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Plugin Update Checker review

Free#10 of 22 in Plugins & Extensions Software

An open-source PHP library for adding release checks and WordPress update notices to your extensions.

7.4/10Editor score
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Plugin Update Checker7.4 Visit site

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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.

Plugin Update Checker pros and cons

  • 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.

Plugin Update Checker fact sheet, pricing and score →

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