Plugin Update Checker
Plugin Update Checker: An open-source PHP library for adding release checks and WordPress update notices to your extensions. Ranked #10 of 22 in Plugins & Extensions Software by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for wordPress developers distributing their own plugins.
At a glance
- Editor score7.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forWordPress developers distributing their own plugins
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Extension focusCms
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Checks self-hosted JSON metadata and supported code-hosting repositories.
- Adds WordPress update notices and one-click upgrades for plugins and themes.
- Supports private repositories and release details such as changelogs and compatibility.
Where it doesn't
- Must be incorporated into a plugin or theme; it is not a hosted management service.
- Focuses on update metadata rather than broad extension administration.
- One-click upgrades are not automatic background installations.
Our verdict on Plugin Update Checker
Plugin Update Checker is an open-source PHP library for developers who distribute WordPress plugins or themes outside the official WordPress repository. Added to an extension’s code, it periodically checks an update-information URL or supported code-hosting repository for newer versions. WordPress then displays an update notice through its familiar interface and offers a one-click upgrade. This makes it a fit for developers who want to provide an update path for their own extensions, rather than for teams looking for a central service to manage a collection of third-party plugins.
Its update sources cover self-hosted JSON metadata as well as GitHub, Bitbucket, and GitLab repositories. For supported services, it can use releases, tags, or branches; authentication is available for private repositories. Release details can include the version, changelog, compatibility information, and other metadata. The workflow gives developers options for publishing updates from their own endpoint or an existing code host, while keeping notices and upgrades within WordPress. It checks for updates and offers one-click upgrades; that is distinct from automatic background installation.
There is no paid tier to weigh: the library is open source and free. The trade-off is scope and implementation: it must be incorporated into a plugin or theme, so it is not a standalone hosted service or broad extension-administration platform. Developers distributing their own WordPress extensions should consider it when they need repository-aware update checks and a familiar upgrade flow. Those seeking centralized management for extensions they did not develop, or automatic background installation, should look for a different approach.
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Plugin Update Checker pricing
Plugin Update Checker fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Extension focus | Cms |
| Host platforms | WordPress plugins and themes |
| Marketplace listing | Not verified |
| Automatic updates | Not verified |
| Permission controls | Not verified |
| Version rollback | Not verified |
| Visual builder | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: GitHub, Bitbucket, GitLab |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Plugin Update Checker integrations
Plugin Update Checker lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- Bitbucket
- GitLab
Alternatives to Plugin Update Checker
- ManageEngine Browser Security PlusBrowser extension controls, security policies, and reporting for managed endpoints.9.2
- Apache FelixA self-hosted OSGi runtime with bundle deployment, dependency resolution, and service management.9.0
- StevedoreA focused, open-source framework for discovering and dispatching Python extensions.8.7
See all Plugin Update Checker alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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