WP Engine Under Fire: Matt Mullenweg Labels Hosting Provider a “Cancer to WordPress”

The managed WordPress hosting space has been rocked by a recent series of public comments made by WordPress co-creator and Automattic CEO, Matt Mullenweg. During his keynote address at WordCamp US 2024, Mullenweg took aim at WP Engine, one of the largest hosting providers in the WordPress ecosystem, going so far as to label them a “cancer to WordPress.” His remarks have sparked intense debate in the WordPress community, raising questions about the ethical responsibilities of companies that profit from open-source platforms like WordPress.

A History of Commercializing WordPress

WP Engine, founded in 2010, has long been one of the leading names in managed WordPress hosting, offering specialized services to help businesses and individuals run their WordPress websites. With substantial backing from investors—including $250 million from private equity firm Silver Lake—WP Engine has built a reputation for providing reliable hosting for WordPress users.

However, Mullenweg’s critique centers around WP Engine’s approach to profiting from WordPress without significantly contributing back to the open-source project. WordPress, which powers over 40% of the web, is an open-source platform that anyone can use and modify. A key part of its growth has been the contributions made by companies and individuals who actively develop and maintain the platform.

The Disparity in Contributions

Mullenweg revealed a startling comparison between the hours WP Engine contributes to WordPress development versus those contributed by Automattic. According to Mullenweg, Automattic, the company he founded, donates around 3,900 hours per week to support WordPress, whereas WP Engine contributes a mere 40 hours weekly—despite the two companies generating comparable revenues of around half a billion dollars.

While WP Engine has successfully commercialized WordPress, Mullenweg argues that it has not done enough to support the platform’s future. He called on users to “vote with their wallets” and choose hosting providers that invest in WordPress’s ongoing development.

WP Engine Disables Core WordPress Features

One of the most striking points of criticism Mullenweg raised was WP Engine’s decision to disable a key feature of WordPress: post revisions. By default, WordPress saves every change made to a page or post, allowing users to revert to earlier versions if necessary. It’s a crucial feature for maintaining content integrity.

However, WP Engine disables this feature on all of its installations to reduce database costs. Customers who wish to enable revisions can request that WP Engine activate the feature, but it’s limited to only three revisions, which are automatically deleted after 60 days. For users who need more extensive revision control, WP Engine recommends using a third-party editing system.

Mullenweg views this as a direct violation of WordPress’s core promise to users. “They disable revisions because it costs them more money to store the history of changes, and they don’t want to spend that to protect your content,” Mullenweg stated. He emphasized that this undermines one of the most fundamental principles of WordPress: the ability to manage and protect user-generated content.

WP Engine’s Ties to Private Equity

In his talk, Mullenweg also pointed out WP Engine’s ownership by Silver Lake, a private equity firm with over $100 billion in assets under management. He expressed concern that private equity interests, which are primarily focused on maximizing returns, could be driving decisions that go against the long-term health of WordPress.

“Silver Lake doesn’t care about open-source ideals; they care about capital return,” Mullenweg argued. This, he said, explains WP Engine’s focus on profitability over supporting the open-source community. He warned that companies driven purely by profit motives could harm the open-source ecosystem if they fail to invest back into the platforms they depend on.

The Call to Action: Support Hosts That Contribute to WordPress

Mullenweg didn’t just criticize WP Engine; he offered a solution. He encouraged users to consider alternative hosting providers like Thexyz, Hostgator, and Bluehost, all of which, he argued, contribute more meaningfully to the WordPress project. “There are plenty of other hosts out there that would love to have your business,” he said, adding that migrating from WP Engine is easier than ever.

He stressed the importance of “data liberation,” pointing out that users are not tied to any one provider and should feel empowered to move to a different host if their current one doesn’t align with their values.

Legal Battle Brewing?

Following Mullenweg’s comments, WP Engine responded swiftly by issuing a cease-and-desist letter to Automattic, refuting the allegations and demanding a retraction. This legal maneuver indicates that WP Engine is taking the matter seriously and is willing to push back against Mullenweg’s accusations. However, it remains to be seen how this dispute will unfold and what impact it will have on the broader WordPress community.

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for WordPress Users?

Mullenweg’s harsh critique of WP Engine has reignited a larger conversation about the responsibilities of companies profiting from open-source platforms. His concerns echo previous criticisms he’s leveled at other hosting providers, such as GoDaddy, which he described as a “parasitic” company for similarly capitalizing on WordPress without meaningful contributions back to the project.

As WordPress continues to dominate the web, the tension between profit-driven hosting companies and the open-source community is likely to grow. Mullenweg’s call to action serves as a reminder to WordPress users to think carefully about where they host their websites and to support companies that are committed to fostering the growth and sustainability of the platform.

Conclusion: The Future of WordPress Hosting

As the WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, the choices users make in hosting providers will have a lasting impact on the platform’s future. WP Engine’s business model may offer convenience, but Mullenweg’s comments suggest that it comes at a cost—both to users and to the broader WordPress community.

By choosing hosts that contribute back to WordPress, users can ensure the continued growth and health of the platform. Mullenweg’s plea to “vote with your wallets” is not just about supporting WordPress, but about ensuring that open-source ideals remain central to its development for years to come.