BrightLeaf Digital

PHP Compatibility Scanner helps you assess whether your site’s code (plugins and themes) is likely to run on newer versions of PHP. It performs static analysis using PHP_CodeSniffer and the PHPCompatibilityWP ruleset to flag code patterns that are incompatible with the selected target PHP version.
What the plugin does (at a glance): 
– Compares your current runtime PHP (baseline) to a selected target PHP version (8.0–8.4). 
– Scans plugins and themes, then highlights only the new issues that would appear on the target version (the “delta”). 
– Shows results in a clear report on the Tools screen and adds small badges on the Plugins list screen. 
– Lets you pause, resume, or stop a running scan.
Important limitations of static analysis: 
– Static analysis can miss issues in dynamic code paths and can generate false positives. Treat results as guidance, not guarantees. Always test site functionality on a staging environment before upgrading PHP in production.
<h3>Features</h3>
<ul>
<li>Select a target PHP version (8.0, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4)</li>
<li>Scan all plugins or select specific ones</li>
<li>Scan all themes or select specific ones, with an option to also scan a parent if a child theme is selected</li>
<li>Pause/Resume/Stop controls for long scans</li>
<li>Clear report of only the new issues between baseline (current runtime) and target</li>
<li>Plugin list badges showing a quick summary for the last scan</li>
</ul>
<h3>Privacy</h3>
All analysis runs locally on your server. No data is sent to external services by this plugin.

BrightLeaf Digital PHP Compatibility Scanner

This plugin scans your installed plugins and themes for potential PHP compatibility issues when upgrading to newer PHP versions.

Dinesh Pilani

compatshield

The Plugin Compatibility Checker helps you keep your WordPress site stable and secure by scanning installed plugins for PHP, Database, and WordPress version compatibility.
🆕 WordPress 7.0 Database Readiness 
WordPress 7.0 introduces stricter database requirements (MySQL 8.0+ / MariaDB 10.6+). Many hosting environments still run older database versions which may silently block updates. This plugin now detects database compatibility and warns you before upgrading.
$1/month License Required (Entry Plan) 
You must subscribe to the CompatShield Portal ($1/month recurring) to obtain a license key. Once activated, you will be able to see plugin compatibility results (up to PHP 8.5) and database compatibility directly inside your WordPress admin.
📺 Video Tutorial 
Watch step-by-step how to activate your license & run your first scan: 
<iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="750" height="422" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PCxhJmO-Tb4?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox"></iframe>
Quick Setup Steps 
1) Subscribe → Get your license key from the Portal 
2) Add your domain inside the License tab 
3) Copy your License Key 
4) Paste License Key inside Plugin Settings in WP Admin 
5) Click Validate License 
6) Click Save Settings 
7) Go to Plugin Main Page → Click Rescan
Pro Version (Upgrade) 
Upgrading to Pro unlocks the full CompatShield Portal Dashboard with advanced features — vulnerability summary, detailed scan results, notifications, historic analysis, plugin issues overview, premium ZIP upload scanning, and multi-layer compatibility intelligence including database upgrade readiness.
Subscribe / Upgrade to Pro: https://www.compatshield.com/
<h3>✨ Key Features</h3>
<ul>
<li>
PHP Compatibility Check – Scan plugins for PHP compatibility.
<ul>
<li>$1/month license: Shows PHP compatibility results directly inside WP Plugin backend (up to PHP 8.5)</li>
<li>Pro license: Deeper breakdowns, insights, and analysis inside Portal Dashboard</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Database Compatibility Check (NEW 🚀) – Detect MySQL/MariaDB version and ensure WordPress 7.0 readiness.
<ul>
<li>Detects outdated MySQL (< 8.0) and MariaDB (< 10.6)</li>
<li>Warns if hosting environment may block WordPress updates</li>
<li>Helps prevent upgrade failures</li>
<li>Pro: Advanced insights and upgrade recommendations</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Plugin Rescan – Quickly rescan whenever you install or update plugins.
</li>
<li>
Email Notifications (Pro) – Get notified when scans complete or risks are detected.
</li>
<li>
Portal Integration (Pro) – View full detailed results in the CompatShield Portal Dashboard.
</li>
<li>
Vulnerability Summary (Pro) – Basic vulnerability insights available in the Portal.
</li>
<li>
“No Data” Plugins Handling – Easily identify custom/premium plugins or removed versions not available on WordPress.org.
</li>
</ul>
<h3>🔑 Entry Plan vs Pro Plan</h3>
<ul>
<li>
PHP Compatibility Check 
$1 Plan: WP Admin Results up to PHP 8.5 
Pro Plan: Detailed compatibility insights in Portal Dashboard
</li>
<li>
Database Compatibility Check 
$1 Plan: Basic DB version detection in WP Admin 
Pro Plan: Full upgrade readiness insights + risk analysis + recommendations
</li>
<li>
Vulnerability Summary 
$1 Plan: Not available 
Pro Plan: Available in Portal
</li>
<li>
Email Notifications 
$1 Plan: Not available 
Pro Plan: Available
</li>
<li>
Portal Dashboard 
$1 Plan: Not available 
Pro Plan: Full access (compatibility + vulnerabilities + detailed summaries + site overview)
</li>
<li>
Custom/Premium Plugins ZIP Scanning 
$1 Plan: Not available 
Pro Plan: Supported via Portal ZIP uploader
</li>
</ul>

Plugin Compatibility Checker

very helpful to check our plugin compatibility


The plugin checks in free version up to php 8.0+ compatibility. Who needs to know if a plugin is compatible with an obsolete version of php ?


A joke ?


The free version gave me a basic idea, but the paid version was way more useful. It caught PHP issues that I wouldn’t have noticed before updating. Glad I upgraded because it saved me time fixing errors later. Definitely more helpful when running sites on newer PHP versions.


Actually prevented a break on upgrade

Scan and check your WordPress site for PHP, Database (MySQL/MariaDB), and Plugin compatibility to ensure safe upgrades to WordPress 7.0 and beyond.

BrightLeaf Digital PHP Compatibility Scanner vs Plugin Compatibility Checker