MainWP vs ManageWP

Introduction

Managing multiple WordPress websites can be a daunting task for agencies and freelancers alike. Fortunately, WordPress management software like MainWP and ManageWP offer solutions to streamline this process. In this article, we’ll compare these two popular platforms to help you determine which one best suits your needs.

What is WordPress management software?

WordPress management software allows you to control multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard. These tools are designed to simplify your workflow by providing a centralized location for essential tasks. Key features often include:

• Automated backups
• One-click updates for plugins, themes, and core files
• Performance monitoring
• Uptime monitoring
• Security checks and malware scanning
• Client reports

By consolidating these functions, you can save time, enhance security, and improve overall site performance without the hassle of managing each site individually.

TL;DR

MainWP is a self-hosted solution that requires multiple plugins to match the functionality offered by many alternatives in just one plugin. While it provides useful technical maintenance features that enhance efficiency, it lacks options for client support, making it more cumbersome to set up. ManageWP, on the other hand, remains reliable and outperforms many alternatives in the market. However, users have grown disgruntled with its lack of development in recent years, subpar support service, and its ownership by GoDaddy.

Let’s dig in.

Comparing MainWP and ManageWP

Key features

Feature	MainWP	ManageWP
Daily Backups	Yes (extension)	Yes (paid add-on)
Update Management	Yes	Yes
Performance Monitoring	Yes (extension, paid add-on)	Yes (paid add-on)
Uptime Monitoring	Yes (extension)	Yes (paid add-on)
Security Checks	Yes (extension)	Yes
Automated Client Reports	Yes (extension, paid add-on)	Yes (paid add-on)

User Interface

MainWP operates through a self-hosted WordPress dashboard, which can feel familiar but may become cluttered due to multiple extensions. ManageWP offers a cloud-based interface that’s clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate.

Security

Since MainWP is self-hosted, security largely depends on your hosting environment and practices. ManageWP handles security on their servers, offering regular security checks and alerts to keep your sites safe.

Pricing

MainWP provides a free core plugin, but additional features require purchasing extensions. ManageWP offers a free plan with basic features, and premium add-ons are available for a monthly fee per site.

Support

MainWP offers community forums and documentation, but some users report slower response times. ManageWP provides customer support, but recent feedback suggests a decline in support quality.

Our Opinion

As a self-hosted solution requiring multiple plugins to achieve the functionality offered by many alternatives in just one plugin, MainWP is certainly a more cumbersome product in terms of setup. It offers some really useful technical maintenance features that aid efficiency but it falls down in having no option to provide client support.
- Phil Storey, Founder of Glow

There’s no doubt ManageWP still outperforms many alternatives in the market in terms of reliability. However, its customer base have become disgruntled at its lack of development in recent years, as well as a below-par support service and the fact that it’s now owned by GoDaddy.
- Phil Storey, Founder of Glow

Introducing Glow

Almost all agencies need the same core set of tools to efficiently manage multiple WordPress sites: a support system, a maintenance system, client reporting, team collaboration, and time tracking. And with traditional WordPress management software, you can get some of those tools, but not all.

"We used to have time tracking, tickets & reporting across different tools. Glow centralises all this into one easy to use dashboard."
- Rick Makin, Head of Web Design, 21 Degrees Digital

When you manage your clients’ WordPress sites with Glow, everything is in one place. Your team is aligned, it’s super easy to carry out support and maintenance tasks and at the same time, consistently prove the value of your service to your clients.

Click here to download our free website report template and see what Glow can do for you.