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WordPress Beta Tester

By Andy Fragen

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Migration & Cloning

WordPress Beta Tester Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily upgrade your WordPress site to test upcoming versions. Switch between Nightly, Beta, or Release Candidate versions with a click.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.39/10

User Rating

4/5 (based on 47+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

Very Good 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 provides an easy way to get involved with beta testing WordPress.

Once installed it will enable you to upgrade your website to the latest Nightly, Beta, or Release Candidate at the click of a button using the built in upgrader.

By default once enabled it switches your website onto the point release update channel.

For the more adventurous there is the option to switch to the bleeding edge (trunk) of development.

Don't forget to backup before you start!

Please enable auto-updates for this plugin to ensure future changes are properly handled with core updates.

There is a setting to skip successful autoupdate emails. It functions to disable sending emails to the admin user for successful autoupdates. Only emails indicating failures of the autoupdate process are sent.

There is a setting to skip bundled plugins and themes. It functions to disable the installation of any plugins or themes that are bundled with the Core update.

PRs are welcome on GitHub.

Comparing to Alternatives

WordPress Beta Tester is a specialized plugin designed for users who want to test upcoming WordPress releases before they are officially launched. Compared to other plugins, it focuses solely on beta testing and early access to development versions.

Top alternatives

WordPress Beta Tester

Strengths

Provides early access to WordPress beta and release candidate versions
Easy to switch between different WordPress release streams
Officially maintained by the WordPress team
Helps developers and site owners prepare for upcoming changes

Weaknesses

Limited to beta testing functionality only
Not suitable for general site enhancement or security
No additional features beyond beta testing
Requires some technical knowledge to use effectively

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback for WordPress Beta Tester is generally positive, especially among developers and advanced users who appreciate early access to new WordPress versions.

Positive highlights

"Essential for testing my plugins with upcoming WordPress releases" - DevUser123
"Simple and reliable way to stay ahead with WordPress updates" - BetaFan
"Official plugin, so I trust the updates" - WPPro

Common complaints

Limited appeal for non-developers
Can cause site instability if not used carefully
Lack of extensive documentation for beginners

Weaknesses

Not user-friendly for casual users
Potential risks when running beta software on live sites

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers, testers, and advanced users who want to test upcoming WordPress versions and prepare their themes or plugins accordingly.

Not ideal for

Casual WordPress users or site owners who prefer stable, production-ready environments and are not comfortable with potential risks of beta software.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes full access to all beta and release candidate versions of WordPress, allowing users to test and provide feedback before official releases.

Final Verdict

WordPress Beta Tester is a niche but valuable plugin for those involved in WordPress development and testing. It offers a straightforward way to access and test upcoming WordPress versions, helping users stay ahead of changes.

However, it is not intended for general users or those who want a stable site environment. Its limited scope and potential risks mean it should be used with caution and primarily by those with technical expertise.