Problem Summary
Choosing between MainWP, ManageWP, and InfiniteWP for managing multiple WordPress sites can feel overwhelming when you’re trying to scale your agency or freelance business. Each platform offers different features, pricing models, and workflows that directly impact how efficiently you can manage client sites in 2025.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Step 1: Assess Your Current Site Management Needs
Start by listing exactly what you need from a management tool. Open a spreadsheet and create columns for: number of sites you manage, frequency of updates needed, backup requirements, uptime monitoring needs, and your monthly budget. This baseline helps you match features to actual requirements rather than getting distracted by bells and whistles.
Step 2: Test Each Platform’s Free Version
MainWP offers a completely free core plugin you can install on your own server. Download it from the WordPress repository and set up a test environment. ManageWP provides a free tier for managing up to 5 websites with basic features. InfiniteWP also has a free version you can self-host. Install each one and spend at least 30 minutes navigating their dashboards.
Step 3: Compare Critical Features Side-by-Side
Create a comparison chart focusing on these essential features:
- Bulk updates for plugins, themes, and WordPress core
- Backup solutions and storage options
- Client reporting capabilities
- White-label options
- Uptime monitoring frequency
- Security scanning features
- Cost per site as you scale
Step 4: Calculate True Cost of Ownership
MainWP requires your own hosting but has no per-site fees for the core features. Factor in server costs (typically $20-50/month for decent hosting). ManageWP charges per site monthly, starting around $1-2 per site depending on features. InfiniteWP has a one-time license fee plus your hosting costs. Calculate costs for 10, 25, and 50 sites to see which scales better for your business.
Step 5: Test Support Response Times
Submit a test support ticket to each platform asking a specific technical question. Document response times and quality of answers. MainWP relies heavily on community support unless you purchase premium extensions. ManageWP, owned by GoDaddy, has professional support. InfiniteWP support depends on your license level.
Step 6: Run a Week-Long Trial
Pick your top two choices and use them exclusively for one week each. Pay attention to daily workflow efficiency, how quickly you can onboard new sites, and any frustrations that arise during regular maintenance tasks.
Likely Causes
Cause #1: Confusion Over Self-Hosted vs SaaS Models
MainWP and InfiniteWP are self-hosted solutions, meaning you install them on your own server and maintain that infrastructure. This setup is ideal for agencies wanting complete control and no per-site fees. ManageWP is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform where you log into their servers.
To check which model suits you, ask yourself: Do you have reliable hosting and basic server management skills? If yes, self-hosted tools offer more control and better long-term economics. If no, ManageWP’s managed approach removes technical overhead.
Cause #2: Feature Overload Leading to Analysis Paralysis
All three platforms now offer extensive feature sets including staging, migrations, SEO tracking, and performance monitoring. This expansion makes comparison harder than in previous years.
Focus only on features you’ll use weekly. Most agencies need: one-click updates, reliable backups, uptime monitoring, and client reports. Advanced features like code deployment or detailed performance analytics might sound appealing but often go unused. List your must-haves versus nice-to-haves before comparing.
Cause #3: Hidden Costs Not Factored Into Budgets
MainWP’s core is free, but premium extensions for backups, client reports, and advanced features can add up to $200-500 annually. InfiniteWP’s addons similarly increase costs. ManageWP’s per-site pricing seems straightforward but multiplies quickly as you grow.
Create a realistic feature list and price out the actual tools you need, not just base prices. Include backup storage costs, whether using your own servers or cloud storage services.
When to Call Expert Help
Consider hiring a WordPress consultant when you’re managing over 50 sites or generating more than $10,000 monthly from maintenance services. An expert can architect a custom solution combining multiple tools, potentially saving thousands annually while improving efficiency.
Signs you need professional guidance:
- Spending over 20 hours weekly on routine maintenance
- Experiencing regular timeout errors during bulk operations
- Needing custom integrations with your billing or ticketing systems
- Managing sites with wildly different hosting environments
- Requiring compliance with specific security standards
A consultant typically charges $150-300 hourly but can design workflows that save 10+ hours weekly.
Copy-Paste Prompt for AI Help
“I manage [NUMBER] WordPress sites for clients and need help choosing between MainWP, ManageWP, and InfiniteWP. My main priorities are [LIST TOP 3 PRIORITIES like: automated backups, white-label reports, uptime monitoring]. My monthly budget is approximately $[AMOUNT]. I have [basic/intermediate/advanced] server management skills. My sites are hosted on [shared hosting/VPS/dedicated servers/mixed environments]. Please recommend which tool best fits my needs and explain the specific features that make it ideal for my situation. Also note any hidden costs or limitations I should consider.”