Best WordPress Plugins For Blogs report, provides details on the best plugins and WordPress alpha, beta, release candidate and stable version.
Last Updated: September 3, 2024
Latest News: Updated the documentation.
The following list of plugins are the plugins I use in all my projects. Some of these plugins are currently used in this blog. Most are free open source plugins found in WordPress repository. A few plugins are commercial plugins I recommend.
First Time Blogging Revision Update Tutorials:
- First time blogging using WordPress
- WordPress Plugins Compatibility
Best WordPress Plugins For Blogs
Some of the plugins below have been tested with the current WordPress version 6.5.2. I have not done an extensive test with all plugins. In regards to some plugins, the community have reported that they work with the latest version. If I find any issues or the issues are reported in the wordpress.org site, I will also share it here for you to know.
The following URL Release Archives shows you all the versions released by WordPress since the beginning.
I only add the plugins that are well supported, are continually updated, have no security issues and they receive prompt replies by the developers or other WordPress community supporters. If you find a plugin added to the list and it is contrary to the above, it is because the plugin still works well, does what is meant to do and it does not represent a security issue.
WordPress Plugins Legend
WordPress Version Legend:
- Current Version: Navy Blue colour, these plugins are compatible with the current stable versions 6.6, 6.5, 6.4, 6.3, 6.2, 6.1 and 6.0. Note: I don’t recommend older versions of WordPress. You should update to the latest version as soon as possible.
- Development Version: Royal Blue color, these plugins are compatible with Alpha, Beta and RC versions. Current development version 6.7 Alpha.
- Red information, extra information on individual plugins for your own interest.
Information: Remember not to have too many plugins added to your website. The more plugins you add the more request and processing resources your site requires to use from your server.
Please read the following link Help Support WordPress Plugins And Themes Developers to help support the developers.
Recommended Tools:
- Plugin Tests = This tool can be used to test if the plugin works with the latest WordPress version.
- Jetpack Protect = Jetpack Protect is a free security plugin for WordPress that scans your site and warns you about vulnerabilities, keeping your site one step ahead of security threats and malware.
WordPress Plugins List
Note: If you don’t know how to install a plugin, please click on the following URL How To Install WordPress Plugins.
- Accessibility
- Administration
- Advertising
- Affiliate
- Anti-Spam
- Audio Player
- Backup
- Broken Link Checker
- Business Directory
- Cache
- Contact Forms
- Custom CSS
- Data Tables
- Debug Troubleshooting
- Donations
- Event Organizer
- WP Insert Snippet Plugins
- Jetpack
- Lightbox
- Membership
- Mobile
- Optimize CSS And JS
- Optimize Database
- Optimize Images
- Performance
- Pricing Tables
- Redirect
- RSS Feed
- Security
- SEO
- Shopping Cart And eCommerce
- Shortcodes
- Slideshow And Image Display
- SMTP Mailer
- Social Network
- Social Sharing Buttons
- Subscription
- SSL Checking
- Online Visitors Statistics
- Taxonomy Filtering
- Tracking Code
- Translation
- Visual Editor
Recommended Troubleshooting Steps
Some plugins and themes may not be compatible with the current version of WordPress. It is recommended that you create a backup before you upgrade any plugins or theme. I always recommend to have a development testing platform in place. For example: If you are using Windows you can set up Xampp locally. This helps you test your plugins and themes. Also, using a development testing platform will reduce the possibility of running into major issues in your live site.
The following links can help you troubleshoot many issues you might run into when updating WordPress.
Recommended Links:
- Install the following plugin Better Plugin Compatibility Control. This plugin will let you know if your plugins are compatible with the latest WordPress version.
- Install the following plugin Health Check plugin and find out what is going on in the background of your site.
- Click the following link enabling WP_DEBUG to learn how to enable wp debug option.
- Click the following link forum post. This post was shared by one of WordPress administrators.
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This list will change from time to time and it will grow with more plugins added. Please keep coming back to review the changes and additions.
If you have a questions please let me know
Enjoy.
I have been working in IT since 1999 and I enjoy the challenges it brings me. I love developing websites with WordPress. I spend a lot of time helping out in wordpress.org forums. I have been writing tutorials since 2011. Now I am learning how to manage my own VPS "Virtual Private Server.
It is good to be updated when it comes to wordpress plug-ins. You will be able to secure and harden your blog security by always updating these things.
Thank you James for your comment. Keeping plugins up to date is very important for the stability and security of your WordPress website.
Hello Manuel,
Thank you for your great introduction to the WP Plugins you are using. It help us a lot as we are new into WP. We normally use Joomla.
There is one Plugin for SEO I am missing on your list All-in-One-SEO-Package or WordPress SEO by Yoast. I had hope to find one of them on your list to help us deciding which one we shall use.
Hello Jason, thank you for your comment. Sorry I missed adding WordPress SEO by Yoast. This is the plugin that I recommend for SEO and it works extremely well with my theme, suffusion. If you require any more information please let me know. I will be glad to assist you further and helping you with WordPress. I also have worked and still work with Joomla. Both platforms are great but WordPress wins me over all the time :)
A family member linked me to your resource. Thanks for the details.
Thank you for your comment.
Hello Manuel
Can you help me?
I want to protect my Website with Better WP Security but i am confused in the settings. I mean what options should i enable?
Sorry for my bad english.
Hello vsg24, yes I agree there are many settings to configure with Better WP Security. First thing first, 1) Enable the plugin and under dashboard make sure you select default settings then just keep track of what the dashboard says and you will know which other options to enable or not. Also make sure you create a backup before you install this plugin just in case it breaks your website.
If you need more specific settings simply let me know which area you wish to know more about and I will share with your my configuration.
Kind regards
I want to install a simple page like counter plugin with no comments option that is compatible with WordPress 3.7.1, where people simply go to my page click the like button and the count appears beside the button on the page. I have Jetpack which gives me a like button on each page which requires people to sign in to WordPress. I want to know whether they like my pages – not WordPress. Please advise.
Hello Ian Coburn thank you for your question. The only plugin that I know of is http://wordpress.org/plugins/i-recommend-this/. It has not been tested with WordPress 3.7.1 but the developer is very active. It does state that it is compatible with WordPress 3.6.1 and it was updated on the 21-10-2013. I would test this on a testing site first unless you trust it and test it on your website. Always create a backup just in case something goes wrong.
Kind regards