Disappointed: Jetpack’s Transition to Paid Plugin Deserves 1 Star
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As an avid WordPress user, I’ve relied on Jetpack for years to enhance the functionality and security of my websites. However, I’m deeply disappointed by the recent decision to transition Jetpack into a paid plugin. This abrupt shift from a free model to a paid one feels like a betrayal of the loyal user base that helped Jetpack gain its popularity.
For years, Jetpack was celebrated for offering a wide range of features, from site stats to automated social media posting, all without costing a penny. It was a valuable asset for bloggers, small businesses, and anyone looking to optimize their WordPress experience without breaking the bank. However, with the switch to a paid subscription model, many essential features are now locked behind a paywall.
While I understand that developers need to monetize their work, the manner in which Jetpack has implemented this change feels exploitative. Features that were once freely available are now inaccessible to those who cannot afford the subscription fee. This move undermines the principles of accessibility and inclusivity that should be at the core of any WordPress plugin.
Moreover, the timing of this transition couldn’t be worse, especially considering the economic challenges many individuals and businesses are facing. Forcing users to pay for features that were previously free adds an unnecessary financial burden, further alienating those who have long supported Jetpack.
In conclusion, Jetpack’s transition to a paid plugin deserves only one star. While the plugin still offers some useful features, the decision to prioritize profits over the needs of its users is deeply disappointing. As a long-time advocate for Jetpack, I hope the developers reconsider their approach and find a more equitable solution that honors the community that helped Jetpack thrive. Until then, I cannot in good conscience recommend Jetpack to others.
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I’ll regret this, I am sure. I am replying here because this is a very well written and thought-out review and it is worth a read.
Disclaimer: I’m not part of Automattic, I am not employed by them and use the free Jetpack plan on my site. Some of their employees are friends of mine is all. I’m not replying for them, I just want to clarify something.
Emphasis in the quote added by me.
Disappointed: Jetpack’s Transition to Paid Plugin Deserves 1 Star
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In conclusion, Jetpack’s transition to a paid plugin deserves only one star. While the plugin still offers some useful features, the decision to prioritize profits over the needs of its users is deeply disappointing.The Jetpack plugin has 100% of the time been an interface to a service (WordPress.COM is the service and that’s why an account on there is necessary). This is often called Software as a Service (SaaS). And it has always had a free plan for non-monetized WordPress installations.
Per the plugin FAQ (it’s on the plugin page but you need to scroll way down) this is what comes with the 100% free and unpaid for service.
Is Jetpack free?
Yes! Jetpack’s core features are and always will be free.
These include: site stats, a high-speed CDN for images, related posts, downtime monitoring, brute force attack protection, automated sharing to social networks, sidebar customization, SEO (search engine optimization) tools, and much more.
There are exceptions to that: if your site is monetized, has ads, etc. then you don’t qualify for the free plan. There have been users who upon site inspection did lose their free plan.
It’s OK to not like some service or their pricing but I hope that anyone reading this review will realize all the benefits of Jetpack on a non-monetized site that they get for free.
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