How LiteSpeed Cache Affects Your WordPress Speed

How is this scored?
Our Benchmark Methodology
Every speed score on MakeWPFast is based on real performance measurements, not estimates. We install each plugin on a clean WordPress 6.9 setup (PHP 8.3, MariaDB, GeneratePress theme) and measure the difference in three metrics:
TTFB (Time To First Byte) — how many milliseconds the plugin adds to server response time. This is the most important factor (50% of the score) because it directly affects every page load.
Memory usage — how much additional PHP memory the plugin consumes per request (30% of score). High memory usage can cause crashes on shared hosting.
Database queries — how many extra SQL queries the plugin runs per page load (20% of score). More queries mean more database work on every request.
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| A / A- | Negligible impact. Safe to install on any hosting. |
| B+ / B / B- | Light impact. Adds some overhead but manageable on most setups. |
| C+ / C / C- | Moderate impact. May noticeably slow down budget hosting. |
| D+ / D | Heavy impact. Will affect page load times. Consider alternatives. |
| F | Severe impact. Significant resource usage that hurts performance. |
Plugins marked "Not Yet Tested" have not been benchmarked yet. We do not estimate or guess scores — if there is no measured data, there is no grade.
Note: Benchmarks measure a plugin in isolation on a clean install. Real-world impact varies based on your hosting, other plugins, and how the plugin is configured.
Performance Analysis
LiteSpeed Cache is a complete caching and optimization solution for WordPress that handles page caching, image, CSS and JS minification to boost load times and PageSpeed metrics.
It’s aimed at developers who want a single plugin to handle all performance tasks, especially those using LiteSpeed servers where the plugin is tightly integrated.
It’s a solid choice if you’re comfortable with server‑specific caching and don’t mind a modest memory bump and a negligible TTFB impact. Skip it if you’re on PHP‑based hosting, need a lightweight solution, or want to avoid server‑specific features.
Maintenance Status
Last updated: 2025-12-16. Requires PHP 7.2+. Trusted by 7.0M+ active installations.
Benchmark data measured in an isolated Docker environment (WordPress 6.8, PHP 8.3, GeneratePress). See our full methodology.
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Alternatives to LiteSpeed Cache
| Plugin | Speed Score | Active Installs |
|---|---|---|
| Site Kit by Google – Analytics, Search Console, AdSense, Speed | A- | 5M+ |
| Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth | A | 3M+ |
| WP Super Cache | A | 1M+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does LiteSpeed Cache slow down WordPress?
Is LiteSpeed Cache still maintained?
What are the best alternatives to LiteSpeed Cache?
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