Difference Between Shortpixel and Ewww (With Table)

For any website with images, the images must download fastest with the best quality. But often large images take time to download which in turn affects the SEO. To have the best performance of the site, a smaller and lesser number of images are used. The two best platforms for image compression are Shortpixel and Ewww.

Shortpixel vs Ewww

The main difference between Shortpixel and Ewww is that Shortpixel is an API that can compress and optimize images while Ewww is a plugin that can compress and optimize images. Shortpixel is the most popular and common plugin for image optimization while Ewww was launched later and gained popularity after Shortpixel.

Shortpixel caters to a wide range of customers. There are featured features available in various versions like a free trial, freemium, one-time license, and subscription-based. The feature can range from high visual quality to low visual quality and the weight of the image would be accordingly.

On the other hand, Ewww caters to a specific range of customers. The features of Ewww are available only in paid version for which various subscription plans have to be bought. The features are of experienced users since it allows detailed information and alterations. It can be deployed in SaaS, Web, and Cloud and not in Windows.

Comparison Table Between Shortpixel and Ewww

Parameters of Comparison

Shortpixel

Ewww

Launch

It was launched in November 2014

It was launched in 2017

Procedure

The images are pulled from the site of the user and copies onto the cloud

The images can be compressed automatically as well as manually

Customer service

24×7 live and online option

Online option

Deployment area

In SaaS, Web, Cloud and installed – windows

In SaaS, Web, and Cloud

Pricing model

It is available in four models – free trial, freemium, one-time license, and subscription-based

It is only available upon subscription

What is Shortpixel?

Shortpixel is an API (Application Programming Interface) that works to optimize and compress images. It is the most popular optimization plugin for WordPress. It is advanced software. The audience of the short pixel is various businesses that aim to improve the performance of their website through the compressing and resizing of images.

Shortpixel optimizes photos and makes them smaller in size but conveys the same idea visually. The API uses the images from the cloud of the device. These optimized images download quickly and have a better ranking on Google Insights. For any query or support, there is a 24×7 live consultation option. It is updated regularly.

Shortpixel provides three types of algorithms for image optimization. These types are lossless, smooth, and glossy. Glossy provides the best optimization with the same pixel-to-pixel quality of original images. Shortpixel is available in a free version with basic features and paid version with advanced features. The price of the package is affordable.

Shortpixel had two image-based plugins of WordPress. They are called the Image Optimizer plugin and Adaptive Image plugin. Shortpixel functions on image and media of Content Delivery Network. The images of compression can be used for hosting on the servers as Shortpixel has a huge international audience. It not only compresses images but also PDFs and other documents.

What is Ewww?

Ewww stands for Exactly WWW. Ewww works automatically, as it compresses the new images that have been uploaded in the gallery of media. The current photo on the website can also be optimized. Ewww is also beneficial in converting files into better format. This helps in downloading the image faster and boosts the performance of the website.

Ewww does not offer any free version. All the features are paid for and need a subscription plan to access. Ewww also has drawbacks. The users need to override every configuration option manually with wp_config. Users who are not much familiar with manual alterations can have faulty results.

Another disadvantage of using Ewww is that it compresses the file by only 20%. It produces responsive images which are easily downloadable on any type of screen size. There are over 800,000 trusted users of Ewww. The best part about Ewww is that it is actively updated and new features are added almost every day.

Ewww is built for power users. Users that love to dive deep into the details and appreciate tiny improvements. It has numerous configuration options which can be confusing for new users. The paid features are expensive but have intricate detailing. It also provides compression for images in bulk.

Main Difference Between Shortpixel and Ewww

  1. Shortpixel is the largest platform in image compression while Ewww is the second-largest platform in image compression and optimization.
  2. Shortpixel offers good features in the free version but Ewww does not provide any feature without a plan or subscription.
  3. The features of Shortpixel are affordable and cost-effective while the features of Ewww are expensive than Shortpixel.
  4. Shortpixel does not provide intricate changes and details while Ewww provides intricate details and changes in the tiniest designs.
  5. The customer service of Shortpixel is of two types – the 24×7 service and the online interaction option while the customer service of Ewww is only available through the online mode,

Conclusion

The judicial and efficient use of an image can boost the performance of the website. WordPress offers a wide range of plugins for image optimization and compression. The most popular plugins are Shortpixel and Ewww. Both the platforms provide the right balance between the visual quality and the weight of the image which would be up on the website.

Both the platforms provide various levels of compression. Right from the best quality in visual to lower quality visuals, there are options for all needs. Depending upon the quality of the visual, the weight of the image changes. In high quality, the weight of the image is heavy while in low quality, the weight of the image is light.

The weight determines how easily the image would be downloadable. Both the plugins have their pros and cons but are excellent in image optimization. It is essential to evaluate and understand the needs of the image of the website before trying out any of the plugins.

References

  1. http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.16.9456&rep=rep1&type=pdf