WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… vs Purge Varnish Cache (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images…
1.0M+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Purge Varnish Cache has a higher user rating (5/5 from 10 reviews) while WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… leads in active installations (1.0M+ vs 2.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… has accumulated 55M+ total downloads while Purge Varnish Cache has 56K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… | Purge Varnish Cache | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 2,567 | ◄ | 10 |
| Active Installs | 1.0M+ | ◄ | 2.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 55M+ | ◄ | 56K+ |
| Support Resolution | 62% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 week ago | ◄ | 2 years ago |
| First Released | 2009 | 2016 | |
| Age | 17 years | 10 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 4.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.2+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 4.5.1 | 2.6 |
Rating Breakdown
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images…
Purge Varnish Cache
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… averaged approximately 24,820 daily downloads while Purge Varnish Cache averaged 10.
Recent Reviews
WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images… Reviews
Рахмет.
Жақсы плагин. Әзірлеушілерге рахмет.
Excelente
Muito bom
Trash it, before it kills your conversions.
WP-Optimize fails to fully de-register its components even when caching is toggled off in the UI. Its hooks and filters remain active on every page load, specifically interfering with the WooCommerce
Purge Varnish Cache Reviews
Does Exactly What it Should
Does exactly what it should and still works with WordPress 6.7.2.
Possible malware – images/purge16x16.png
EDIT: Resolved very quick. We’ve just finished scanning of our website, and malware scanner reported file wp-content/plugins/purge-varnish/images/purge16x16.png If you open that file in text editor, y
Functional and very useful plugin
This Plugin works perfectly now with wordpress version 5.2 and Varnish 6.x, and I’m very happy using it. The only working plugin for me.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.