ManageWP vs MainWP

by Gralio Mar 13, 2025

ManageWP and MainWP both simplify managing multiple WordPress sites. ManageWP is better for users prioritizing ease of use and a free starting point, while MainWP offers more control and flexibility for technically inclined users.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 142 reviews and 60 websites, saving 1 hour, 17 minutes of reading.

ManageWP

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MainWP

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About

ManageWP is a tool designed to make managing multiple WordPress websites easier. It lets you update plugins, create backups, and monitor security from one central dashboard rather than logging into each website individually. ManageWP offers a free plan for unlimited websites and paid plans with additional features for enhanced security, performance, and client reporting.

MainWP is a free, self-hosted tool that lets you manage multiple WordPress websites from a single dashboard. Instead of logging into each site individually, you can update plugins, manage themes, and monitor security from one central location. While the free version covers the essentials, a paid Pro version offers advanced features and extensions to further enhance your workflow.

Summary

Main difference

ManageWP is a cloud-based service, while MainWP is self-hosted. This means MainWP offers greater control and flexibility but requires technical setup and maintenance, whereas ManageWP is easier to use but has less customizability.

Relative strengths of ManageWP (compared to MainWP)

Easier setup and use requiring less technical expertise.
Cloud-based, eliminating the need for server management and maintenance.
Offers a free plan for unlimited websites, providing a cost-effective starting point.

Relative weaknesses of ManageWP (compared to MainWP)

Less control over data and customization compared to self-hosted MainWP.
Users report slower loading times and syncing issues, potentially impacting workflow.
User reviews mention inconsistent automatic updates and less responsive support compared to MainWP.

Who should use ManageWP VS. MainWP

ManageWP offers a centralized platform for managing multiple WordPress websites. Streamlined updates, backups, and security monitoring are key features. While users appreciate the consolidated approach and affordable pricing, some have reported slow loading times, a cumbersome interface, and inconsistent automatic updates. Consider ManageWP if you need a budget-friendly solution for managing multiple WordPress sites, but be prepared for potential performance issues and occasional manual intervention.

MainWP offers a centralized platform for managing multiple WordPress websites. Users praise its self-hosted nature, bulk update features, and robust free version. However, some find the setup and UI challenging. Consider MainWP if you need a powerful, free solution for WordPress management, but be prepared for a learning curve.

Ideal for small to medium-sized agencies and developers managing multiple WordPress sites.
Well-suited for web development, marketing, e-commerce, and legal industries.

Ideal for small to medium businesses (1-1000 employees), but also suitable for larger enterprises.
A great fit for agencies, developers, and freelancers managing multiple WordPress websites.

ManageWP and MainWP features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

Centralized Management

Supported

ManageWP allows managing multiple websites from a single dashboard.

Supported

MainWP offers a central dashboard for managing multiple WordPress websites.
Passwordless Login

Not supported

ManageWP does not offer passwordless login but allows sharing access without revealing passwords.

Partially supported

MainWP does not directly support passwordless login, but it can be achieved through third-party WordPress plugins.
Bulk Updates

Supported

ManageWP allows bulk updates of core files, plugins, and themes.

Supported

MainWP allows bulk updates of core files, plugins, and themes.
Website Health Monitoring

Supported

ManageWP supports website health monitoring with performance checks, security scans, uptime monitoring, and link monitoring.

Supported

MainWP offers both site health and uptime monitoring with alerts.
Subdomain management

Partially supported

ManageWP supports managing subdomains as part of its multisite network management capabilities.

Not supported

MainWP manages WordPress sites on subdomains, but not the subdomains themselves.
Drag and drop editor

Not supported

ManageWP does not offer a drag-and-drop website builder. It offers drag-and-drop for dashboard widgets.

Partially supported

MainWP does not have a built-in drag and drop editor, but supports plugins that provide this feature.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

No data
Customer Service

No data

No data
Ease of Use

+0.5

Rather positive sentiment

No data
Reliability and Performance

+0

Neutral sentiment

No data
Ease of Implementation

No data

No data
Scalability

No data

No data

ManageWP and MainWP Pricing

ManageWP offers a free plan for unlimited websites and premium add-ons for enhanced functionality. Users can choose add-ons individually on a per-website basis or opt for bundles for up to 100 websites.

Plans

User sentiment

Strongly positive

See full Pricing page

MainWP offers two primary pricing plans: Essentials (free) and MainWP Pro, available in Monthly, Yearly, and Lifetime options. The Pro plan provides access to all premium extensions, priority support, and security updates. It caters to users managing unlimited WordPress websites.

Plans

See full Pricing page

ManageWP and MainWP review insights

108 reviews analysed from and

Users love

Easy management of multiple WordPress websites from a central dashboard.
Bulk updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress core.
Reliable backup and restore functionality.
Comprehensive reporting features for clients.
Affordable pricing with a generous free tier.

Self-hosted solution offering full data control.
Manage multiple WordPress sites from one dashboard.
Supports preferred plugins and tools.
Flawless plugin and theme updates.
Seamless Pagespeed integration.
Excellent client reporting (after customization).
Robust free version.
Responsive support.
Continuous improvement and innovation.
Strong focus on privacy and data protection.

Users dislike

Slow loading times and syncing issues across the platform.
Confusing and cumbersome interface, especially after the Orion update.
Inconsistent automatic updates, often requiring manual intervention.
Poor support responses, with delays and unhelpful solutions.
Unclear pricing structure, with hidden costs and nickel-and-diming for features.

Difficult setup process, especially Google Analytics integration.
Some 3rd party extensions are mediocre.
Reports look average, requiring manual styling.
Lacks a PHP version updater.
UI can be clunky and difficult to navigate.
Wordfence options are limited compared to the plugin.
PDF downloads of reports are not available.
Steep learning curve.

ManageWP and MainWP Ratings

G2

4.3/5

(62)
Capterra

4.8/5

(22)
TrustPilot

3.2/5

(15)

G2

4.7/5

(24)
TrustPilot

4.6/5

(19)

Company health

Employee growth

No data

20% decrease in the last year

Web traffic

No data

4% decrease in the last quarter

Financing

No data

How do ManageWP's automated updates compare to MainWP's in reliability?

ManageWP users frequently report inconsistent automatic updates requiring manual intervention. Conversely, MainWP users praise its "flawless plugin and theme updates." This suggests MainWP offers more reliable automated updates than ManageWP.

Which product offers better control and security, given MainWP's self-hosting and ManageWP's cloud basis?

MainWP, being self-hosted, offers significantly better control and security than ManageWP. With MainWP, all website data resides on the user's own server, giving them complete control over access and security measures. ManageWP, as a cloud-based service, inherently involves sharing data with a third party, introducing potential vulnerabilities and limitations on control.

What are the advantages of ManageWP?

ManageWP offers a simpler setup and a more user-friendly interface, especially for those less technically inclined, compared to MainWP's self-hosted nature which demands more technical expertise. ManageWP also provides a generous free tier allowing management of unlimited websites, while MainWP's free version is more limited, pushing users towards paid plans for advanced features. Finally, ManageWP offers integrated backup and restore functionality directly within its platform, whereas MainWP requires third-party extensions or manual solutions for this crucial aspect of website management.

What are the disadvantages of ManageWP?

ManageWP suffers from slow loading times, syncing issues, and a confusing interface, particularly after the Orion update. Users also report inconsistent automatic updates, requiring manual intervention. Furthermore, support is considered poor, with slow response times and unhelpful solutions. Finally, the pricing structure is unclear, with potential hidden costs.

Alternatives to ManageWP and MainWP

MalCare

MalCare is a website security service that automatically scans for and removes malware. It helps businesses prevent being blacklisted by Google or blocked by web hosts. Its standout features are its comprehensive scanning and automated malware removal, promising a secure website experience. However, it's important to note that MalCare focuses primarily on security and may need to be combined with other tools for a complete website management solution.

WordPress.com

WordPress.com is a website building platform that offers managed WordPress hosting, making it easy to create and manage websites without technical expertise. It provides various features such as website themes, plugins, and secure hosting. WordPress.com is known for its user-friendly interface, scalability, and a wide range of design options suitable for businesses and individuals. It's a popular choice for building anything from blogs to business websites.

CMS Commander

CMS Commander is a WordPress management tool that lets you control all your websites from one central dashboard. It allows you to update plugins and themes, manage content, monitor website traffic, and more, all in bulk. This saves you time and lets you focus on other tasks like creating content and growing your business. CMS Commander is best suited for businesses that manage multiple WordPress websites.

WPRemote

WPRemote is a web-based tool designed to simplify the management of multiple WordPress websites. It allows users to monitor and update WordPress core files, plugins, and themes from a central dashboard. Additionally, WPRemote facilitates both manual and automated website backups to ensure data security. Its focus is on providing businesses with a streamlined approach to maintaining their WordPress sites efficiently.

Glow

Glow is a management tool designed for agencies and developers handling numerous WordPress websites. It simplifies website maintenance tasks like security updates, content changes, and performance monitoring, allowing for bulk actions across multiple sites. Glow aims to improve communication with clients, streamline maintenance workflows, and demonstrate the value of these services through reporting and data visualization.

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of online productivity and collaboration tools for businesses of all sizes. It includes popular apps like Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet and more. Google Workspace aims to provide a seamless and integrated experience for communication, document creation, file storage, and team collaboration, all accessible from any device with an internet connection. It stands out with its user-friendly interface and strong collaboration features.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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