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The WordPress (Automattic) and WP Engine Dispute: What You Need to Know

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Claire Walker
Client Director

The ongoing dispute between WordPress.org and WP Engine has raised significant concerns for users of both platforms. With both parties now engaging in legal actions, the future of their partnership is uncertain - a development that could affect a substantial number of WordPress users hosted on WP Engine and has consequences for the broader WordPress community.

WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, powering around 40% of all websites. WP Engine is one of the largest dedicated WordPress hosting providers, hosting hundreds of thousands of sites, though users can opt for other hosting solutions. 

Kaweb clients had no issues with WP Engine’s issues, as we manage all hosting in-house, directly on our secure servers. Nevertheless, recent changes have impacted some of our clients relying on WP Engine’s management of specific plugins, particularly ACF (Advanced Custom Fields).

Who This Impacts

WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, powering around 40% of all websites. WP Engine is one of the largest dedicated WordPress hosting providers, hosting hundreds of thousands of sites, though users can opt for other hosting solutions.

All Kaweb hosting clients need not worry about WP Engine’s issues, as we manage all hosting in-house, directly on our secure servers. Nevertheless, recent changes have impacted some of our clients relying on WP Engine’s management of specific plugins, particularly ACF (Advanced Custom Fields).

A Closer Look at the ACF Transfer

In a move that stirred the WordPress community, WordPress.org took control of the ACF plugin repository from WP Engine who own and maintain the plugin. This shift was facilitated by WordPress.org’s guidelines, which allow it to assume control of plugins when deemed necessary. As a result, WP Engine has been unable to provide direct updates for ACF, impacting developers and site owners who depend on this powerful tool for custom field management within WordPress.

At Kaweb, we proactively handle WordPress maintenance on hundreds of sites every month. We have already ensured that sites utilising ACF are updated to the official latest version, keeping our clients’ sites secure and fully functional. We will continue to monitor developments in this case and adjust our approach as necessary to ensure seamless site performance.

Other large plugin maintainers have started moving the free versions of their plugins away from the wordpress.org repository, fearing that their plugins could also be taken over, fracturing the once central plugin repository hosted at wordpress.org.

Need Assistance?

If you're affected by the WP Engine and WordPress.org conflict and wish to transition to a different hosting solution, Kaweb’s team can assist with a streamlined migration process. We also strongly recommend having a WordPress maintenance plan to ensure timely updates and minimise disruption from potential platform changes. This can be done annually or through a development support retainer.

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