Is It Safe to Use Outdated WordPress Plugins? (Complete Guide)

Are you considering using a WordPress plugin that hasn‘t been updated in a while? It has the features you need, but you‘re hesitant since it looks abandoned. Is it worth the risk? Could it break your site or cause security issues down the road?

These are common concerns when you come across an outdated plugin that seems to fit your needs. You don‘t want to pass up helpful functionality, but you also don‘t want to compromise your site‘s stability and security.

It‘s a tricky situation, especially if you don‘t have a development background. You may be wondering:

• How can I tell if an outdated plugin is safe to use or not?
• What are the risks of using older plugins?
• What should I check before installing an outdated plugin on my live site?
• When do the benefits of using an older plugin outweigh the risks?

We‘ll answer all of those questions and more in this comprehensive guide. By the end, you‘ll have a clear framework for assessing outdated plugins and making informed decisions.

The Prevalence and Risks of Outdated Plugins

First, let‘s look at some data on how common outdated plugins are and what risks they pose.

A study by WP Engine found that 55% of WordPress plugins in the repository have not been updated in over 2 years. Even more concerning, they discovered that 44% of WordPress vulnerabilities are caused by plugins that have not been updated in over 2 years.

This data shows that outdated plugins are very prevalent, and they correlate with higher rates of security issues. The older a plugin gets without updates, the more likely it is to have unfixed vulnerabilities.

Security company Wordfence publishes a list of the most widespread WordPress plugin vulnerabilities. In analyzing this data, they found that over 65% of entries on the list were disclosed more than 1 year prior, yet remain unfixed in many plugins.

This means that even when plugin vulnerabilities are publicly disclosed, many site owners fail to update, leaving their sites exposed. Hackers can easily scan for sites running older plugin versions with known vulnerabilities and exploit them.

Not updating plugins is one of the most common causes of WordPress sites getting hacked. Outdated plugins are low-hanging fruit for attackers.

Beyond security risks, outdated plugins can also cause functionality issues and compatibility problems. As WordPress core and other plugins evolve, older plugins can break or conflict if not updated.

For example, when WordPress 5.0 launched the Gutenberg block editor, it caused issues for many older plugins that added customizations to the Classic editor. Plugin developers had to release compatibility updates to prevent errors.

Each major WordPress release often deprecates certain functions that plugins rely on. Kinsta found that 52% of WordPress sites are running an outdated version, amplifying the risks of using outdated plugins on top of that.

The more outdated a plugin is, the more likely it is to have issues with newer versions of WordPress. Updates ensure ongoing compatibility and stability.

So in general, using significantly outdated plugins carries risks to your site‘s security, functionality and reliability. But that doesn‘t necessarily mean you can never use an older plugin. You just need to assess them carefully, which we‘ll cover next.

Signs an Outdated Plugin May Be Safe to Use

Here are some positive indicators to look for when evaluating the safety of an outdated plugin:

Simplicity and Code Quality

Plugins that serve a single purpose and are built on simple, standards-compliant code tend to have fewer issues over time. They have less room for conflicts and are easier to maintain as WordPress evolves.

For example, a basic plugin that adds a custom widget is less likely to break than a complex page builder plugin with many integrated features. The simpler plugin has a smaller footprint and surface area.

When considering an outdated plugin, assess its scope and code quality. Stick to plugins that look well-coded and utilize WordPress APIs as intended. Avoid plugins stuffing in extensive custom functionality outside of standards.

If you can, have a developer review the plugin‘s code to check for adherence to WordPress best practices and maintainability. Quality code is important for long-term stability.

Ongoing Support and Maintenance

Even if a plugin hasn‘t had new features in a while, look for signs that the developer is still providing some level of support and maintenance.

Check the plugin‘s support forums to see if the author is still responsive in addressing issues. A few support replies per month is a good sign, even if the plugin doesn‘t have frequent updates.

Also look at the revision history to see if the developer is making small compatibility tweaks and bug fixes as needed. These minor updates are crucial for keeping the plugin functioning smoothly.

A plugin that hasn‘t been updated in a couple years but still has an engaged developer is less risky than a completely abandoned plugin. Ongoing support helps catch and resolve any issues that arise.

Positive Reviews and Compatibility Reports

Read through the most recent reviews of the plugin to see what experiences other users are reporting, especially those with a similar environment as your site.

If reviews from the past 6 months indicate the plugin is working well with the latest WordPress version, that‘s a positive sign. But if most reviews are reporting errors and incompatibilities, steer clear.

Check the compatibility chart showing what percentage of users report the plugin works with their version of WordPress. A high compatibility percentage with recent WordPress versions is a good indicator.

However, take compatibility reports with a grain of salt as users can mark a plugin compatible without fully testing all of its features. Put more stock in detailed reviews that describe how the plugin performs.

Minimal Vulnerability History

Research the plugin‘s past security history and check vulnerability databases like WPScan to see if it has any known issues.

If you can‘t find any disclosed vulnerabilities or evidence of past security problems, that‘s a good sign. It means the plugin is less likely to be an attractive target for attackers, even if outdated.

However, keep in mind that absence of known issues doesn‘t guarantee a plugin is vulnerability-free. The plugin could have undisclosed flaws that weren‘t uncovered in the scan databases.

When it comes to security, a plugin with a track record free of past incidents and a developer who stays on top of fixing vulnerabilities is ideal. But a long history with no known issues is better than a plugin with repeated past problems.

Warning Signs an Outdated Plugin Is Unsafe

On the flip side, here are red flags that indicate an outdated plugin is likely too risky to use:

No Updates in Over 2 Years

If a plugin hasn‘t received an update in over 2 years, that‘s a major warning sign that it is no longer actively maintained and may have unfixed security holes or compatibility issues.

The WordPress ecosystem evolves rapidly, so going multiple years with no updates means a plugin is significantly outdated. It likely doesn‘t adhere to current WordPress standards and its functionality is at risk of breaking.

Some simple plugins may be able to go a couple years between updates if they‘re built on solid code and don‘t need new features. But most plugins should receive updates at least 1-2 times per year to stay current.

Be very cautious about plugins that look completely abandoned by their developer. The risks usually outweigh the benefits, especially if they haven‘t been updated in over 2 years.

Incompatible With Current WordPress and PHP Versions

WordPress and PHP versions are the backbone of your site, so it‘s crucial plugins are compatible and tested with the versions you‘re running.

Before installing a plugin, check the "Tested up to" field to see the most recent WordPress version the developer confirms the plugin works with. If it‘s several versions behind your site‘s current version, the plugin may have compatibility problems.

Similarly, look at the minimum PHP version required by the plugin. If your site is running a newer PHP version (like 7.4+), a plugin built for an older version (like 5.6) may throw errors or not work properly.

As a general rule, avoid using plugins that aren‘t explicitly tested and compatible with the current or at least one version prior of WordPress and PHP. The further behind a plugin is, the more likely it is to cause issues.

Poor Reviews and Support Threads

Recent user reviews and support threads are one of the best ways to gauge a plugin‘s current stability and performance. If many users are reporting that the plugin is broken or having issues, take that as a strong warning sign.

When browsing reviews, give more weight to those from users running a similar stack as your site (same WordPress and PHP versions, similar theme and plugins). If they‘re having problems, you likely will too.

Also look at how the plugin author is handling support threads. If threads about bugs and conflicts are going unanswered or the developer is dismissive, that‘s a red flag. Avoid plugins with poor support and many unresolved issues.

On the other hand, if the developer is actively debugging and working to resolve problems, that‘s a better sign. A plugin with a few issues but an engaged developer is less risky than a plugin where problems go unacknowledged.

Custom Integrations and Opaque Code

Plugins that go beyond basic features and include advanced integrations or custom code snippets tend to have more compatibility and security risks over time.

For example, a plugin that integrates with a third-party API or injects custom JavaScript is more likely to break as those dependencies change. The plugin needs ongoing updates to handle API changes and maintain integrations.

Also be cautious of plugins that use a lot of custom code outside of standard WordPress functions. Opaque code that doesn‘t adhere to WordPress standards is harder to maintain and audit for security.

When evaluating a plugin, dig into its features and see how it achieves its functionality. Favor plugins that utilize well-documented WordPress APIs and have readable, standards-compliant code. Avoid plugins with many custom hacks or obfuscated code.

If you‘re not a developer, ask one to review the plugin‘s code and gauge its adherence to best practices. They can spot potential issues and assess the plugin‘s maintainability as WordPress evolves.

How to Test an Outdated Plugin Before Using It

If an outdated plugin passes your initial assessment checks, the next step is to thoroughly test it in a staging environment before deploying it to your live site.

Staging sites are non-public duplicates of your live WordPress site that let you safely test changes and updates without affecting your production site. Most major managed WordPress hosts offer one-click staging environments.

Before installing an outdated plugin on your live site, always test it on a staging site first to check for any issues or incompatibilities. Here‘s a basic testing process:

1. Clone your live site to a staging site to create a duplicate testing environment.
2. Install the outdated plugin on the staging site.
3. Thoroughly test the plugin‘s functionality to ensure all of its features work as expected.
4. Test your site‘s key pages and functions to check for any new errors or performance issues.
5. Debug any problems that arise and determine if they‘re caused by the outdated plugin.
6. If the plugin works well with no issues, consider it safer to install on your production site.

When testing an outdated plugin, be comprehensive in clicking through your site to uncover any problems. Check all of your most important pages and test your critical flows like signup forms and checkout.

Use debugging plugins like Query Monitor and Chrome DevTools to watch for any errors, slowdowns, or broken functionality. Compare your site‘s behavior and speed before and after installing the plugin.

If you encounter issues you can‘t resolve or the plugin doesn‘t work properly, you may need to seek an alternative solution. Don‘t push a broken plugin to your live site.

Taking time to properly test outdated plugins in a staging environment adds some work, but it‘s much better than discovering a plugin breaks your live site in front of visitors. Staging sites are an essential tool for safely evaluating plugins.

Choosing Quality Plugins and Avoiding Risks

Ultimately, the best way to avoid issues with outdated plugins is to choose high-quality, actively maintained plugins from the start. Avoiding risky plugins saves you the headache of dealing with issues later.

Here are some best practices for selecting plugins that will serve you well long-term:

• Pick plugins that are regularly updated (at least a few times per year) and marked compatible with recent WordPress versions. Avoid plugins that look abandoned.
• Choose plugins with good reviews and positive support forum feedback from users in similar environments as your site.
• Favor simple plugins that do one thing well with standard WordPress code. Avoid bloated plugins trying to do too much with custom code.
• Research the plugin developer‘s reputation and support quality. Prioritize plugins from established, respected developers in the WordPress community.
• When possible, opt for freemium or premium plugins over free ones. Paid plugins have more resources for ongoing maintenance and support.
• Test plugins thoroughly in a staging environment before deploying to your production site. Don‘t assume a plugin will "just work."

By default, stick to plugins that are well-coded, actively supported, and kept up to date with WordPress standards. Choosing quality plugins from the start prevents a lot of troubleshooting down the road.

That said, if you do find an outdated plugin that fills a need and passes your risk assessment, it may be okay to use carefully. Just be sure to vet it thoroughly and have a backup plan.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Outdated WordPress plugins can pose risks to your site‘s security, functionality and stability, but that doesn‘t mean they‘re always off-limits. By carefully assessing an older plugin and testing it properly, you can mitigate risks and get value from plugins that still work.

Here‘s a quick recap of the key points for evaluating outdated plugins:

• Check if the plugin has been updated within the last 1-2 years and is compatible with your WordPress and PHP versions.
• Look for signs the plugin is well-coded and follows WordPress standards, with ongoing basic maintenance from the developer.
• Review the plugin‘s support threads and vulnerability history for any major red flags or unresolved issues.
• Thoroughly test the plugin in a staging environment before using it on a live production site.
• Weigh the plugin‘s benefits and functionality against the risks and potential maintenance burden.
• Have a backup plan to replace the plugin if it stops working or has a security breach.

By following these guidelines, you can make informed decisions about using outdated plugins in your specific situation. But in general, it‘s best to choose actively supported, up-to-date plugins as much as possible for stability and peace of mind.

Remember, your WordPress site is only as secure and reliable as its weakest link. Be selective about the plugins you use and take the time to properly vet them, especially if they‘re outdated. A little caution up front can prevent a lot of frustration later.

If you found this guide helpful, please consider sharing it with other WordPress users who may be wondering about outdated plugins. Together we can help the WordPress community make smart, secure plugin decisions.