The Plugin Bloat Problem
The WordPress repository is full of "Free WebP Converters" that are actually trojan horses. They give you 50 free credits, inject annoying admin banners, and slow down your backend database with tracking tables.
Top Contenders in 2026
We tested the top 3 solutions for converting Media Library images to WebP:
1. Smush / Imagify
Great interfaces, but highly restrictive. They rely on their own cloud servers, which means you have to wait in queues and pay monthly fees for high volume.
2. WebP Express
A solid free option, but it relies on your own server's CPU. If you are on cheap shared hosting, trying to convert 500 images will literally crash your server and take your website offline.
3. ImageTight Companion Plugin
The modern solution. It uses a Vercel Edge Network API to handle the processing off-site. Your server CPU stays at 0%, and the images are returned instantly in WebP or AVIF formats. Plus, it integrates AI Alt Text generation.