# WP CSS Merge vs WP-Optimize

> WP CSS Merge vs WP-Optimize compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. WP-Optimize comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against WP CSS Merge.

**WP-Optimize comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against WP CSS Merge.** Choose WP-Optimize if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | WP CSS Merge | WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | <10 | 1M+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 95 | 752.6K ✅ |
| Download trend | -22.8% | +211.2% ✅ |
| Rating | — | 4.8/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 2,616 ✅ |
| Health score | 60/100 | 92/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 1 month ago | 3 weeks ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 64% |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.2+ |
| First released | Oct 2019 | Jan 2009 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, WP CSS Merge or WP-Optimize?
WP-Optimize comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against WP CSS Merge.  Choose WP-Optimize if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is WP CSS Merge more popular than WP-Optimize?
WP-Optimize is the more popular of the two with 1M+ active installs, compared with <10 for WP CSS Merge.

### Can I use WP CSS Merge and WP-Optimize together?
Both plugins cover cache, 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 WP CSS Merge and WP-Optimize free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/wp-css-merge-vs-wp-optimize/ · Generated 2026-10-11 00:00 UTC by PageForge