Recently, we were asked about LiteSpeed Cache vs. WP Rocket and which is better.
LiteSpeed Cache and WP Rocket are two popular WordPress caching plugins. They help optimize WordPress performance and speed.
This guide compares LiteSpeed Cache and WP Rocket to see which is better for WordPress performance.
Why Choosing The Right WordPress Caching Plugin is Important
Picking the right caching plugin helps optimize your WordPress website’s performance.
WordPress is a dynamic website builder. This means whenever someone visits your site, WordPress generates the page and sends it to their browser, which uses server resources. When more people visit, the server gets busier and slower. This makes users wait for the website to load, which no one likes.
Research shows that a one-second delay in speed can reduce conversions by 7% and page views by 11%. At a three-second delay, almost 40% of users leave the site.
Google also considers speed a ranking factor. So, slower websites rank lower in search results.
In short, a slow website can cost you money in lost sales and conversions. Using the right caching plugin can prevent these issues by creating a quick, ready-to-go version of your pages, improving user experience and engagement.
WP Rocket vs. LiteSpeed Cache Comparison
WP Rocket and LiteSpeed Cache offer similar features but differ in several key aspects. Depending on your situation, one may be better for you than the other. Let’s compare them in terms of compatibility, ease of use, performance, and support.
Compatibility of WP Rocket vs. LiteSpeed Cache
Most WordPress hosting platforms use different technologies. For example, Bluehost uses Apache, while Hostinger uses LiteSpeed.
WP Rocket: WP Rocket works on most hosting platforms. It saves cached pages within your WordPress file structure and automatically generates cached pages in the background, displaying them using rewrite rules.
LiteSpeed Cache: LiteSpeed Cache works best on hosting platforms using LiteSpeed servers. Its features may not work on other server software like Apache or Nginx. LiteSpeed Cache uses the server’s caching abilities to make caching faster and more efficient but waits until a page is requested to create a cached version.
Winner: WP Rocket, because it works better with all hosting platforms.
Ease of Use
Caching can be technical, so you want a plugin that is easy to use.
WP Rocket: WP Rocket is user-friendly, especially for beginners. After installation, it automatically applies optimal caching settings and starts building the cache in the background. Advanced settings are available for those who want to optimize further, with helpful information provided for each option.
LiteSpeed Cache: LiteSpeed Cache has multi-level configuration presets but does not prompt users to choose one upon activation. Users must manually select and apply a preset, which may be confusing for beginners. There are many options spread over different settings screens, and the default presets are not optimal.
Winner: WP Rocket, for its easier setup and more user-friendly experience.
Performance Comparison
Both plugins improve website speed, but which gives a bigger performance boost?
WP Rocket Performance Test: WP Rocket was tested on a site running on Hostinger’s LiteSpeed servers. With recommended settings like file optimization, the site scored 99% on the Page Speed Insights test and loaded in half a second on the Pingdom speed test.
LiteSpeed Cache Performance Test: LiteSpeed Cache was tested on the same site with the recommended Advanced preset. The site scored 90% on the Page Speed Insights test but had a faster overall page load time on the Pingdom speed test.
Winner: WP Rocket, for better performance on core web vitals, which affect SEO. LiteSpeed Cache was faster in page load time.
Support Options
Good support helps resolve compatibility issues quickly.
WP Rocket: WP Rocket is a paid plugin with priority support. It offers extensive documentation, how-tos, guides, video tutorials, and regular updates.
LiteSpeed Cache: LiteSpeed Cache is free with limited support. It relies on community support on WordPress.org forums and has basic documentation. The company’s focus is on their paid products.
Winner: WP Rocket, for better support and documentation.
Conclusion: Which One is Better?
WP Rocket is the better WordPress caching plugin for small- to medium-sized websites due to its user experience, performance gains, extensive support, and broad compatibility.
LiteSpeed Cache is suitable for users on LiteSpeed servers who need a free caching plugin, but WP Rocket still performed better in tests even on LiteSpeed servers.
