# Auto Update

> Auto Update has 90+ active installs and 158 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 40/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** Auto Update shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 90+ sites and was last updated 7 months ago, and scores 40/100 on our health check.

**Auto Update is built for site owners who want WordPress to stay current without logging in to run updates manually.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 90+
- **Total downloads:** 4,824
- **Downloads (30 days):** 158 (-9.7% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 40/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 1.0.2
- **Last updated:** Mar 14, 2026
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 6.9.9
- **Requires:** WordPress 5.8+, PHP 7.4+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Valeriu Tihai (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/valeriutihai/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/auto-update/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [Automatic updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/automatic-updates/) | #10 | 20 |
| [background updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/background-updates/) | #4 | 4 |
| [core updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/core-updates/) | #4 | 10 |
| [Plugin Updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/plugin-updates/) | #6 | 23 |
| [theme updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/theme-updates/) | #3 | 8 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic updates | >100 | 9,064 |
| background updates | #66 | 5,864 |
| core updates | >100 | 6,671 |
| Plugin Updates | >100 | 10,000 |
| theme updates | >100 | 10,000 |

## Version adoption

- 1.0: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Disable Updates – Updates Manager, Disable Automatic Updates, Disable All Updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/webcraftic-updates-manager/) | 9K+ | 4.5/5 (24) | Aug 21, 2026 | 83/100 |
| 2 | [WP Auto Updater](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/wp-auto-updater/) | 7K+ | 4.6/5 (10) | Jun 4, 2026 | 67/100 |
| 3 | [Update Control](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/update-control/) | 4K+ | 4.4/5 (17) | Jun 16, 2026 | 67/100 |
| 4 | [WP Disable Automatic Updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/wp-disable-automatic-updates/) | 2K+ | 5/5 (3) | May 30, 2022 | 35/100 |
| 5 | [WP Automatic Updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/wp-automatic-updates/) | 400+ | 5/5 (2) | Aug 16, 2018 | 34/100 |
| 6 | [Disable Automatic Updates – Enable/Disable core, plugins, themes, translation updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/disable-automatic-updates/) | 100+ | 2.3/5 (3) | Mar 23, 2019 | 24/100 |
| 7 | [Version Locker: Disable Updates, Rollback and Downgrade](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/version-locker/) | 100+ | 5/5 (1) | Sep 2, 2026 | 71/100 |
| 8 | [Background Update Notification Email Address](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/background-update-notification-email-address/) | 100+ | 5/5 (3) | Dec 11, 2015 | 32/100 |
| 9 | [Disable Updates – Selective Update Control](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/selective-update-control/) | 90+ | 5/5 (1) | Aug 10, 2026 | 66/100 |
| 11 | [kanenas — Minor/Patch Auto-Updates](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/kanenas-minor-patch-auto-updates/) | 40+ | — | May 10, 2026 | 45/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Auto Update free?
Yes. Auto Update is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is Auto Update safe to use in 2026?
Auto Update shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 90+ sites and was last updated 7 months ago, and scores 40/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use Auto Update?
Auto Update is active on 90+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,824 times since it launched in January 2016. It was downloaded 158 times in the last 30 days.

### Does Auto Update work with WordPress 7.1?
Auto Update is officially tested up to WordPress 6.9.9, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### What PHP version does Auto Update need?
Auto Update requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.

### When was Auto Update last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.2, was released on March 14, 2026 (7 months ago).

### Who makes Auto Update?
Auto Update is developed and maintained by Valeriu Tihai.

### What are the best alternatives to Auto Update?
The most popular alternatives to Auto Update are Disable Updates (9K+ installs), WP Auto Updater (7K+ installs) and Update Control (4K+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/auto-update/ · Generated 2026-10-06 07:50 UTC by PageForge