Managing multiple WordPress websites can be a complex task, especially for agencies and freelancers who handle numerous client projects. The constant need for updates, backups, and performance monitoring across different sites can easily become overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several tools available to simplify this process. These tools consolidate essential tasks like managing updates, monitoring performance, and scheduling backups into a single, easy-to-use platform.

Comparison Table of Multi-Site Management Tools

When managing multiple WordPress sites, choosing the right management tool is crucial for efficient upkeep, security, and client reporting. A variety of tools cater to different needs and budgets, from affordable options that cover essential tasks to premium solutions packed with advanced features. This comparison outlines key WordPress management tools by their pricing and features, helping users find the best fit for their site management requirements.

1. Divi Dash for Multi-Site Management

Divi Dash is an exceptional tool designed for WordPress users, particularly those who utilize the Divi theme. With Divi Dash, you can monitor the performance of your websites effectively, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently. It provides powerful analytics and reporting features, allowing users to access vital site performance metrics at a glance. The bulk update functionality enables you to manage plugins and themes across multiple sites quickly, saving you time and effort. Additionally, Divi Dash integrates seamlessly with various hosting services, enhancing its usability and flexibility. With a starting price of $89 per year, it offers significant value for WordPress users looking to streamline their management process.

Key Features of Divi Dash:

• Centralized Management
  Divi Dash provides a single dashboard to manage all your WordPress sites, streamlining oversight without the need to switch between platforms.
• Bulk Updates
  Easily manage updates across all your websites with bulk update options, saving time and ensuring your sites stay current.
• Organization
  Organize websites by client, facilitating better tracking of essential client information and enhancing project management.
• Automation
  Automate routine tasks like plugin and theme updates, reducing manual effort and ensuring your sites run on the latest versions.
• Team Collaboration
  Invite team members and assign specific permissions for each site, fostering better collaboration and access to necessary tools.
• System Status
  Get a real-time snapshot of your site’s core infrastructure, allowing for quick assessments of site health.
• Security Monitoring
  Proactively monitor security issues, such as outdated PHP, MySQL, or WordPress versions, to maintain a secure environment.
• Activity Log
  Use the activity log to diagnose issues post-updates, tracking which plugins and themes were updated and when.
• Easy Signing In
  Sign into your websites with a single click, streamlining access and eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords.
• Detailed Insights
  Access insights into each site’s status, users, and optimization needs, enabling data-driven decisions for improvements.
• Manage Themes and Plugins
  Directly manage themes and plugins through Divi Dash, simplifying organization and control.
• Maintenance Automation
  Automate maintenance tasks to keep your sites secure and running smoothly, allowing focus on more critical business aspects.
• Clean Up Databases
  Keep databases optimized to improve site performance and reduce loading times for visitors.

Pros and Cons of Divi Dash:

Pros:

• Tailored for Divi users, making Divi site management more seamless.
• Easy integration with hosting providers simplifies site management.
• Performance monitoring ensures sites are always running optimally.
• Affordable pricing for the feature set, especially for Divi users.

Cons:

• Features are Divi-centric, which may not be as beneficial for non-Divi users.
• Lacks the more advanced security features seen in other tools.

Pricing:

Divi Dash pricing starts at $89 per year, providing an affordable option for managing multiple WordPress sites, especially for Divi theme users.

Read More: Divi Dash: Top 10 Reasons to Manage Your Divi Sites

2. WP Umbrella for Multi-Site Management

WP Umbrella is a robust solution that simplifies managing multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard. This tool is particularly beneficial for agencies, offering automated reports that showcase maintenance activities to clients. It provides reliable uptime and performance monitoring, alerting users to any potential issues before they escalate. With features like automatic backups and bulk actions for updating plugins and themes, WP Umbrella enhances your workflow significantly. Although it doesn’t offer a free version, its pricing starts at $1.99 per month per site, making it an affordable option for managing multiple websites.

Key Features of WP Umbrella:

• Dashboard
  WP Umbrella offers a user-friendly dashboard that enables efficient management of multiple WordPress websites from one central location, enhancing organization and ease of use.
• Backups
  The plugin provides automatic and manual backup options, ensuring your website data remains safe and easily recoverable during emergencies.
• Uptime Monitoring
  WP Umbrella monitors your website’s uptime and performance from various global locations, offering a reliable method to track availability.
• Alerts
  Receive email or Slack notifications if your website’s performance drops below set thresholds, allowing for quick resolution of issues.
• Performance Metrics
  The plugin tracks key performance metrics such as Time to First Byte (TTFB), First Contentful Paint, and Speed Index, providing insights into site performance.
• Reports
  WP Umbrella generates detailed reports with actionable insights, helping you analyze your site’s performance for informed decision-making.
• Security
  Features like vulnerability scanning, security checks, and an encrypted backup system help protect your website from potential threats.
• Automated Maintenance Reports
  Agencies can keep clients informed about updates and tasks through automated maintenance reports, promoting transparency and trust.
• PHP Error Monitoring
  The plugin detects and addresses PHP errors, ensuring your website operates smoothly and efficiently.
• Bulk Actions
  Manage updates across multiple websites simultaneously with WP Umbrella, saving time and simplifying your workflow.

Pros and Cons of WP Umbrella:

Pros:

• Affordable, especially for agencies managing multiple sites.
• Automated client reports add professionalism and save time.
• Robust uptime monitoring ensures sites remain accessible.
• Strong backup and security features ensure site data safety.

Cons:

• The per-site pricing model may become expensive for users managing a large number of sites.
• Limited integration with other third-party services compared to some competitors.
• Lacks advanced features like a staging environment or abandoned plugin detection.

Pricing:

WP Umbrella pricing starts at $1.99 per month per site, making it an affordable choice, especially for agencies managing several client’s sites and it doesn’t have any annual plan. It also has a 14 days free trial.

3. MainWP for Multi-Site Management

MainWP stands out as a free and open-source solution for managing unlimited WordPress sites. This self-hosted tool allows users to perform updates, backups, and security checks from a centralized dashboard. MainWP automatically sends alerts for updates and detects abandoned plugins, which helps maintain site security. Users can leverage additional features by opting for the pro plan, which includes access to all extensions and priority support. Starting at $29 per month, MainWP is an excellent choice for users looking for a cost-effective and customizable management solution.

Key Features of MainWP:

• Site Management
  Access your WordPress sites with a single click, allowing for bulk or individual updates. Organize sites with tags and maintain notes for easy reference, with options for exporting or importing site data.
• Plugins and Themes Management
  Directly install, activate, deactivate, update, or delete plugins and themes from the dashboard. Track any changes made outside of MainWP for enhanced oversight.
• Security and Vulnerability Checks
  MainWP scans for security issues, alerting you to SSL, domain, or vulnerability problems to ensure your sites remain secure.
• Backups
  Schedule multiple backups to various repositories, guaranteeing that your site’s data is safe and easily recoverable during emergencies.
• User Management
  Add users, assign specific rights, and set passwords to tailor access based on roles and responsibilities.
• Article and Page Management
  Publish, update, and edit articles and pages across all managed sites, streamlining content management from a central location.
• Update Settings
  Establish automatic and ignored update settings to control how and when your sites are updated, ensuring compatibility and security.
• Uptime Monitoring
  Monitor your sites’ uptime with the UptimeRobot service, helping you keep track of availability and performance.
• Email Notifications
  Receive email notifications for backups, updates, and any downtime, ensuring you’re always informed about your sites’ status.
• Dashboard Security
  Manage the security of your MainWP dashboard to protect your site management environment from unauthorized access.
• Self-Hosted Solution
  As a self-hosted solution, MainWP’s dashboard is installed on your server or hosting environment, giving you complete control over your management setup while offering both free and paid extensions for additional features.

Read More: How to Backup Your Divi/WordPress Site

Pros and Cons of MainWP

Pros:

• Full control due to its self-hosted nature, ideal for privacy-conscious users.
• Highly customizable with a variety of extensions.
• Free version offers a lot of core functionality, reducing costs.
• Abandoned plugin detection keeps sites secure and up-to-date.

Cons:

• Requires more technical know-how due to the self-hosted setup.
• Interface may not be as user-friendly as other solutions.
• Some premium features require additional paid extensions, which can increase costs.

Pricing:

MainWP offers a free version and premium pricing plans of MainWP start at $29/month or $199/year, with access to all extensions and priority support. A lifetime plan is also available for a one-time payment of $599.

4. ManageWP for Multi-Site Management

ManageWP is one of the oldest and most popular WordPress management tools available. With its intuitive dashboard, users can automate tasks, perform bulk updates, and conduct security checks with just one click. The tool also offers a free cloud backup service, allowing users to restore their sites easily if needed. ManageWP’s premium add-ons, including SEO ranking and white-label reporting, provide additional functionality for users wanting to enhance their services. It starts at $29 per month per site, making it a great value for those needing comprehensive site management features.

Key Features of ManageWP:

• Scheduled Backups
  ManageWP automatically performs backups, ensuring you always have an up-to-date copy of your website. This feature offers peace of mind, knowing your data is secure and can be easily restored when necessary.
• Performance Check
  Monitor your website’s performance over time to identify trends and make informed decisions. This is especially valuable for managing client websites, helping maintain optimal performance.
• Plugin Management
  Manage all plugins across your child sites from a single dashboard, eliminating the need for manual updates on each individual site. This saves time and minimizes the risk of compatibility issues.
• Content Management
  Easily update and manage content across your sites, ensuring consistency and timely updates without the hassle of logging into each site individually.
• Removing Malware
  Quickly and efficiently remove malware to protect your sites, helping maintain a secure online presence.
• Bulk Plugin Installations
  Install plugins across multiple sites simultaneously, streamlining the setup process and saving valuable time when managing several websites.
• Security Checks
  ManageWP includes robust security measures to keep your sites safe from threats. By conducting regular security scans, the tool can detect vulnerabilities and malware that could compromise your website’s integrity.

Pros and Cons of ManageWP:

Pros:

• Free core features with affordable add-ons allow for customization as needed.
• User-friendly interface makes it ideal for beginners and experienced users alike.
• One-click updates and cloud backups make site maintenance easy.
• Excellent security features with automated backups and malware scans.

Cons:

• Add-ons can add up in cost for users managing many sites.
• Lacks built-in staging environments, a feature found in other tools.
• While great for smaller setups, larger agencies may outgrow its free or low-tier options.

Pricing:

ManageWP offers free basic features, and premium pricing of ManageWP starts at $29 per month per site, making it a scalable solution for users with different needs. It also free

Add-ons and Premium add-ons.

5. InfiniteWP for Multi-Site Management

InfiniteWP offers a unique approach to managing multiple WordPress sites with its powerful suite of features. Users can perform one-click updates across all sites, manage users, and run malware scans to keep their installations secure. While the free version is limited, the premium plan unlocks advanced features like client reporting and WordPress deployment. Pricing starts at $147 per year, making it a solid option for those needing a robust management tool with a focus on security and performance.

Key Features of InfiniteWP:

• Self-Hosted
  InfiniteWP operates on the user’s own server, providing complete control over site management. This setup allows for customized configurations and enhanced security, keeping all data within your infrastructure.
• One-Click Updates
  Easily update the WordPress core, plugins, and themes across all sites with a single click. This feature significantly reduces the time and effort needed for regular updates, ensuring all sites remain secure and current.
• Backups
  Automatically back up sites off-site, offering peace of mind. You can restore entire sites or just databases with ease, safeguarding against data loss due to crashes or other issues.
• Bulk Operations
  Activate, deactivate, and install plugins and themes across multiple sites simultaneously. This feature streamlines site management and improves efficiency when handling numerous websites.
• Monitoring
  Keep an eye on uptime, optimization, and analytics to ensure your websites perform optimally. This helps you quickly identify and resolve any performance issues.
• Maintenance
  Conduct regular housekeeping and bulk maintenance operations to keep your sites running smoothly without the need for constant manual oversight.
• Access Restrictions
  Enhance security by restricting access to specific websites and functions. This feature is particularly useful for agencies or teams, allowing effective management of permissions.
• Admin Access
  Access all WordPress admin panels with just one click, simplifying the management process for multiple sites.
• Client Reporting
  Generate detailed reports on client sites, keeping clients informed about performance and maintenance tasks.
• Malware Scanning
  Regularly scan for malware to protect your sites from potential threats, ensuring a secure online environment.
• Free and Premium Options
  InfiniteWP offers a free version with basic features, along with premium add-ons for more advanced functionalities, allowing users to select a plan that fits their needs.

Pros and Cons of InfiniteWP:

Pros:

• Free version includes core features like bulk updates and backups.
• Great for agencies due to client reporting and white-labeling options.
• One-click updates make it easy to manage multiple sites at once.
• Malware scanning ensures your sites remain secure.

Cons:

• Requires self-hosting, which adds complexity compared to fully managed solutions.
• The user interface can feel dated and clunky for some users.
• Premium features, such as reporting and advanced security, require a paid license.

Pricing:

InfiniteWP offers a free version with limited features. Premium pricing plans of InfiniteWP start at $147/year for the Starter plan, while the Agency plan for unlimited sites is $447/year, adding features like client reporting and security checks.

6. WP Remote for Multi-Site Management

WP Remote is another excellent choice for managing multiple WordPress sites efficiently. This tool provides essential features like automatic backups, security checks, and integrated staging for testing updates before deployment. Although it does not have a free version, its premium plan starts at $29 per month. WP Remote’s focus on security and user-friendly interface makes it a valuable asset for agencies managing multiple clients’ sites.

Key Features of WP Remote:

• Site Management
  Manage themes, plugins, and backups for all your WordPress sites from a unified dashboard, simplifying the oversight of multiple websites.
• Monitoring
  WP Remote offers a comprehensive overview of website activity and uptime. It tracks critical events such as restores, backups, and vulnerabilities, sending email alerts if any site experiences downtime.
• Security
  The web application firewall (WAF) provided by WP Remote enhances security by protecting sites from hackers and bots, safeguarding sensitive information.
• Backups
  WP Remote can create and manage backups for websites of any size, ensuring data integrity and allowing for easy restoration during emergencies.
• Updates
  Users can update plugins and themes without logging into the WordPress dashboard, streamlining site management and saving valuable time.
• Performance Monitoring
  The dashboard displays page load times for each site, enabling users to quickly identify performance issues and optimize their websites as needed.
• Analytical Features
  WP Remote includes a Page Analytics table that lists the most-viewed pages and compares them to previous periods, providing valuable insights into site traffic and performance trends.
• API Access
  Account owners and co-owners can easily access their API credentials through the WP Remote dashboard, facilitating integration with other tools or services.
• User-Friendly Interface
  Designed for ease of use, WP Remote requires no technical expertise, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
• Free Version and 24/7 Support
  WP Remote offers a free version along with 24/7 support, ensuring users can access assistance whenever needed.

Learn More: 10 Best WordPress Site Monitoring Tools in 2024

Pros and Cons of  WP Remote:

Pros:

• Offsite backups offer added security and ensure data is safe from server issues.
• Provides strong security features, including monitoring for vulnerabilities.
• Staging environments allow safe testing of site changes before pushing them live.
• One-click updates simplify site maintenance across multiple installations.

Cons:

• No free version, making it less accessible for small businesses or individuals with limited budgets.
• The pricing is higher than some competitors for similar features.
• Fewer integrations and additional tools compared to competitors like ManageWP.

Pricing:

WP Remote’s Basic pricing plan starts at $29/month or $299/year, ideal for users focused on offsite backups and security. No free version is available.

7. CMS Commander for Multi-Site Management

CMS Commander is designed to streamline the management of multiple WordPress sites, offering features like bulk posting, user management, and 2FA security for enhanced protection. Users can quickly update plugins and themes, making it an efficient tool for content-heavy sites. While it provides a free version, its premium pricing starts at $7.99 per month, offering excellent value for users needing additional functionality.

Key Features of CMS Commander:

• Multi-Site Updates
  CMS Commander allows users to implement updates across multiple websites at once, significantly saving time and ensuring uniformity across all platforms.
• External Dashboard
  The external dashboard enhances performance and improves user experience, simplifying the management and navigation of multiple sites.
• Content Collaboration
  Users can share assets and folders with colleagues and external partners, promoting teamwork and streamlining the content creation process.
• Role-Based Access Control
  This feature enables administrators to specify who can access particular content and functionalities, reducing the likelihood of errors and enhancing data security.
• Security
  Headless CMS solutions bolster security by decoupling the backend from the frontend, minimizing vulnerabilities and safeguarding sensitive data.
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  A robust CMS automates key SEO tasks, including SEO Friendly URL creation, unique title generation, and meta description management, supporting effective personalization and content strategies.
• Analytics
  Reporting and analytics tools enable organizations to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), facilitating informed and data-driven decision-making.
• Integrations
  Integrations with various systems ensure seamless communication and data transfer, improving accuracy and efficiency in workflows.
• Customer Support
  CMS platforms often provide community forums with FAQs or direct access to support staff, ensuring users can obtain assistance whenever necessary.

Pros and Cons of  CMS Commander:

Pros:

• Bulk posting makes it easy to publish content across multiple sites at once.
• User management and two-factor authentication improve site security.
• Pricing is affordable, especially for content-heavy sites or small operations.
• Offers a free version, making it accessible for users with smaller needs.

Cons:

• Interface and user experience may not be as polished as other solutions.
• Lacks more advanced features such as staging environments or advanced security measures.
• Pricing can become higher for users managing a large number of sites.

Pricing:

CMS Commander pricing offers a Starter plan at $8/month for 5 sites and a Business plan at $30/month for 50 sites, both with full features. A free version with limited features is also available.

Divi Dash: Our Top Recommendation for Simplifying WordPress Multi Site Management

We highly recommend Divi Dash as the best tool for managing multiple WordPress sites, especially for Divi users. Compared to other tools, Divi Dash offers several key advantages that make it our top preference:

1. Divi-Specific Features: Unlike general tools, Divi Dash is tailored specifically for Divi users, making it easier to manage Divi websites and access unique functionalities.
2. Ease of Use: Divi Dash has a simple, intuitive interface that doesn’t require any steep learning curve, so even beginners can easily manage multiple sites.
3. Real-Time Monitoring: It provides real-time performance stats and uptime monitoring, helping you keep track of site health without needing to switch between tools.
4. One-Click Updates: With Divi Dash, updating Divi themes, plugins, and WordPress itself can be done in one click, streamlining site maintenance.
5. Affordable Pricing: Divi Dash offers great value for money compared to other management tools, making it a cost-effective solution for agencies and freelancers.

Conclusion

Managing multiple WordPress sites can be overwhelming, but the right tools can simplify tasks like updates, backups, and performance monitoring. Divi Dash is an excellent choice for those using the Divi theme, thanks to its user-friendly interface and powerful features. With Divi Dash, you can manage all your sites from a single dashboard, perform bulk updates, and automate routine tasks. It helps organize websites by client, improving workflow for those handling numerous sites. Additionally, the security monitoring and real-time status updates ensure your sites are secure and running smoothly. We highly recommend Divi Dash for a more efficient and hassle-free management experience, allowing you to focus on creating great content while ensuring your websites remain reliable and well-maintained.