
Support for HTTP/2
Automatic purge of cache
Ability to exclude specific pages and posts from caching
Support for caching of mobile pages separately
Page speed optimization report
Support for AMP and Facebook Instant Articles
Integration with CDN
And more…
When setting up Litespeed Cache, you should consider configuring the caching options, such as page caching, object caching, and browser caching, as well as the optimization options such as minification, image optimization, and lazy loading. You can also configure the Cloudflare and WebP support, and the compatibility with e-commerce and membership plugins.
W3 Total Cache: This plugin is a caching plugin that improves page speed by caching static files and minifying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various caching options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include caching of static files, minification of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and integration with various content delivery networks (CDNs). When setting up, you should consider configuring the various caching options, such as page caching, object caching, and browser caching, as well as the minification options.
WP Smush: This plugin is an image optimization plugin that reduces the file size of images to improve page load times. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various image optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded for images.
Key Features
Features include lossless compression of images, bulk compression, and integration with NextGEN Gallery. When setting up, you should consider configuring the image compression level, automatic compression on upload, and the NextGEN integration.
Lazy Load by WP Rocket: This plugin is a lazy loading plugin that delays the loading of images and videos until they are needed. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various lazy loading options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded on initial page load.
Key Features
The plugin offers lazy loading of images and videos, and compatibility with various plugins and themes. When setting up, you should consider configuring the lazy loading options, such as the loading of images and videos on scroll, the loading of images and videos on click, and the loading of images and videos on hover.
Autoptimize: This plugin is a caching and optimization plugin that minifies and compresses HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files to improve page load times. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include minification and compression of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and integration with various caching plugins. When setting up, you should consider configuring the minification and compression options, as well as the caching options.
Cloudflare: This plugin is a Content Delivery Network (CDN) that improves page speed by caching static files on servers around the world, reducing the distance that data needs to travel. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the Cloudflare account and select the plan. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of time it takes for data to travel to the user.
Key Features
Features include content delivery network (CDN) services, security features, and performance optimization options. When setting up, you should consider configuring the CDN options, such as the caching level, the security options, and the performance optimization options.
WP Fastest Cache: This plugin is a caching and optimization plugin that improves page speed by minifying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and by combining and compressing files. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various caching and optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Features caching of static files, minification of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, and integration with various content delivery networks (CDNs). When setting up, you should consider configuring the various caching options, such as page caching, object caching, and browser caching, as well as the minification options.
Optimize Database after Deleting Revisions: This plugin is a database optimization plugin that improves page speed by cleaning up and optimizing the WordPress database. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded from the database each time a page is requested.
Key Features
This plugin includes tools for cleaning and optimizing the WordPress database, and removing unnecessary data such as trashed posts, revisions, and spam comments. When setting up, you should consider configuring the optimization options, such as the schedule for optimization, and the types of data to be cleaned up.
Async JavaScript: This plugin is a JavaScript optimization plugin that improves page speed by loading JavaScript files asynchronously. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various JavaScript optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of time it takes for JavaScript files to load and by preventing JavaScript files from blocking other elements from loading.
Key Features
The plugin offers features include loading JavaScript files asynchronously, and compatibility with various plugins and themes. When setting up, you should consider configuring the JavaScript optimization options, such as the loading of JavaScript files asynchronously, and the exclusion of specific JavaScript files from being loaded asynchronously.
WP Optimize: This plugin is a database optimization plugin that improves page speed by cleaning up and optimizing the WordPress database. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded from the database each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include cleaning and optimizing the WordPress database, and removing unnecessary data such as trashed posts, revisions, and spam comments. When setting up, you should consider configuring the optimization options, such as the schedule for optimization, and the types of data to be cleaned up.
Gravity Forms: This plugin is a form building plugin that can be used to create contact forms, surveys, and other types of forms. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the form building page to create forms. This improves page speed by removing the need for external form scripts to run on the site, reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Features include creating forms, surveys, and other types of forms, and integration with various add-ons and plugins. When setting up, you should consider configuring the form options, such as the types of fields to include, and the integration options with add-ons and plugins.
Perfmatters: This plugin is a performance optimization plugin that improves page speed by disabling unnecessary WordPress features and settings such as emojis, embeds, and more. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data and resources that need to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include disabling unnecessary WordPress features and settings, and integration with caching plugins. When setting up, you should consider configuring the optimization options, such as the disabling of emojis, embeds, and other unnecessary features, as well as the caching options.
ShortPixel Image Optimizer: This plugin is an image optimization plugin that improves page speed by compressing and optimizing images on your website. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various image optimization options and connect to the ShortPixel API. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded for images.
Key Features
This plugin offers tools for compressing and optimizing images, and integration with the ShortPixel API. When setting up, you should consider configuring the image optimization options, such as the image compression level, and the connection to the ShortPixel API.
Breeze: This plugin is a caching and optimization plugin that improves page speed by minifying and compressing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files and by optimizing database tables. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various caching and optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include caching and optimization of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and optimization of database tables. When setting up, you should consider configuring the caching and optimization options, such as the minification and compression of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and the optimization of database tables.
Query Monitor: This plugin is a debugging plugin that can be used to troubleshoot and optimize the performance of your website. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various debugging options. This improves page speed by providing detailed information about database queries, HTTP requests, and other performance-related data, which can be used to identify and fix performance issues.
Key Features
Key features include debugging and troubleshooting performance issues, and providing detailed information about database queries, HTTP requests, and other performance-related data. When setting up, you should consider configuring the debugging options, such as the types of data to be collected and displayed, and the exclusion of specific plugins and themes from the debugging process.
Speed Booster Pack: This plugin is a performance optimization plugin that improves page speed by minifying and compressing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and by optimizing images. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various optimization options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include minification and compression of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and optimization of images. When setting up, you should consider configuring the optimization options, such as the minification and compression of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files, and the optimization of images.
Heartbeat Control: This plugin is a performance optimization plugin that improves page speed by reducing the frequency of the WordPress Heartbeat API. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the Heartbeat frequency. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of server resources used, which can lead to faster page load times.
Key Features
Key features include reducing the frequency of the WordPress Heartbeat API, and reducing the load on the server. When setting up, you should consider configuring the Heartbeat frequency, and the pages where the Heartbeat API should be disabled.
WP Minify: This plugin is a caching and optimization plugin that improves page speed by minifying and compressing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to configure the various minification options. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of data that needs to be loaded each time a page is requested.
Key Features
Key features include minification and compression of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. When setting up, you should consider configuring the minification and compression options, such as the types of files to be minified and compressed, and the exclusion of specific files from the minification process.
Jetpack Photon: This plugin is an image optimization plugin that improves page speed by using the Jetpack Content Delivery Network (CDN) to serve images from a global network of servers. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then go to the settings page to connect to your Jetpack account. This improves page speed by reducing the amount of time it takes for images to load, as well as by reducing the load on your server.
Key Features
Jetpack Photon includes image optimization through the Jetpack Content Delivery Network (CDN), and reducing the load on the server. When setting up, you should consider connecting to your Jetpack account, and configuring the CDN options.
Remove Query Strings from Static Resources: This plugin is a caching optimization plugin that improves page speed by removing query strings from static resources such as CSS and JavaScript files. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it. This improves page speed by allowing static resources to be cached by the browser, which can lead to faster page load times.
Key Features
RQSFSR includes removing query strings from static resources, and allowing static resources to be cached by the browser. When setting up, you should consider configuring the options for removing query strings, and the types of files to be affected.
P3 (Plugin Performance Profiler): This plugin is a performance optimization plugin that analyzes the performance of other plugins and provides detailed information about their impact on page load times. To set up the plugin, you will need to install and activate it, then run the profiler to analyze your plugins. This improves page speed by identifying the plugins that are slowing down your website and providing recommendations on how to optimize their performance.
Key Features
This tool includes the ability to analyse the performance of other plugins, and providing detailed information and recommendations for optimization. When setting up, you should consider configuring the options for running the profiler, and the types of data to be collected and analyzed.
So there you have it, the top 20 (21 actually) WordPress plugins to improve page speed.
You can find these plugins on the WordPress plugin repository (https://wordpress.org/plugins/) by searching for their names. You can also install them directly from your WordPress dashboard by going to the “Plugins” menu and clicking on “Add New”, then searching for the plugin name and clicking on “Install Now” and then “Activate”.
With the right combination of plugins, you can significantly improve the page speed of your WordPress site. Whether you’re looking to cache static files, optimize images, or clean up your database, there’s a plugin on this list for you. So, don’t wait any longer, start boosting the speed of your site today!
