ForgeCache vs WP Super Cache
WP Super Cache caches. ForgeCache caches, optimizes, and ships modern Core Web Vitals features — minification, lazy loading, WebP, per-handle JS controls, and native CDN APIs that WP Super Cache leaves to other plugins.
Where ForgeCache Wins
Page Caching
| Feature | ProForgeCache | FreeWP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Static HTML Caching | ||
| Cache Preloader | ||
| Multiple Caching Modes | Single tuned mode | Expert / Simple / WP-Cache |
| REST API Caching | ||
| Object Cache Support | ||
| WooCommerce-Aware Exclusions | Automatic | Manual cookie config |
| Garbage Collection / Expiration |
CSS & JS Optimization
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| HTML Minification | ||
| CSS Minification | ||
| JS Minification | ||
| JS Defer | ||
| JS Delay (until interaction) | ||
| Per-Handle JS Controls (Page Optimizer) | ||
| Critical CSS | Paste-in | |
| Async CSS Loading |
Media Optimization
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Image Lazy Loading | ||
| WebP Conversion | Local (libgd) | |
| DNS Prefetch |
CDN Integration
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Basic URL Rewriter CDN | OSSDL integration | |
| Native Cloudflare API (auto-purge) | ||
| Native BunnyCDN API |
Database Optimization
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Database Cleanup Module | ||
| Post Revisions Cleanup | ||
| Transients Cleanup |
Maintenance & Pricing
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Active Feature Development | 2.1.x line, regular releases | Stability/security only |
| Pricing | From $49/yr | Free |
| Premium Support Included | Community forums | |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | N/A (free) |
AI Agent Compatibility
The new dimension for 2026: how a WordPress cache serves AI answer engines (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, Copilot) when they crawl your site. Small bytes and clean semantic markdown mean more of your content ends up cited.
| Feature | ForgeCache | WP Super Cache |
|---|---|---|
| AI crawler detection at drop-in level | GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot, Google-Extended, +5 more, routed to markdown tier | Detects AI bot user-agents but doesn't route to a separate tier |
Auto-generated /llms.txt |
Refreshed on publish | |
| Markdown twin per cacheable page | ~20x smaller byte counts | |
| Tier-partitioned cache (human vs AI) | Separate slots, one origin | |
/llms-full.txt bundle for RAG |
Optional, off by default |
Where ForgeCache Stands Out
WP Super Cache is a trusted, Automattic-maintained static HTML cache — and that’s where it stops. These are the features ForgeCache ships that you’d otherwise need to bolt on with multiple separate plugins.
CSS & JS Minification
ForgeCache minifies HTML, CSS, and JavaScript inline with caching. WP Super Cache has no minification at all — you’d need a second plugin to strip whitespace and shorten variable names from your stylesheets and scripts.
Lazy Loading
Defer offscreen images, iframes, and videos until they enter the viewport — a Lighthouse staple WP Super Cache does not implement. Built in, no separate plugin or extra config required.
WebP Conversion
Convert JPEG and PNG uploads to WebP locally using libgd, then serve WebP to supported browsers and the original format to others. Smaller files, better LCP, no third-party service. WP Super Cache ships no image optimization.
Per-Handle Page Optimizer
Scan any URL to see every enqueued script and stylesheet handle, then toggle defer, delay, async, or disable per handle per page. WP Super Cache has no equivalent because it doesn’t touch asset loading at all.
Native CDN APIs
Direct Cloudflare and BunnyCDN API integration with automatic cache purging on content updates. WP Super Cache offers basic URL rewriting via the OSSDL CDN off-linker but no API-level integration, and user reports indicate Cloudflare integration was removed at some point.
Active Development
ForgeCache ships an actively maintained 2.1.x line with regular point releases — latest 2.1.23 in June 2026. WP Super Cache 3.1.1 (May 2026) was minor fixes; major feature additions have been rare for years. Trusted and stable, but not modernizing.
Compare Against Other Caching Plugins
Frequently Asked Questions
Why pay when WP Super Cache is free?
Because WP Super Cache is ONLY a cache. Everything you also need for a modern fast site — minification, lazy loading, WebP conversion, native CDN integration, database cleanup — is in ForgeCache, not WP Super Cache. WP Super Cache generates static HTML files and stops there.
Will my Lighthouse score improve with WP Super Cache alone?
TTFB will improve because static HTML cache shortens server response time. But LCP, CLS, and INP scores need the optimization features WP Super Cache doesn’t ship — lazy loading, WebP, JS defer/delay, minification, Critical CSS. ForgeCache covers both server response and front-end optimization.
Is Automattic still maintaining WP Super Cache?
Yes, but only for stability and security. The 3.1.1 release in May 2026 was minor fixes; major feature additions have been rare for several years. WP Super Cache is best described as stable and maintained rather than actively modernizing.
Can I run both WP Super Cache and ForgeCache?
No. Two caching plugins always conflict on cache files, rewrite rules, and advanced-cache.php drop-ins. Always deactivate one before activating the other.
What is the migration path from WP Super Cache to ForgeCache?
Disable WP Super Cache from its settings page, remove its .htaccess block (between the # BEGIN WPSuperCache markers), delete the wp-content/advanced-cache.php drop-in if present, then activate ForgeCache. ForgeCache will install its own drop-in and begin generating cache files within minutes.
Ready to Speed Up?
Caching alone gets you part of the way. ForgeCache ships everything else — minification, lazy load, WebP, native CDN, database cleanup — in one plugin, from $49/year, with 30 days to A/B-test against your current setup.