When you want to speed up your WordPress site, three names keep coming up: WP Rocket, FlyingPress and Perfmatters. Although all three are used for speed, they do not do the same job. The wrong combination means wasted money and conflicts. In this article, we explain the role of each plugin and how to use it correctly.
WP Rocket: An all-in-one caching plugin
WP Rocket is a user-friendly caching and optimization plugin that enables page caching as soon as it is installed.
- Page caching and cache preloading
- CSS/JS minification, removing unused CSS, delaying JavaScript
- Lazy load, database cleanup, CDN integration
Who it is for: Those who want reliable results without dealing with technical settings. For detailed installation, you can see our WP Rocket installation guide.
FlyingPress: Performance-focused caching plugin
FlyingPress, like WP Rocket, is a caching and optimization plugin. It stands out with its Core Web Vitals-focused approach.
- Page caching and preloading
- Removing unused CSS, delaying JavaScript
- LCP-focused features such as prioritized loading of above-the-fold images
Who it is for: Users who want to push their speed scores to the limit and enjoy tinkering with settings.
Caution: WP Rocket and FlyingPress do the same job. Do not use both at the same time; choose one.
Perfmatters: The plugin that removes unnecessary load
Perfmatters is not a caching plugin. Its job is to turn off everything that WordPress and your plugins load unnecessarily.
- Script Manager: Loads a plugin’s CSS/JS files only on the pages where they are needed. For example, contact form scripts run only on the contact page.
- Disabling unused WordPress features such as emojis, embeds and XML-RPC
- Local Google Fonts, delayed JavaScript, lazy load
Who it is for: Sites with many plugins and heavy themes. It gives the most efficient results when used alongside a caching plugin.
Comparison table
| WP Rocket | FlyingPress | Perfmatters | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Page caching | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unused CSS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Per-page script disabling | No | No | Yes |
| Ease of installation | Very easy | Easy | Medium |
Best combinations
- Simple and safe: WP Rocket only.
- Maximum performance: WP Rocket + Perfmatters or FlyingPress + Perfmatters.
- What not to do: WP Rocket + FlyingPress + another caching plugin together.
When using two plugins together, enable the same feature (e.g. delayed JavaScript or lazy load) in only one of them; otherwise conflicts may occur.
A speed plugin alone is not enough
A heavy theme, uncompressed images and weak hosting will limit even the best plugin. Using a lightweight theme (e.g. GeneratePress or Kadence) and images in WebP format multiplies the effect of the plugins.
Conclusion
Choose one caching plugin (WP Rocket or FlyingPress) and add Perfmatters if needed. All speed and performance plugins are in the WordPress Plugins & Themes category; after purchase, the plugin file and license information are delivered instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Perfmatters alone speed up the site?
Perfmatters lightens the site by turning off unnecessary scripts and features, but it does not provide page caching. For the best results, it should be used together with a caching plugin such as WP Rocket or FlyingPress.
Which speed plugin is more suitable for WooCommerce sites?
All three plugins are compatible with WooCommerce and automatically exclude the cart, checkout and account pages from caching. In stores with many products, Perfmatters’ Script Manager feature makes a particular difference by loading WooCommerce scripts only on store pages.
Does installing a speed plugin improve Google rankings?
Page speed and Core Web Vitals are among Google’s ranking signals and directly affect user experience. They do not guarantee rankings on their own, but they provide significant support together with content and technical SEO.
