Kraken.io Image Optimizer vs Meow Lightbox (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Kraken.io Image Optimizer
10K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Meow Lightbox has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 178 reviews) while Kraken.io Image Optimizer leads in active installations (10K+ vs 10K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Kraken.io Image Optimizer has accumulated 399K+ total downloads while Meow Lightbox has 382K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Kraken.io Image Optimizer | Meow Lightbox | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | ► | 4.9/5 |
| Total Reviews | 119 | ► | 178 |
| Active Installs | 10K+ | 10K+ | |
| Total Downloads | 399K+ | ◄ | 382K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | 44% | |
| Last Updated | 4 weeks ago | ► | 3 weeks ago |
| First Released | 2014 | 2016 | |
| Age | 12 years | 10 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 6.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.7.0 | 5.5.1 |
Rating Breakdown
Kraken.io Image Optimizer
Meow Lightbox
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Kraken.io Image Optimizer averaged approximately 208 daily downloads while Meow Lightbox averaged 255.
Recent Reviews
Kraken.io Image Optimizer Reviews
Poor Quality
Not worth the time.
Terrible Customer Service
As others are noting here, their customer service is terrible. In fact I’d use the word “non-existent”. After signing up with an account I decided that the service was no longer what I needed and cont
Worst service I’ve encountered
Whatever you do, do not use this service. They will happily charge your credit cars, but when you try to reach them for support, they never respond. Their service is a disgrace.
Meow Lightbox Reviews
Very good
Simple is fine.
Excellent tool
Like all the tools produced by this developer, this one is another must-have! Congratulations!
Good and reliable app (and the Meow app collection in general)
I’m a big fan of all the meow apps that I use, they have a good range of options (for free) and seem to be very reliable so far. The one time I’ve asked for support I received a quick reply, and the d
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kraken.io Image Optimizer or Meow Lightbox more popular?
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Are Kraken.io Image Optimizer and Meow Lightbox free?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.