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Where ForgeCache Wins

Yes
vs No
CSS/JS Minify
Yes
vs No
Lazy Loading
Yes
vs No
WebP Conversion
Native
vs URL rewrite
CDN APIs
Yes
vs No
DB Cleanup
Active
vs Stable-only
Development

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)

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.