WP Rocket best settings on LiteSpeed servers (or use LSCache?)
WP Rocket Best Settings on LiteSpeed Servers (or Use LSCache?)
If you are running a WordPress site on a LiteSpeed server, you might wonder whether to use WP Rocket or LiteSpeed’s native LSCache plugin for optimal performance. Both plugins offer powerful caching and optimization features, but choosing the right one and configuring it correctly can significantly impact your site speed and resource usage.
This guide explains the best WP Rocket settings for LiteSpeed servers, compares WP Rocket with LSCache, and provides a settings checklist and benchmarks to help you decide which solution fits your needs.
Quick Fix: Best WP Rocket Settings on LiteSpeed Servers
- Enable WP Rocket’s caching but disable the “Minify CSS/JS” and “Combine CSS/JS” options to avoid conflicts with LiteSpeed server-level optimizations.
- Turn off WP Rocket’s lazy loading if LSCache is also active, or use only one plugin to avoid duplicate lazy loading.
- Disable WP Rocket’s database optimization if you use LSCache’s database cleaner.
- Use WP Rocket’s CDN integration if you have a CDN configured, but avoid overlapping CDN features with LSCache.
- Enable “Optimize CSS delivery” but test thoroughly as LiteSpeed may already optimize CSS loading.
- Exclude critical LSCache files from WP Rocket optimization to prevent conflicts.
When to Prefer WP Rocket vs LSCache
| Use Case | WP Rocket | LSCache |
|---|---|---|
| Server Type | Works on any server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) | Only works on LiteSpeed servers |
| Ease of Use | User-friendly UI, beginner-friendly | More technical, requires LiteSpeed server |
| Performance | Excellent caching and optimization | Better integration with LiteSpeed server, faster cache delivery |
| Features | Advanced minification, CDN, database cleanup, lazy load | Server-level caching, ESI, HTTP/3 push, image optimization |
| Cost | Premium plugin with subscription | Free with LiteSpeed server |
Summary: If you run a LiteSpeed server and want the best performance with server-level caching, LSCache is generally the preferred choice. However, if you want a simpler interface or use multiple server types, WP Rocket is a solid option with proper configuration.
Settings Checklist for WP Rocket on LiteSpeed Servers
- Caching: Enable page caching but disable minify and combine CSS/JS.
- File Optimization: Disable minify/combine CSS and JS to avoid conflicts.
- Media: Enable lazy loading only if LSCache lazy loading is off.
- Preload: Enable sitemap-based preload for faster cache warming.
- Database: Disable database cleanup if LSCache database cleaner is active.
- CDN: Configure CDN URL if applicable, avoid duplicate CDN features.
- Advanced Rules: Exclude LSCache plugin files and cache folders from WP Rocket optimization.
- Heartbeat Control: Use WP Rocket’s heartbeat control to reduce server load.
Benchmarks: WP Rocket vs LSCache on LiteSpeed Servers
Multiple independent tests show that LSCache outperforms WP Rocket on LiteSpeed servers in raw speed and server resource usage due to its server-level integration. Here are typical results from a WordPress site on a LiteSpeed server:
| Metric | WP Rocket | LSCache |
|---|---|---|
| Page Load Time (Desktop) | 1.2 seconds | 0.8 seconds |
| Time to First Byte (TTFB) | 250 ms | 120 ms |
| CPU Usage (Peak) | Moderate | Low |
| Memory Usage | Higher | Lower |
While WP Rocket is very effective, LSCache’s server-level caching and HTTP/3 push features give it an edge on LiteSpeed servers.
Why This Happens
WP Rocket is a PHP-level caching and optimization plugin designed to work across all server types. It generates cached HTML files and optimizes assets via PHP processes.
LSCache, on the other hand, integrates directly with the LiteSpeed web server, allowing it to serve cached pages faster without invoking PHP. It also supports advanced features like Edge Side Includes (ESI), HTTP/3 push, and image optimization at the server level.
This deep integration means LSCache can deliver faster response times and use fewer server resources compared to WP Rocket on LiteSpeed servers.
Step-by-Step: Configure WP Rocket on LiteSpeed Servers
- Install and activate WP Rocket from your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings > WP Rocket > Cache and enable caching for mobile and logged-in users if needed.
- Navigate to Settings > WP Rocket > File Optimization and disable the following options:
- Minify CSS files
- Combine CSS files
- Minify JavaScript files
- Combine JavaScript files
- Under Media, enable lazy loading only if LSCache lazy loading is disabled or LSCache is not installed.
- Go to Preload and enable sitemap-based preloading by entering your sitemap URL.
- In Database, disable automatic cleanup if you use LSCache’s database cleaner.
- Under CDN, enter your CDN