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WP Updates Notifier

By Scott Cariss

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Health & Diagnostics

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

WP Updates Notifier Review - In-Depth Analysis

WP Updates Notifier sends email notifications for updates on your WordPress site. It monitors core, plugin, and theme updates.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.9/10

User Rating

4.2/5 (based on 35+ reviews)

Active Installations

30,000+

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

WP Updates Notifier is a plugin that monitors your WordPress installation for core, plugin, and theme updates. It sends you email notifications when updates are available. This is especially useful if you do not log in to your WordPress admin regularly or if you manage a client's website.

With this plugin, you can set the frequency of update checks to hourly, twice daily, or daily. It ensures that you are informed about updates sooner. You can choose to be notified about updates only for active themes and plugins. Additionally, it removes the upgrade nag message for non-admin users.

WP Updates Notifier is a fork of the Update Notifier plugin, featuring significant improvements such as a complete rewrite, better code organization, customizable cron intervals, and the ability to set multiple email addresses for notifications. It also includes various hooks and filters for advanced users and is actively supported and developed.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP Updates Notifier is a straightforward plugin for update notifications with a few direct alternatives available that offer similar functionalities.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and effective notification system
Includes email notifications with detailed changelogs
Compatible with plugins and themes
Lightweight with no unnecessary features
Good for managing multiple websites

Weaknesses

Core update notifications have not worked reliably for over a year
User interface is somewhat outdated and unattractive
Lack of recent updates raises concerns about ongoing support
Limited features compared to some alternatives

User Sentiment Analysis

With a majority of positive reviews (over 80% 4-5 stars), users appreciate the plugin's simplicity and effectiveness, though a minority report issues with core update notifications and lack of recent updates.

Positive highlights

"Just works" - titizebioutifoul
"Works great! Should be installed by default in Wordpress!" - Anonymous User
"Simple, no excess fluff. I like the email notifications, points to Details, Changelog on each plugin, states compatibility." - Mel – Jett Web Development
"I get notified whenever a plugin needs to be updated. Perfect!" - rgallini
"Essential plugin to manage many sites... EXCELLENT!" - WebePc Gianluca Molina

Common complaints

Core update notifications have not worked for over a year

Weaknesses

Outdated user interface
Lack of recent updates and uncertain future support
Core update notifications unreliable

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a simple, no-frills plugin to receive email notifications about plugin and theme updates, especially those managing multiple WordPress sites.

Not ideal for

Users who require reliable core update notifications or expect frequent plugin updates and modern interface improvements.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides basic update notifications for plugins and themes via email, including changelog details and compatibility information.

Final Verdict

WP Updates Notifier is a straightforward and effective plugin for receiving update notifications, particularly valued for its simplicity and usefulness in managing multiple sites. Its free offering includes useful email alerts and changelog details, making it a solid choice for users who prioritize ease of use over advanced features.

However, the plugin's outdated interface and unreliable core update notifications, coupled with a lack of recent updates, may deter users seeking a more modern and actively maintained solution. Alternatives with more frequent updates and broader features might better serve those needs.