# dotenv

> dotenv has 20+ active installs and 82 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 24/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** dotenv shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 5 years ago, and scores 24/100 on our health check.

**A WordPress plugin to set WordPress options from a .env file.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 20+
- **Total downloads:** 4,016
- **Downloads (30 days):** 82 (+7.9% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 24/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 1.0.3
- **Last updated:** May 28, 2021
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 5.7.19
- **Requires:** WordPress 5.2+, PHP 5.6+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Brad Parbs (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/bradparbs/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/dotenv/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [config](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/config/) | #5 | 10 |
| [configuration](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/configuration/) | #8 | 20 |
| [developer](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/developer/) | #45 | 139 |
| [environment](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/environment/) | #6 | 23 |
| [tools](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/tools/) | #35 | 101 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| config | >100 | 2,205 |
| configuration | >100 | 10,000 |
| developer | >100 | 10,000 |
| environment | >100 | 4,303 |
| tools | >100 | 10,000 |

## Version adoption

- 1.0: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Brozzme DB Prefix & Tools Addons](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/brozzme-db-prefix-change/) | 10K+ | 4.7/5 (57) | Jan 21, 2026 | 61/100 |
| 2 | [Developer Debug Tools](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/dev-debug-tools/) | 100+ | 5/5 (4) | Sep 8, 2026 | 75/100 |
| 3 | [Config Constants](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/config-constants/) | 100+ | 5/5 (1) | Aug 11, 2026 | 53/100 |
| 4 | [Configurator](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/configurator/) | 60+ | — | May 8, 2015 | 25/100 |
| 6 | [Theme Configurator](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/theme-configurator/) | 10+ | — | Nov 26, 2011 | 23/100 |
| 7 | [WP Viewer Log](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/wp-viewer-log/) | 10+ | — | Jul 16, 2017 | 23/100 |
| 8 | [Tweak Hidden Options](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tweak-hidden-options/) | 10+ | — | Dec 12, 2015 | 23/100 |
| 9 | [Advanced Config for S3 Uploads](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/advanced-s3-uploads-config/) | <10 | — | Feb 18, 2021 | 21/100 |
| 10 | [Image Config Default](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/image-config-defaults/) | <10 | 5/5 (1) | Aug 23, 2023 | 28/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

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

### Is dotenv safe to use in 2026?
dotenv shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 5 years ago, and scores 24/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use dotenv?
dotenv is active on 20+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,016 times since it launched in May 2021. It was downloaded 82 times in the last 30 days.

### Does dotenv work with WordPress 7.1?
dotenv is officially tested up to WordPress 5.7.19, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### What PHP version does dotenv need?
dotenv requires PHP 5.6 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.

### When was dotenv last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.3, was released on May 28, 2021 (5 years ago).

### Who makes dotenv?
dotenv is developed and maintained by Brad Parbs.

### What are the best alternatives to dotenv?
The most popular alternatives to dotenv are Brozzme DB Prefix & Tools A… (10K+ installs), Developer Debug Tools (100+ installs) and Config Constants (100+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/dotenv/ · Generated 2026-09-30 17:49 UTC by PageForge