What plugins do you always install for WordPress projects?

Review
21

@Marlow
Yeah, Wordfence can feel a bit too heavy on the server.

22

Tobi said:
@Marlow
Yeah, Wordfence can feel a bit too heavy on the server.

Have you tried Spam Protection by CleanTalk? It’s pretty good too.

23

The first thing I always install is a backup plugin. Everything else is secondary.

For older sites, I also include caching and image optimization plugins to improve performance.

24

Francis said:
The first thing I always install is a backup plugin. Everything else is secondary.

For older sites, I also include caching and image optimization plugins to improve performance.

I love the phrase ‘15-year-old warhorse of a site’—so relatable!

25

Here’s my list:

  • WP Rocket (paid)
  • Gravity Forms
  • Rank Math
  • Query Monitor (for dev work)
  • EWWW Optimizer (for images)
26

Lake said:
Here’s my list:

  • WP Rocket (paid)
  • Gravity Forms
  • Rank Math
  • Query Monitor (for dev work)
  • EWWW Optimizer (for images)

EWWW is an amazing optimizer. Works better than most alternatives I’ve tried.

27

@Bela
Totally agree—it’s super reliable.