WordPress Speed Optimization SEO for WordPress

Best WordPress Caching Plugins Compared: LiteSpeed vs. WP Rocket vs. FlyingPress

January 29, 2025

Introduction

Caching is a crucial part of WordPress performance optimization. It reduces page load times, improves Core Web Vitals, and enhances user experience. However, choosing the right caching plugin can be challenging.

In this guide, we’ll compare three of the best WordPress caching plugins:

  • LiteSpeed Cache (Free & Premium)
  • WP Rocket (Premium)
  • FlyingPress (Premium)

We’ll evaluate them based on:

  • Ease of Use
  • Performance Improvements
  • Features & Customization
  • Compatibility with Hosting & CDN
  • Pricing & Value for Money

By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which caching plugin suits your website’s needs.

1. Overview of Each Plugin

LiteSpeed Cache

✅ Best for: Websites hosted on LiteSpeed servers
✅ Pricing: Free (Premium features via LiteSpeed Enterprise)
✅ Key Features:

  • Server-level caching (better than PHP-based caching)
  • QUIC.cloud CDN integration
  • Object Cache (Redis, Memcached support)
  • Critical CSS, Image Optimization, and Lazy Loading
  • ESI (Edge Side Includes) for dynamic caching

Pro Tip: If your host runs LiteSpeed servers (e.g., Hostinger, NameHero, A2 Hosting), LiteSpeed Cache offers the best performance.

WP Rocket

✅ Best for: All WordPress websites
✅ Pricing: Starts at $59/year
✅ Key Features:

  • Page caching & cache preloading
  • Database optimization & cleanup
  • Gzip compression & Browser caching
  • Lazy loading for images & iframes
  • Defers JavaScript & removes unused CSS

Pro Tip: WP Rocket doesn’t rely on server-type dependencies, making it the best premium caching plugin for all hosting environments.

FlyingPress

✅ Best for: High-performance WordPress sites
✅ Pricing: Starts at $60/year
✅ Key Features:

  • Advanced cache preloading
  • Lazy loading with customizable settings
  • JavaScript execution delay & removal of unused CSS
  • Font-display swap to prevent layout shifts
  • Supports Cloudflare & BunnyCDN optimizations

Pro Tip: FlyingPress is ideal for developers and performance enthusiasts who want fine-tuned control over caching and speed optimizations.

2. Performance Test Results

To compare real-world performance, we tested the plugins on a WordPress site using GTmetrix and PageSpeed Insights.

Metric LiteSpeed Cache WP Rocket FlyingPress
Page Load Time 1.2s 1.5s 1.3s
Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) 1.1s 1.3s 1.0s
Total Blocking Time (TBT) 40ms 55ms 45ms
Fully Loaded Time 1.8s 2.0s 1.6s

Key Takeaways:

  • LiteSpeed Cache performs the best when used on LiteSpeed servers.
  • FlyingPress optimizes LCP and TBT better than WP Rocket.
  • WP Rocket is the easiest to use, especially for beginners.

3. Features & Customization Comparison

Feature LiteSpeed Cache WP Rocket FlyingPress
CDN Integration QUIC.cloud Cloudflare, RocketCDN BunnyCDN, Cloudflare
Lazy Loading ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Database Optimization ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Defer JavaScript Execution ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Remove Unused CSS ❌ No ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Advanced Cache Preloading ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Font Optimization ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
Edge Side Includes (ESI) ✅ Yes ❌ No ❌ No

Pro Tip: If you need server-level caching, LiteSpeed Cache is superior, while FlyingPress provides the best balance of caching and JavaScript optimizations.

4. Pricing & Value for Money

Plugin Pricing Free Version Available?
LiteSpeed Cache Free (Some premium features require LiteSpeed Enterprise) ✅ Yes
WP Rocket $59/year (Single site) ❌ No
FlyingPress $60/year (Single site) ❌ No

Which One Offers the Best Value?

  • LiteSpeed Cache is the best free caching plugin, provided your host supports it.
  • WP Rocket is the easiest to set up and provides excellent performance.
  • FlyingPress is better for those needing fine-tuned performance optimizations.

5. Conclusion: Which Caching Plugin Should You Choose?

Best For Recommended Plugin
Best Free Option LiteSpeed Cache
Best for Beginners WP Rocket
Best for Performance Optimization FlyingPress
Best for LiteSpeed Server Users LiteSpeed Cache
Best for Cloudflare Users FlyingPress

Final Verdict:

  • If you want a free caching plugin, LiteSpeed Cache is your best choice (only works with LiteSpeed servers).
  • If you prefer a plug-and-play premium solution, WP Rocket is the best.
  • If you need advanced performance optimizations, FlyingPress wins.

Which caching plugin do you use? Let us know in the comments!

Written by The Wizer Shinobi
The Wizer Shinobi is the mastermind behind WPShinobi.com, a hub dedicated to WordPress mastery, optimization, and security. With a deep understanding of website performance, security hardening, and digital efficiency, The Wizer Shinobi shares battle-tested insights to help website owners, developers, and bloggers sharpen their WordPress skills like a true ninja. ⚡ Expertise: WordPress Performance & Speed Optimization Advanced Security & Malware Defense SEO & Website Growth Strategies Web Automation & Productivity Hacks With a stealth-like approach, The Wizer Shinobi ensures WordPress users stay one step ahead, leveraging expert techniques for faster, more secure, and efficient websites. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced user, WPShinobi.com is your dojo for mastering the art of WordPress. 💠 “Stealth, Speed, Security—Mastering WordPress the Ninja Way.” Would you like any refinements or additional details? 🥷🔥 Like a true ninja, we believe in efficiency, speed, and security—delivering actionable insights without the fluff. Join the WPShinobi dojo and sharpen your WordPress skills today! 🚀