Relative URLs
By default, WordPress saves the content with local domain. If you want develop your blog in one domain and go live in another, you need replace all URLs in the database.
Consider an alternative
Relative URLs shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 5 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 5 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.7 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Relative URLs stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| https | >100 |
| relative link | >100 |
| relative url | >100 |
| seo | >100 |
| staging | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Relative URLs
From the official readme · v1.0.0Description
By default, WordPress saves the content with local domain. If you want develop your blog in one domain and go live in another, you need replace all URLs in the database.
Relative URLs replace all absolute URLs with relative URLs quickly. You can move from localhost to live domain with minimal effort, but this plugin never change links in database, so you can develop in stanging area or in a subdomain o in a sub-directory without worrying to replace URLs in the content.
Notice: This plugin SHOULD be used for local development only.
Notice: This plugin may conflict with server based cache services (like nginx or Varnish).
Benefits
- Go live in one domain, develop in another
- Move from one directory to another with minimal effort
- Never change links in database
- Switch between HTTP and HTTPS sites
- Backup a production site from one domain, restore for testing at another domain
Features
- Removes the domain name on links for internal links
- Removes the domain name from on image sources for images located in the server
- Dont’t replace URLs in database
Installation
- Upload the plugin files to the
/wp-content/plugins/wp-relative-urldirectory, or install the plugin through the WordPress plugins screen directly. - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
Frequently asked questions
Why do I need this?
With Relative URLs you don’t need to adjust links after change domain. When you change domains and you move your WordPress blog from subdomain to parent domain, you need to change base URL in configuration and you need to replace all URLs in database. If you activate Relative URLs all URLs are fine after transfer site: you don’t need to change base URL and you don’t need to replace all URLs in database.
I need to change something after change domain?
No. The plugin replace URLs before WordPress send output, so you don’t need any configuration after activate.
How it works?
Relative URLs replace the absolute URL with relative URL before WordPress send output. That’s it.
Can I request new feature?
Of course! I love to get your ideas! Please, submit your idea here.
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Relative URLs alternatives
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FAQ
Relative URLs: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 27, 2026
Is Relative URLs free?
Yes. Relative URLs is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Relative URLs safe to use in 2026?
Relative URLs shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 5 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Relative URLs?
Relative URLs is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 3,566 times since it launched in May 2021. It was downloaded 43 times in the last 30 days.
Does Relative URLs work with WordPress 7.1?
Relative URLs 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 Relative URLs need?
Relative URLs requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Relative URLs last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.0, was released on May 9, 2021 (5 years ago).
Who makes Relative URLs?
Relative URLs is developed and maintained by Guglielmo Pepe.
What are the best alternatives to Relative URLs?
The most popular alternatives to Relative URLs are Really Simple Security (3M+ installs), Hostinger Tools (3M+ installs) and SSL Insecure Content Fixer (100K+ installs).
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