Best update checker plugins for WordPress
The most popular update checker plugins for WordPress in November 2026, in WordPress.org’s own popular order, which follows active installs. Envato Toolkit leads with 5K+ active installs, ahead of Softlinkster Update Shield (fewer than 10). All 2 plugins tagged “update checker” are below, with figures from WordPress.org that update every day.
Installs aren’t everything: a recent release, a “Tested up to” that matches the current WordPress, and support threads that get resolved show a plugin is looked after. Open any plugin for its downloads, rank history and alternatives.
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Top 2 update checker plugins
- 1.
Envato ToolkitThe most installed update checker plugin, with 5K+ active installs. Rated 2.8 from 9 reviews, last updated 5 years ago. Tested only up to WordPress 5.7.21.
- 2.
Softlinkster Update ShieldFewer than 10 active installs. Only 1 review so far, updated 2 months ago.
All 2 plugins tagged “update checker”
Envato Toolkit
Up in the last 7 days:3#3,038by KestutisIT5 years ago
Validate purchase code, check for item update & support expiration, download newest version, lookup for user details, search for Envato item id & more
- Installs
- 5K+
- Rating
- 2.8(9)
- Downloads
- 19/day
Softlinkster Update Shield
#57,480by Khurram Shehzad2 months ago
Check WordPress plugin update risk before updating. Detect conflicts, PHP issues, and duplicate plugins from one dashboard.
- Installs
- <10
- Rating
- 5.0(1)
- Downloads
- 0/day