Comparisons
ModPageSpeed vs the alternatives
Nine side-by-side write-ups: where ModPageSpeed overlaps with adjacent tools, and where it doesn't. A self-hosted nginx pipeline behaves nothing like a SaaS CDN or a WordPress plugin, so each write-up says where ModPageSpeed wins and where the other tool does.
The optimization core these tools are weighed against powers 230,000+ live sites today (BuiltWith, May 2026) — not We-Amp customers, but proof it works at scale.
Looking for the open-source predecessor instead? See alternatives to mod_pagespeed.
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Self-hosted, image-focused
ModPageSpeed vs imgproxy
Both self-hosted. imgproxy is image-only; ModPageSpeed is a full HTML pipeline that includes image work.
Read the comparison →
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Self-hosted, image-focused
ModPageSpeed vs Thumbor
Thumbor is a Python image server with face-aware smart cropping. ModPageSpeed handles images plus CSS, JS, and HTML.
Read the comparison →
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Managed edge / WordPress
ModPageSpeed vs Cloudflare APO
APO caches WordPress HTML at the edge; ModPageSpeed optimizes at the origin and works on any stack.
Read the comparison →
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Managed SaaS / WordPress
ModPageSpeed vs NitroPack
NitroPack is managed SaaS for WordPress; ModPageSpeed runs on your server and licenses per server.
Read the comparison →
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Self-hosted plugin / WordPress
ModPageSpeed vs WP Rocket
WP Rocket is the established WordPress optimization plugin. ModPageSpeed runs at the server layer and is CMS-independent.
Read the comparison →
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Managed SaaS / media
ModPageSpeed vs Cloudinary
Cloudinary is a managed media CDN with video. ModPageSpeed is self-hosted image optimization inside a broader HTML pipeline.
Read the comparison →
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WordPress plugin / image CDN
ModPageSpeed vs ShortPixel
ShortPixel optimizes WordPress images via a plugin and its Adaptive Images CDN. ModPageSpeed is self-hosted and optimizes images plus CSS, JS, and HTML at your origin.
Read the comparison →
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Managed SaaS / image CDN
ModPageSpeed vs imgix
imgix is a managed real-time image CDN; your images egress to its edge. ModPageSpeed is a self-hosted full HTML pipeline — images never leave your origin.
Read the comparison →
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Package repo / nginx modules
ModPageSpeed vs GetPageSpeed
GetPageSpeed packages the open-source ngx_pagespeed for RHEL. ModPageSpeed is the maintained engine — 1.15 + 2.0 — with security patches and a signed apt/yum repo; AVIF in 2.0.
Read the comparison →
Where each tool fits
ModPageSpeed optimizes at your origin: one self-hosted pipeline for images, CSS, JS, and HTML. The tools below each solve part of that, or solve it somewhere else — at the edge, in a SaaS dashboard, or inside WordPress. Here's the short version of which is which.
| Tool | Type | Best at | Where ModPageSpeed fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| imgproxy | Self-hosted image proxy | On-demand image transforms by URL | Images plus CSS, JS, and HTML in one pipeline |
| Thumbor | Self-hosted Python image server | Face-aware smart cropping | Images plus CSS, JS, and HTML |
| Cloudflare APO | Managed edge cache | Edge HTML caching for WordPress | Origin-side optimization on any stack |
| NitroPack | Managed SaaS (WordPress) | Turnkey, hosted setup | Runs on your server, licensed per server |
| WP Rocket | WordPress plugin | Deep WordPress integration | Server-layer, CMS-independent |
| Cloudinary | Managed media CDN | Video and digital-asset management | Self-hosted image optimization in a broader pipeline |
| ShortPixel | WordPress plugin / image CDN | WordPress image compression + CDN delivery | Full origin pipeline (images, CSS, JS, HTML), any CMS |
| imgix | Managed image CDN | Real-time image transforms by URL | Self-hosted; images stay at your origin, plus CSS/JS/HTML |
| GetPageSpeed | RHEL package repo (nginx modules) | Prebuilt nginx-module catalog for RHEL | The maintained pagespeed engine (1.15 + 2.0): security patches, signed apt/yum; AVIF in 2.0 |
These pages are written by the ModPageSpeed maintainer, so the framing isn't neutral — it identifies which problem each tool actually solves. If a competitor is the better fit for your stack, the comparison says so. If the tools solve different problems entirely, that's called out too.
Still deciding between editions? See pricing or the mod_pagespeed 1.15 drop-in module page.
imgproxy, Thumbor, Cloudflare, NitroPack, WP Rocket, Cloudinary, ShortPixel, imgix, and other product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Comparisons reflect publicly available information as of 2026 and are provided for evaluation; We-Amp B.V. is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.
Try ModPageSpeed
Install and run it unlicensed — it fully optimizes and just adds an X-PageSpeed-Warn: unlicensed header. A commercial license is required for production use; it unlocks signed binaries,
security patches, version upgrades, and email support.
Launch pricing — year one at half price through June 16, 2026.
A commercial license is required for production use.