Need to streamline your development process by using a staging site?
By the end of this article, you will know the best staging plugins that will simplify your site's development and maintenance.
Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside:
What staging plugins are The best WordPress staging plugins Insights into their key features and pricing Ready? Let's get started!
What is a staging plugin?
Basically, a staging plugin is a tool used in website development to create an exact copy or “staging site” of a live website.
This staging site is hidden from the public and serves as a secure platform for testing new features and other changes without impacting the live site.
A staging plugin is particularly useful for developers as it provides a safe sandbox for evaluating changes before transitioning to the live environment.
Best Staging Plugins for WordPress
There are quite a few staging plugins out there — many of them you’re already familiar with if you’re using a backup plugin.
👉 Related : Best WordPress Backup Plugins: Overview + Key Features
1. BlogVault
BlogVault offers an integrated staging environment , among other features.
This staging feature allows users to create a staging site with a single click.
Being used in over 450,000 websites, BlogVault is a trusted solution for creating and managing staging sites.
💻 Key features
Integrated staging environment : Allows users to create a staging site with a single click.Staging site management : Provides an easy-to-use interface, including options to merge changes to the live site or discard the staging site after testing.Staging for large sites : Can handle staging for large websites without server load issues.Secure staging : The staging sites are password-protected and hidden from search engines.Staging with migrations : Integrated with BlogVault’s migration service.
💰 Pricing
BlogVault's staging feature is included in all of its pricing plans.
The pricing for a 1-site license ranges from $149 per year to $499 per year .
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2. UpdraftClone
UpdraftClone feature provided by the popular WordPress backup and restoration plugin, UpdraftPlus.
It operates on a token system, where tokens can be purchased and used to create and maintain a cloned site for a specified period.
If you’re already using UpdraftPlus, this is the most logical plugin to go with.
💻 Key features
Ease of use : Allows users to create a clone of their site directly from the UpdraftPlus settings without needing advanced technical knowledge.Cloud-based VPS server : The cloned sites are hosted on a cloud-based VPS server, which is more reliable and efficient than other hosting solutions.Token-based system : Works on a token basis, where you can purchase tokens to create a clone for a specific duration.UpdraftClone keys : These keys allow you to create a clone using your tokens without sharing your account credentials.Integrated with UpdraftPlus : Makes it convenient for users who are already using UpdraftPlus for backups and migrations.
💰 Pricing
The current pricing for UpdraftClone subscription starts at $12 for a 4-week period , which includes 5 tokens.
Tokens can also be purchased separately through the one-time payment options, with prices starting at $15 for a bundle of five tokens .
Additionally, UpdraftPlus Premium includes UpdraftClone tokens, with prices starting at $70 per year for the Personal plan , which includes 1 free token.
3. WP Staging
WP Staging all-in-one backup, staging, and duplicator plugin for WordPress.
It supports all popular web servers, including Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and LiteSpeed Server, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of hosting environments.
WP Staging is designed to be user-friendly and doesn't require any technical knowledge to use.
💻 Key features
Exact copy creation : Allows you to create an exact copy of your website, including the entire database, for staging or development purposes.Backup and cloning : Allows you to create a full backup of the whole file system and the database in a working state that you can open.Support for all popular web servers : Supports all popular web servers, including Apache, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, and LiteSpeed Server.Extensive logging features : Offers extensive logging features, which can be useful for troubleshooting and understanding the activities on your site.
💰 Pricing
The WP Staging plugin offers a free version .
However, you need to go pro if you plan on moving your your staging site to your live site or clone to an external database, subdomain, or custom subdomain
The pro packages range from $96 to $323 per year , billed annually.
4. WPVivid
WPVivid simplify the process of creating backups, transferring websites, and setting up staging environments.
With WPVivid, users can create an exact copy of their site in a subdirectory, subdomain, or even on a completely different domain.
The plugin supports both manual and scheduled backups , and it can handle websites of any size without limitations on the number of files or the size of the database.
💻 Key features
Push staging to live : Provides the option to easily push the staging site to the live site, which ensures a smooth transition of changes with minimal downtime.Staging site management : Offers comprehensive staging site management tools, which allow users to create, delete, and restore staging sites as needed.Staging for multisite networks : Supports the creation of staging sites for WordPress multisite networks.Staging on subdomains or different domains : Users can create a staging site in a subdirectory, a subdomain, or even on a completely different domain.
💰 Pricing
WPVivid offers both free and premium versions .
The premium version, WPVivid Backup & Migration Pro, comes with advanced features and is available in different plans ranging from $49 to $149 per year .
There are also lifetime plans available, with one-time payment options ranging from $99 to $299 depending on the number of domains and features required.
5. All-in-One WP Migration
All-in-One WP Migration trusted and widely used WordPress plugin , with over 60 million websites utilizing its services.
While it's not specifically designed for staging, its user-friendly migration tools help create a staging site.
The plugin is compatible with most WordPress plugins , which ensures a smooth migration process without cross-plugin compatibility issues.
💻 Key features
User-friendly interface : Designed to be easy to use, even for non-technical users.Broad compatibility : Has been extensively tested and confirmed to be compatible with most WordPress plugins.Intelligent auto-replacement : Offers an intelligent and flawless auto-replacement of website URL during import to ensure a smooth migration process.Support for all file types : Supports all kinds of files, such as custom uploads, plugins, and theme folders.Bypass size restrictions : Allows you to upload or download the site data in chunks to overcome file size restrictions.
💰 Pricing
All-in-One WP Migration offers both free and premium versions .
The premium version is currently priced at $69 per year for unlimited extensions.
6. WP Stagecoach
WP Stagecoach specialized WordPress staging plugin , designed to cater to both beginners and advanced users.
This plugin stands out with its ‘database merge' feature, which allows users to push updates to the live site without overwriting the entire database.
Said feature preserves any new content or transactions that occurred on the live site during the staging process.
💻 Key features
One-click staging : Offers a one-click staging site creation.Database merge feature : Merges the staging site's database with the live site's database to ensure that no recent live site updates are lost when pushing changes.Selective push to live : Users have the option to push all or selected changes from the staging site to the live site.Password protection : Staging sites can be password-protected to ensure that only authorized users can access them.Optimized for various server environments : Designed to work smoothly on different hosting servers, including slower ones, by bringing in data and files in smaller chunks to reduce server load.
💰 Pricing
WP Stagecoach offers several pricing tiers, ranging from $99 to $349 per year .
Custom pricing for a custom number of domains is also available for Enterprise licenses.
All plans come with a 5-day free trial.
7. WP Time Capsule
WP Time Capsule incremental backup and staging capabilities .
Its staging feature allows users to create a clone of their live site with just one click.
WP Time Capsule also offers a restore window of up to 365 days, which provides a valuable tool for disaster recovery.
💻 Key features
One-click staging : Users can easily create a staging site with just one click.365-day restore window : Provides a restore window of up to 365 days, which allows users to revert their site to a previous state from any point within that period.Vulnerability notifications : Sends notifications about potential security risks.
💰 Pricing
WP Time Capsule offers several pricing plans, ranging from $49 to $199 per year .
8. InstaWP
InstaWP staging and migration plugin developed by the InstaWP team.
It serves as a companion tool for InstaWP, a renowned tool for creating WordPress websites.
The primary goal of this plugin is to expedite your WordPress staging process.
💻 Key features
One-click staging creation : Allows you to create 1-click staging websites from the WP admin panel.Sync option : Allows you to choose what changes you want to push to your live instance.Remote management (beta) : Allows the creation of remote followings on the live site remotely using REST API.Support for WordPress customizer : Supports WordPress Customizer.Migration feature : Allows easy connection with any hosting provider to migrate your website.
💰 Pricing
InstaWP offers several pricing tiers, ranging from $60 to $590 per year , billed annually.
All plans come with a 15-day free trial.
9. Duplicator
Duplicator migrate, copy, move, or clone a site from one location to another.
One of the standout features of Duplicator is its ability to create staging sites with zero downtime.
This, coupled with its robust backup features, makes it a reliable and efficient tool for managing and safeguarding WordPress sites.
💻 Key features
Zero downtime : You can duplicate your site without any interruptions.Migration and cloning : Provides a streamlined process for migrating or cloning a WordPress site from one location to another.Scheduled backups : Users can schedule automated backups on a daily, weekly, monthly, or even hourly basis.Cloud storage integration : Supports various cloud storage services, which enables users to save their backup files directly to platforms like Google Drive and Dropbox.
💰 Pricing
Duplicator offers both free and premium versions.
Its premium versions are offered at several pricing tiers, ranging from $99 to $599 per year (the regular price) .
10. BoldGrid
BoldGrid suite of WordPress plugins and themes designed to enhance the website creation and management process.
While BoldGrid is not exclusively a staging plugin, it includes features that facilitate the creation of staging environments, particularly through Cloud WordPress.
BoldGrid's staging feature is integrated into its ecosystem , which makes it a convenient option if you’re already utilizing BoldGrid for your website needs.
💻 Key features
Integrated staging environment : Includes an integrated staging feature.One-click staging setup : Users can set up a staging site with just one click.Easy deployment to live : Provides a straightforward method to deploy changes from the staging environment to the live site.Compatibility with BoldGrid tools : Compatible with other BoldGrid tools and plugins.
💰 Pricing
BoldGrid’s Cloud WordPress is available at different pricing tiers, ranging from $1.67 to $5 per month depending on how many websites to support.
11. Migrate Guru
Migrate Guru migration plugin that specializes in moving websites from one host to another with ease.
While Migrate Guru is not exclusively a staging plugin, its cloning capabilities can be leveraged to create staging environments for testing purposes.
The plugin operates on its own servers , which minimizes the risk of site crashes during the migration process and ensures a smooth transition.
💻 Key features
One-click migration : Offers a simple one-click migration process.Large site migration : Capable of migrating large sites, including those as big as 200 GB.Compatibility with over 5,000 hosts : Supports a wide range of web hosts.Automated search and replace : Includes an automated search and replace feature for URLs and handles serialized data accurately during the migration.No storage space required : Uses its own servers for the migration process.
💰 Pricing
Migrate Guru is completely free to use .
They are powered by BlogVault, and they don’t support local host migrations and multi-site network subsites to a different domain.
12. ManageWP ManageWP comprehensive WordPress management dashboard that allows you to manage multiple WordPress websites from a single interface.
The platform is compatible with all major hosting providers and supports multisite networks.
One of the key features of ManageWP is its staging functionality.
💻 Key features
Staging website creation : Allows you to create a staging WordPress website by cloning your live site.One-click updates : Compiles all plugin, theme, and WordPress core updates into a single list.Backup and cloning : Offers a premium Backup extension that provides scheduled backups, on-demand backups, and exports to external destinations.Uptime monitor and SEO : Allows you to monitor your websites with Uptime Monitor, SEO, and Google Analytics.Bulk management : You can manage plugins, themes, and their updates from a single dashboard.
💰 Pricing
ManageWP operates on a freemium model , which allows you to add an unlimited number of websites for free .
The platform offers a range of premium add-ons, each priced per site, per add-on.
The pricing for these add-ons starts at $1 per month .
Using a Staging Plugin A staging plugin is a useful tool for managing WordPress websites and ensuring a seamless user experience.
Regardless of the price, the value of using a staging plugin lies in its ability to provide a safe testing environment, reducing the risk of errors and site crashes.
Selecting the ideal staging plugin streamlines your workflow, improves site management, and guarantees WordPress site stability and reliability.
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