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Error Log Monitor

By Janis Elsts

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Health & Diagnostics

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Error Log Monitor Review - In-Depth Analysis

Displays the latest PHP error log messages in a Dashboard widget. Sends email notifications for logged errors.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.02/10

User Rating

4.3/5 (based on 48+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

6.53 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin adds a Dashboard widget that displays the latest messages from your PHP error log. It can also send you email notifications about newly logged errors.

Features include automatic detection of error log location, configurable number of displayed log entries, and the option to clear the log file. The dashboard widget is only visible to administrators and is optimized to work well with large log files.

To use the plugin, install it and enable the 'PHP Error Log' widget through the 'Screen Options' panel on the Dashboard. Email notifications are disabled by default but can be configured through the widget settings.

Comparing to Alternatives

Error Log Monitor is a solid choice for monitoring error logs but faces competition from similar plugins offering overlapping features.

Top alternatives

Error Log Viewer by BestWebSoft ( WPS: 6.94)

Strengths

Provides powerful filtering options like ignore or fixed to focus on important log messages
Easy to use interface for monitoring errors
Quick response to user feedback with feature enhancements
Helps extract valuable information from complex log data

Weaknesses

Known security vulnerabilities in older versions requiring updates
Lacks a clearly promoted pro version despite some mentions in reviews
Some users find the widget implementation unpractical
Error messages could be improved for server setup and access rights issues

User Sentiment Analysis

With a strong majority of 5-star ratings, users generally appreciate the plugin's functionality and helpfulness, though a minority express frustration with certain aspects.

Positive highlights

'Nice plugin! Makes it easy to keep up with errors.' — John Dorner
'Both Free and Pro and very helpful.' — enmatthias
'With powerful options like ignore or fixed to filter messages one can focus on what needs attention.' — Barry Brunning
'A suggested enhancement to make the monitor more readable has been delivered quickly.' — Barry Brunning

Common complaints

Blocks its own deactivation to force a feedback prompt, which frustrates some users

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities reported in past versions
Error messages can be unclear in certain server setups
Widget implementation is considered unpractical by some users

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need a straightforward and effective tool to monitor and filter PHP error logs within WordPress.

Not ideal for

Those who require a plugin with robust security assurances or dislike plugins that restrict deactivation without feedback.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers comprehensive error log monitoring with filtering capabilities and user-friendly features.

Final Verdict

Error Log Monitor is a reliable and user-friendly plugin that effectively helps users monitor and manage PHP error logs. It offers valuable filtering options and has received positive feedback for its ease of use and responsiveness to feature requests. However, users should be aware of past security vulnerabilities and the plugin's approach to deactivation, which may not suit everyone.

While it competes well with alternatives like Error Log Viewer by BestWebSoft, the lack of a clearly promoted pro version and some usability concerns may lead some users to consider other options. Overall, it remains a strong choice for those prioritizing functionality and straightforward error monitoring.