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Disable Users

By Jared Atchison

User Management & Authentication / User Registration & Login

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Disable Users Review - In-Depth Analysis

Disable specific user accounts with a simple checkbox in profile settings. Ideal for managing user access during development or for unpaid invoices.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.85/10

User Rating

4.7/5 (based on 18+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

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

This plugin gives you the ability to disable specific user accounts via a profile setting.

Once installed and activated, a checkbox appears on the user profile settings (only for admins). When checked, the users account will be disabled and they will be unable to login with the account. If they try to login, they are instantly logged out and redirected to the login page with a message that notifies them their account is disabled.

This can be useful in a few situations.

You are working on a site for a client who has an account, but do not want him to login and/or make changes during development.

You have a client who has an unpaid invoice.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disable Users is a straightforward plugin focused on disabling user accounts without deletion, filling a niche that some alternatives attempt but do not fully address.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and easy to use with a checkbox to disable users
Fulfills a unique need not covered by WordPress core
Lightweight with minimal code, reducing potential conflicts
Positive user feedback highlights reliability and effectiveness

Weaknesses

Lacks advanced features like sortable disabled user lists
No updates for a while, which may concern some users
Limited to disabling users without additional user management options

User Sentiment Analysis

With a high rating of 4.7 out of 5 from 18 users and very few low ratings, users generally appreciate the plugin's simplicity and effectiveness.

Positive highlights

'Great idea for limiting access to others while doing updates or maintenance on the backend.' — skater4life80
'Does exactly what it says on the tin.' — Rufus McDufus
'Seems like a simple request, right? Disable a specific user account without deleting the user.' — jesselperry
'Works perfectly with WP 4.8.2.' — lobogc
'Good and simple.' — Jakob Helmer

Common complaints

Weaknesses

No sortable or easily viewable list of disabled users
Lack of recent updates may concern users about long-term support
Limited functionality beyond basic user disabling

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Site administrators who need a simple, no-frills solution to temporarily disable user accounts without deleting them.

Not ideal for

Users looking for advanced user management features or plugins with frequent updates and extended support.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes all core features needed to disable users easily via a checkbox.

Final Verdict

Disable Users is a reliable and straightforward plugin that effectively addresses the specific need to disable user accounts without deletion. Its simplicity and positive user feedback make it a valuable tool for administrators seeking minimalistic solutions.

While it lacks advanced features and recent updates, it remains a solid choice for those prioritizing ease of use and functionality without additional complexity. Alternatives exist for users needing more comprehensive user management.