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Plugins Garbage Collector (Database Cleanup)

By Vladimir Garagulya

Site Administration & Utilities / Database Management & Cleanup

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Plugins Garbage Collector (Database Cleanup) Review - In-Depth Analysis

This plugin helps find unused database tables from deactivated or deleted plugins. It reduces database volume and enhances site performance.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.83/10

User Rating

4.4/5 (based on 92+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The Database Cleanup plugin scans the database and shows the tables beyond the core WordPress installation. Some WordPress plugins create and use their own database tables. These tables are often left in your database after plugin deactivation and deletion.

With the help of this plugin, you can check your database and discover if it is clean or not. Extra columns added to the core WordPress tables could also be shown.

For more information about the 'Plugins Garbage Collector' plugin, you can visit the documentation page.

Comparing to Alternatives

Plugins Garbage Collector (Database Cleanup) is a specialized tool for cleaning up leftover plugin data in WordPress databases. It competes with several well-known database cleanup plugins that offer broader or different optimization features.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effectively detects and removes unused tables from deleted plugins.
Simple and straightforward user interface.
No upsells or ads, fully functional in free version.
Works reliably even without recent updates.
Helps maintain a clean and optimized database after plugin removals.

Weaknesses

Has not been updated for over three years, raising compatibility concerns.
Developer support is minimal or inactive.
Known medium severity security vulnerability was fixed only recently.
Limited to cleaning plugin leftover tables, lacks broader database optimization features.

User Sentiment Analysis

With an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 92 reviews, most users appreciate the plugin's effectiveness and simplicity. Positive feedback highlights its reliability and ease of use, while negative reviews are minimal and do not indicate widespread issues.

Positive highlights

'Plugins Garbage Collector keeps on working' - nealumphred
'Very easy use' - oodall
'Great plugin without upsells/ads' - veppa
'Did the job well' - Niharika Verma
'Very useful plugin' - wupples

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Lack of recent updates may affect compatibility with newer WordPress versions.
Limited developer support and responsiveness.
Previously had a medium severity security vulnerability (CSRF) now fixed.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who have frequently installed and removed plugins over time and want to clean up leftover database tables easily without ads or upsells.

Not ideal for

Users seeking a fully maintained plugin with active support or those needing comprehensive database optimization beyond plugin leftovers. Also not ideal for security-conscious users preferring plugins with a spotless vulnerability history.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes full functionality to detect and delete unused plugin tables from the database without any ads or upsells.

Final Verdict

Plugins Garbage Collector (Database Cleanup) is a reliable and straightforward solution for cleaning up leftover plugin data in WordPress databases. Its simplicity and lack of ads make it appealing, especially for users who frequently test and remove plugins. However, the lack of recent updates and minimal developer support may pose risks for long-term compatibility and security.

While it has a known fixed security vulnerability, it remains a useful tool for targeted database cleanup. Users seeking broader database optimization or active maintenance might consider alternatives, but for focused plugin table cleanup, this plugin offers good value at no cost.