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Top Plugins for Managing WordPress Updates
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
Keeping WordPress updated is essential for security, performance, and compatibility. But managing updates manually can be time-consuming, especially for multiple sites. Update management plugins simplify this process by automating tasks, scheduling updates, creating backups, and offering rollback features. Here's a quick overview of the best tools:
Easy Updates Manager: Fine-tuned control over updates with a free version and premium features like delayed updates ($29/year for 2 sites).
MainWP Updates: Ideal for managing multiple sites, with centralized control and rollback support. Free core plugin with optional extensions.
ManageWP Worker: Centralized updates for unlimited sites, with premium add-ons like "Safe Updates" for extra protection.
UpdraftPlus: Focuses on backups before updates, ensuring quick restoration if issues arise. Free and premium options available.
WP Auto Updates: Enhances WordPress's built-in auto-update system with customizable schedules and email notifications. Free to use.
Each plugin has unique strengths, so choose based on your site's needs, budget, and update complexity. Below is a comparison table for a quick reference.
Quick Comparison
Plugin | Scheduling Options | Multi-site Support | Rollback Functionality | Free vs. Premium | WP 6.9+ Compatibility |
Easy Updates Manager | Custom schedules | Yes | Yes (Premium/Logs) | Free & Premium ($29+) | Yes |
MainWP Updates | Centralized management | Yes (Unlimited) | Yes (with WP 6.3+) | Free (Extensions extra) | Yes |
ManageWP Worker | Custom day/time settings | Yes | Yes (Safe Updates) | Free (Add-ons extra) | Yes |
UpdraftPlus | Pre-update backups | Yes (Premium) | Yes (via backups) | Free & Premium | Yes |
WP Auto Updates | Twice daily to monthly | No | No | Free | Yes |
For a smoother experience, follow best practices like testing updates on staging environments, backing up data, and updating in small batches. These plugins, combined with reliable hosting, can save time and keep your WordPress site secure.
Easy Updates Manager Tutorial - WordPress Plugin Setup
6 Best WordPress Update Management Plugins
These plugins offer detailed controls, from managing updates for specific components to overseeing multiple sites from one place. They help keep your WordPress setups secure and running smoothly.
Easy Updates Manager
Easy Updates Manager gives you detailed control over automatic updates for WordPress. You can enable or disable updates for core files, plugins, themes, and translations individually. Its "Safe Updates" feature checks compatibility with your WordPress and PHP versions, reducing the risk of problematic updates. The Premium version adds "Delayed Updates", which lets you postpone updates for a few days to allow time for bug fixes in new releases. Pricing starts at $29 per year for two sites and goes up to $89 per year for unlimited sites. A free version is also available for basic needs.
MainWP Updates
MainWP simplifies managing updates across multiple sites. It uses a "Trusted" system for automatic updates of selected plugins and lets you bypass specific versions if needed. Daily checks for abandoned plugins are also included. Since version 5.1, MainWP works with WordPress 6.3's rollback feature, automatically restoring the previous version if an update fails. The core plugin is free for unlimited sites, with optional Pro extensions available. Currently, MainWP supports over 700,000 WordPress sites for more than 20,000 users.
"MainWP makes it possible to have a business managing websites for others. I have tried other tools such as ManageWP and InfiniteWP but while those ultimately failed to work and let me down, MainWP has worked reliably and consistently for years." - Tim Colling, President at A Servant's Heart Web Design and Marketing
ManageWP Worker
ManageWP Worker centralizes updates for all your WordPress sites. The free plan supports unlimited sites, and premium add-ons provide extra features like "Safe Updates." This feature creates a backup before running updates and performs automated checks afterward to ensure everything works correctly. It also scans for vulnerabilities and alerts you to any security issues with your plugins or themes.
UpdraftPlus prioritizes site safety during updates by automatically creating backups before any changes occur. If an update causes issues, you can quickly restore your site. It works seamlessly with update tools, triggering backups before scheduled updates. Plus, backups can be stored in remote locations like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3, offering extra protection even if your server has issues.
WP Auto Updates enhances WordPress's built-in auto-update system, which typically runs twice daily. Instead of applying updates across the board, it lets you control automatic updates for individual plugins and themes. You'll also receive email notifications about update successes or failures. You can customize the update frequency to fit your workflow, and the plugin ensures that WordPress Cron tasks are functioning correctly to avoid missed updates.
Next, explore a detailed feature comparison to find the plugin that best fits your needs.
Plugin Feature Comparison
Choosing the right update management plugin depends on your specific needs, budget, and the number of sites you manage. Each plugin has its own strengths when it comes to scheduling, multi-site support, and safety features.
Feature Comparison Table
Plugin | Scheduling Options | Multi-site Support | Rollback Functionality | Free vs. Premium | WP 6.9+ Compatibility |
Easy Updates Manager | Custom schedules (e.g., weekends) | Yes | Yes (Premium/Logs) | Free & Premium | Yes |
MainWP Updates | Centralized update management | Yes (Unlimited) | Yes (with WP 6.3+) | Free (Premium Extensions) | Yes |
ManageWP Worker | Custom scheduling by day and time | Yes (Centralized) | Yes (Safe Updates) | Free (Premium Add-ons) | Yes |
UpdraftPlus | Triggered before updates | Yes (Premium) | Yes (via backups) | Free & Premium | Yes |
WP Auto Updates | Twice daily, daily, weekly, monthly | No | No | Free | Yes |
This table provides a quick snapshot of each plugin's features. Below, we’ll explore the specific strengths of these tools to help you make an informed choice.
ManageWP Worker offers outstanding flexibility for scheduling updates, allowing you to set custom times and days. This feature is particularly useful for minimizing disruptions by scheduling updates during off-peak hours. Additionally, it provides free unlimited site support, making it a great option for users managing many websites.
When it comes to rollback protection, ManageWP, UpdraftPlus, and MainWP shine. ManageWP includes visual comparisons to ensure updates don’t break your site. MainWP takes advantage of WordPress 6.3’s native rollback capabilities, while UpdraftPlus relies on its robust backup system to safeguard your site.
For multi-site users on a budget, MainWP is a strong contender. Its core plugin is free and supports unlimited sites, with optional premium extensions for added functionality. Similarly, Easy Updates Manager offers a free version for basic needs, with a premium option for advanced features.
Each plugin has its own strengths, so understanding these differences will help you choose the best tool for your setup. Once you've selected a plugin, remember that effective update management also depends on following established best practices for updates.
WordPress Update Management Best Practices
Once you’ve chosen an update management plugin, the next step is to follow a structured approach to keep your site secure and running smoothly. A solid update management process combines the functionality of your plugin with careful testing and hosting controls. Pair these best practices with your plugin choice to ensure your site stays safe and efficient.
Start by learning how to create a staging site that mirrors your live site exactly. A staging site is a private copy where you can safely test updates for WordPress core, themes, and plugins without risking downtime or errors. For the best results, host the staging site on the same server as your live site. This ensures that hardware, PHP versions, and memory limits are identical.
"Out-of-date plugins are the source of over 50% of security incidents on WordPress®." - WP Engine
Before making any updates, always back up your site - both on your hosting provider and an off-site location. Then, update in this order: themes first, followed by free plugins, and finally premium plugins. To avoid problems, update in small batches of three to four plugins at a time. This makes it easier to identify the source of any conflicts. Avoid auto-updating high-risk plugins, such as page builders (e.g., Elementor, Divi), e-commerce tools like WooCommerce, or plugins that change database structures, such as ACF.
Once updates are applied, clear all caches to ensure you’re seeing the most recent version of your site. This includes website-level caching, CDN caches (like Cloudflare), and your browser history. Test key site functions, like forms, search features, and checkout processes, to confirm everything is working as expected. Use the WordPress Site Health tool (found under Tools > Site Health) to catch hidden issues, such as background errors or cron task failures.
Finally, take screenshots of important pages before and after updates to spot any subtle layout changes. Keep a detailed changelog of what was updated and when - this documentation will save time if troubleshooting becomes necessary.
Conclusion
Update management plugins play a key role in keeping your site secure, improving performance, and maintaining compatibility by ensuring patches are applied on time. For those juggling multiple sites, these tools can be a game changer, consolidating updates into one easy-to-manage dashboard and saving hours of manual effort.
"Keeping plugins updated to the latest version is a best practice - developers update their plugins to fix bugs and close any security loopholes they may have discovered since the last release." - Jetpack
The right plugin depends on your needs. For single sites, straightforward options like Easy Updates Manager work well. However, for managing multiple sites, tools like ManageWP or InfiniteWP provide centralized control. If your site relies on high-risk plugins like WooCommerce or page builders, it's smart to choose a plugin that includes backup integration and rollback features to safeguard against potential issues.
Reliable hosting further strengthens your update strategy. Hosting providers offering features like staging environments, automated backups, and server-level compatibility testing provide an essential safety net for failed updates. For example, WPWorld's hosting platform delivers daily backups, staging environments, and enterprise-grade security, making it an excellent partner for your update management efforts. Together, these plugins and hosting solutions form the foundation of a secure and efficient WordPress setup.
Take time to evaluate your site's complexity and update requirements before selecting a plugin. This ensures your choice aligns with your broader WordPress maintenance plan.
FAQs
Should I auto-update WordPress core, plugins, and themes?
Enabling automatic updates for WordPress core, plugins, and themes is a smart move. It helps keep your site secure, ensures everything stays up-to-date, and minimizes the risk of vulnerabilities. With this feature, your website remains stable and less prone to security issues caused by outdated software.
What is the best plugin for managing updates on multiple sites?
MainWP stands out as a go-to solution for managing updates across multiple websites. With its self-hosted dashboard, you can handle updates, backups, and overall site management all in one place. This makes it an ideal tool for agencies, freelancers, and web professionals who need an efficient way to streamline their workflows and save time.
How can I test updates without affecting my live site?
To test updates securely, set up a staging site - a private replica of your website. This gives you a safe space to test updates to your core files, theme, and plugins without worrying about causing downtime or breaking your live site. You can create a staging environment using tools provided by your hosting provider or specialized plugins. Once you've confirmed everything functions properly, you can confidently apply the updates to your live site.