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Free Plugin by Vladimir Prelovac v2.9.1

Theme Test Drive

Safely test drive any theme as an administrator, while visitors use the default one.

Theme Test Drive

The facts

Rating
3.9★ from 50
Active installs
7k+
Price
Free
Last updated
28 Nov 2017
Added
Feb 2008
Requires WP
2.3
Tested up to
WP 4.3.34
Downloads
522,367

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Theme Test Drive is a WordPress plugin that allows you to test any theme on your site while visitors continue to see the default theme. As an administrator, you can make changes and set options for the testing theme without affecting the user experience.

This plugin is useful for site owners who want to experiment with different themes without disrupting their visitors. You can also preview themes by appending a specific query to your blog URL.

Best for: This plugin suits WordPress administrators looking to trial themes without impacting site visitors.

What it does well

  • Allows testing of any theme while visitors see the default theme
  • Enables theme option adjustments in the Admin panel during testing
  • Supports theme previewing via URL modification

Where it falls short

  • Last updated in November 2017, which may affect compatibility
  • Tested only up to WordPress version 4.3.34

Verdict

Theme Test Drive provides a straightforward solution for testing themes privately. However, its outdated status may limit its effectiveness with newer WordPress versions.

From the developer

Vladimir Prelovac's own description of Theme Test Drive, lightly tidied.

Theme Test Drive WordPress plugin allows you to safely test drive any theme on your blog as administrator, while visitors still use the default one.

It happens completely transparent and they will not even notice you run a different theme for yourself.

Best part is you can even set the testing theme options (if it has them) in the Admin panel while you are testing the theme.

You can also preview any theme by adding “?theme=xxx” to your blog URL. For example http://www.myblog.com/?theme=Default

Plugin by Vladimir Prelovac. Managing more than one WordPress sites? Check out ManageWP.

Credits

Some of the functions of Theme Test Drive plugin came from other plugins. So I can at least thank these people:

Read the full description on the official page →

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