Every plugin on WP Tested Lab goes through the same lab process. We install it, configure it like a real user would, and publish the numbers. No paid placements — ever.
Our lab
All tests run on one consistent test site so results are comparable:
WordPress 7.1.4 PHP 8.3.36 LiteSpeed GeneratePress themeShared hosting (Hostinger Business). We test on ordinary shared hosting on purpose — that’s where most WordPress sites live.
The 4 steps
- Install — we install the plugin exactly as you would, from wordpress.org or the vendor’s site. Free version first, always.
- Set it up for real — we configure it with sensible, recommended settings. If a plugin takes 20 steps to work, we say so.
- Measure — we record homepage load time (median of 5 runs), page weight, extra CSS/JS loaded, and anything it adds (database tables, admin notices, scheduled tasks).
- Re-test — plugins change. We re-run tests after major updates. Every article shows its “Last tested” date, and results older than 6 months get flagged for re-testing.
How we score
Each plugin gets a score out of 10: 40% measured performance, 30% ease of setup, 20% features for the price, 10% support and documentation quality. 8.5 and up means excellent, 7 to 8.4 means good, below 7 means it has real drawbacks — which we list.
What we don’t do
- We don’t accept payment for placement. Rankings are never for sale.
- If we didn’t install and measure it, we say so.
- Our numbers come from our lab on our hosting. Your hosting will differ — treat our results as comparative (plugin A vs plugin B), not absolute.
How we make money
Right now: nothing — this site is new. When we qualify, we’ll run Google AdSense ads. If we ever use affiliate links, we’ll label them clearly, and they will never change a score or a ranking. That’s a promise, in writing.