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Free Plugin by bypr.nils v0.5.1

Smart Image Loader

Smart Image Loader is a fire-and-forget priority and lazy loader for image sources. Can be a huge performance boost especially for one pagers.

Smart Image Loader

The facts

Rating
5★ from 2
Active installs
100+
Price
Free
Last updated
9 Aug 2018
Added
Apr 2014
Requires WP
3.8.3
Tested up to
WP 4.9.31
Downloads
9,543

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Smart Image Loader is a WordPress plugin that optimises image loading on your website by prioritising images visible in the initial viewport. Images that are not immediately visible are loaded only when they come into view, which can help save bandwidth, particularly on mobile devices.

The plugin is easy to install and does not require any additional code. It functions with default settings that are suitable for most users, although adjustments can be made for further optimisation. It is compatible with older browsers down to Internet Explorer 7, but does not support CSS background images.

Best for: This plugin suits website owners looking to improve loading times and bandwidth usage, especially on mobile devices.

What it does well

  • Loads only visible images initially
  • Saves bandwidth on mobile devices
  • Easy installation without additional code
  • Default settings work for most users
  • Compatible with older browsers down to IE7

Where it falls short

  • No support for CSS background images
  • Last updated in August 2018
  • Limited directory score of 46/100

Verdict

Smart Image Loader offers a straightforward solution for optimising image loading. However, its outdated status and limited functionality may be a concern for some users.

From the developer

bypr.nils's own description of Smart Image Loader, lightly tidied.

Smart Image Loader loads images which are visible in the initial viewport of your website before any images whose position is “below the fold”, outside the current viewport. Those images can be loaded as soon as the visible images are finished loading or “lazy loaded” when they would become visible. This can be useful for bandwidth saving on mobile devices.

There is no need to insert any additional code into your website, just install the plug-in.

The default settings are fine in most cases, but you may want to adjust them for optimization.

Smart Image Loader is tested and works down to Internet Explorer 7, disabled below.

Note: there is currently no support for (CSS) background images.

Read the full description on the official page →

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