Async JavaScript
Async Javascript lets you add 'async' or 'defer' attribute to scripts to exclude to help increase the performance of your WordPress website.
Use with caution
Async JavaScript works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 70K+ sites, is rated 4.7/5 and was last updated 3 years ago, and scores 47/100 on our health check.
- Proven at scale on 70K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 102 reviews
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.2 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Async JavaScript stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| async | #28 |
| javascript | >100 |
| pagespeed | >100 |
| performance | >100 |
| render blocking | #79 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 4.7 from 102 reviews
About Async JavaScript
From the official readme · v2.21.08.31Description
Eliminate Render-blocking Javascript in above-the-fold content with Async Javascript.
Render-blocking Javascript prevents above-the-fold content on your page from being rendered until the javascript has finished loading. This can impact on your page speed and ultimately your ranking within search engines. It can also impact your user’s experience.
Async JavaScript gives you full control of which scripts to add an ‘async’ or ‘defer’ attribute to or to exclude to help increase the performance of your WordPress website.
Installation
Installation is very straightforward:
- Upload the zip-file and unzip it in the /wp-content/plugins/ directory
- Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
- Go to
Settings>Async JavaScriptmenu to load settings page
Frequently asked questions
Which browsers support the ‘async’ and ‘defer’ attributes
The ‘async’ attribute is new in HTML5. It is supported by the following browsers: Chrome IE 10 and higher Firefox 3.6 and higher Safari Opera
Where can I get help?
Async JavaScript is supported via the wordpress.org support forum.
Do you offer professional support/ configuration services?
We offer premium services for Async JavaScript and full web performance optimization services at https://autoptimize.com/
What about CSS?
As the name implies, Async JavaScript is built to enhance JavaScript loading only. Async JavaScript does not have any impact on CSS. We recommend using the awesome Autoptimize plugin alongside Async JavaScript for CSS optimization.
I want out, how should I remove Async JavaScript?
Disable the plugin Delete the plugin
Changelog
2.21.08.31
- workaround for issues with some inline JS getting asynced (hat tip to WP Bullet’s Mike)
2.21.06.29
- fix for an authenticated stored XSS vulnerability, credits to m0ze for discovering
- confirmed working with WordPress 5.8 (beta)
2.20.12.09
- fix for some ternary operators warning in PHP 7.4 and up.
- hard-exclude document.write (WordPress core injects inline JS that has
<script srcin it which AsyncJS acted on) - fix for WordPress 5.6 renaming jQuery from jquery.js into jquery.min.js
2.20.03.01
- extra security measure; check the nonce when saving settings/ going through wizard.
- wizard: if something fails then communicate this onscreen instead of on the console.
- autoptimize integration: change copy to explain this might or might not be helpful.
2.20.02.27
- fix for some nasty issues, thanks for the heads-up Mikey
2.19.07.14
- add
asyncjs_filter_noptimizefilter - changed textdomain to match slug as suggested by Eneko Garrido
- confirmed working with WordPress 5.2
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Async JavaScript alternatives
All async plugins →
FAQ
Async JavaScript: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 26, 2026
Is Async JavaScript free?
Yes. Async JavaScript is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Async JavaScript safe to use in 2026?
Async JavaScript works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 70K+ sites, is rated 4.7/5 and was last updated 3 years ago, and scores 47/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Async JavaScript?
Async JavaScript is active on 70K+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,062,539 times since it launched in December 2014. It was downloaded 2,069 times in the last 30 days.
Does Async JavaScript work with WordPress 7.1?
Async JavaScript is officially tested up to WordPress 6.2.13, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was Async JavaScript last updated?
The latest version, 2.21.08.31, was released on June 22, 2023 (3 years ago).
Who makes Async JavaScript?
Async JavaScript is developed and maintained by David Clough.
What are the best alternatives to Async JavaScript?
The most popular alternatives to Async JavaScript are Async JS and CSS (700+ installs), Asynchronous Javascript (100+ installs) and Lazy Widget Loader (100+ installs).
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