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Comparison

Zeebrar vs MainWP

Two different approaches to WordPress management. Here is an honest look at what each tool does well so you can choose with confidence.

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Feature comparison

Quick comparison

A side-by-side overview of the key differences between Zeebrar and MainWP.

FeatureZeebrarMainWP
Hosting modelSaaS (nothing to host)Self-hosted (you run the server)
Plugin catalog5,000+ GPL plugins includedBYO (bring your own plugins)
Remote installYes, via GPLC ConnectorYes, via MainWP dashboard
Safe version managementAny version, auto-refund on failRequires extension
Virus scanningVirusTotal v3 built-inNot included
Multi-site managementIncluded in all plansCore feature (free)
PricingFrom $9.99/mo (credit-based)Free core + paid extensions
Setup timeUnder 5 minutesRequires server + WordPress install
BackupsNot included (use your host)Via extension
Bulk plugin updatesRemote bulk updatesBulk updates from dashboard

When to choose Zeebrar

  • You want a managed SaaS with zero server maintenance
  • You need access to 5,000+ GPL plugins without sourcing them yourself
  • You want built-in virus scanning for every plugin
  • Version rollback is important to your workflow

When to choose MainWP

  • You prefer self-hosted solutions and want full control over your infrastructure
  • You already have your own plugin sources and do not need a catalog
  • You need backup management as part of the same tool
  • You want the free tier for basic site management

Pricing

Pricing breakdown

Different pricing models for different needs. Zeebrar uses flat subscription tiers while MainWP sells individual extensions.

Zeebrar

From $9.99/mo

  • Full plugin catalog included
  • VirusTotal scanning included
  • Remote install and rollback included
  • No per-site fees

MainWP

Free core

  • Free dashboard and site management
  • Extensions available a la carte
  • No plugin catalog
  • No virus scanning

How we made this comparison

Last reviewed against MainWP Pro pricing (mainwp.com/signup) and official docs at docs.mainwp.com

We build Zeebrar, so we know our side of this table first-hand. Claims about MainWP come from its public documentation, published pricing, and feature pages, checked on the review date above. Pricing and features change - if you spot something outdated, tell us and we will correct it.

This page is written by the Zeebrar team, not generated. We do not claim MainWP is a bad product - it may be the right choice for your setup. The comparison focuses on the differences that made us build Zeebrar the way we did: safety-gated installs through our own GPLC Connector, VirusTotal scanning on every plugin file, version rollback with automatic credit refunds, and a bundled plugin library instead of per-site management fees.

MainWP by the numbers

  • MainWP Pro costs $29/month, $199/year, or $599 lifetime, all with unlimited sites. source
  • You must host the MainWP Dashboard on your own dedicated WordPress install: minimum PHP 8.1 and 256MB memory, with a VPS recommended past 100 sites. source
  • MainWP’s own docs state it "does not support on-demand rollback to previous versions" - auto-recovery applies only when an update fails outright. source
  • The Sucuri integration is manual-only site scanning (no scheduled or bulk scans); Jetpack Scan integration requires a paid Jetpack subscription per site. source
  • Uptime monitoring requires your own account with a third-party service (UptimeRobot, NodePing, etc.), checking every 5 minutes. source
  • No premium plugin library is included at any tier - MainWP manages plugins you license elsewhere. source

Verified against the linked pages on the review date above. Vendors change pricing; the source link always wins.

What we tested ourselves

  • Walked the exact Zeebrar flow this page describes, in July 2026: browsed the live catalog (5,200+ plugins at review time), opened a plugin page with its scan status and version history, and used the Install to Site dialog against connected WordPress sites.
  • Every screenshot on this site is captured from the real Zeebrar dashboard, not a mockup.

Questions about a specific claim? Reach us at [email protected]

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Zeebrar a MainWP replacement?
They serve overlapping needs differently. MainWP is a self-hosted WordPress dashboard for managing multiple sites. Zeebrar is a managed SaaS for remote WordPress management - install, update, secure, roll back plugins across client sites - with a 5,000+ premium plugin library and malware scanning built in. If you want a free self-hosted control panel and are comfortable running it yourself, MainWP is worth a look. If you want managed remote WP management with a plugin library and security scanning included, Zeebrar is a better fit.
Can I use both Zeebrar and MainWP?
Yes. Some agencies use MainWP as their central dashboard for backups and updates, while using Zeebrar specifically for sourcing and installing GPL plugins. The GPLC Connector plugin does not conflict with MainWP.
Does Zeebrar require self-hosting?
No. Zeebrar is a fully managed SaaS. You sign up, connect your sites with the GPLC Connector plugin, and start installing plugins. There is no server to provision or maintain.
Which is better for agencies?
It depends on what your agency needs most. MainWP gives you a free, self-hosted hub for managing client sites, which is great if you already have the infrastructure. Zeebrar is better if you need a large plugin catalog, want built-in security scanning, and prefer not to maintain another server. Many agencies use both.
How does pricing compare?
MainWP core is free. Premium extensions (backups, security, etc.) start around $29/year per extension. Zeebrar starts at $9.99/month and includes the full plugin catalog, virus scanning, and remote management. There are no per-extension fees. Your choice depends on whether you value a free base with a la carte add-ons or an all-inclusive subscription.

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