GDPR-compliant image optimization and automatic AI alt text in WordPress
WebP/AVIF and AI alt text without a cloud upload: local processing, your own API key, no credit system. This is how image optimization stays GDPR-compliant.
Many tools for image optimization and AI alt text process images in their cloud, often on servers outside the EU. You stay GDPR-compliant if processing runs locally on your server and no image data is transferred to third parties. IMG Performer converts uploads to WebP and AVIF locally and, in the Pro version, generates alt text via an AI provider of your choice – Mistral with servers in France is recommended – using your own API key, without a credit system.
Why cloud image tools are a GDPR issue
If an image is uploaded to an external service for optimization, that is processing on behalf of the controller. This requires a data processing agreement, clarity about the server location and – for providers outside the EU – a legal basis for the third-country transfer. Anyone using two providers (one for compression, one for alt text) doubles the effort.
What local processing means
With IMG Performer, the conversion to WebP/AVIF and the AI image detection run on the same server where WordPress is installed. No image leaves the website. There is no account, no credit quota and no forced CDN.
WebP and AVIF without uploading to external servers
IMG Performer automatically converts every upload to WebP (free) and AVIF (Pro) and picks the smallest format per image. All thumbnail sizes, srcset and retina variants are included. There is no monthly limit for the conversion.
AI alt text with your own API key
The only function with an external component is the optional AI alt text generation (Pro). You store your own API key with a provider of your choice. Recommendation: Mistral (France, GDPR-compliant), or another compatible provider. For this one service you need a data processing agreement with the provider – not with us. There is no credit system and no cap; you pay only the actual usage with your AI provider.
Setup in four steps
- Install the base plugin from the WordPress directory.
- Upload the Pro ZIP as a second plugin and activate it.
- Enter the license code in the plugin.
- For AI alt text, store an API key with your chosen provider.
What it costs – and what it doesn’t
Free: WebP conversion and AI labeling under EU AI Act Art. 50, with no limit. Pro: €69 per year or €9 per month for AVIF, AI alt text, the design of the visible label and batch processing. On top of that, only the actual API usage with your AI provider applies.
Comparison
| IMG Performer | ShortPixel | Imagify | alttext.ai | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vendor | Enfants Terribles digital GmbH (Hamburg) | ShortPixel | WP Media (France) | Alt-Tab LLC (USA) |
| Processing | local, on your own server | cloud – every image is uploaded to ShortPixel | cloud (servers in France) | US cloud |
| Account required | no | yes | yes | yes |
| AI model (alt text) | your choice – Mistral (France) recommended | – | – | not disclosed |
| Billing | license, no quota | credits – several per image depending on settings (main format, WebP, AVIF, thumbnails) | credits by data volume | credits per image |
| Data protection | no image transfer to third parties; DPA only for the optional alt-text AI | data processing agreement; DPA and sub-processor list available, but cloud processing | DPA available, provider based in France | no EU agreement, third-country transfer |
| EU AI Act Art. 50 | yes, already in the free version | no | no | no |
| WebP / AVIF | yes (AVIF in Pro) | yes | yes | no |
| AI alt text | yes (Pro, your own API key, no credit cap) | yes, via a separate credit quota (100/month free, unlimited tier $9.99/month) | no | yes (credits) |
| AI image detection | automatic (C2PA, EXIF, AI-tool signatures) | – | – | – |
| Marker in all image sizes | yes – machine-readable marker in every size incl. WebP/AVIF | – | – | – |
| Visible label | yes, customizable design (Pro) | – | – | – |
| Platforms | WordPress | – | – | WordPress and others |
| Cost | Free · Pro €69/year or €9/month | Free 100 credits/month · from $3.99/month · one-time packs from $19.99 | Free 20 MB/month · Growth $5.99/month · Infinite $11.99/month | 25 credits free · from $5/month or $49/year |
Last verified: August 2026. The current vendor pages are authoritative.
Detailed head-to-head comparisons: IMG Performer or ShortPixel?, IMG Performer or Imagify?, IMG Performer, AutoAlt.ai or alttext.ai?. For a broader look at local vs. cloud processing, see GDPR image optimization without the cloud.
Disclaimer
Note: Information on features and prices – including those of IMG Performer – reflects our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. We accept no liability for its accuracy. The current product and pricing pages of the respective providers are authoritative; information on IMG Performer is available at img-performer.enfants.de. The guidance on the labelling obligation under Article 50 of the EU AI Act is not legal advice – original text: eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1689/oj.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a data processing agreement if I use IMG Performer?
Not for image optimization and AI labeling – no data is transferred to us. Only for the optional AI alt text function do you need an agreement with your chosen AI provider.
Are images uploaded anywhere for the WebP conversion?
No. The conversion runs entirely on your server.
Can I optimize existing images and add alt text afterwards?
Yes, via the batch processing in the Pro version.