PluginSift

Autoptimize vs WP-Cycle (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

Autoptimize

Autoptimize

4.7(1,424)

900K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 weeks ago
View Autoptimize
VS
WP-Cycle

WP-Cycle

3.6(12)

3.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 13 years ago
View WP-Cycle

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Autoptimize has a higher user rating (4.7/5 from 1,424 reviews) and leads in active installations (900K+ vs 3.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Autoptimize has accumulated 43M+ total downloads while WP-Cycle has 235K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.7/5Autoptimize
◄
WP-Cycle3.6/5
Total Reviews
1,424Autoptimize
◄
WP-Cycle12
Active Installs
900K+Autoptimize
◄
WP-Cycle3.0K+
Total Downloads
43M+Autoptimize
◄
WP-Cycle235K+
Support Resolution
40%Autoptimize
WP-CycleN/A
Last Updated
3 weeks agoAutoptimize
◄
WP-Cycle13 years ago
First Released
2009Autoptimize
WP-Cycle2009
Age
17 yearsAutoptimize
WP-Cycle17 years
WP Requires
5.3+Autoptimize
WP-Cycle3.0+
PHP Requires
7.1+Autoptimize
WP-Cyclefalse+
Business Model
FreeAutoptimize
WP-CycleFree
Latest Version
3.1.15Autoptimize
WP-Cycle0.1.13

Rating Breakdown

Autoptimize

4.7/5(1,424 reviews)
5
90%
4
2%
3
1%
2
1%
1
5%

WP-Cycle

3.6/5(12 reviews)
5
42%
4
17%
3
17%
2
8%
1
17%

Recent Reviews

Autoptimize Reviews

by uniqf0x

avoid

causes critical error, also no way to deactivate or remove without it crippling my wp site. don’t use it.

by kkrajk

Injects Malware.

Not one but this happened twice in about 6 months across 2 sites. This topic was modified 1 week, 6 days ago by kkrajk.

by davo342

Mala idea adquirir la versión PRO

Pague la versión PRO, y realmente fue un desastre, mi web tuvo constantes caídas, excesiva cantidad de cache, problemas con el CSS, realmente fue una perdida de dinero en el Plugin

WP-Cycle Reviews

by silverlight001

Not Working

Looks like this plugin has been left to gather dust – it does not appear to work with later versions of WP. Nathan has done many excellent plugins but I guess he’s had other projects…

by venuscreats

great

this plugin is great.but if we can add images from Add media section,that will be awesome.

by Damjan

usefull

easy and usefull

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Autoptimize or WP-Cycle more popular?
Autoptimize has 900K+ active installations while WP-Cycle has 3.0K+. Autoptimize is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Autoptimize or WP-Cycle?
Autoptimize has a 4.7/5 rating from 1,424 reviews, while WP-Cycle has a 3.6/5 rating from 12 reviews.
Are Autoptimize and WP-Cycle free?
Autoptimize is free and WP-Cycle is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Autoptimize or WP-Cycle?
Support resolution data is not available for all plugins. Check each plugin's WordPress.org support forum for current response quality.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Autoptimize was last updated 3 weeks ago and WP-Cycle was last updated 13 years ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.