Comparison · Updated February 2026
Thunder vs Hyperspeed Extreme Page Speed
Two different approaches to Shopify speed optimization. Hyperspeed offers comprehensive traditional optimization. Thunder specializes in fixing the third-party app bloat that other optimizers miss. Here's how they compare.
8.4%
more conversions
per 0.1s faster
90%
more bounce
at 5s load time
+53%
revenue/visitor
after CWV fixes
Every millisecond counts. Stores that load 0.1s faster see 8.4% more conversions (Google/Deloitte, 37 brands). Speed is also a Google ranking factor — faster stores get more organic traffic. Choose the right speed optimizer.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Hyperspeed is the more feature-rich, all-in-one speed solution — but at $39/mo+, it's a significant investment. Thunder takes a more targeted approach at $9/mo, focusing on the specific problem most stores actually have: too many app scripts dragging down performance — which helps improve your Google search rankings by passing Core Web Vitals. If you've installed 10+ apps and your PageSpeed score won't budge, Thunder's app-level analysis is worth trying first. If you need broad optimization including critical CSS and image CDN, Hyperspeed delivers.
Overview
⚡ Thunder Page Speed Optimizer
- • Rating: 4.6★ (59 reviews)
- • Focus: Maximum speed improvement with smart diagnostics & CWV monitoring
- • Pricing: Free plan, Pro at $9/mo
- • Built for Shopify: Not yet
- • Best for: Stores with many installed apps
🏎️ Hyperspeed Extreme Page Speed
- • Rating: 4.8★ (163 reviews)
- • Focus: Comprehensive speed optimization suite
- • Pricing: Free trial, plans from $39/mo
- • Built for Shopify: Yes ✅
- • Best for: Stores needing all-in-one optimization
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Thunder | Hyperspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party app script scanner | ✓ | ✗ |
| Per-app speed impact reports | ✓ | ✗ |
| Smart script deferral | ✓ | ✓ |
| Critical CSS generation | ~ | ✓ |
| Lazy loading (images/videos) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Image optimization / CDN | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code minification (JS/CSS) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Core Web Vitals monitoring | ✓ | ✗ |
| Preconnect / prefetch hints | ✓ | ✓ |
| Font optimization | ✗ | ✓ |
| Page caching | ✗ | ✓ |
| One-click optimization | ✓ | ✓ |
| No theme code changes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Built for Shopify badge | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free plan available | ✓ | ✗ |
Detailed Analysis
Approach to Speed Optimization
Hyperspeed and Thunder represent two fundamentally different philosophies. Hyperspeed is a comprehensive suite: it optimizes images, generates critical CSS, minifies code, caches pages, and defers scripts. It tries to improve everything at once. This works well and produces impressive PageSpeed scores.
Thunder takes a more surgical approach. Instead of optimizing everything broadly, it focuses on the single biggest cause of slow Shopify stores: third-party app scripts. Research consistently shows that 60-80% of JavaScript on a typical Shopify store comes from installed apps — not from your theme. Thunder identifies exactly which apps are the worst offenders and specifically optimizes their loading behavior.
Think of it this way: Hyperspeed is a general contractor renovating your entire house. Thunder is the specialist who finds the specific leak that's causing all the water damage. Both approaches have value, and the right choice depends on your store's specific situation.
Pricing: A Significant Difference
This is perhaps the most notable difference. Hyperspeed starts at $39/mo with plans going up to $99/mo for larger stores. Thunder's Pro plan is $9/mo, and there's a free plan that covers basic optimization.
For small to medium Shopify stores, $39/mo for a speed optimization app is a real consideration. If Thunder's targeted approach solves your speed issues (and for many stores it will), you save $30/mo — $360/year. If you need the full suite of features Hyperspeed offers, the investment may be worthwhile.
Built for Shopify Badge
Hyperspeed has the "Built for Shopify" badge; Thunder doesn't (yet). This matters for trust — the badge means Shopify has verified the app meets certain quality, performance, and security standards. It's a genuine signal of quality, and it's a fair advantage for Hyperspeed.
Core Web Vitals Monitoring
Thunder includes real-time Core Web Vitals monitoring built into your Shopify dashboard. You can track LCP, INP, and CLS over time and see how changes (installing a new app, running a sale, etc.) affect your real user metrics. Hyperspeed doesn't include this — you'd need a separate tool or rely on Google Search Console data (which has a 28-day delay).
Pricing Comparison
⚡ Thunder Pricing
- Free Plan$0/mo
- Basic optimization, limited app scanning
- Pro Plan$9/mo
- Full optimization, CWV monitoring, all features
🏎️ Hyperspeed Pricing
- Starter$39/mo
- All features, smaller stores
- Growth$69/mo
- Priority support, larger stores
- Enterprise$99/mo
- Shopify Plus, dedicated support
Free trial available (no free plan)
Pros & Cons
⚡ Thunder
✓ Pros
- • Unique third-party app script analysis
- • Built-in Core Web Vitals monitoring
- • Much more affordable ($9/mo vs $39+/mo)
- • Free plan available
- • Targeted, surgical optimization approach
✗ Cons
- • No image optimization or CDN
- • No critical CSS generation
- • No code minification
- • Smaller feature set overall
- • No "Built for Shopify" badge yet
🏎️ Hyperspeed
✓ Pros
- • Comprehensive all-in-one optimization
- • Critical CSS generation
- • Image optimization with CDN
- • Built for Shopify certified ✅
- • Higher rating (4.8★ vs 4.6★)
✗ Cons
- • Expensive ($39-99/mo)
- • No free plan (trial only)
- • No per-app script analysis
- • No Core Web Vitals monitoring
- • Can't tell you which apps are slow
Who Should Pick Which?
Pick Thunder if you…
- ✓ Have 10+ apps installed and need to find the speed culprits
- ✓ Want affordable speed optimization ($9/mo or free)
- ✓ Need Core Web Vitals monitoring in your dashboard
- ✓ Already have image optimization handled separately
- ✓ Want to understand why your store is slow, not just fix symptoms
Pick Hyperspeed if you…
- ✓ Want comprehensive, all-in-one speed optimization
- ✓ Need critical CSS generation and image CDN
- ✓ Value the "Built for Shopify" trust badge
- ✓ Have budget for $39+/mo
- ✓ Run a larger store where maximum optimization matters
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hyperspeed better than Thunder for Shopify speed?
Hyperspeed is more comprehensive in terms of traditional speed optimization features like critical CSS, advanced image optimization, and code minification. Thunder is better at identifying and fixing third-party app bloat and offers Core Web Vitals monitoring. If app scripts are your bottleneck, Thunder wins. If you need broad optimization, Hyperspeed is strong.
Is Hyperspeed worth the price compared to Thunder?
Hyperspeed starts at $39/mo — significantly more expensive than Thunder's $9/mo Pro plan. If you need Hyperspeed's advanced features like critical CSS generation and full image CDN, the price may be justified. But many stores get excellent results with Thunder's more targeted (and affordable) approach.
Does Hyperspeed fix slow third-party apps?
Hyperspeed includes general JavaScript deferral that can help with third-party scripts, but it doesn't specifically identify which apps are causing slowdowns. Thunder's app-level scanner is unique in providing per-app speed impact reports.
Can I switch from Hyperspeed to Thunder easily?
Yes. Neither app modifies your theme code permanently. Uninstall one, install the other, and your store returns to its baseline state. You can test each with their free plans before committing.
Find Out What's Slowing Your Store
Thunder's free plan scans your store and shows you exactly which apps are impacting your speed. Try it risk-free.
Install Thunder Free →