Hummingbird Pro (WPMU DEV) Review: Steep Renewal Price? ([year])

Ease of Use

I rate its ease of use a 4.2 out of 5.

Here’s why:

• The setup process is straightforward, whether you're using the free or pro version.
• Pro version installation requires extra steps, like creating a WPMU DEV account and manually uploading the plugin.
• The user interface is sleek and intuitive, but the six-step setup wizard might overwhelm some users who prefer a quicker start or fewer steps.

Hummingbird Pro offers a user-friendly experience with a modern, clean dashboard and straightforward navigation.

While the pro version’s setup demands extra effort, the interface compensates by making ongoing use simple and efficient.

Initial Setup

Hummingbird might seem like a “premium only” plugin, but that’s not the case since you can install a free version.

For the free version, log in to your website’s admin area, go to plugins > add new, and then search for “hummingbird” in the search bar.

From there, simply install and activate the plugin:

After activating it, you will be redirected to the installed plugins page, and if you click on any Hummingbird option, the setup wizard will start.

For the pro version, you first need to create an account in WPMU DEV and then purchase a subscription to WPMU DEV.

After that:

• Download the pro plugin from WPMU DEV
• Go to the plugins > add new page on your website
• This time, click the upload plugin button

Then, upload the .zip file of the plugin to the page and activate it:

Similar to the free version, the setup wizard will kickstart once you click on any Hummingbird option in the admin area.

User Interface

As I mentioned earlier, the setup wizard will start anytime you click on a Hummingbird item right after activating the plugin.

This is the first page you will see:

You can proceed to either skip the wizard and go directly to the dashboard or proceed through each step in the setup.

There are six steps here:

1. Getting started
2. Asset optimization
3. Uptime (Pro)
4. Page caching
5. Advanced tools
6. Finish

Here are some screenshots:

Nice! 🙂

As for the user interface, everything seems pretty good, complete with a dashboard that features a modern and clean layout.

Here:

Some of the items you will in the dashboard include:

• Performance report
• Page caching status
• Browser caching status

Each item has a button for you to visit that feature or tool.

That means Hummingbird is easy to navigate, and you can jump between selections and tweak settings without difficulty.

Best Features

My rating here is a good 4.4 out of 5.

Here’s why:

• The plugin offers comprehensive caching tools and advanced optimizations like critical CSS generation and JavaScript delay.
• Some features, like advanced asset optimization and notifications, are locked behind the pro version, limiting their accessibility for free users.
• Performance reports are visually clear and actionable, but interpreting and implementing some advanced suggestions might require technical knowledge.

Hummingbird Pro is packed with features that enhance website speed and efficiency, from robust caching to detailed performance reports.

While certain tools are pro-only, they justify the cost with noticeable performance improvements and ease of automation.

Here are some notable features of Hummingbird:

1. Performance Reports

It’s amazing that Hummingbird has a free performance test and reports feature, which can help you assess and improve your site speed.

Here are some screenshots:

As you can see, the report uses a pie chart to display metric weights, making it easy to interpret scores at a glance.

Some key features here include:

• Quick performance tests
• Performance score metrics
• Historic field data
• Opportunities for improvement
• Passed audits overview

Suggestions for improvement are categorized as opportunities and diagnostics, with actionable tips to refine page performance further.

2. Caching Mechanisms

Hummingbird provides powerful caching options to speed up your WordPress site.

It’s complete with different tools from browser caching to advanced integrations to help with faster load times and optimized server performance.

Some screenshots for this feature:

Since there’s a lot of them, here’s a quick rundown of all the core caching features in Hummingbird:

Caching Type	Description	Key Benefits
Page Caching	Stores static HTML versions of your pages to serve them faster.	Users can cache specific page types like front pages, posts, or categories.
Browser Caching	Saves static assets like CSS, JavaScript, and images on users' devices.	Enhances load speeds for repeat visitors.
Preload Caching	Automatically generates cached versions of pages and posts for faster delivery.	Optimizes speed after updates by preloading critical content.
RSS Feed Caching	Controls how long RSS feeds are cached to reduce server load.	Balances content freshness with performance gains.
Gravatar Caching	Locally stores avatars from comments and themes.	Reduces external requests, speeding up page loads.

There are also some advanced settings available like cache management, compression options, exclusions and rules, and debugging.

Hummingbird also supports integrations with providers like Cloudflare and Varnish for improved caching capabilities including automatic purging and fine-tuned cache management.

3. Extra Asset Optimization (Pro)

Under assets optimization, there’s a tab for “extra optimization” with advanced features that can improve your website performance.

These tools focus on reducing render-blocking elements, optimizing font usage, and handling non-critical scripts intelligently.

The specific features here include:

• Delay JavaScript execution
• Generate critical CSS
• Font optimization (though this one is available in the free version)

The first one deals with postponing the loading of non-essential JavaScript until the user interacts with the page, such as scrolling or clicking.

The second one is about creating critical CSS to prioritize styles required for above-the-fold content, reducing initial load times.

By focusing on above-the-fold content and intelligently handling assets, these features minimize resource usage while maintaining the site’s functionality and design integrity.

4. Notifications (Pro)

Hummingbird Pro includes a powerful notifications feature that allows you to automate reports and alerts.

You can set up detailed notifications for various performance metrics and tasks so you can stay on top of your website's health and optimization efforts.

There are three types of notifications available:

• Performance test reports
• Database cleanup reports
• Uptime notifications

You can set the notifications to be scheduled to run daily, weekly, or monthly, and users can choose when (week and time) to receive the reports.

The recipient management allows you to add multiple recipients, which can be selected from registered users or added manually via email.

All these are nice since they help automate important updates and eliminate the need for constant manual monitoring.

Reliability

For reliability, my rating here is 3.9 out of 5.

Here’s why:

• Regular updates and proactive maintenance ensure the plugin stays aligned with modern web performance standards and fixes issues promptly.
• Frontend loading time in performance tests lags behind competitors like LiteSpeed Cache, which may concern users prioritizing speed above all else.
• While the real-world impact on page speed is negligible, users might perceive the slower test results as a drawback compared to competitors.

Hummingbird Pro is a reliable plugin with consistent updates, robust maintenance, and solid backend performance.

Although its frontend loading time isn’t the fastest, the difference is minimal in practical use.

Performance

As for the performance of the plugin itself, I test it out with Code Profiler:

• Website frontend: 0.453 seconds
• Admin backend: 0.075 seconds

For comparison with its competitors (lower is better):

Feature	Hummingbird Pro	LiteSpeed Cache	WP Rocket
Website Frontend	0.453 seconds	0.023 seconds	0.107 seconds
Admin Backend	0.075 seconds	0.027 seconds	0.103 seconds

For the results, the impact on page speed is still less than a second, which is negligible in real-world experience.

However, we must look at the results and we can see that Hummingbird Pro’s website frontend loading time is slower than its competitors.

On the bright side though, its admin backend time is faster than WP Rocket’s results but slower than LiteSpeed Cache.

Updates and Maintenance

What’s nice is that Hummingbird is regularly updated to introduce new features, enhance existing functionality, and address potential issues.

I have found its changelog on WordPress.org, though it’s unclear if it also covers updates exclusive to the pro version.

Reviewing the updates, I can see that they focus on:

• Feature enhancements
• Compatibility improvements
• Bug fixes
• Performance optimization

Their updates often include updates aligned with the latest web performance guidelines, like Lighthouse API changes and INP (Interaction to Next Paint) metrics.

Outdated functionalities are also replaced with more efficient solutions, such as the shift to automated Critical CSS generation.

Hummingbird’s commitment to regular updates and proactive maintenance makes it a “well-oiled” tool for both free and pro users.

Support

I rate their support a good 4.5 out of 5.

Here’s why:

• The live chat feature offers real-time, personalized support, making it easy to resolve urgent issues quickly.
• Support tickets are restricted to agency members, limiting access to this helpful option for lower-tier plans.
• The documentation is comprehensive and beginner-friendly, but advanced users may sometimes prefer direct guidance over reading through guides.

Hummingbird Pro provides outstanding support with live chat, detailed documentation, and forums.

The availability of ticketed support for higher-tier plans only might limit some users, but the overall experience remains reliable and accessible. 

Customer Service

Hummingbird users, particularly those subscribed to WPMU DEV’s Pro membership, benefit from robust customer service and support options.

For starters, they have some links to their support features below most of their pages in the plugin:

In terms of support channels, they have:

• Support tickets
• Live chat
• Documentation
• Forums

I like the fact that they provide real-time support with WPMU DEV staff for personalized assistance with live chat.

As for support tickets, they’re available via the Hub for Agency members, allowing clients or team members to submit and track issues directly.

Note that all support options, including ticketing and live chat, are accessible directly from the WPMU DEV Hub (you need to log in).

Documentation

The documentation for the Hummingbird plugin is a comprehensive guide that walks users through its features and functionalities.

Hosted on the WPMU DEV documentation platform, it provides detailed instructions for setting up and optimizing Hummingbird effectively.

Here’s the home page of the documentation:

It’s easy to see that the documentation is thoughtfully created to cater to both beginners and advanced users.

The guide also sports all major features like caching, performance tests, asset optimization, and notifications, complete with screenshots.

Here’s an example:

The content is well-written, avoiding overly technical jargon while providing the necessary depth for advanced users.

Troubleshooting guides are included to address potential conflicts, such as compatibility with other plugins or handling resource-heavy pages.

Overall, the Hummingbird documentation is nicely done, with detailed explanations, visual aids, and a user-friendly layout.

Pricing

My rating here is 3.7 out of 5.

Here’s why:

• The introductory pricing is very affordable, starting at $3/month for the basic plan, making it accessible for individual users or small projects.
• The regular price after the first year is five times the promotional rate, which can feel steep, especially for smaller budgets.
• The range of plans caters to diverse needs, from single-site users to agencies, but the annual billing requirement may deter those seeking flexibility.

Hummingbird Pro’s pricing is appealing at first glance with low introductory rates and flexible plans.

However, the significant jump in cost after the first year may surprise some users. 

Cost Breakdown

Hummingbird Pro is part of the WPMU DEV Pro plugin suite, offered through various subscription plans for different needs.

Here’s a breakdown of their plans:

Plan	Cost	Site Licenses	Key Features
Free Plan	$0	1	Basic speed optimization, caching, and limited features.
Basic Plan	$3/month (billed yearly at $36)	1	All Pro plugins, 5GB CDN, 5GB backups, 24/7 support.
Standard Plan	$5/month (billed yearly at $60)	3	All Basic Plan features, 10GB CDN, 10GB backups, and white-label client billing.
Freelancer Plan	$10/month (billed yearly at $120)	10	All Standard Plan features, 20GB CDN, 20GB backups.
Agency Plan	$20/month (billed yearly at $240)	Unlimited	All Freelancer Plan features, 50GB CDN, 50GB backups, reseller tools, hosting discounts, and tickets.

All the paid plans include access to all WPMU DEV Pro plugins, 24/7 live chat support and member forums, CDN, and backup storage.

If you manage a single site, the basic plan is probably the best for you, and you can upgrade once you need more.

However, you need to note that the plans are billed yearly, and the promo is only for the first year, and the regular price is 5x the promo price.

Money Back Guarantee/Refund

WPMU DEV offers a good money-back guarantee.

This ensures a risk-free experience for those who want to try out Hummingbird Pro and other WPMU DEV products.

Here’s a breakdown of the guarantees:

• WPMU DEV provides a no-questions-asked refund within the first 30 days of purchase.
• Whether unsatisfied with Hummingbird Pro or any other Pro tools, you can cancel and get a full refund.
• This policy allows new users to try out the plugin suite, including Hummingbird Pro, with complete peace of mind.

For those utilizing WPMU DEV’s speed optimization or malware removal services, there’s an additional guarantee.

For expert services, if any issues arise within seven days of the service being completed, WPMU DEV promises to resolve them for free.

Final Thoughts

When considering Hummingbird Pro, focus on your long-term needs and budget.

Take advantage of the introductory pricing to test its features and see if it aligns with your website’s goals (but remember its renewal cost).

If you plan to manage multiple sites or require advanced tools, higher-tier plans might offer better value, while the basic plan is ideal for a single site.