If you are a freelancer or an agency managing multiple sites, using WordPress management tools and services can help you save time and make your job a lot easier.
Managing multiple WordPress sites without a management tool can be challenging. It takes a lot of time and effort to log in individually to multiple sites and carry out maintenance tasks.
These could be tasks such as updating plugins, themes, or changing certain settings across all the sites that you manage. While you might not need a management tool to manage single website, you will see how time consuming it can be to manage multiple WordPress websites.
At their core, WordPress Management tools help you streamline the process of accessing, monitoring, updating, and editing sites, removing the hassle of managing them individually.
In this post, I have highlighted some of the best WordPress management tools and services that you can make use of in your business. Start with these leading tools and solutions.
Best Comprehensive Suite
Pricing: $99 Per Year
Offer: 30 Days Money Back
Best For: Those looking for a comprehensive suite of plugins along with SolidWP
Best Overall
Pricing: $1/Month/Site
Offer: Free Trial 14 Days
Best For: Most website owners, ideal for freelancers and developers
Best Open Source Option
Pricing: Free (premium add-ons)
Offer: 30 Days Money Back
Best For: Freelancers, agencies, and those who want self-hosted option
I have also listed other popular management tools and solutions, their top features, pros and cons, and pricing details to help you make the right choice.
List of Best WordPress Management Tools Ranked
Here are some of the top WordPress management tools that are currently popular among freelancers and agencies.
|
Listing |
Management Tool |
Exclusive Offer |
Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
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– Use Code WPISM to claim 1 Month Free |
$1.99/Month/Site | |
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– 30-day money-back guarantee, – Monthly and Yearly pricing plans |
$69 /Year | |
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– Free for unlimited sites – Premium features available |
$199 /Year | |
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– Forever Freee Plan – Premium add-ons with per-site pricing |
Per add-on basis | |
|
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– Free plan for unlimited sites – premium features available |
$147 /Year | |
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– 14 Days Money Back Guarantee |
$147/Month | |
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– 30 day Free Trial of all features |
$48 /Month |
As a freelancer, agency, or business maintaining client websites, you should make use of such tools to help you save you time and effort by providing a one-stop solution for monitoring and performing maintenance on multiple sites.
Continue reading to learn more about each of the tools highlighted above, along with all the details about features and pricing.
WP Umbrella
WP Umbrella is one of the most popular tools for managing multiple WordPress sites effortlessly. It offers a comprehensive solution, and despite being fairly new, it’s gaining traction among web agencies and freelancers for its ease of use and modern approach.
With WP Umbrella, you can automate backups, monitor uptime, manage updates safely, and monitor PHP errors, among a range of other WordPress site-related tasks.
One of its standout features is the automated maintenance reports. These reports are incredibly useful for web agencies, allowing them to show clients the value of WordPress maintenance.
Besides, WP Umbrella allows you to white label almost everything, which makes your clients feel they are using bespoke software from your business.
Setting up WP Umbrella is straightforward and requires no complicated configuration. Simply connect your sites and start managing them from a single dashboard.
WP Umbrella Key Features
- Automatic backups and easy restoration
- Uptime monitoring and site performance insights
- Safe update manager for plugins and themes
- PHP errors monitoring and other errors tracking
- Automated comprehensive maintenance reports
WP Umbrella Pros and Cons
Pros
Cons
WP Umbrella Pricing
- Starts from $1.99 per month per site
As you can see, WP Umbrella has a very straightforward pricing structure – you only pay $1.99 per month per site that you manage under their platform.
They also offer 14 days free trial to try out their service with all features included (backup, uptime monitoring, safe update, etc). You can sign up for a free trial without using any credit card details.
Get Free with 14 Days Trial Now
Solid Central
Solid Central simplifies WordPress site management with a comprehensive suite of tools, themes, and plugins. Although slightly expensive, it’s well-established and includes other solid plugins.
It offers features like one-click updates, uptime monitoring, SEO metrics tracking, and remote backups. Solid Central’s recent feature, Activity Timeline, provides a comprehensive log of all site activities, helping you monitor, manage, and optimize your websites efficiently.
Key Features:
- One-click WordPress updates for core, plugins, and themes
- Uptime monitoring and downtime alerts
- Integration with Google Analytics and Google Search Console
- Bulk management of themes and plugins
- Remote backups and security actions
- Activity timeline with a complete log of all activities on the site
Solid Central Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Wide range of tools, themes, and plugins
- Strong focus on security and performance
- Intuitive interface for easy site management
Cons:
- May require some learning for beginners
- Regular updates necessary for optimal performance
Solid Central Pricing
- Starts from $6.99 to $69.99 per month
- 30-day free trial available
The pricing for Solid Central ranges from $69 to $699 per year, depending on the number of sites you manage.
They offer both annual and monthly subscription options. There is no free plan available, but a free trial is offered for 30 days. For more information, you can check their pricing page.
You get a zero-risk 30-day money-back guarantee with Solid Central if you decide to sign up now.
Get 30-day money back guarantee
MainWP
MainWP is a powerful, open-source solution for managing multiple WordPress sites from one central location. It stands out because it’s self-hosted, offering full control over your data and privacy.
Like other tools, it allows you to update everything across your WordPress sites with a single click, making it an efficient tool for site management.
MainWP offers both a free version and a Pro version, which includes access to over 32 extensions. These extensions enhance the functionality, allowing you to manage plugins, themes, security, and more directly from your dashboard.
MainWP Key Features
- Self-hosted and free to use
- Bulk updates for themes and plugins
- Monitoring for uptime and site health
- Automated maintenance reports
- Extensive extension library
MainWP Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free forever with a Pro version for advanced features
- Full control and privacy
- Supports unlimited websites
Cons:
- Relies on other plugins
- User interface could be improved
MainWP Pricing
- Free version available
- Pro version: $29/month, $199/year, or $499 for a lifetime subscription
Here’s a quick summary of the MainWP free version and pro version pricing information:
| Plan | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials | Free | – All Free Extensions – Any Future Free Extensions – Critical Security & Performance Updates – Community Support – Manage Unlimited Sites |
| MainWP Pro Yearly | $199/year | – All 30+ Existing Premium Extensions – All Future Extensions – Critical Security & Performance Updates – Priority Ticket Support – Manage Unlimited Websites |
| MainWP Pro Lifetime | $599/lifetime | – All 30+ Existing Premium Extensions – All Future Extensions – Critical Security & Performance Updates – Priority Ticket Support – Manage Unlimited Websites |
If you are in it for the long run, it might be worth getting the lifetime deal to help you save a lot with the pro version.
Hopefully, you now have a clear and concise overview of MainWP’s pricing structure, highlighting the differences between the free and pro versions, including costs and features.
Compare Free vs Pro
ManageWP
ManageWP is one of the oldest WordPress management tools available. It offers a free management solution with the option to purchase premium add-ons.
The tool simplifies site management with features like bulk updates, automated backups, and performance and security checks.
Besides, ManageWP’s cloud backup feature is particularly noteworthy, providing monthly scheduled backups with offsite storage and one-click restore options. Premium add-ons offer enhanced functionalities, including on-demand backups, SEO ranking, and advanced client reports.
ManageWP Key Features
- Bulk updates for all websites
- Automated backups with cloud storage
- Performance and security checks
- Integration with Google Analytics
ManageWP Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free plan for basic management
- Affordable premium add-ons
- Comprehensive reporting tools
Cons:
- Downtime alerts can be inaccurate
- Customizable reports could be more detailed
ManageWP Pricing
- Free plan available
- Premium add-ons start from $1.99 per month per website
The core service of ManageWP is free, but you can enhance functionality with premium add-ons priced per website.
For freelancers and small agencies managing up to 25 sites, the cost is optimized with individual add-ons like backups for $2, white label for $1, SEO ranking for $1, uptime monitoring for $1, and several others, each costing $1 per month.
For larger agencies managing over 25 sites, a bundled option provides a fixed monthly fee, making it cost-effective for handling up to 100 websites.
ManageWP ensures you only pay for the features you use, with no upfront fees or long-term contracts, and billing occurs monthly based on usage, starting with a free version to test premium add-ons.
Compare Free vs Pro
InfiniteWP
InfiniteWP also offers a robust solution for managing multiple WordPress sites. While it has a free plan limited to backups and updates, its premium plan unlocks the full potential of the tool. You will need to install it on your own server.
The tool provides one-click access to all sites, user management, malware scanning, and client reporting.
Setting up InfiniteWP can be complex, but once configured, it offers a high degree of control and privacy by being self-hosted.
InfiniteWP Key Features
- One-click updates for core, themes, and plugins
- User management
- Malware scanning
- Client reporting
InfiniteWP Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Free version for unlimited sites
- Self-hosted for added privacy
- Comprehensive premium features
Cons:
- Complex installation process
- Expensive premium plans
InfiniteWP Pricing
- Free version available
- Premium plan starts from $147 per year
Compare Free vs Pro
WP Remote
WP Remote offers a simple and effective way to manage multiple WordPress sites. It includes automatic offsite backups, security features, and professional client reports.
WP Remote’s premium plan enhances these features with malware scans, login protection, and advanced firewall options.
WP Remote Key Features
- Automatic backups
- Security monitoring
- Integrated staging
- Professional client reports
WP Remote Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy updates for core, themes, and plugins
- Comprehensive security features
- Professional client reports
Cons:
- Basic plan lacks advanced features
- Premium plans can be expensive
WP Remote Pricing
- Free plan available
- Premium plan starts from $29/month for up to 5 websites
Compare Free vs Pro
CMS Commander
CMS Commander is designed to streamline the management of multiple WordPress sites. It offers bulk updates, posting, and installation of plugins and themes.
CMS Commander also provides data backup to various destinations and robust security features.
CMS Commander Key Features
- Bulk updates and posting
- Multiple backup destinations
- Security features including 2FA and malware scanner
- Monetization through affiliate networks
CMS Commander Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy setup and intuitive interface
- Comprehensive backup and security options
- Excellent free trial period
Cons:
- Limited image uploading options
- Customer support could be improved
CMS Commander Pricing
- Starts from $8 per month
- 30-day free trial available
CMS Commander’s pricing structure is flexible, catering to both individual website owners and large agencies.
Here is a summary of CMS Commander pricing options, allowing you to choose a plan based on the number of sites you manage along with the associated costs and features.
| Plan | Sites Managed | Users | Cost per Month | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 5 Sites | 0 | $8 | All Features |
| Starter | 10 Sites | 0 | $12 | All Features |
| Starter | 20 Sites | 2 | $16 | All Features |
| Starter | 30 Sites | 3 | $20 | All Features |
| Business | 50 Sites | 5 | $30 | All Features |
| Business | 100 Sites | 10 | $45 | All Features |
| Business | 150 Sites | 15 | $60 | All Features |
| Business | 200 Sites | 20 | $75 | All Features |
The Starter plans are affordable, starting at $8 per month for up to 5 sites, making them ideal for small users.
For larger needs, the Business plans start at $30 per month for managing 50 sites, with support for multiple users. This tiered approach ensures comprehensive features and value across all user levels.
Try for Free Now
WordPress.com Multi-site Management
If you are on WordPress.com hosting or have clients using the JetPack plugin, you can use the WordPress.com multi-site management feature, which is available for free.
WordPress.com offers all the features available on Jetpack including Backups, Scan, and Spam Protection.
Choosing the Right WordPress Management Tool
Managing multiple WordPress sites and selecting the right tool comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
Here are some important factors that you should consider when selecting the best WordPress management tools for your needs.
- Budget: Determine your budget and whether you prefer a free tool with essential features or are willing to invest in a premium service for advanced functionalities. Many
- Ease of Use: Consider the ease of setup and user interface. Some tools, like WP Umbrella and ManageWP, offer straightforward configurations, while others, like InfiniteWP, might require more technical knowledge.
- Features: Identify the key features you need, For instance, if automated backups and security are a priority, tools like WP Umbrella and WP Remote might be ideal. If you need extensive plugin and theme management, MainWP and CMS Commander offer robust solutions.
- Scalability: Ensure the tool can handle the number of sites you manage and scale as your portfolio grows. MainWP and InfiniteWP are excellent choices for managing unlimited sites.
- Support and Community: Look for tools with good customer support and active communities. This can be crucial when troubleshooting issues or learning how to maximize the tool’s potential.
How We Review and Test WordPress Management Tools
Our Methodology:
To ensure we provide accurate and reliable recommendations for the best WordPress management tools, our review and testing process follows a comprehensive approach.
Here’s how we evaluate each tool to include it on our ranking.
1. Installation and Setup:
We begin by installing each WordPress management tool on multiple test sites. This includes downloading and installing the plugin on both main and child websites, activating it, and configuring the necessary settings, such as API keys. We assess the ease of installation and setup, noting any complexities or user-friendly aspects.
2. Dashboard Interface:
A critical part of our tests and evaluation is the user interface (UI/UX) of the management dashboard. We examine the layout, navigation, and overall usability. We are looking to determine how user-friedlly, intuitive, and efficient the dashboard is for managing multiple WordPress sites.
3. Feature Set:
We test the core features of each tool extensively. This primarily includes the main features we highlight in our listing above.
- Single Dashboard Management: We evaluate how well the tool consolidates multiple sites into one dashboard and the ease of accessing individual sites.
- Bulk Actions: We perform bulk updates for plugins, themes, and core WordPress files, noting the efficiency and effectiveness of these actions.
- Automated Backups: We configure and test automated backup settings, ensuring the reliability and security of the backup process.
- Maintenance Reports: We generate and schedule maintenance reports to assess their comprehensiveness and client-friendliness.
- Monitoring Capabilities: We monitor site uptime, performance, and error tracking, testing the alert systems and overall monitoring effectiveness.
- White Labeling: For tools offering white label options, we test the customization features and how well they allow branding to be hidden or replaced with the user’s branding.
4. Performance and Security:
We assess the impact of each tool on site performance, including load times and server resource usage. Additionally, we evaluate the security features, such as vulnerability scanning and malware protection, to ensure they provide robust site protection.
5. Pricing and Value:
We analyze the pricing structure of each tool, considering both the free and premium offerings. We compare the cost against the features provided to determine the overall value for different user groups, from freelancers to large agencies.
6. Customer Support and Documentation:
We interact with customer support to gauge response times and the quality of assistance. We also review the available documentation, tutorials, and resources to determine how well users are supported.
7. User Feedback and Reviews:
We consider user reviews and ratings from multiple sources, such as G2, Trustpilot, WordPress Plugins repository and more, to gather insights into common issues and overall satisfaction levels. This helps us to cross-verify our findings and understand real-world performance and reliability.
8. Long-term Testing:
Whenever possible, we conduct long-term tests to observe how the tools perform over time, including during updates and changes in WordPress versions.
With such a rigorous methodology, we ensure that our recommendations for WordPress management tools are based on thorough testing and objective analysis. We hope this helps you choose the best tool for managing your WordPress sites effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion
Managing multiple WordPress sites doesn’t have to be too complex. As you can see from our listings, there are several management tools that can help you streamline your workflow, enhance security, and provide better service to your clients.
We highly recommend tools like WP Umbrella, WP Remote, and ManageWP, which offer comprehensive solutions to meet various needs and preferences.
However, each tool has its strengths and potential drawbacks, so it’s important to evaluate them based on your specific requirements. You can take into account what you value the most – ease of use, advanced features, or cost-effectiveness, and narrow down your options for a WordPress management tool based on those factors.
Investing in a reliable WordPress management tool will save you time and effort in the long run and will allow you to focus on growing your business and delivering exceptional results to your clients.
I hope exploring our above listed options helps you find the perfect tool for managing your WordPress sites efficiently and effectively! Happy managing!
