/ Plugin Category

/ Site Administration & Utilities

/ URL Redirects & 301 Management

/ WP Debugging

WP Debugging

By Andy Fragen

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

WP Debugging Review - In-Depth Analysis

A support/troubleshooting plugin for WordPress.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.09/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 21+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

5.1 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin sets the following debug constants in wp-config.php on plugin activation and removes them on plugin deactivation. Any errors will result in a PHP Exception being thrown. Debug constants per Debugging in WordPress.

Default settings include enabling WP_DEBUG_LOG, SCRIPT_DEBUG, and SAVEQUERIES. When the plugin is active, display_errors is set to 1. WP_DEBUG is set to true initially and can be turned off in the Settings.

The Settings page allows users to configure WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY and WP_DISABLE_FATAL_ERROR_HANDLER. Deactivating the plugin attempts to restore pre-existing constants. The plugin uses wp-cli/wp-config-transformer for writing constants to wp-config.php.

Debug Quick Look is included for reading the debug.log file. Query Monitor and Debug Bar plugins are optional dependencies for debugging. If wp-config.php is in a non-standard location, a filter is available to specify the file path.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP Debugging stands out as a straightforward and effective tool for enabling WordPress debugging features, especially when compared to other debugging plugins.

Top alternatives

WP Debugging

Strengths

Lightweight and easy to use with minimal configuration.
Integrates well with other tools like Query Monitor.
Effectively enables WP_DEBUG and related constants for troubleshooting.
Helps identify issues quickly through error logging.

Weaknesses

Limited to enabling debugging constants without advanced debugging interfaces.
No built-in error management or visualization features.
Lacks a pro version with extended capabilities.
Does not provide direct support or premium features.

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback highlights the plugin's reliability and simplicity, making it a favorite among developers and site maintainers.

Positive highlights

"Absolutely essential for debugging – saved me countless times!" – Mehraz Morshed
"Perfect + nice + awesome plugins…" – dglite
"Helpful, light-weight plugin" – pic2click
"Very useful!" – Pulak Ahmed
"Makes debugging so much easier." – ld2digital

Common complaints

Limited functionality beyond enabling debugging constants.
No advanced debugging tools included.
Lack of a paid version means no premium support or features.

Weaknesses

No graphical interface for error logs.
Does not handle error resolution, only detection.
No customization options for debugging output.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers and site administrators who need a simple, reliable way to enable WordPress debugging constants and quickly identify issues.

Not ideal for

Users seeking a comprehensive debugging suite with advanced features, graphical interfaces, or premium support options.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides essential debugging features by enabling WP_DEBUG and related constants, sufficient for most troubleshooting needs.

Final Verdict

WP Debugging is a no-frills, effective plugin that simplifies enabling WordPress debugging features, making it invaluable for developers and site maintainers.

While it lacks advanced tools and a premium version, its lightweight design and ease of use make it a dependable choice for basic debugging needs.