Ah, WordPress caching. One of those necessary evils of any website. But why? The complexity, caching is complex, even the easiest to use caching plugins aren’t always as straightforward as they look.
But using a plugin to speed up WordPress? It doesn’t have to be complex, and it doesn’t have to take hours upon hours.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the best WordPress caching plugins for 2024 and how they can help speed up your website.
What is Caching?
When you first visit a website, it can take a bit of time to load the page. But, if it’s a regular website that you keep on visiting, time and again, you’ll notice that the website loads much faster.
This is largely down to caching. Caching is a method of storing data in a temporary storage area for future requests. It functions by making a copy of your pages and saving it as a single file.
Rather than having to build the page from scratch every time, WordPress can show the cached copy, making page loading much faster.
Here’s an example of how caching works:
- A user visits a website and requests a web page
- The web service checks its cache to see if a cached copy of the page is already stored
- If a copy exists, the server sends the cached version to the user’s browser
- In the case the page is not found, the server generates the page, stores a copy in the cache, and sends the page to user
- Next time a user requests the same page, the server serves the cached version which is faster.
Caching has a significant impact on the performance of websites. It is a key technique used in websites to improve user experience and reduce page load times.
Why Should You Use a Caching Plugin?
Simply put, caching makes your site faster, it’d be very rare when caching slows down your site.
If you want to know more about why you should use caching on your WordPress website and how it can help, take a look at our ultimate guide to WordPress caching.
How Did We Test the Speed of Caching Plugins?
A bit about the test website. It’s set up using PHP 7.3 on a Linode server with WordPress 5.3, WP Rocket 3.4.2.2.
The theme I’m using for these tests is our very own Astra, a blazingly fast lightweight WordPress theme. And I’m also using one of our Astra starter site templates allowing you to build a full site in minutes.
Our load times before we tested the speed after enabling caching plugins was a page load time of 3.1 seconds, a page size of 916KB, and 69 requests.
The Best WordPress Caching Plugins
We’ve tested countless WordPress caching plugins and have compiled the 15 speed up plugins that are, in our opinion, the best for increasing the speed of your WordPress website.
All the below plugins are fully compatible with Astra, which just so happens to be one of the fastest themes for WordPress and is astonishingly lightweight weighing in at just 50KB!
First though here’s a comparison of load times, features and pricing between all the plugins mentioned in this post.
| Plugin | Page Caching | Browser Caching | Database Optimization | Load Times | Pricing |
| WP Rocket | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.5 seconds | From $49 |
| WP Super Cache | Yes | Yes | No | 2.7 seconds | Free |
| W3 Total Cache | Yes | No | No | 1.8 seconds | $99 |
| WP Fastest Cache | Yes | Yes | No | 2.4 seconds | From $49.99 |
| WP-Optimize | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.7 seconds | From £30 |
| Hummingbird | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.9 seconds | From $5 |
| LiteSpeed Cache | Yes | Yes | Yes | 3.0 seconds | Free |
| Swift Performance | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2.5 seconds | From $39.99 |
| Comet Cache | Yes | Yes | No | 3.0 seconds | From $39 |
| Cache Enabler | Yes | No | No | 2.7 seconds | Free |
| Autoptimize | No | No | No | 3.9 seconds | Free |
| Breeze | Yes | Yes | No | 2.8 seconds | Free |
| SpeedUp Browser Caching | No | Yes | No | 3.6 seconds | Free |
| Cachify | Yes | No | No | 3.1 seconds | Free |
1. WP Rocket
WP Rocket is the most popular premium caching plugin for WordPress. Trusted by over 900,000+ websites, including popular names in the WordPress space such as Beaver Builder.
Famous for its one-click no-hassle configuration, it’s the go-to choice for both novices and advanced users.
WP Rocket Speed Test
Here are our site speed results after activating WP Rocket and setting up a basic configuration:
A page load time of 2.5 seconds, a total page size of 830KB and 25 requests.
What’s Good About WP Rocket?
The best thing about WP Rocket is without a doubt it’s a beautiful user interface, just look at this:
But it’s not just the UI that makes WP Rocket stand out from the crowd. There’s also:
- 1 Click configuration. Install and activate the plugin, caching is automatically activated.
- WooCommerce compatibility built-in. Out the box support for WooCommerce with no additional configuration needed.
- Built-in lazy loading. Only load images as needed rather than loading them all on each page request.
Any Things Not so Good About WP Rocket?
It’s a premium only plugin, so unlike nearly every other WordPress caching plugin we mention in this list, there’s no free or limited version to try before you buy. However, WP Rocket does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
WP Rocket Pricing
Like we mentioned above, WP Rocket is premium only and is priced like so:
- $49 for 1 site.
- $99 for 3 sites.
- $249 for unlimited websites.
Conclusion About WP Rocket
WP Rocket (WP Rocket review) is a great caching plugin that offers a wealth of features and is by far the easiest to use caching plugin currently on the market.
While a premium only solution may well put off some people, it’s well worth the price of entry.
2. WP Super Cache
WP Super Cache is one of the most popular caching plugins for WordPress, with more than 2 million installs. Maintained and developed by Automattic (WordPress.com fame), your site is definitely in good hands.
WP Super Cache Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after we enabled WP Super Cache and set up a basic configuration.
A load time of 2.7 seconds, 69 requests and a total page size of 917KB.
What’s Good About WP Super Cache?
Being maintained by Automattic, you can be confident that the development is top-notch, plus it comes with everything you need in a caching plugin and nothing that you don’t need.
Keeping it straightforward and straightforward, although the user interface isn’t as beautiful as WP Rocket, it’s still a great plugin and has a solid reputation.
Anything Not so Good About WP Super Cache?
As far as WordPress speed up plugins go, the main thing against WP Super Cache is the lack of support.
While the plugin is maintained and actively developed, there’s no official support for it. So if you have a question or get stuck with setting it up while you can ask in the plugin forums, you’ll generally be on a path to nowhere.
This is in stark contrast to most other WordPress caching plugins that actively encourage users to signup for premium support.
WP Super Cache Pricing
Entirely free! There’s no paid add-on or option. Just install, activate, and use on as many websites as you want for zero cost.
While that’s a good thing in most people’s books as mentioned above, it may be a negative depending on if you actively need support with the plugins you use.
Conclusion About WP Super Cache
A tremendous all-around caching plugin that works well with the majority of WordPress website configurations.
3. W3 Total Cache
W3 Total Cache was one of the most popular speed up plugins for WordPress. With over a million active installs today it still is, however, there was some bad press when it wasn’t updated for months on end, and premium support requests went unanswered.
BoldGrid (a specialist WordPress company) acquired W3 Total Cache in 2019, and since then, things have undoubtedly improved.
W3 Total Cache Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after we enabled W3 Total Cache and set up a basic configuration:
A load time of 1.8 seconds, a page size of 842KB and 34 total requests.
What’s Good About W3 Total Cache?
Offers a plethora of features and is a known name in the WordPress caching world, with the new investment by BoldGrid it’s only going to keep improving.
Anything Not so Good About W3 Total Cache?
There are still question marks surrounding the plugin since so many users lost trust in it, but we’re confident BoldGrid has got it back on track.
The pro version is confusing and only available from within the WordPress admin, not ideal if you don’t want to install something to find out the cost.
And if you compare W3 Total Cache with WP Rocket, WP Rocket stands out as a much better option.
W3 Total Cache pricing
Free version is available on WordPress.org.
W3 Total Cache premium is only available from within the admin interface of the plugin and costs $99/year with no multiple site licenses available.
W3 Total Cache Conclusion
An excellent plugin that went through a sticky patch and has come out the other side in a better place. Well worth a look to help speed up your WordPress website.
4. WP Fastest Cache
One of the most well known caching plugins for WordPress, WP Fastest Cache is actually one of my favorite free speed up plugins, it’s simple to use and doesn’t offer fancy thrills, but what it does it does well.
WP Fastest Cache Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after enabling WP Fastest Cache and setting up a basic configuration
A page load time of 2.4 seconds, a total page size of 907KB and 56 total requests.
What’s Good About WP Fastest Cache?
WP Fastest Cache is a no-thrills caching plugin. It doesn’t incorporate things that you don’t need or that are more encompassing of an entire performance plugin. Instead, it does caching incredibly well and works out the box with minimal hassle.
Anything Not so Good About WP Fastest Cache?
The user interface isn’t as intuitive as some other plugins like WP Rocket, but we’re being picky here.
WP Fastest Cache Pricing
There’s a free version of WP Fastest Cache available on WordPress.org, and the premium license can be purchased from the WP Fastest Cache website.
The premium licensing is:
- $49.99 for 1 site.
- $125 for 3 websites.
- $175 for 5 websites.
Unlike most premium pricing though, WP Fastest Cache is a one-time payment. So rather than costly annual renewals, just pay once and continue using it for life!
WP Fastest Cache Conclusion
A great no-thrills caching plugin that does exactly what it says on the tin.
5. WP-Optimize
WP-Optimize started off initially as a tool to clean and optimize your WordPress database, since then it’s gone onto become an all-encompassing WordPress performance plugin.
While it hasn’t been popular with everyone the new direction that the plugin has taken, we feel it’s been a success and added a vast amount of features that make it one of the best caching plugins available for WordPress.
WP-Optimize Speed Test
Here are our site speed results after enabling WP-Optimize and setting up a basic configuration:
A total page load time of 2.7 seconds, 0.96MB page size and 69 total requests.
What’s Good About WP-Optimize?
WP-Optimize offers everything you need in a WordPress performance plugin, including the ability to cache your website, optimize your site, and compress your images.
While there are other plugins such as WP Rocket that offer this usually, they require the installation of an additional plugin. With WP-Optimize, you just need the one plugin.
Anything Not so Good About WP-Optimize?
Out of the box, the plugin works great, the only slight drawback is that Multisite support is locked off to the premium version of the pricing.
WP-Optimize Pricing
The free version of WP-Optimize is available on WordPress.org, and the paid version has the following pricing structure:
- £30 year for a 2 site license.
- £45 year for a 5 site license.
- £113 year for an unlimited site license.
Conclusion About WP-Optimize
WP-Optimize is a fantastic performance plugin for WordPress that is far more than just another caching plugin, it can speed up your WordPress website, compress your images, and optimize your database. Definitely worth a look!
6. Hummingbird
By WPMU DEV, Hummingbird is a newer player to the WordPress caching market. However, this doesn’t mean it’s lacking in functionality.
In fact, it’s one of the most feature-packed plugins here!
Hummingbird Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after enabling Hummingbird and setting up a basic configuration:
A page load time of 2.9 seconds, total page size of 916KB and 69 requests.
What’s Good About Hummingbird?
Hummingbird is backed by one of the best teams in the business. With expert support available 24/7 and consistent updates, by using Hummingbird, you’re using a reliable, dependable caching plugin.
One of the standout features is the scan and fix capability. With one click Hummingbird will scan your site for performance issues and then attempt to fix them automatically.
Anything Not so Good About Hummingbird?
Not really a criticism, but there is a lot of stuff in Hummingbird, and it can be a lot to take in for a beginner, while everything is well mapped out and explained, it’s not immediately clear what you need to use and not use upon first installing the plugin.
Hummingbird Pricing
The free version of Hummingbird is feature-packed and available on WordPress.org.
Hummingbird Pro costs from $5 per month for a single site up to $82.50 per month for full WPMU DEV Membership and use of all their products across unlimited websites.
Conclusion About Hummingbird
Hummingbird may well be the new kid on the block, but it’s feature-packed and backed by an experienced development team, undoubtedly worth a look.
7. 10Web Booster
10Web Booster is the speed optimization service for improving the overall performance of any website. It will transform your website in no time, enhancing the visitors’ user experience, SEO, engagement, and conversion rates.
Get a 90+ PageSpeed score and pass Core Web Vitals automatically. Rank higher on Google, increase conversions and grow your business. 10Web Booster works on desktop and mobile versions of websites of any complexity.
10Web Speed Test
Here are our speed test results after optimizing using 10Web’
The base page is a simple one but a load time of 1.2 seconds is impressive!
What’s good about 10Web Booster?
10Web Booster is a free speed boost plugin for WordPress. It’s simple to use and takes care of many core speed tasks. It can get your site a 90+ score in PageSpeed Insights and improve your Core Web Vitals.
The Booster utilizes Cloudflare CDN to help boost speed while also using common techniques such as minifying files, lazy loading iFrames and videos, optimizing CSS files and a whole lot more.
Anything not so good about 10Web Booster?
The only real downside with 10Web Booster is the need to point your domain name to Cloudflare CDN. That’s moderately involved but the company has a step by step guide to help you through it.
Some back end optimizations are only possible if you also use 10Web hosting but otherwise, the service is good.
10Web Booster pricing
A free version of 10Web Booster is available at WordPress.org.
There are also three premium plans that start from $6 per month for 1 site up to $30 per month for unlimited websites. All come with a 30 day money back guarantee.
10Web Booster conclusion
10Web Booster is an excellent plugin that guarantees a 90+ score in PageSpeed Insights and automates much of the process. The free version is ideal for small or new websites while premium
8. LiteSpeed Cache
LiteSpeed Cache is a bit different from all the other plugins we feature on the list, as while it works in the standard way across all different web hosts, it also offers LiteSpeed exclusive features to supercharge your website.
LiteSpeed is a server-side technology, and unless you’re super geeky or happen to be on hosting that makes use of LiteSpeed, you likely won’t use the LiteSpeed features, if you are though they’ll make your site sing.
LiteSpeed Cache Speed Test
Here are the results of site speed after enabling LiteSpeed Cache and setting up a basic configuration:
A page load time of 3.0 seconds, page size of 967KB and 32 requests in total.
What’s Good About LiteSpeed Cache?
A wide gamut of features plus the LiteSpeed exclusive features make this a unique proposition, along with control over the WordPress heartbeat, and direct Cloudflare integration makes this a caching plugin you should strongly consider.
Anything Not so Good About LiteSpeed Cache?
While there’s nothing negative on the plugin side of thing, trying to understand why you have to certain server specifications to make use of the plugin can prove confusing to some users.
LiteSpeed Cache Pricing
LiteSpeed cache is an entirely free plugin with no paid-for version.
While the interface is modern, there are so many options, it’s not exactly beginner-friendly.
Conclusion About LiteSpeed Cache
One of our favorite caching plugins of 2024 that we can only see getting more popular heading into 2024, definitely one to watch!
9. Swift Performance
Swift Performance made quite the splash when it was first released. It quickly became loved by users in various speed up WordPress Facebook groups and was almost everywhere you looked.
Not everything was rosy in paradise though, the first negative reviews came in, and for a short time, the plugin had been removed from the WordPress.org repository.
That’s in the past, though, as now Swift Performance is a stable WordPress caching plugin.
Swift Performance Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after enabling Swift Performance and setting up a basic configuration:
A page load time of 2.5 seconds, total page size of 849KB and 27 total requests.
What’s Good About Swift Performance
Swift Performance offers an option called “Plugin Organizer,” what does it do? It allows you to disable plugins on individual pages and only run them when required.
We should note that plugin developers should only ever load their plugin when needed, unfortunately, though this isn’t always the case, even with popular plugins such as Contact Form.
With Swift Performance, though you can disable Contact Form 7 on all pages apart from your Contact Form page, problem solved!
Anything Not so Good About Swift Performance?
The support is generally hit and miss from various reviews, and a glance at the support forums on WordPress.org will show you that sometimes users get the answers they need; other times, they are left hanging for months and, in other cases, are just told to buy pro.
Swift Performance Pricing
The free version “Swift Performance Lite” is available on WordPress.org for free.
The paid version is priced like so:
- $39.99 for 1 site.
- $99.99 for 4 sites.
- $199.99 for unlimited sites.
All licenses are renewed on an annual recurring basis.
Conclusion About Swift Performance
Swift Performance is definitely worth considering for your site; however, if you’re a beginner, then we’d recommend Hummingbird or WP Rocket due to the support provided by those solutions.
10. Comet Cache
Comet Cache is the successor to the popular ZenCache plugin, improved with a raft of new features and functionality.
And a bit geeky here, but it’s compatible with the WordPress command-line interface (WP CLI), and if you’re a WordPress developer, you’re sure to love that!
Comet Cache Speed Test
Here are our site speed results after enabling Comet Cache and setting up a basic configuration:
A load time of 3.0 seconds, a total page size of 976KB and 69 requests.
What’s Good About Comet Cache?
Comet cache has a one-click setup process and then comes with a range of advanced functionality. The Pro version brings even more advanced functionality such as a cache rebuild that automatically builds and fetches the cache every 15 minutes to ensure content stays relevant.
Comet Cache pro also includes the possibility of automatically clearing the cache after you publish content and comes with advanced WooCommerce caching capabilities.
Anything Not so Good About Comet Cache?
While we find the plugin straightforward to use and it has been developed with the intention of being kept simple, the interface with its use of text-heavy explanations that are all expanded everywhere can feel overwhelming at times.
Comet Cache Pricing
The free version of Comet Cache is available on WordPress.org, with the paid version available from the Comet Cache website.
Like WP Fastest Cache, pricing is a one-time non-recurring payment. For your money, you get lifetime updates and 3 years of support from the Comet Cache team.
Comet Cache pricing is:
- $39 for a single site.
- $99 for three sites.
- $139 for unlimited sites.
Conclusion About Comet Cache
Comet Cache is an easy to use plugin to speed up your WordPress website. While it can look intimidating at first with its text-heavy admin settings, it’s easier to use than it first seems.
11. Cache Enabler
Cache Enabler is a WordPress caching plugin by the KeyCDN team. KeyCDN is one of the most popular CDN solutions. If you want to know more about what a CDN is, check out our ultimate guide to WordPress caching here.
Cache Enabler Speed Test
Here are our site speed results after enabling Cache Enabler and setting up a basic configuration:
A load time of 2.7 seconds, a page size of 976KB and 69 total requests.
What’s Good About Cache Enabler?
One of the best features of cache enabler you actually need an additional plugin for called “Optimus” with Optimus and Cache enabler both enabled your .png, and .jpg images will be served in the webP format without needing conversion!
WebP is a new image format that’s recommended by Google and is designed to load blazingly fast across mobile and desktop.
Anything Not so Good About Cache Enabler?
A big one, there’s no browser caching! Most users would want browser caching capabilities, however, even without this, it’s still a great plugin just something to be aware of.
Support is also minimal due to their being no paid plugin option, and as cache enabler isn’t the main focus of KeyCDN’s business and brings in no money, how effective will they be at solving issues?
Cache Enabler Pricing
Cache Enabler is entirely free on WordPress.org, and there’s no paid plugin version available.
Conclusion About Cache Enabler
Cache Enabler is an excellent caching solution for WordPress with some drawbacks, such as no browser caching. Despite this, it’s still a useful plugin and well worth a look.
12. Autoptimize
We’ve broken our own rules here and included Autoptimize on our list even though it’s not actually a caching plugin ? so just what is it?
Well, Autoptimize is a plugin for optimizing, minifying, and aggregate scripts on your WordPress website. It’s also possible to perform other optimizations, such as disabling the WordPress emoji script.
Why is it on our list then? Well, it’s closely related to caching plugins, and various caching plugins even mention it on their websites for use alongside page caching.
Autoptimize Speed Test
Here is our site speed after enabling Autoptimize and setting up a basic configuration:
A total page load time of 3.9 seconds, a page size of 882KB and 52 requests in total.
What’s Good About Autoptimize?
Autoptimize focuses on one thing (optimizing scripts) and does it well. It’s easy to use and simple enough for both beginners to use and advanced users to find enough power in it to make its install worthwhile.
Anything Not so Good About Autoptimize?
Only that you’ll also need to install a caching plugin alongside Autoptimize to get your WordPress website running at warp speed.
Autoptimize Pricing
Autoptimize has a rather unique pricing structure where the plugin itself is free. Then you can pay €159 on a per-site basis for the developers to set it up and configure it individually for your website.
Conclusion About Autoptimize
Autoptimize is one of the best plugins for optimizing the assets of your website, and even though you’ll need an additional plugin alongside it, we’d still recommend checking it out.
13. Breeze
Breeze is a WordPress caching plugin by the folks over at Cloudways hosting. It works across all hosting providers, you don’t need to be using Cloudways hosting to use Breeze.
Breeze Speed Test
Here are the results of our site speed after installing Breeze and setting up a basic configuration:
A page load time of 2.8 seconds, total page size of 961KB and 38 requests in total.
What’s Good About Breeze?
Breeze is a simple and easy to use caching plugin that makes setting everything up well… a breeze! There’s no real standout or unique functionality, but what it does, it does well.
Anything Not so Good About Breeze?
Support isn’t the best, questions are often misread or overlooked on the WordPress.org support forums, and there’s no paid version of the plugin to get premium support.
Breeze Pricing
Breeze is a 100% free WordPress caching plugin available on WordPress.org, there is no premium version.
Conclusion About Breeze
Breeze is a no-thrills caching plugin that works well out the box and does what most people need if you’re looking for something with a bit more wow factor, then we’d recommend WP Rocket.
14. Speed Up – Browser Caching
A simple, lightweight caching plugin for WordPress. The plugin itself weighs in at less than 10KB. It’s one of the lesser well-known plugins on the list with just over 1,000 active installs at the time of writing.
Speed Up – Browser Caching Speed Test
Here are our site speed test results after enabling Speed Up – Browser Cache, and with no configuration, it’s as simple as activating and done!
A page load time of 3.6 seconds, a total page size of 0.96MB and 69 requests in total.
What’s Good About Speed Up – Browser Caching?
In the days of the ultra-complex all singing all dancing caching plugins, it’s a breath of fresh air, if you just want simple caching features with no bells and whistles, this is the plugin for you.
There’s no configuration, just install and activate.
Anything Not so Good About Speed Up – Browser Caching?
Given the simplicity it may not be for everywhere, you should also note it only works on Apache-based hosting configuration, so it won’t work if you use Nginx.
Speed Up – Browser Caching Pricing
There’s no premium version of this plugin, the free version is available from WordPress.org.
Conclusion About Speed Up – Browser Caching
Overall a great lightweight plugin that works well out the box, it’s lack of features may be a turn off for some, but if you are looking for a simple plugin that doesn’t have a ton of features, this is the plugin for you!
15. Cachify
Cachify is a WordPress caching plugin with a difference, rather than being run by a specific company; it’s run by something known as the PluginKolletiv.
The PluginKolletiv is a group of WordPress developers who work to keep various plugins on WordPress.org maintained and available for the community, a pretty fresh spin on the usual way of doing things if you ask us!
Cachify Speed Test
Here are our results are installing Cachify and setting up a basic configuration: =
A total page load time of 3.1 seconds, a page size of 976KB and a total of 69 requests.
What’s Good About Cachify?
Apart from working great as a caching plugin and supporting all server-types and various caching methods, we love the community approach taken to the plugin development.
Anything Not so Good About Cachify?
As it’s by the community for the community, the releases are further apart than a “for-profit” solution would be. However, the plugin is always stable, and the developers reply quickly to support requests.
Cachify Pricing
Cachify is available for free from WordPress.org, and there’s no premium version available.
Conclusion About Cachify
Cachify is a great community-spirited plugin that works well out the box, is well supported by the community, and is free! If it isn’t already, it should definitely be on your radar.
Wrapping Up
We hope you’ve enjoyed the list of the best caching plugins for WordPress in 2024 ! If you aren’t sure which one you should use, our favorites are WP Rocket, WP-Optimize, Cachify, and WP Fastest Cache.
What’s your favorite caching plugin for WordPress? Have you used any of the plugins on our list? Let us know in the comments below.
Abhijeet Kaldate is the co-founder and CRO of Brainstorm Force. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for getting things done, Abhijeet oversees the company's operations, managing key areas such as HR, marketing, design and finance.
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Thanks for the comprehensive info.
I have a question. Out of the freemium caching plugins, did you try free versions or paid versions and got those results?
A second question might be, did you enable all the same settings with all those plugins? I mean, for instance one plugin doesn’t have lazy image option, but the other has. Did you enable the lazy image setting on the plugins that do have this incorporated?
Thanks for your time.
Hi Mehmet,
The caching plugins tested were the free versions where a free version was available, for example WP Rocket doesn’t have a free version so we tested the premium version.
The configuration was set to be optimal with each caching plugin and we spent 15-20 minutes configuring each plugin.
I forgot to ask one more question. For instance I have used the Autoptimize before and was happy with the performance.
However, here you mention that the load times before enabling the any caching plugins is 3.1 seconds, a page size of 916KB, and 69 requests.
How is it possible that after Autoptimize is enabled, the site loads at 3.9 seconds with a page size of 882KB and 52 requests? Was it maybe a one time issue or are those results the median of several?
The speed results posted were the median results after running several tests. Factors that impact load times, includes Server location > test server location, PHP version, current server load etc.
Due to its simplicity to use features and a large library of easily available plugins, even a new or zero knowledge tech person like me can build the professional websites by using the WordPress. And following some new updates in Google’s ranking algorithm, site loading speed has become even more necessary for a ranking website.
Thank you so much for sharing an excellent article about “Faster Loading WordPress Plugins”. These are the plugins which I everybody need to be used in their blogging life. Now as you explain superbly the use of plugins to us, I am going the practice those to my blog. Also, with my experience, I highly suggest you configure Cloudflare with your website. It’s free, easy to install & it offers free CDN & makes your blog fast and secure.
One quick question; using too many plugins make the blog or website to load slowly. What do you say? Thanks in advance.
Glad to hear that, Prisha!
And thank you for the suggestion.
Also, regarding your query. Yes, using too many plugins can affect your website speed as it will require resources based on the functions running and how your server handles it.
I think lscache wp caching plugin the easiest and best plugin for wp caching solution.
The problem with those tests is the fact that it is totally useless for those running WordPress websites.
You need to do tests on WP configurations, which are common in the WP community. Preferable divided into three categories (light (some basic plugins), average (more plugins, similar what most WP sites use) and heavy duty sites with loads of plugins). Maybe even test different types of WP sites like blogs, shops, combination, and others.
When you do that (that is what I did with my WP sites, before I decided which plugins and which performance plugins I could use with the best functionality, load and speed).
Nice information with well structured
Hello,
The hosting providers I am currently staying on. They are using Lightspeed Server. Which of the LiteSpeed Cache plugin or Wp-Rocket would be considered better for me?
I was wondering, is there a reason the Cloudlfare Super Page Cache plugin is not in the list? I haven’t tried all in this list, but the CF Super Page Cache is my go to, unless it’s a LiteSpeed server.
Hi, thanks for your comparison. You should really add SWIS Performance from EWWW.io to your comparison. It’s a real good & solid comparison and I have even results comparable with Swift Performance (premium), but way it’s easier to handle.
Best, Michael
Thank you for your feedback, Michael!
Agree on this GTMetrix along with Pingdom are a bit fickle in their results and can vary after a few hours apart, obviously speed is an issue but some are are obsessed with DA results etc without concentrating on UX design and relevant content or what customer require.
Just for interest – I tried a variety of cache/performance plugins and settled on JoomUnited’s WP Speed of Light Pro. The license suits my multisite/domain instance and it works separately per site/domain.
My server is plenty fast already but I’ve found that time-to-first-byte is the main WP performance issue and the caching feature significantly reduces that from about 1000ms down to 200ms, so long as the website gets traffic to keep things cached. If not then the first click is still going to be slower.
It has plenty of features but I mainly make use of the combined CSS and JS and the caching. Excluding pages or paths is simple. I have the paid version, but I think the free one does these things as well. Support has been great.. and no, this is not an advert – I’m just happy with it and didn’t see it here in the list. I have Astra Pro as well and am very happy with that.
Ahh forgot…Fantastic Article by the way. Incredibly informative and non biased compared to some just plugging their products 👍🎉
Glad that you liked it! 🙂
Hello Astra team!
A more current test would be interesting, since the ones presented are from 2019 (date in the GTMetrix image) and in 3 years even GTMetrix changed its way of reading. Many plugins have been improved and today the comparison can have very different results. Anyway, thanks for the excellent comparison post!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Leo!
We will surely take note of the same and make necessary changes were required.
Now I’m creating a site and choosing a plugin for caching. Your article helped me a lot and answered many questions. Thank you!