Head-to-head · September 2026
Native Lazyload vs Preloader
Preloader comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Native Lazyload.
Native Lazyload
Lazy-loads media using the native browser feature. Learn more about the new loading attribute or view the…
Preloader
The ultimate Preloader plugin for WordPress. Smart, flexible, and made for easy control.
| Metric | Native Lazyload | Preloader |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 5K+ | 20K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 303 | 1.5K |
| Download trend | +12.2% | -2.7% |
| Rating | 3/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Reviews | 31 | 41 |
| Health score | 36/100 | 82/100 |
| Last updated | 7 years ago | 1 month ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.3.25 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.0+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Sep 2019 | Jul 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Native LazyloadPreloader
Choose Native Lazyload if…
You care most about download trend.
- Mixed reviews — 3/5 from 31 ratings
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.3 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Preloader if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
FAQ
Native Lazyload vs Preloader: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 28, 2026
Which is better, Native Lazyload or Preloader?
Preloader comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Native Lazyload. Choose Native Lazyload if you care most about download trend. Choose Preloader if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
Is Native Lazyload more popular than Preloader?
Preloader is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 5K+ for Native Lazyload.
Can I use Native Lazyload and Preloader together?
Both plugins cover load and loading, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Native Lazyload and Preloader free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
