Plugin
Updated
MainWP Staging
MainWP Staging Extension by MainWP is an add-on plugin for the MainWP Dashboard. It uses the free WP Staging plugin to clone your managed WordPress sites into staging copies, giving you a safe place to test themes, plugins and updates before they touch a live site.
- Version
- 5.1
- Released
- Jun 3, 2025
- Developer
- MainWP
- Type
- WordPress plugin
- Requires
- MainWP
- Licence
- GPL
- Included in
- Every plan, or $5.59 a year on its own
What’s new in MainWP Staging 5.1
Version 5.1 · Jun 3, 2025
Latest
- FixedProblem with saving WP Staging plugin settings for individual sites.
- FixedProblem with creating staging sites that was preventing successful site creation.
- FixedProblem with updating staging sites that was causing update failures.
- FixedLocalization issues to ensure proper translation support across different languages.
- FixedEscaped HTML in error messages to ensure proper display of error information.
- NewCheck if WP Staging is missing on some sites and offer to install the plugin in bulk across multiple sites for easier management.
- New"Staging Sites" column to the Staging Overview table that displays the number of staging sites for each child site.
- NewDisplay counter for staging sites with improved visual formatting.
What it does
Testing an update directly on a client's live site is risky, and logging into each site separately to set up a staging copy takes time when you manage many WordPress installs. This extension brings staging into the MainWP Dashboard you already use. It relies on the free WP Staging plugin on each child site to handle the cloning, and it gives you one place to create, update and delete staging copies across your network.
Once created, staging sites appear in your dashboard and can be managed much like regular child sites, so your testing work sits next to the rest of your site management. A Staging Overview table shows how many staging sites each child site has. If WP Staging is missing on some sites, the extension can detect that and offer to install it in bulk. There is no cap on how many staging sites you create. It requires MainWP.
Best for
- Agencies managing many client WordPress sites in MainWP
- Freelance developers testing updates before going live
- Site managers who want staging inside one dashboard
Features
Staging inside MainWP Dashboard
Create and manage staging sites from your MainWP Dashboard, working with them alongside your live child sites instead of switching between separate tools.
Built on WP Staging
Cloning is handled by the free WP Staging plugin on each child site, which the extension controls from your central dashboard.
No limit on staging sites
Generate as many staging sites as you need for every website you manage, with no restriction on the total number.
Create, update and delete copies
Set up new staging sites, refresh existing ones and remove copies you no longer need through the extension's interface.
Bulk WP Staging installation
The extension checks which child sites are missing WP Staging and offers to install the plugin across multiple sites at once.
Staging Overview table
A Staging Sites column in the overview table shows the number of staging copies for each child site, with a clear counter display.
Per-site WP Staging settings
Save WP Staging plugin settings for individual sites, so each child site can be configured to suit its own needs.
MainWP Staging older versions
- 5.0.3Jul 4, 20241 improvement, 1 fix
- 5.0.2May 29, 20241 improvement
- 5.0.1Apr 10, 20241 new
- 5.0Feb 29, 2024
- 4.0.5Jan 26, 2024
- 4.0.4Apr 18, 2023
Members and buyers of this product can download older versions.
Questions about MainWP Staging
Do I need MainWP to use this extension?
Yes. It is an extension for the MainWP Dashboard and requires MainWP. Staging sites are created and managed from that dashboard for the child sites you have connected to it.
Does each child site need WP Staging installed?
Yes. The extension works through the free WP Staging plugin on your child sites. If some sites are missing it, the extension can detect this and offer to install WP Staging in bulk across multiple sites.
How many staging sites can I create?
There is no limit on the number of staging sites. You can create staging copies for all the websites you manage, and the Staging Overview table shows how many each child site has.
What can I test on a staging site?
A staging site is a clone of your live site, so you can try new plugins, themes and updates there first. Changes stay on the copy, keeping your live site untouched while you test.
Is MainWP Staging free?
The code of MainWP Staging is licensed under the GPL, so anyone may use, change and share it. GPL Feast is a paid service: a plan or a single purchase gives you the download and automatic updates. The developer's own support, licence key and online services are not included.
Which version of MainWP Staging is this?
Version 5.1, released Jun 3, 2025. New versions appear here when the developer publishes them, and members get them as automatic updates.
How do I update MainWP Staging?
Install the free GPL Feast Updater on your site and connect it with your API key. It installs new versions of MainWP Staging automatically and keeps a backup, so you can roll back.
What does MainWP Staging need?
MainWP Staging needs MainWP installed and active.
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