For image optimization, we recommend using API or cloud-based plugins where all the image processing happens on remote servers, and doesn’t require any local executables to be installed (we disapprove enabling the exec() function for security reasons).

Below is a short list of plugins we recommend our users explore that abide by this approach:

• Smush.it plugin (see this blog post for a deeper rundown)
• EWWW Image Optimizer plugin
• Kraken Image Optimizer plugin
• ShortPixel Image Optimizer plugin

Note: As an alternative, our VPS hosting plans offer a bit more flexibility with a specialized image processing service called PressThumb we can apply by request. PressThumb is our specialized image optimizing service built into our technical stack (at no additional fee) designed to generate your images on the fly. Bypassing the heavy processing up front that’s generally required with serving images helps us save your storage and bandwidth costs.