In 2025, WordPress continues to dominate as one of the most versatile and widely used platforms for website development. To streamline workflows, enhance functionality, and improve website performance, developers have access to a plethora of powerful tools.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned developer, using the right tools can make your WordPress projects faster, easier, and more efficient.
Below, we have compiled a list of the top 20 WordPress development tools for 2025, complete with their key features.
1. Elementor Pro
Elementor Pro is a powerful drag-and-drop page builder for WordPress, offering advanced design features, responsive tools, and seamless integration with popular plugins to create stunning websites effortlessly.
Key Features:
- Drag-and-drop page builder with real-time preview.
- Advanced design capabilities, including animations and custom CSS.
- Wide range of pre-built templates and blocks.
- Built-in responsive design tools.
- Integrations with popular plugins like WooCommerce and Yoast SEO.
Pro Tip: Use Elementor’s global settings for typography and colours to maintain design consistency across your site and save time when making global updates.
2. Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, customisable code editor ideal for WordPress developers. It features extensions for PHP and JavaScript, Git integration, and debugging tools for seamless coding.
Key Features:
- Lightweight, fast, and highly customisable code editor.
- Extensive extensions for WordPress-specific development (e.g., PHP, CSS, JavaScript).
- Git integration for version control.
- Debugging tools for seamless error tracking.
- Cross-platform compatibility.
Pro Tip: Install extensions like “PHP Intelephense” and “WordPress Snippets” to enhance productivity when coding for WordPress projects. Use Emmet shortcuts for faster HTML and CSS coding.
3. WP-CLI (WordPress Command Line Interface)
WP-CLI simplifies WordPress management via the command line, enabling quick plugin installations, database management, and bulk updates, making it an essential tool for efficient development.
Key Features:
- Allows you to manage WordPress installations from the command line.
- Quick installation of plugins and themes.
- Database management and migrations.
- Bulk actions like updating core, plugins, or themes.
- Scripting capabilities for automation.
Pro Tip: Create custom scripts with WP-CLI to automate repetitive tasks like bulk plugin updates or database backups for faster and more efficient workflows.
4. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
ACF empowers developers to create custom fields with ease. Its intuitive interface and API support seamless integration with WordPress themes for tailored functionality.
Key Features:
- Create and manage custom fields effortlessly.
- Intuitive UI for developers and non-technical users.
- Extensive field types, including text, image, and relationships.
- Seamless integration with WordPress themes.
- API for advanced customisations.
Pro Tip: Combine ACF with the REST API to expose custom fields to external applications, enabling advanced integrations and functionality for your WordPress site.
5. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a comprehensive e-commerce plugin that transforms WordPress sites into online stores. Its extensive features include payment gateways, SEO optimisation, and mobile-friendly design.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive e-commerce plugin for WordPress.
- Built-in payment gateways and tax calculators.
- Extensive extensions for features like subscriptions and memberships.
- SEO-optimised for product pages.
- Mobile-friendly and responsive.
Pro Tip: Use WooCommerce’s analytics dashboard to track customer behavior and identify top-selling products. Enhance sales by adding dynamic pricing or discounts with extensions.
6. WP Rocket
WP Rocket is a leading caching plugin for WordPress, designed to boost website speed with minimal setup. Features like lazy loading and database optimisation ensure top-notch performance.
Key Features:
- Caching plugin to speed up WordPress websites.
- Simple setup with minimal configuration required.
- Database optimisation tools.
- Lazy loading for images and videos.
- CDN integration for faster content delivery.
Pro Tip: Enable WP Rocket’s “Preload Cache” feature to ensure faster load times for all pages, especially those not frequently visited, improving overall site performance.
7. Jetpack
Jetpack is an all-in-one plugin offering security, performance, and management solutions. It includes automated backups, brute force protection, and social sharing tools for a hassle-free experience.
Key Features:
- All-in-one solution for security, performance, and site management.
- Backup and restore features with automated options.
- Integrated social sharing and related post widgets.
- Real-time activity log for troubleshooting.
- Brute force attack protection.
Pro Tip: Use Jetpack’s “Site Accelerator” feature to optimise images and speed up static file loading, leveraging their content delivery network (CDN) for improved performance.
8. Yoast SEO
Yoast SEO is a must-have plugin for optimising WordPress websites. It provides real-time SEO suggestions, XML sitemaps, and readability analysis to improve search rankings and user experience.
Key Features:
- On-page SEO optimisation with real-time suggestions.
- XML sitemap generation for improved indexing.
- Readability analysis for content improvement.
- Canonical URL management to avoid duplicate content.
- Integration with Google Search Console.
Pro Tip: Regularly check the “Cornerstone Content” feature in Yoast to ensure your most important pages are optimised and easy for search engines to find.
9. Local by Flywheel
Local by Flywheel is a powerful tool for creating local WordPress environments. With one-click installations and built-in SSL, it’s perfect for testing and prototyping websites offline.
Key Features:
- Local WordPress development environment.
- One-click WordPress installation.
- Built-in SSL for local sites.
- Database management with phpMyAdmin.
- Site cloning for rapid prototyping.
Pro Tip: Use the “Blueprints” feature in Local to save commonly used settings, themes, and plugins, allowing you to spin up new projects faster with pre-configured setups.
10. WPBakery Page Builder
WPBakery offers an intuitive drag-and-drop interface for building WordPress pages. With pre-designed elements and custom grid options, it enables developers to create unique layouts effortlessly.
Key Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface.
- Over 50 pre-designed content elements.
- Custom grid builder for unique layouts.
- Compatibility with most WordPress themes.
- Extendable with custom shortcodes and add-ons.
Pro Tip: Use WPBakery’s “Template Library” to save custom layouts and reuse them across multiple pages for consistent design and faster development.
11. Gutenberg Block Editor
The Gutenberg Block Editor revolutionises content creation in WordPress with a block-based approach. Its reusable blocks and full-site editing capabilities enhance flexibility and efficiency.
Key Features:
- Modern block-based editor for WordPress.
- Pre-designed block patterns for quicker content creation.
- Advanced features like reusable blocks and full-site editing.
- Easy integration with custom themes and plugins.
- Accessibility improvements for users with disabilities.
Pro Tip: Create and save reusable blocks for frequently used elements like CTAs or pricing tables to streamline content creation across your WordPress site.
12. ThemeForest
ThemeForest is a marketplace offering premium WordPress themes for various niches. With regular updates, previews, and coding standards, it’s a go-to resource for high-quality designs.
Key Features:
- Marketplace for premium WordPress themes.
- Diverse selection of responsive and niche-specific themes.
- Regular updates and support for purchased themes.
- Preview options to test before buying.
- High-quality coding standards.
Pro Tip: Always check the demo page of a theme for loading speed and responsiveness before purchasing. Look for themes with regular updates and high customer reviews.
13. Codeable
Codeable connects businesses with vetted WordPress experts for custom development. Its secure payment system and flexible pricing make it ideal for projects of any scale.
Key Features:
- Platform for hiring WordPress developers.
- Vetted experts for custom development needs.
- Flexible pricing for projects of all sizes.
- Secure payment system with milestone tracking.
- Reviews and ratings for developer transparency.
Pro Tip: Clearly define your project scope and requirements before hiring a developer on Codeable to ensure a smooth and efficient collaboration.
14. WP Migrate
WP Migrate simplifies WordPress site migration with options for database, media, and theme transfers. It supports staging environments and secure data serialisation for reliable migrations.
Key Features:
- Simplifies migration of WordPress sites.
- Options for migrating database, media files, and themes.
- Supports push-and-pull operations for staging environments.
- Compatibility with multi-site WordPress installations.
- Secure transfer with data serialisation support.
Pro Tip: Use the “Find & Replace” feature during migration to update URLs or database strings automatically, ensuring your site functions correctly after transfer.
15. Google PageSpeed Insights
Google PageSpeed Insights analyses website performance and offers actionable recommendations. With Core Web Vitals analysis, it ensures optimised speed and user experience for WordPress sites.
Key Features:
- Measures website performance across mobile and desktop.
- Provides actionable recommendations for speed improvement.
- Integrates with WordPress plugins like WP Rocket.
- Core Web Vitals analysis for user experience.
- Free and user-friendly interface.
Pro Tip: Focus on optimising “First Contentful Paint” and “Largest Contentful Paint” metrics using suggestions from Google PageSpeed Insights for the best performance improvements.
16. Postman SMTP
Postman SMTP ensures email deliverability for WordPress by logging activity and supporting multiple SMTP servers. Its user-friendly setup makes it essential for seamless communication.
Key Features:
- Ensures email deliverability for WordPress sites.
- Logs email activity for debugging and tracking.
- Supports multiple SMTP servers like Gmail and SendGrid.
- Easy setup with wizard-based configuration.
- Works seamlessly with WooCommerce.
Pro Tip: Configure a reliable SMTP service like SendGrid or Gmail to ensure consistent email deliverability and avoid issues with server-based email configurations.
17. BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy offers a complete backup solution for WordPress sites, including automated scheduling, restoration tools, and malware scanning, ensuring data safety and easy site recovery.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive backup solution for WordPress.
- Automated backups with scheduling options.
- Migration and restoration tools included.
- Stores backups on remote locations like Dropbox and Google Drive.
- Malware scanning for security.
Pro Tip: Schedule backups during low-traffic periods and store them offsite in cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive for added security and reliability.
18. MonsterInsights
MonsterInsights integrates Google Analytics with WordPress, providing real-time insights into traffic and user behavior. Its e-commerce tracking and GDPR tools ensure data-driven decision-making.
Key Features:
- Google Analytics integration for WordPress.
- Real-time stats on user behavior and traffic.
- E-commerce tracking for WooCommerce.
- User-friendly dashboard with actionable insights.
- GDPR compliance tools.
Pro Tip: Enable enhanced e-commerce tracking in MonsterInsights to gain detailed insights into customer behavior and optimise your sales funnel effectively.
19. GitHub
GitHub is a versatile platform for version control and collaboration in WordPress projects. Its branching, pull requests, and CI/CD pipeline integration enhance teamwork and project management.
Key Features:
- Version control and collaboration for WordPress projects.
- Integration with CI/CD pipelines.
- Secure hosting for code repositories.
- Open-source resources for WordPress developers.
- Branching and pull requests for seamless teamwork.
Pro Tip: Use GitHub Actions to automate tasks like deploying WordPress updates or running tests, improving your workflow and minimising manual errors.
20. UptimeRobot
UptimeRobot monitors website uptime, downtime, and SSL certificates, providing instant alerts for issues. Its easy integration with WordPress ensures reliable site performance monitoring.
Key Features:
- Monitors website uptime and performance.
- Alerts for downtime via email, SMS, or push notifications.
- Monitors server performance and SSL certificates.
- Free and premium plans available.
- Easy integration with WordPress sites.
Pro Tip: Set shorter monitoring intervals for critical websites or services to receive faster alerts and minimise downtime’s impact on user experience.
Conclusion:
The world of WordPress development in 2025 is full of tools designed to boost productivity, simplify workflows, and help you create amazing websites. Tools like Elementor Pro and WPBakery make building pages easy, while WP Rocket and UptimeRobot improve website speed and performance.
Each tool plays an important role in making your development process smoother and more effective.
Whether you’re an experienced developer or just getting started, using these tools wisely can help you create user-friendly, high-performing websites that meet your clients’ needs. Explore these tools today and take your WordPress development skills to the next level!
How Xofts Helps You With That
At Xofts, we make WordPress development easy and effective for your business. Our team of experts uses the best tools, like Elementor Pro, WP Rocket, and WooCommerce, to build stunning, high-performing websites tailored to your needs. From seamless migrations to secure backups, we handle it all so you can focus on growing your business. Let Xofts turn your vision into a powerful online presence!
