ImageIO uses the service provider's API, and most plugins use it as a jar that you just put in the classpath. ImageIO will automatically pick them up.
It is probably easier to give good answers if you list the supported formats.
As already mentioned, JAI adds some format support (note that you need jai-imageio.jar, not the full JAI package). A warning. Many of them require support for the built-in library, and the project seems to be left to Oracle's uncertainty.
I wrote a couple of plugins (mostly readers) that will expand the number of supported formats (primarily TIFF, PSD (Photoshop) and PICT, as well as expanded support for JPEG).
jrawio is another good example (as indicated in the comments) if you need support for the camera RAW file.
Googling brings up a lot more. As I said, it all depends on what formats you need.
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