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ModularDS Makes WordPress Multi-Site Management Actually Simple (2025)

ModularDS simplifies WordPress multi-site management with centralized updates, monitoring, and backups. At $49 on AppSumo, it offers solid features for website administrators, though some key capabilities are still in development. Here's my complete analysis.

Dave Swift

Jan 15, 2025 — 4 min read

Managing multiple WordPress websites can quickly become overwhelming. Between plugin updates, security monitoring, backups, and general maintenance, the time investment adds up fast. ModularDS aims to solve this problem by providing a centralized dashboard for managing multiple WordPress sites. Currently available on AppSumo for $49, this tool promises to streamline WordPress management tasks. Let's see if it delivers.

Introduction to ModularDS [0:00]

ModularDS is a WordPress administration tool that lets you manage multiple WordPress websites from a single interface. You can handle updates, monitor uptime, and manage backups across all your sites. With the price scheduled to increase in about six days from this review, it's worth considering if you manage multiple WordPress sites.

Pricing and Plan Details [0:52]

ModularDS offers five different pricing tiers, each providing different levels of functionality:

Tier 1: 7 websites, 35GB storage, single user
Tier 2: Similar features to Tier 1
Tier 3: 30 websites, additional user, 2-minute monitoring
Tier 4 & 5: Expanded capabilities

Key differences between tiers include:

Uptime monitoring intervals (5 minutes vs 2 minutes)
White labeling capabilities (Tier 3 and above only)
Number of supported websites
Storage capacity

All tiers include core features like scheduled reports, daily backups, instant backups, and two-factor authentication.

Try ModularDS

Core Features Overview [2:02]

The platform offers several essential features for WordPress management:

Centralized dashboard for multiple sites
Plugin and theme updates
Daily automated backups
Real-time uptime monitoring
White-label reporting options
Security monitoring

Website Connection Process [3:02]

Adding a website to ModularDS is straightforward:

Click the purple "Connect" button
Enter your website URL and name
Add the site to a team (useful for organizing client sites)
Provide WordPress admin credentials

One notable aspect is the team structure, which allows you to organize websites by client or project. This becomes particularly useful when managing multiple clients or large organizations.

Dashboard & Site Management [4:04]

The main dashboard provides a clean, intuitive interface with two viewing options:

Grid view: Visual organization of sites
List view: Detailed site information including:
- Performance metrics
- Update status
- Error counts
- WordPress version
- Backup status

The health monitoring system uses a traffic light approach (red, yellow, green) to indicate various aspects of site health:

Security status
Performance metrics
Update requirements
SSL certificate status
Search engine indexation

Backup System Overview [5:10]

ModularDS offers two backup systems:

Traditional System:

Full site backups
Customizable scheduling
Manual backup options

New Incremental System (Beta):

Only backs up changed files
Faster backup process
Currently in beta testing

Backup configuration options include:

Elements to include/exclude
Database table selection
Schedule settings (daily, weekly, monthly)
Retention periods (3 days to 45 days)
Expert configuration options for advanced users

While the backup system is robust, one current limitation is the lack of one-click restore functionality, which is marked as "coming soon."

Uptime Monitoring Setup [9:43]

The uptime monitoring system includes several customizable features:

Monitoring intervals (5, 15, or 30 minutes)
Response time thresholds
Keyword monitoring for content verification
SSL certificate monitoring
Custom notification settings

You can configure notifications for:

Uptime issues
Backup status
Site disconnections
Vulnerability alerts
Regular reports

Plugin & Theme Management [13:13]

The plugin and theme management system offers bulk actions across multiple sites:

Update multiple plugins simultaneously
Activate/deactivate plugins
Delete unused themes
Monitor for vulnerabilities
Track update history

One particularly useful feature is the ability to selectively update plugins across different sites, allowing for staged updates and testing.

Report Generation Features [19:11]

The reporting system offers two types of reports:

Scheduled Reports:

Daily, weekly, or quarterly options
Automated generation
Customizable content sections

Timely Reports:

One-time generation
Perfect for specific events or changes
Custom branding options

Reports can include:

Site overview statistics
Update logs
Uptime monitoring data
Backup status
Analytics integration
Custom annotations

Task Management System [23:31]

The task management feature allows you to:

Track work done on sites
Document changes and updates
Include tasks in client reports
Organize work by site

While functional, the task system could benefit from better site-specific organization and visibility.

Additional Features & Notes [24:31]

Other notable features include:

Google Analytics integration
WooCommerce data monitoring
Site tagging system
Note-taking capabilities
Custom team management

Final Thoughts & Rating [26:14]

ModularDS shows promise as a WordPress management solution, earning a 6.9/10 rating. While it offers solid core functionality, there are some areas for improvement:

Strengths:

Clean, intuitive interface
Comprehensive backup system
Flexible reporting options
Team-based organization

Areas for Improvement:

One-click backup restoration
Visual regression testing
Staging site capabilities
Better task management integration

For WordPress managers looking to streamline their workflow, ModularDS offers good value at its current AppSumo price point of $49. However, consider your specific needs and the platform's limitations before making a decision.