Simply Static Pro Review: The Ultimate Solution for Converting WordPress to a Static Website

If your WordPress website is facing issues like slow loading speeds, frequent hacker attacks, and high server maintenance costs, Simply Static Pro might be the solution you've been looking for. This plugin converts a dynamic WordPress site into pure static HTML files that can be deployed on any static hosting platform, completely eliminating database queries, PHP execution, and common attack vectors. On AppSumo, Simply Static has earned a high score of 4.79/5 (based on 28 verified user reviews), with users praising its ability to "make website speed take off" and its "near-zero maintenance" features. This article provides a comprehensive Simply Static Pro review, covering its features, advantages, use cases, and technical specifications.

Key Insight: According to a 2025 industry report, static websites load 3-5 times faster on average than dynamic sites and have a 90%+ lower risk of attacks like SQL injection. Simply Static Pro is the key tool bringing this advantage to the WordPress ecosystem.

Screenshot of the Simply Static Pro plugin admin interface, showing core functionality options and configuration panel for static site generation

What is Simply Static Pro?

Simply Static Pro is a WordPress plugin whose core function is to "freeze" a dynamic WordPress site into a set of static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files. The generated static site can be deployed on any static hosting platform, such as Netlify, Vercel, GitHub Pages, or AWS S3. This means your website no longer requires a PHP interpreter or MySQL database to run; visitors directly access pre-rendered files, resulting in extremely fast loading speeds.

Unlike traditional dynamic WordPress, Simply Static Pro preserves the editing experience of the WordPress backend. You can write posts, update pages, and then generate and deploy a new static version with one click from the familiar dashboard. According to WordPress official documentation, Static Site Generators (SSGs) are becoming a mainstream method for improving website performance and security.

Core Advantages of Simply Static Pro

1. Blazing Fast Loading Speeds

Static websites require no server-side processing; files are distributed directly from CDNs or hosting platforms. Static pages generated by Simply Static Pro typically load over 80% faster than their dynamic counterparts. Google Search Central clearly states that page speed is a crucial factor for mobile search rankings, so using Simply Static Pro can directly boost SEO performance.

2. Near-Absolute Security

The most common attack vectors for dynamic WordPress include SQL injection, PHP vulnerabilities, and brute force attacks. A static website has no database and no PHP execution environment, drastically reducing the attack surface. Many Simply Static Pro users report that "since switching to a static site, I haven't been hacked once."

3. Extremely Low Maintenance Costs

There's no need to update the WordPress core, plugins, or themes; static websites require almost no daily maintenance. Server costs are also significantly reduced, as static hosting is often free or costs just a few dollars per month. For small businesses and individual site owners, this saves a substantial amount of time and money.

4.79
AppSumo User Rating
80%+
Page Speed Improvement
90%
Attack Surface Reduction

Ideal Use Cases for Simply Static Pro

Simply Static Pro isn't suitable for all types of websites, but it excels in the following scenarios:

  • Personal Blogs or Portfolio Sites: Content updates are infrequent, but fast loading and low maintenance costs are priorities.
  • Corporate Brochure Websites: Company homepages, product pages, etc., that only need to display static information without user login or interaction.
  • Documentation or Knowledge Bases: Large volumes of static pages, ideal for static generation and deployment on CDNs for fast global access.
  • Small E-commerce Sites (No Shopping Cart): If you only display product catalogs without a dynamic shopping cart, Simply Static Pro can handle it.
“Simply Static dropped my blog's load time from 4 seconds to 0.8 seconds, and I no longer worry about plugin updates breaking my site.” — User feedback from the WordPress.org forum

Simply Static Pro Technical Specifications and Feature Comparison

Simply Static Pro offers more features than the free version, including advanced deployment options, incremental generation, and custom URL rewriting. Here's a comparison between the free and Pro versions:

Feature Free Version Pro Version
Basic Static Generation Yes Yes
Incremental Generation (Update Only Modified Pages) No Yes
Automatic Deployment (SFTP/Netlify/AWS S3, etc.) Local Download Only Yes (Multiple Platforms)
Custom URL Rewriting No Yes
Form Handling (e.g., Contact Form 7) No Yes (via Third-Party Services)
Multisite Support No Yes

How to Generate a Static Website with Simply Static Pro?

Here are the basic steps to convert your WordPress site to a static website using Simply Static Pro:

1

Install and Activate

Install the Simply Static Pro plugin from the WordPress admin dashboard and activate it.

2

Configure Deployment Target

Set up your deployment target (e.g., SFTP, Netlify, or AWS S3) and enter the connection details.

3

Generate and Deploy with One Click

Click "Generate Static Files," and the plugin will automatically export and upload them to your target platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which deployment platforms does Simply Static Pro support?

Simply Static Pro includes built-in support for various static hosting platforms, including Netlify, Vercel, GitHub Pages, AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage, and SFTP servers. You can select your target platform in the plugin settings, enter the corresponding API key or connection credentials, and achieve one-click automatic deployment. For advanced users, custom deployment scripts are also supported.

Can Simply Static Pro handle forms in WordPress?

Static websites themselves cannot handle dynamic form submissions, but Simply Static Pro provides a solution. It supports forwarding forms generated by plugins like Contact Form 7 and Gravity Forms to third-party services such as Google Forms, Formspree, or Zapier. In the Pro version, you can configure the form action URL to ensure forms on static pages work correctly.

Can I still use the WordPress backend after using Simply Static Pro?

Yes. Simply Static Pro is designed to retain WordPress as your content management system. You still write posts, update pages, and manage the media library from the WordPress dashboard. After each update, simply click the "Generate Static Files" button, and the new static version will be automatically deployed to your hosting platform. Visitors always see the latest static pages.

Does Simply Static Pro affect SEO?

It has a positive impact. Static websites load faster, which directly benefits search engine rankings. Simply Static Pro preserves your WordPress SEO settings, including metadata, structured data, and sitemaps generated by tools like Yoast SEO or Rank Math. The generated static pages are fully indexable by search engines and do not negatively affect SEO. In fact, many users report improved search rankings after switching to a static site.

What are the main differences between Simply Static Pro and the free version?

The free version offers basic static generation but only allows downloading files locally; it does not support automatic deployment. The Pro version adds incremental generation (updating only modified pages, significantly reducing generation time), automatic deployment to multiple platforms, custom URL rewriting, form handling support, multisite functionality, and more advanced caching and exclusion rules. For users who need frequent updates or have multisite requirements, the Pro version offers clear value.

Can Simply Static Pro handle large websites?

Yes, but performance considerations apply. Simply Static Pro's incremental generation feature is designed for large websites, regenerating only modified pages instead of the entire site. For sites with thousands of pages, it's recommended to use the Pro version and configure incremental generation. Additionally, the generation process can be run via WP-CLI on the server to avoid timeouts. User feedback indicates successful generation of over 10,000 static pages.

Purchase Advice and Summary

Simply Static Pro is an ideal choice for WordPress users who prioritize speed, security, and low maintenance costs. If you run a blog with infrequent content updates, a corporate brochure site, or a documentation site, this plugin can completely transform your website management experience. Its 4.79 rating on AppSumo and consistent positive user feedback attest to its reliability.

However, if your website relies heavily on dynamic features (such as user login, real-time comments, or dynamic shopping carts), Simply Static Pro may not be the best option. In such cases, you can consider integrating third-party services (e.g., Disqus for comments, Snipcart for shopping carts) to compensate for the limitations of a static site.

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This article was written by the bobohello editorial team and reviewed by a senior WordPress developer. We adhere to objective, data-driven review principles, and all conclusions are based on actual testing and publicly available information.

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