COMPARISON · CHECKED 7 OCTOBER 2026
Novra Object Cache
vs Redis Object Cache
Both connect your WordPress site to Redis. Redis Object Cache is free. Novra Object Cache adds setup in your dashboard, a flush that clears only your own keys and one-click password encryption – for a one-time price.
One payment · No subscription · 30-day money-back guarantee
We make Novra Object Cache. We compared Novra Object Cache 1.0.0 with Redis Object Cache 3.0.0 using both plugins' code (Redis Object Cache from WordPress.org) and their public pages, checked 7 October 2026. This is a feature comparison, not a speed benchmark.
The short answer
Free or paid once. Redis Object Cache costs nothing. Novra Object Cache is a one-time license ($79 to $399) with updates for the life of the license, and your cache keeps working if the license ends.
Set it up in your dashboard. Enter your Redis connection and cache options in WordPress. No editing of wp-config.php needed. Encrypt your Redis password with one click (AES-256-GCM); the key is created for you.
Safe on a shared Redis. A full flush in Novra Object Cache clears only your own site's keys. In Redis Object Cache, a full flush empties the whole Redis database (FLUSHDB); flushing only its own prefix needs an option its documentation lists as unsupported.
Stays online if Redis goes down. Novra Object Cache switches to an in-memory cache for that request and shows the error in Site Health. By default, Redis Object Cache shows an "Error establishing a Redis connection" page instead.
Where Redis Object Cache leads: it is free, has 500,000+ active installations, runs without PhpRedis (Predis), and supports replication and sharding. Details below.
$79 once for 1 website · 30-day money-back guarantee
Feature by feature
Green rows first: these are the jobs Novra Object Cache does that Redis Object Cache handles differently or does not include. Then the features both share. What Redis Object Cache does better has its own section.
✓ included · ✗ not included or not documented · Notes in grey
Where Novra Object Cache gives you more
| What you get | Novra Object Cache | Redis Object Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Redis connection set up in your dashboard | ✓ Host, port, database, user, password, prefix, timeouts, retries | ✗ No settings form: the connection is set only with WP_REDIS_* constants in wp-config.php. Its Settings › Redis page shows status, metrics and diagnostics, with buttons to enable, disable and flush |
| Cache options in your dashboard | ✓ Serializer, compression, prefetch, alloptions splitting, async flush, maximum lifetime, analytics, logging | ✗ No settings form: options are WP_REDIS_* constants in wp-config.php |
| Redis password encrypted with one click | ✓ AES-256-GCM, key created for you | ✗ Plain text in the WP_REDIS_PASSWORD constant in wp-config.php. Masked on its settings screen |
| Full flush clears only your site's keys | ✓ Safe on a shared Redis | ✗ A full flush empties the whole Redis database (FLUSHDB). Flushing only its prefix needs WP_REDIS_SELECTIVE_FLUSH, listed as unsupported in its documentation. Enabling or disabling the cache and deactivating the plugin always empty the database |
| Site stays online when Redis is unreachable | ✓ Switches to an in-memory cache for that request, error shown in Site Health. Writes made without Redis trigger a one-time clean-up of your own keys when Redis is back | ✗ By default it stops the page with "Error establishing a Redis connection". Staying online needs WP_REDIS_GRACEFUL, listed as unsupported in its documentation: "will cause data corruption" |
| Compression and prefetching | ✓ LZF, LZ4 and Zstd compression, prefetching | ✗ Neither is in the free plugin. Its settings page and readme list "faster serialization and compression" and "cache prefetching" as Object Cache Pro features |
| Asynchronous flush and alloptions splitting | ✓ | ✗ Neither is in its code. A flush runs FLUSHDB or a Lua script |
| Site Health tests | ✓ 10 tests, including object cache state, connection and drop-in | ✗ No Site Health tests. Its settings page and readme list "health checks via WordPress & WP CLI" as an Object Cache Pro feature |
| WooCommerce, Subscriptions and Memberships | ✓ Automatic rules for all three. Sessions stay out of Redis | ✗ No WooCommerce rules. WooCommerce appears only in a notice that promotes Object Cache Pro |
| Another plugin's object-cache file | ✓ Never replaced without asking. The dashboard names the owner, and replacing it makes a backup first | ✗ Replaced without a backup when you click Enable Object Cache. It says "A foreign object cache drop-in was found" without naming the owner, and enabling also empties the Redis database |
| WP-CLI commands | ✓ 16 commands, including flush-group, diagnostics, health and test | 4 commands: status, enable, disable, update-dropin. wp cache flush comes from WP-CLI itself, for both |
| Promotion inside the plugin | ✓ None | ✗ Promotes Object Cache Pro, its paid sibling, in four places. A notice on the WordPress dashboard, a notice on WooCommerce order and product screens, a card on its settings page and an "Upgrade to Pro" link in the plugin list. WP_REDIS_DISABLE_BANNERS hides only the two notices |
What both do
| What you get | Novra Object Cache | Redis Object Cache |
|---|---|---|
| PhpRedis and Relay as clients | ✓ Relay is used when available | ✓ |
| TCP, TLS and Unix socket connections | ✓ Certificate check is off by default | ✓ |
| ACL username | ✓ | ✓ |
| Redis Cluster | ✓ With PhpRedis | ✓ |
| Redis Sentinel | ✓ Set up with its own constants in wp-config.php | ✓ With Predis |
| igbinary serializer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Global groups and groups kept out of Redis | ✓ With wildcards | ✓ |
| Flush by group | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maximum lifetime for cached items | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multisite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Metrics and dashboard widget | ✓ | ✓ |
| Diagnostics screen | ✓ | ✓ |
| Query Monitor | ✓ | ✓ |
| Emergency switch by constant | ✓ NOVRA_ or WP_REDIS_DISABLED | ✓ WP_REDIS_DISABLED |
| No usage telemetry | ✓ Only license and update checks | ✓ |
Based on Novra Object Cache 1.0.0 and Redis Object Cache 3.0.0: both plugins' code (Redis Object Cache from WordPress.org) and their public pages, checked 7 October 2026. Features can change with updates. Both plugins need a Redis server that you provide.
Also compared: Novra Object Cache vs Object Cache Pro
What the one-time price gets you
Redis Object Cache is free, so there is no cost comparison to make. Novra Object Cache is paid once. Here is what that payment gets you, and what it does not.
What you get for the price
Setup in your dashboard instead of wp-config.php constants
A flush that clears only your own site's keys
One-click encryption for your Redis password
Compression (LZF, LZ4, Zstd) and prefetching
Site Health checks and automatic WooCommerce rules
A safe takeover of another plugin's object-cache file, with a backup
The price does not buy speed. We have not run benchmarks, and both plugins store WordPress objects in Redis. If you do not need any of the points above and your server has PhpRedis, Redis Object Cache is a good choice, and it costs nothing.
Every plan has the same features and the same updates. The only difference is how many websites you can use it on.
One payment · No subscription · 30-day money-back guarantee
The makers of Redis Object Cache also sell Object Cache Pro, a subscription at $95 a month or $950 a year. See how it compares in our Novra Object Cache vs Object Cache Pro comparison.
Which one is right for you?
Choose Novra Object Cache if …
You want to set up Redis in your dashboard, not in wp-config.php, and encrypt your Redis password with one click.
Your Redis is shared between sites, and you want a flush to touch only your own keys.
You want your site to stay online, with Site Health telling you, if Redis goes down.
Your store runs WooCommerce with Subscriptions or Memberships and you want the right rules applied automatically.
You want compression and prefetching, and no promotion for another product inside the plugin.
You don't need replication or sharding.
Choose Redis Object Cache if …
You want a free plugin, and wp-config.php constants are fine for you.
Your server has no PhpRedis extension. Redis Object Cache brings Predis.
You run Redis with replicas or shards.
You need PHP below 8.0 or WordPress below 6.1.
You prefer a plugin with a long history and support in a public forum, where its author answers.
Not sure? Install Novra Object Cache on your own site and judge it there. If it's not the right fit, request a full refund within 30 days.
Where Redis Object Cache is stronger
A fair comparison names both sides. These are the areas where Redis Object Cache does more today.
It is free.
Redis Object Cache costs nothing and is licensed under the GPL. Novra Object Cache is a paid plugin.
A big installed base.
According to WordPress.org, Redis Object Cache has 500,000+ active installations and has been available since 2014. Its author answers questions in the public support forum. Novra Object Cache is at version 1.0.0 and has no independent benchmarks or reviews yet.
Runs without PhpRedis.
Redis Object Cache includes Predis and uses it when the PhpRedis extension is missing. Novra Object Cache needs PhpRedis.
Replication and sharding.
It supports primary and replica setups (with Predis) and sharding (with PhpRedis or Predis). Novra Object Cache supports neither.
Runs on older stacks.
Redis Object Cache needs PHP 7.2 and WordPress 4.6. Novra Object Cache needs PHP 8.0 and WordPress 6.1.
A flush button in the admin bar.
Redis Object Cache adds status and a flush button to the admin bar. Novra Object Cache has no admin bar menu.
A path to a paid upgrade.
If you outgrow it, the same makers offer Object Cache Pro.
Support options.
Novra Object Cache is supported through our contact form. Redis Object Cache has a public forum.
If none of these is a must-have for your sites, Novra Object Cache covers the rest – set up in your dashboard, and you pay for it once.
Good questions.
Clear answers.
Is Redis Object Cache really free?
Yes. Redis Object Cache is free on WordPress.org and licensed under the GPL. It needs a Redis server that you provide, like Novra Object Cache does. Its makers also sell Object Cache Pro, a subscription at $95 a month or $950 a year.
What do I pay for with Novra Object Cache?
A one-time license ($79 for 1 site, $149 for 5, $249 for 25, $399 for unlimited sites) with updates for the life of the license. You get setup in your dashboard, a flush that clears only your own keys, one-click encryption for your Redis password, compression, prefetching, Site Health checks, WooCommerce rules and a safe takeover of other drop-ins. You do not pay for speed. We haven't run benchmarks.
What happens if Redis goes down?
With Novra Object Cache your site stays online. WordPress uses its own in-memory cache for that request, the error appears in Site Health and the PHP error log, and the cache returns when Redis is back. By default, Redis Object Cache stops the page with an "Error establishing a Redis connection" screen (or your own redis-error.php). It keeps the site running only with WP_REDIS_GRACEFUL, which its documentation lists as unsupported ("will cause data corruption"). Both plugins have an emergency switch, WP_REDIS_DISABLED, to bypass the cache.
Do I need the PhpRedis extension?
For Novra Object Cache, yes, along with PHP 8.0+, WordPress 6.1+ and Redis 5.0 or newer (6.0+ recommended). Redis Object Cache includes the Predis library and runs without PhpRedis. Ask your host what is available for your plan.
Can I run Novra Object Cache and Redis Object Cache together?
No. WordPress uses only one object cache per site, and Novra Object Cache never replaces another plugin's object-cache file without asking. Switch Redis Object Cache off before you enable Novra Object Cache.
How do I switch from Redis Object Cache to Novra Object Cache?
Note your connection details from your wp-config.php. Then disable the cache in Redis Object Cache (in its settings or with wp redis disable) and deactivate the plugin. Both steps empty the Redis database it uses, so plan them with any other sites on the same Redis. Install Novra Object Cache, check the connection in its dashboard and enable the cache. Constants your host set, such as WP_REDIS_HOST, WP_REDIS_PORT and WP_REDIS_PASSWORD, are read as they are. Sentinel, replication and sharding settings are not carried over, and Novra Object Cache does not support replication or sharding. If WP_REDIS_DISABLED is set to true, remove it, because Novra Object Cache honours that switch too. The cache starts empty and fills again as visitors browse. The Novra Object Cache documentation explains each setting. For a rehearsal on a test copy, see our step-by-step switch guide.
How do I go back if something doesn't fit?
- Disable Novra Object Cache from its dashboard.
- Activate Redis Object Cache again and enable it in its settings.
- Check your key pages while logged out and logged in.
Novra Object Cache makes a backup of your wp-config.php before every change it writes, so you can restore the previous version. And if Novra Object Cache isn't the right fit, request a full refund within 30 days.
Will Novra Object Cache make my site faster than Redis Object Cache?
We don't promise that. Both store WordPress objects in Redis. We haven't run benchmarks. The difference is how you set it up, what a flush touches and what happens when Redis fails. The best test is your own site: measure it with our free speed test, try Novra Object Cache, and compare.
PAY ONCE. KEEP IT.
Redis object caching, set up in your dashboard – paid for once.
Connection settings in WordPress, one-click encryption for your Redis password, a flush that only clears your own keys. No yearly renewal, and your cache never depends on your license.
From $79 once · No subscription · 30-day money-back guarantee