WordPress GuidePlugins → Database

7 best database plugins for WordPress

woman adding a database plugin for wordpress

Worried your WordPress website might be a bit sluggish? Help is on the way! Use this list to find the best database plugins for WordPress to help optimize your site.

Keeping your database in tip-top shape can be challenging if you lack experience with MySQL databases. These database plugins allow you to optimize or reset your database from your WordPress admin.

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What to look for in a WordPress database plugin

Most people have a junk drawer in their house. If you have one, you know the pain of trying to find what you need in the junk drawer. You have to look under the owner’s manuals for a toaster and a lawnmower you no longer own just to find the nine-volt battery for the smoke alarm.

WordPress databases can be a lot like junk drawers. WordPress saves drafts of posts and copies of spam comments. Finding useful data for pages or products takes longer when the database overflows with junk. A clean and optimized database improves your site’s performance.

The benefits of using a database plugin for WordPress include faster sites, improving your customer experience, and search engine rankings.

Key features and capabilities

WordPress database plugins can rid your database of junk or optimize how you manage and use data. Common uses of database plugins include:

Technical considerations for a database plugin

Before installing and using a database plugin, check to ensure the plugin is compatible with your WordPress version. You’ll also want to see what database optimization settings your web host provides. Some database plugins could interfere with your host’s optimization programs and settings for database optimization. You’re better off picking a quality hosting provider than trying to install a bunch of plugins to make up for a slow server.

Top picks for best database plugins for WordPress

Use these plugins to help with managing and optimizing your WordPress database.

1. Database Reset

database plugin database reset

This free database plugin for WordPress allows you to reset your database with just one click. You can reset the entire database or select individual tables to clear. With this plugin, you can return your database to its original setting without reinstalling WordPress or modifying files. Theme and plugin developers use this plugin to clear unnecessary content out of the database when testing products.

Download Database Reset

2. WP Reset

database plugin wp reset

WP Reset is a more advanced plugin option from the same developers as Database Reset. WP Reset enables you to reset a site to a blank WordPress site or to a saved “snapshot.” You can also delete themes and plugins. An upgraded Pro version includes resetting options, automatically creating snapshots, and deleting content and widgets.

Download WP Reset

3. WP Database Backup

database plugin wp database backup

This WordPress database backup plugin takes the hassle out of backing up and restoring your database. Create a backup or restore your database with one click. The paid Pro version supports automatic scheduled backups and integrations with Dropbox, FPT, Email, Google Drive, and Amazon S3.

Download WP Database Backup

4. WP-Optimize

database plugin wp optimize

WP-Optimize Cache is an excellent choice for people who want to improve their website’s speed and performance. The plugin cleans and optimizes databases, compresses images, and caches pages. Upgrade to the Premium version for more scheduling, integrations, and support options.

Download WP-Optimize

5. Advanced Database Cleaner

database plugin advanced database cleaner

Old revisions, spam comments, and orphaned post metadata can clutter up your WordPress database. This extra bloat slows your site down. The Advanced Database Cleaner plugin removes the clutter to reduce your database size and improve website performance. Another benefit is faster backups since you won’t need to back up all the unneeded data. The upgraded Pro version of the plugin also removes any leftover data from deleted plugins and themes.

Download Advanced Database Cleaner

6. WP-Sweep

This database plugin cleans up your extraneous data for a faster-running website. The plugin helps remove revisions, auto drafts, deleted or spam comments, and orphaned metadata for posts, comments, users, and terms.

Download WP-Sweep

7. Optimize Database After Deleting Revisions

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This plugin makes optimizing your database a breeze. You can delete revisions, delete trash, and remove orphan items with just one click.

Download Optimize Database after Deleting Revisions

Additional resources

What is a WordPress plugin? →

A complete beginner’s guide to WordPress plugins and how to manage them

What is managed WordPress hosting? →

Discover everything managed hosting for WordPress includes and if it’s right for you.

How to check if a WordPress plugin is safe →

Be especially careful if you’re looking at free plugins. Watch for these common 🚩.

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Lindsey Miller is a WordPress and WooCommerce expert and Chief Executive Officer of Content Journey. She has been working with WordPress since 2010 when she started her first WordPress blog. Since then she has attended WordCamps all over the world and had the honor of speaking at many WordCamps and other WordPress events such as WooSesh and WordFest.