Autoptimize vs Perfmatters:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Perfmatters had more branded searches than Autoptimize among WordPress performance plugins worldwide. Perfmatters had about 2,400 branded searches, while Autoptimize had 1,900. Perfmatters made up 4.8% of all WordPress performance plugin searches we track, and Autoptimize accounted for 3.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about WordPress performance plugins, Perfmatters appeared in three of the five answers and Autoptimize in two. Perfmatters was mentioned before Autoptimize in three out of four answers that named either.
Who do people search for more?
Perfmatters, about 26% more searches than Autoptimize
Who does AI mention more?
Perfmatters, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Autoptimize in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Perfmatters, named ahead of Autoptimize in 3 of 4 answers
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Top WordPress performance plugins in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Perfmatters was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Autoptimize was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Perfmatters was listed before Autoptimize in three out of four answers that named either.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
WP Rocket1st
LiteSpeed Cache2nd- FlyingPress3rd
W3 Total Cache4th- Perfmatters5th
NitroPack6th- Autoptimize6th
WP Fastest Cache8th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
WP Rocket5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
LiteSpeed Cache5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- FlyingPress3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Perfmatters3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Autoptimize2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
W3 Total Cache2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
NitroPack1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
WP Fastest Cache1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about WordPress performance plugins
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which WordPress performance plugin should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best WordPress performance plugins?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best WordPress performance plugin for a slow website?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wordpress performance plugins”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wordpress cache plugin”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Autoptimize or Perfmatters more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Autoptimize and Perfmatters by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight WordPress performance plugins we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Perfmatters, Autoptimize. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | WP Rocket | FlyingPress | NitroPack | LiteSpeed Cache | Perfmatters | Autoptimize | W3 Total Cache | WP Fastest Cache |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 51.3% | 15.3% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 2.4% | 3.7% | 3% |
| Nov 2025 | 50.2% | 15% | 10% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 4.5% | 3% |
| Dec 2025 | 50.9% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2.5% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Jan 2026 | 50.7% | 15.2% | 10.1% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 2.9% | 3.7% | 3.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 50.3% | 15% | 10% | 8.2% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 3.6% | 3.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.5% | 14.5% | 9.7% | 9.7% | 6.4% | 3.5% | 4.2% | 3.5% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.5% | 15.1% | 10.1% | 8.2% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 2.9% |
| May 2026 | 47.5% | 17.4% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 6.3% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 2.8% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.4% | 15.4% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.5% | 3.6% | 3% | 2.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 47% | 17.2% | 11.4% | 9.3% | 6.1% | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 62.4% | 12.5% | 6.8% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 2% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.4% | 16.3% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 4.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 2% |
How has the Autoptimize and Perfmatters comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Perfmatters was ahead of Autoptimize in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Autoptimize’s share of searches among WordPress performance plugins worldwide moved from 2.4% to 3.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.9K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Perfmatters’ share of searches among WordPress performance plugins worldwide moved from 5.6% to 4.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.4K to 2.4K.
How did search popularity change for WordPress performance plugins worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Perfmatters gained share of searches among WordPress performance plugins worldwide, from 3.7% to 4.8%.
In September 2026, Autoptimize gained share of searches among WordPress performance plugins worldwide, from 2.9% to 3.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Autoptimize’s and Perfmatters’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Autoptimize
1 branded search term
- autoptimize
Perfmatters
1 branded search term
- perfmatters
Other head-to-heads among WordPress performance plugins

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