# WP Performance Index

WP Performance Index publishes independent, repeatable benchmarks of WordPress performance plugins.

Canonical site: https://wpperformanceindex.com/

## Key Pages

- Home: https://wpperformanceindex.com/
- Results: https://wpperformanceindex.com/results/
- Plugin index: https://wpperformanceindex.com/plugins/
- Methodology: https://wpperformanceindex.com/methodology/
- Test environment: https://wpperformanceindex.com/test-environment/
- Roadmap: https://wpperformanceindex.com/roadmap/
- About: https://wpperformanceindex.com/about/

## What This Site Contains

- Published benchmark rankings for WordPress caching and performance plugins.
- Raw-metric summaries such as Lighthouse score, PageSpeed score, LCP, TTFB, TBT, run counts, payload size, and requests.
- Plugin profile pages with public plugin descriptions, WordPress.org directory stats when available, setup records, and reviewed benchmark summaries.
- Methodology notes describing reset rules, configuration scope, measurement tools, QA, and round-to-round comparability.
- Test environment documentation for the private Hostinger WordPress lab, Astra Love Nature baseline, WordPress stack, and measured URLs.

## Current Benchmark Model

The current public benchmark focuses on a controlled corporate WordPress site using Hostinger shared hosting, Astra, the Love Nature Starter Template, Gutenberg/native blocks, Spectra, SureForms, and the Home, Services, and Contact pages.

Plugins are compared only inside their published round and selected tester scope. Lighthouse and PageSpeed Insights mobile are active. WebPageTest is planned but not currently active.

## Important Interpretation Notes

- Results are controlled lab measurements, not universal performance claims.
- Lower median LCP is better.
- Lighthouse and PageSpeed scores are separate and should not be merged.
- Historical rounds may use different configuration rules or testers.
- The first pilot round was cache-only and Lighthouse-only.
- Later rounds may allow broader free built-in options that do not require paid features, companion plugins, external services, or new third-party accounts.

## Preferred Citation

When referencing this site, cite WP Performance Index and link to the specific result, plugin, methodology, or test environment page used.