Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades Review - In-Depth Analysis
Easily upgrade your themes and plugins using zip files without removing the theme or plugin first.
Performance Overview
User Rating
4.7/5 (based on 117+
reviews)
Active Installations
70,000+
Update Frequency
Below Average
It is calculated using the weighted average of same category
plugins.
Security Score
1 / 10
(Very Low Risk)
It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.
What It Does
WordPress has a built-in feature to install themes and plugins by supplying a zip file. Unfortunately, you cannot upgrade a theme or plugin using the same process. Instead, WordPress will say 'destination already exists' when trying to upgrade using a zip file and will fail to upgrade the theme or plugin.
Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades fixes this limitation in WordPress by automatically upgrading the theme or plugin if it already exists.
While upgrading, a backup copy of the old theme or plugin is first created. This allows you to install the old version in case of problems with the new version.
Attention: Version 2.0.0 changed the functionality of the plugin. You are no longer required to select 'Yes' from a drop down before the theme or plugin can be upgraded. The need for an upgrade is now detected automatically. So, if you are used to the old functionality of the plugin, do not be concerned about the absence of upgrade details on the theme and plugin upload pages. Simply upload the theme or plugin as if you were installing it, and the plugin will automatically handle upgrading as needed.
Comparing to Alternatives
Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades is a straightforward tool designed to simplify the update process for themes and plugins, standing out for its simplicity compared to other update management plugins.
Strengths
- Simple and easy to use interface
- Effectively handles theme and plugin upgrades
- Compatible with recent WordPress versions
- No complex setup required
Weaknesses
- Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
- Occasional issues reported with plugin header validation
- No active development or updates recently
- Lacks integration with automated update systems
User Sentiment Analysis
User feedback on Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades is mixed, highlighting both its utility and some persistent issues.
Positive highlights
- 'Really helpful' - andrewmwnk
- 'Quite useful.' - Ivan William Pfeifer
- 'Does what it is supposed to do' on WP 6.4.2 - chrisbizonline
- 'Great plugin used for years' - Topher
Common complaints
- Plugin header validation errors causing update failures
- Slow or infrequent updates from developers
- Not working properly for some users
- Functionality now largely replaced by WordPress core updates
Weaknesses
- Inconsistent performance across different environments
- Lack of recent maintenance and support
Who Should Use This?
Best for
Users who need a simple and direct tool to upgrade themes and plugins without complex features.
Not ideal for
Those looking for advanced update management, automated update workflows, or active plugin support and development.
Pricing & Value
Free version includes
The free version offers basic functionality to upgrade themes and plugins easily without additional costs.
Final Verdict
Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades provides a straightforward solution for managing theme and plugin upgrades, appreciated for its simplicity and ease of use.
However, with WordPress core now handling many update tasks and some reported issues, users may find limited value unless they specifically need its unique features.
Other Notable Features
Here are a few other notable features of this free
Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades plugin.
FAQ
Starting with version 2.0.0, this plugin no longer requires that a drop down is used to indicate that an upgrade is to be performed. The plugin now can determine if an upgrade is required automatically. This change not only streamlines the process for many users, it also fixed compatibility issues that some users experienced with older versions.
- Download the latest zip file for your theme.
- Log into your WordPress site.
- Go to Appearance > Themes.
- Click the “Add New” button at the top of the page.
- Click the “Upload Theme” button at the top of the page.
- Select the zip file with the new theme version to install.
- Click the “Install Now” button.
- Download the latest zip file for your plugin.
- Log into your WordPress site.
- Go to Plugins > Add New.
- Click the “Upload Plugin” button at the top of the page.
- Select the zip file with the new plugin version to install.
- Click the “Install Now” button.
- Log into your WordPress site.
- Go to Media > Library.
- Type “backup” into the search input and press the “Enter” key.
- Find the desired backup from the resulting list.
- Click the title of the desired backup.
- The URL to the backup file is listed on the right side of the page under “File URL”. You can copy and paste that URL into your browser’s URL bar in order to start a download.
Contributors and developers
“Easy Theme and Plugin Upgrades”
is open source software. The following people have
contributed to this plugin.
