By Ramzeen A V —

WordPress vs WP Engine: What’s Happening?

A recent feud between Matt Mullenweg, co-creator of WordPress and CEO of Automattic, and WP Engine has erupted over how the managed hosting company engages with the open-source WordPress community. Mullenweg took the stage at WordCamp US 2024, labeling WP Engine a "cancer to WordPress" due to what he perceives as profiteering off WordPress without giving much back to the platform.

The Background: WordPress & WP Engine’s Relationship

WP Engine has been offering managed hosting for WordPress since 2010 and, according to Mullenweg, is guilty of disabling fundamental WordPress features to cut costs and maximize profits. WP Engine raised $250 million from Silver Lake, a private equity firm, in 2018, but its community contributions, as claimed by Mullenweg, pale in comparison to Automattic’s.

Mullenweg emphasized that both Automattic and WP Engine generate similar revenue, around $500 million, yet Automattic dedicates 3,900 hours weekly to WordPress, while WP Engine offers just 40 hours.

“This disparity in contributions is not about size; it’s about values,” Mullenweg argued, urging WordPress users to “vote with their wallets” and move to alternative hosts like Hostinger, Bluehost, and Automattic-owned Pressable.

“A Cancer to WordPress”

Mullenweg didn’t stop there. He compared WP Engine’s business practices to a "cancer" that could spread through the WordPress ecosystem, potentially setting a harmful precedent for other companies. He also took aim at Silver Lake, WP Engine’s controlling investor, accusing the firm of prioritizing profit over the open-source values at the heart of WordPress.

“Silver Lake doesn’t give a dang about your open-source ideals,” Mullenweg said, making a direct plea to the WordPress community to reconsider their association with WP Engine.

The Crux of the Issue: Content Revision Storage

Mullenweg’s harshest criticism was reserved for WP Engine’s handling of WordPress’s content revision storage. WordPress is built to save every change, allowing users to revert their content to previous versions. According to Mullenweg, WP Engine disables this feature by default and only allows three revisions, which are automatically deleted after 60 days. WP Engine recommends customers use a third-party system for extensive revisions.

“They disable revisions because it costs them more to store this data,” Mullenweg claimed, stating that this practice compromises the integrity of user content, one of WordPress’s core promises.

Following Mullenweg’s remarks, WP Engine issued a cease-and-desist letter to Automattic, refuting his accusations and asking for a retraction. While no formal response has been issued beyond the letter, WP Engine’s legal action highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for this clash to escalate further.

What Does This Mean for the WordPress Community?

At the heart of this controversy is the future of the open-source WordPress ecosystem. Mullenweg’s call to "vote with your wallet" signals a deeper struggle over how companies profit from open-source software while balancing community contributions. WP Engine's legal response suggests this debate is far from over.

This feud serves as a wake-up call to WordPress users to think carefully about the companies they support and how those companies contribute to the open-source ethos that has made WordPress the dominant platform it is today.

Final Thoughts: Who Should You Choose?

If you’re a WordPress user considering hosting options, Mullenweg’s critique raises essential questions. WP Engine offers robust managed hosting services, but the controversy around its practices may leave some users reconsidering their choices. For users who value open-source contributions and the sustainability of WordPress, looking into alternative hosts like Pressable, Bluehost, or Hostinger may be worth exploring.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your values as a website owner. If open-source integrity is as important to you as functionality, the recent conflict between WordPress and WP Engine might sway your decision.