/ Plugin Category

/ User Management & Authentication

/ User Registration & Login

/ Persistent Login

Persistent Login

By lukeseager

User Management & Authentication / User Registration & Login

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Persistent Login Review - In-Depth Analysis

Persistent Login keeps users logged into your website, limiting active logins and alerting users of new device logins.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.67/10

User Rating

3.9/5 (based on 26+ reviews)

Active Installations

6,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

5.5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Persistent Login keeps users logged into your website unless they explicitly choose to log out. It allows you to limit the number of active logins each user can have, and it alerts users of logins from new devices.

This plugin requires little setup, just install and save your users time by keeping them logged in securely, avoiding the annoyance of forgetting usernames and passwords.

For added security, users can visit their Profile page in the WP Admin area to see how many sessions they have, what device was used, and when they were last active. The user can choose to end any session with the click of a button.

Comparing to Alternatives

Persistent Login offers a unique approach to maintaining user sessions, but there are several other plugins that provide similar functionality with different features and focuses.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Effectively keeps users logged in to reduce login friction.
Regularly updated to maintain compatibility and security.
Includes a premium version with advanced features like limiting active logins.
Good support with customization options for pro users.
Works well on membership sites to improve user experience.

Weaknesses

Known conflicts with popular plugins like Yoast SEO causing fatal errors.
Free version is limited to a one-year login duration.
Security vulnerabilities have been identified and fixed in updates, indicating past risks.
Reports of session mixing causing privilege escalation issues.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a rating of 3.9 out of 5 based on 26 reviews, the plugin has a majority of positive feedback but also notable negative experiences, especially reflected in the 1-star reviews.

Positive highlights

"Does what it says, brilliantly" - lifeworksgroup
"Awesome Plugin, Even Better Support!" - withlovingarms
"Brilliant, works as described, smooth thank you!" - humananimal
"Makes life better by removing login friction" - lbdesign

Common complaints

Plugin conflicts with Yoast SEO causing fatal error 500.
Free version is limited to a single one-year login duration.
Session mixing issues leading to users receiving admin privileges.

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities have been reported in past versions.
Compatibility issues with popular plugins causing site errors.
Limited functionality in the free version.
Session management bugs affecting user roles and security.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Site owners who want to improve user experience by keeping users logged in longer, especially on membership or tutorial sites, and who are comfortable updating plugins regularly to maintain security.

Not ideal for

Users who rely heavily on Yoast SEO or other plugins known to conflict with Persistent Login, or those who require a fully secure and bug-free session management without risk of privilege escalation.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version allows users to stay logged in with a fixed one-year limit on session duration, providing basic persistent login functionality.

Pro version

Offers advanced features such as setting limits on the number of active logins and customization options for login session management.

Final Verdict

Persistent Login is a solid choice for site owners seeking to reduce login friction and improve user experience, especially on membership sites. It benefits from active development and responsive support, with a pro version that adds valuable features. However, users should be aware of past security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues, particularly with popular plugins like Yoast SEO.

While the plugin excels in its core function and has many satisfied users, the presence of serious past security issues and reports of session mixing require cautious use. Those needing guaranteed compatibility and security might consider alternatives, but Persistent Login remains a strong option for those willing to manage updates and potential conflicts.