WordPress Product Price Hikes Hit Harder Than You Think
WordPress is big. Like, really big. Over 40% of the entire internet runs on WordPress — blogs, e-commerce sites, news portals, portfolios, you name it. And why not? It’s open-source, flexible, and has a huge ecosystem. But lately, there’s a storm brewing: WordPress-related products are getting expensive. We’re talking big price hikes across plugins, themes, and hosting services, hitting millions of users around the world.
But why are these prices shooting up? Who actually feels the pinch hardest? (Hint: it’s probably not Silicon Valley startups.) Let’s break down exactly what’s happening here.
Table of Contents
History of Price Increases in the WordPress Ecosystem
Over the past 3 to 5 years, many popular WordPress tools, especially high-end agency and business plans, have seen a lot of increases in prices.
Companies usually blame infrastructure costs, inflation, and improved features for these hikes. But here is how much they have actually gone up. Read and compare:
| Product (Plan) | Old Price (Year) | Current Price (2025) | Price Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| WP Rocket (Infinite → Multi 500) | $229 (2022) | $599/year | 162% ↑ |
| Rank Math SEO (Agency) | $499 (2022) | $599/year | 20% ↑ |
| Bricks Builder (Lifetime Unlimited) | $149 (2021) | $599 one-time | 302% ↑ |
| Blocksy (Agency Annual) | $99 (2021) | $149/year | 50% ↑ |
| SureCart (Lifetime Unlimited Stores) | $999 (2022) | $1499 one-time | 50% ↑ |
| WooCommerce Subscriptions (Single-site) | $239 (2020) | $279/year | 17% ↑ |
| Kinsta Hosting (Business 1 Plan) | $100/mo (2020) | $115/month | 15% ↑ |
| WP Engine Hosting (Mid-tier Example) | $70/mo (2021) | $215/month | 207% ↑ |
| SiteGround GoGeek (Renewal Price) | $15/mo (2020) | $40/month | 167% ↑ |
Looking at these numbers, it’s clear—price increases aren’t subtle. They’re significant jumps. But wait, there’s more.
It’s Not Just USD Increases — Currencies Matter Too!
Most WordPress companies deal in US Dollars — obviously for trade and commercial uniformity. So, while their pricing changes see a flat increase in USD, the underlying factor is more than just that. Why? Because most, if not all, currencies have been depreciating in value with respect to USD over time.
Prices aren’t just going up in dollars; the local currencies are also losing value against the US dollar, creating a double-hit.
Here’s the comprehensive breakdown across products and currencies to illustrate exactly how big this impact is:
| Product (Plan) | Country | Price (USD) Old → New | Local Price (Old) | Local Price (Now) | Price Increase (USD) | Real % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP Rocket (Downgraded Infinite License → Multi 500 Sites License) | 🇮🇳 India | $229 → $599 | ₹17,175 | ₹49,717 | 162% ↑ | 189% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $229 → $599 | R$1,191 | R$3,175 | 162% ↑ | 167% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $229 → $599 | Rp3,274,700 | Rp9,284,500 | 162% ↑ | 183% ↑ | |
| Rank Math SEO (Agency) | 🇮🇳 India | $499 → $599 | ₹38,922 | ₹49,717 | 20% ↑ | 28% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $499 → $599 | R$2,595 | R$3,175 | 20% ↑ | 22% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $499 → $599 | Rp7,135,700 | Rp9,284,500 | 20% ↑ | 30% ↑ | |
| Bricks Builder (Lifetime Unlimited) | 🇮🇳 India | $149 → $599 | ₹11,026 | ₹49,717 | 302% ↑ | 351% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $149 → $599 | R$805 | R$3,175 | 302% ↑ | 294% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $149 → $599 | Rp2,115,800 | Rp9,224,600 | 302% ↑ | 336% ↑ | |
| Blocksy (Agency Annual) | 🇮🇳 India | $99 → $149 | ₹7,326 | ₹12,367 | 50% ↑ | 69% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $99 → $149 | R$535 | R$790 | 50% ↑ | 48% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $99 → $149 | Rp1,405,800 | Rp2,309,500 | 50% ↑ | 64% ↑ | |
| SureCart (Unlimited Lifetime) | 🇮🇳 India | $999 → $1499 | ₹77,922 | ₹122,918 | 50% ↑ | 58% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $999 → $1499 | R$5,195 | R$7,645 | 50% ↑ | 47% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $999 → $1499 | Rp14,285,700 | Rp22,485,000 | 50% ↑ | 57% ↑ | |
| WooCommerce Subs. (Single-site) | 🇮🇳 India | $239 → $279 | ₹17,925 | ₹23,157 | 17% ↑ | 29% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $239 → $279 | R$1,231 | R$1,395 | 17% ↑ | 13% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $239 → $279 | Rp3,346,000 | Rp4,185,000 | 17% ↑ | 25% ↑ | |
| Kinsta Hosting (Business 1) | 🇮🇳 India | $100 → $115/mo | ₹7,500 | ₹9,545 | 15% ↑ | 27% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $100 → $115/mo | R$515 | R$575 | 15% ↑ | 12% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $100 → $115/mo | Rp1,400,000 | Rp1,725,000 | 15% ↑ | 23% ↑ | |
| WP Engine Hosting (Mid-tier) | 🇮🇳 India | $70 → $215/mo | ₹5,180 | ₹16,770 | 207% ↑ | 224% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $70 → $215/mo | R$371 | R$1,118 | 207% ↑ | 201% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $70 → $215/mo | Rp994,000 | Rp3,117,500 | 207% ↑ | 214% ↑ | |
| SiteGround GoGeek (Renewal) | 🇮🇳 India | $15 → $40/mo | ₹1,125 | ₹3,000 | 167% ↑ | 167% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $15 → $40/mo | R$77 | R$206 | 167% ↑ | 168% ↑ | |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $15 → $40/mo | Rp210,000 | Rp560,000 | 167% ↑ | 167% ↑ |
Why Are Prices Increasing Anyway?
Let’s be real—running a tech business today isn’t cheap. Server and cloud hosting costs have soared. Amazon AWS and Google Cloud, two mainstays of hosting infrastructure, have raised prices by around 15-30% in recent years.
Software development salaries have also jumped sharply, rising over 20% globally since 2020, especially for specialized roles like cybersecurity and full-stack developers.
Companies like Kinsta, WP Engine, and SiteGround face increasing security threats, requiring investment in premium security infrastructure, firewalls, and monitoring tools. Cybersecurity budgets alone have climbed by roughly 40% industry-wide since 2021. Then there’s inflation, hovering around 5–7% annually across the US and Europe—further inflating operational costs.
Additionally, users today expect constant improvements—new features, faster support, seamless integrations, and high uptime guarantees. Meeting these expectations requires ongoing investment. For example, Rank Math and Bricks Builder have significantly expanded features and integrations, requiring substantial developer resources.
That said, while rising costs are real and valid, price hikes still need transparent justification. Clearly communicated improvements that genuinely enhance user experience can soften the impact. But simply citing inflation or operational costs without matching them with visible upgrades or user benefits erodes trust quickly.
I have a strong case against Rank Math. I mean, what made Rank Math Pro’s pricing move from $49 to $59 to $69 to $84? They haven’t added a feature over time? Also, their customer support has gone from bad to worse. They do have optional AI features, but those are already charged extra as a separate subscription. I am so deeply invested in Rank Math (this site is all Rank Math, and so are some other sites) that I cannot even ditch it anytime soon.
The same is true for WP Rocket. Their SaaS-based approach bullshit of increasing costs by effectively 200% doesn’t make sense. Perfmatters offers even better unused CSS generation features than them at 25% of the cost. Litespeed Cache does it for almost free.
The common factor between these two tools, Rank Math and WP Rocket, is that they were acquired by a commercial company from One.com, and since then, the gradual pricing upgrades have happened to recover their investment money.
Justified price hikes backed by real enhancements are understandable and even acceptable. Unjustified hikes that feel opportunistic, commercially driven or unclear? Not so much.
Is This Sustainable?
On the company side, price increases sometimes seem necessary. Many WordPress businesses began with lifetime deals or low initial pricing to build market share. As they matured, these pricing models proved unsustainable, prompting adjustments. Companies like Bricks Builder initially offered lifetime deals to attract early adopters but later needed to adjust to recurring pricing to maintain a sustainable business model.
A sustainable WordPress ecosystem does require businesses to remain profitable. Without profit margins, innovation stalls, quality declines, and customer support suffers. Companies must ensure long-term viability, not just short-term user acquisition.
Yet, sustainability also means pricing strategies must align with global economic realities. Overly aggressive hikes can backfire, driving users toward cheaper platforms like Wix, Webflow, or Squarespace, or toward entirely free, open-source solutions. This migration threatens WordPress’s dominant market share.
In other words, while some increases make sense from a business perspective, the balance matters. Companies must carefully weigh short-term gains against potential long-term ecosystem harm. If affordability continues to decline without proportional benefits, the WordPress community—built on openness and accessibility—risks fragmenting. That’s something no one, companies included, should want.
Real Impact on Users — Especially in Developing Nations
Here’s the thing—price hikes always hurt, but the real pain isn’t evenly distributed. Users from developing nations, places like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, feel the pinch a lot harder. Let’s unpack why.
See, when WordPress products raise prices, you’re not just dealing with that one increase in dollars. You’ve got to factor in your own currency’s exchange rate. And recently, the dollar’s gotten stronger—making these already painful hikes even more brutal. And as you may already know, third-world countries have their own issues with financing projects and businesses, thanks to low income.
| Country | Region | GDP per Capita (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | North America | $85,000 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Europe | $58,000 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Europe | $62,000 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Europe | $61,000 |
| 🇫🇷 France | Europe | $52,000 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Europe | $53,000 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | North America | $63,000 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Oceania | $68,000 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | Asia | $42,000 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | Asia | $38,000 |
| — | — | — |
| 🇮🇳 India | Asia | $2,700 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Asia | $4,800 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | Asia | $4,100 |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | Africa | $2,400 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | Africa | $3,900 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Latin America | $11,400 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Latin America | $11,900 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Asia | $1,650 |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Asia | $2,350 |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | Asia | $4,700 |
The US and EU countries enjoy 15x to 30x higher income levels than countries like India, Nigeria, or Bangladesh. So when a plugin costs $599/year in the US, that’s roughly:
- 0.7% of annual income in the US
- 22% of annual income in India
- 36% in Nigeria
- Nearly half a year’s income in Pakistan
That’s the real burden. Pricing without this context isn’t just insensitive — it’s exclusionary.
Double Trouble: Price Hikes + Weakening Local Currencies
For example, take WP Rocket’s Agency-level jump from $229/year to $599/year. That’s a 162% increase. Already tough, right? Now factor in that during the same period, currencies in countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia weakened against the US dollar:
- India: In just 3–4 years, the Indian rupee’s strength dropped from around ₹75 per dollar to about ₹83-₹87. That means a dollar now costs roughly 10–16% more. Ouch.
- Brazil: The Brazilian Real went from around R$5.2 to around R$5.3–R$5.5 per dollar. Slight movement, but still adds up, especially at scale.
- Indonesia: Indonesian Rupiah weakened significantly—from about Rp14,300 per dollar to over Rp15,500 now. That’s about an 8% increase in costs, even before considering the price hikes themselves.
This currency weakening multiplies the real-world impact of price hikes. Even a small rise in USD pricing suddenly feels huge in local currency.
Here’s a quick illustration of WP Rocket’s agency-tier pricing again:
| Country | USD Increase (%) | Local Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇳 India | 162% | 189% ↑ |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 162% | 167% ↑ |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 162% | 183% ↑ |
Look at that. A tough but manageable increase in the US becomes genuinely harsh in these countries.
The Broader Picture
Look, for many US-based users, these price hikes already feel annoying but still manageable thanks to their higher standards of living. But in developing nations, it’s not just annoying—it’s potentially devastating. The combined effects of product price increases and currency depreciation mean what seems small in the US can seriously threaten business survival elsewhere.
Let’s see again how dramatic these hikes feel for some of the other products we’ve mentioned:
| Product (Agency Tier) | Country | USD Increase | Real Local Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 🇮🇳 India | 302% ↑ | 351% ↑ |
| Blocksy Theme | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 50% ↑ | 64% ↑ |
| SureCart Unlimited | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 50% ↑ | 47% ↑ |
| WooCommerce Subscriptions | 🇮🇳 India | 17% ↑ | 29% ↑ |
| Kinsta Hosting (Business) | 🇮🇩 Indonesia | 15% ↑ | 23% ↑ |
| WP Engine Hosting | 🇮🇳 India | 207% ↑ | 224% ↑ |
This isn’t a minor problem. It’s literally pushing freelancers, small agencies, and entrepreneurs out of business, or at least forcing them into tough trade-offs.
Why Unjustified Price Increases are a Problem
Look, I get it. Businesses need profits to survive, pay employees, and innovate. That’s fair enough. But the trouble starts when price hikes aren’t matched with equally valuable upgrades or clear, transparent justifications. In other words, price hikes are fine—if they’re justified.
Take WP Rocket’s case again. When the price jumped from $229/year to $599/year, it wasn’t just a massive hike—it also came with same features, limiting previously unlimited sites to a cap of 500. Users felt burned. I mean, imagine paying significantly more and actually getting less flexibility. Not exactly great business.
Then we have examples like Blocksy or Bricks Builder. Sure, they added some features, but were those features worth double or triple the previous price?
Bricks had this price increase in its plans, but $79 per year for one website still looks steep for someone who just wants to start.
This pattern—where prices jump faster than perceived value—has serious long-term impacts:
- Lost Trust: Users start to question a brand’s intentions. If customers suspect you’re hiking prices simply because you can, you lose credibility fast.
- Brand Loyalty Erosion: When users don’t see clear value, loyalty vanishes. They’ll switch as soon as a cheaper, decent alternative pops up. And trust me, there’s always a cheaper alternative lurking around.
- Ecosystem Risk: WordPress thrives because it’s accessible. Affordable pricing fuels the growth of countless freelancers, agencies, and startups. But if critical plugins, themes, and hosting become too expensive, people will start migrating away from WordPress entirely, chasing affordability on other platforms or open-source alternatives.
Imagine if new developers or small businesses choose Wix, Squarespace, or even simpler tools like Carrd.co, just because WordPress products got too costly. It’s not an exaggeration—it’s already happening.
The bottom line is simple: unjustified price hikes aren’t just bad optics. They’re risky business moves, potentially damaging the vibrant ecosystem that makes WordPress special in the first place.
A Better Path—Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
Okay, we’ve spent a lot of time outlining the problem. So, what’s the solution? Enter Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). It sounds complex, but let’s simplify it:
PPP means adjusting prices based on what people in different countries can actually afford. It recognizes that $100 in the US doesn’t buy the same amount of goods or services as $100 in India, Brazil, or Indonesia. Basically, PPP pricing ensures fairness—it’s affordability adjusted by country.
Some smart companies already use PPP successfully. Take WordPress.com — they’ve quietly offered PPP-based pricing for years. Their premium plans cost less in India than in the US, precisely because they know local economic conditions vary wildly.
Here’s a comparison table of WordPress.com Business Plan pricing across regions, converted to USD (approximate values based on current exchange rates):
| Country | Local Annual Price | Approx. USD Equivalent | Effective Discount vs US Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | $300 USD | $300 | — |
| 🇬🇧 UK | £240 GBP | ~$305 | -1.6% (slightly higher) |
| 🇮🇳 India | ₹9,600 INR | ~$115 | ~62% lower |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | R$1,560 BRL | ~$310 | -3.3% (slightly higher) |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | ¥33,000 JPY | ~$218 | ~27% lower |
Similarly, Hostinger also nails this. Their hosting plans use PPP to make sure someone from Jakarta doesn’t pay the same as someone from New York. Other ecosystems are catching on too:
- Shopify offers PPP pricing, making it easier for global entrepreneurs to start online businesses.
- Framer, a popular web design tool, adjusts prices based on location. Designers worldwide get fair access.
- Gumroad lets creators choose PPP discounts, helping buyers globally access creative digital products affordably.
- Tailwind CSS applies PPP for their premium components, ensuring designers everywhere can level up their skills without breaking the bank.
I have bought a lot of PPP-pricing-based products. The most recent example is that I grabbed the Practical UI book by Adam Wathan at a sweet 60% PPP discount. Without PPP, that valuable resource might’ve been off-limits.
PPP pricing is smart business. It shows users that companies genuinely care about affordability and accessibility. It builds trust, loyalty, and—crucially—global market penetration. Companies might earn slightly less per user in certain regions, but they’ll attract more total customers, often making it up in volume. Plus, they build unbeatable goodwill.
PPP isn’t charity—it’s smart economics. It’s about companies saying: “Hey, we get it. The world is diverse, economies differ, and we value every single customer.”
If more WordPress companies adopt PPP, we might just maintain the vibrant, global WordPress ecosystem that we love.
How Companies Can Implement PPP
Now that we’ve covered why PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) matters, let’s talk specifics. If you’re a WordPress brand or product owner, here’s how you can realistically adopt PPP pricing:
Step 1: Understand Your Audience
Before changing anything, first, clearly understand where your customers live. Check your analytics, surveys, or simply ask your customers directly. Identify the top regions where affordability is a real barrier.
Best Practices:
- Run a quick email survey asking users about price sensitivity.
- Use tools like Google Analytics or Stripe billing reports to map out user locations.
Step 2: Calculate PPP Discounts
PPP adjustments aren’t random—they’re based on economic data. You can use indices like the World Bank’s PPP Conversion Factor, OECD PPP Index, or Numbeo’s Cost of Living index.
Quick Example: If your standard plan costs $100/year in the US, here’s roughly how PPP pricing might look:
| Country | PPP Adjustment (%) | Adjusted Price |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 USA | 0% (Baseline) | $100 |
| 🇮🇳 India | -60% | $40 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | -50% | $50 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | -55% | $45 |
This is just illustrative—use current PPP data for accurate adjustments.
Step 3: Transparent Communication
Price changes can cause confusion. Always clearly explain why you’re adopting PPP. People appreciate honesty. Trust me, transparency earns loyalty.
Best Practices:
- Send detailed emails or publish clear blog posts announcing PPP adjustments.
- Include FAQs on your pricing page to quickly answer common questions.
Step 4: Feedback and Adaptation
Launch PPP pricing first as a pilot, then actively seek customer feedback. Regularly reassess and tweak based on real user responses.
How to Gather Feedback:
- Community forums and Slack groups
- Short post-purchase surveys
- Periodic emails asking, “Is our pricing fair?”
Step 5: Tailor PPP to Your Use Case
Different products need different PPP strategies:
| Use Case | Recommended PPP Strategy | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Tiered Pricing based on region | Hostinger’s regional pricing is already a success. |
| Plugins | Flat PPP discounts or adjusted licensing | Rank Math SEO could offer regional discounts |
| Themes | PPP-adjusted lifetime or annual plans | Blocksy could offer lower regional annual rates |
| SaaS Tools | Monthly/annual subscriptions with PPP adjustments clearly shown at checkout | Framer & Gumroad are making use of PPP |
Real-World Examples:
- Hostinger reduces hosting costs by up to 60% for users in India, Indonesia, and Brazil.
- Framer clearly shows regional PPP discounts at checkout, building immediate goodwill.
- Gumroad allows creators to set region-specific discounts, helping them reach global audiences fairly.
What Users Should Do?
Okay, if you’re a user facing these hikes, you’re not helpless. Here’s how you can respond proactively:
1. Voice Your Concerns (Constructively)
Companies do listen—but only if they actually hear from you. Send polite feedback via email, community forums, or social media. Explain clearly how price hikes affect your work or business.
2. Support PPP-Friendly Companies
Vote with your wallet. When possible, choose brands that practice PPP or fair pricing. This encourages more companies to follow suit.
Brands Already Doing PPP (Show Your Support):
| Company | Product Type | PPP Usage |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress.com | Hosting | Regional adjusted prices |
| Hostinger | Hosting | Significant PPP discounts |
| Shopify | E-commerce | PPP-based pricing |
| Framer | Web Design | Clear regional discounts |
| Gumroad | Digital Products | Creator-controlled PPP discounts |
3. Explore Alternatives
If prices become truly unsustainable, explore free or cheaper alternatives. For example, consider open-source plugins, more affordable hosting, or themes offering lifetime deals.
Quick Example:
- WP Rocket Alternative: LiteSpeed Cache (Free)
- Rank Math SEO Alternative: SEOPress or Slim SEO (Freemium)
- Expensive Hosting Alternative: WordPress.com, Hostinger and (even though not PPP) WPX offer transparent pricing and competitive performance.
- Ditch WordPress: And use Framer, Shopify, maybe. Huh?
4. Stay Informed & Organized
Track your expenses, budget smartly, and stay informed about currency rates. Planning ahead helps manage unexpected hikes.
Conclusion
Look, price hikes aren’t inherently evil. Companies have costs. Innovation requires investment. We get that. However, WordPress thrives because of its accessibility. When critical tools become financially unreachable for millions globally, that’s not just unfair—it’s bad for business. Users leave, communities weaken, and ultimately, the ecosystem we love suffers.
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) isn’t charity; it’s savvy economics. It’s about respecting global diversity, understanding economic realities, and creating loyal customers. Brands using PPP build trust, credibility, and loyalty—ingredients that drive sustainable growth.
So here’s the deal: WordPress brands, it’s time to embrace PPP. It’s not just ethically sound—it’s smart, sustainable, profitable business. Listen to your global users. Adapt pricing fairly. Communicate transparently. Everyone wins when prices reflect real-world affordability.
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