Any free alternatives for these WordPress plugins?

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to set up my WordPress site while keeping costs low. I’ve been using some popular plugins, but I’m wondering if there are good free alternatives to these that can still get the job done:

  • Yoast SEO: It’s great for optimizing, but I’m curious if there’s a solid free option.
  • UpdraftPlus: I’ve used it for backups, but maybe there’s a free plugin that works just as well.
  • Optimole: It’s handy for image optimization, but I’m open to other free image tools.
  • Revive Old Post: Automating social media shares is useful, but a free alternative would be ideal.
  • WP Rocket: It’s great for speeding up my site, but are there any free caching plugins that compare?
  • Elementor: Love the drag-and-drop feature, but is there a free builder that’s as good?
  • WPForms: I need contact forms, but I’d prefer something free.
  • MonsterInsights: Tracking analytics is a must, but a free plugin would help with the budget.

If you’ve used any great free alternatives to these, I’d love to hear your suggestions. Thanks so much for your help!

  • Yoast → The SEO Framework
  • UpdraftPlus → Duplicator (but note the size limits)
  • Optimole → Modern Image Formats (like the WebP plugin)
  • WP Rocket → WP Super Cache or Debloat
  • Elementor → GeneratePress with GenerateBlocks or Full Site Editing
  • WPForms → Forminator
  • MonsterInsights → AWStats for analytics

These should cover most of what you need for free.

@Morgan
WPVivid Backup is a better free option for unlimited backups compared to Duplicator.

Levi said:
@Morgan
WPVivid Backup is a better free option for unlimited backups compared to Duplicator.

You’re right! WPVivid is a great alternative. Thanks for pointing that out.

@Morgan
Be aware that Duplicator’s free version has a limit of 500MB, which can be an issue for larger sites.

I use Rank Math for SEO—it’s free and has more features than the free version of Yoast. For images, I optimize and convert them to WebP before uploading. I also handle backups manually using FileZilla and phpMyAdmin.

@Diya
Converter for Media is a great free tool for WebP conversions. Highly recommend it.

  • SEO: Rank Math has more free features than Yoast.
  • Image Optimization: Use TinyPNG for up to 500 images/month for free.
  • Caching: W3 Total Cache has a solid free version.
  • Forms: Contact Form 7 is simple and free.
  • Analytics: You don’t really need a plugin—just add Google Analytics manually or with Google Tag Manager.

@Skyler
How do you use Google Tag Manager with WordPress? Does it require a plugin?

Morgan said:
@Skyler
How do you use Google Tag Manager with WordPress? Does it require a plugin?

No need for a plugin. Just copy the tracking code Google provides and add it manually to your theme or use a header/footer plugin if you’re not comfortable editing files.

Keep in mind that many of these plugins have free versions. Developers need support to maintain them, but you can usually get by with the free tools unless you need premium features.

Brady said:
Keep in mind that many of these plugins have free versions. Developers need support to maintain them, but you can usually get by with the free tools unless you need premium features.

No shame in looking for free options, especially when starting out. Sometimes free tools are all you need!

Did you know UpdraftPlus has a free version? Same for most of the plugins on your list—they all have free versions with decent features.