By the end of November 2025, we launched Advanced DB Cleaner version 4, our most powerful release to date.
This version was rebuilt entirely from scratch and introduces a modern interface, a new internal architecture, and many improvements over version 3.x. [Read more here].
Some new optional features in v4 (such as the Remote Scan) involve ongoing infrastructure and operational costs and therefore cannot be sustainably offered under a lifetime license [Learn more here].
Because of this, we introduced a separate annual subscription option for all new customers, without changing or revoking any existing lifetime licenses.
👉 Important upfront clarification (please read carefully):
- ✅ Your Lifetime (LTD) license remains valid
- ✅ You are NOT required to pay again to continue using the plugin
- ✅ You WILL receive version 4 for free (without Remote Scan)
- ❌ No subscription is forced
- ❌ No lifetime license is revoked or downgraded
To make this transition fair and transparent, we created a two-phase migration plan specifically for LTD users.
The Migration Plan for LTD Users
Our Lifetime Deal users are extremely valuable to us. You supported the plugin long before version 4 existed, and we are fully committed to respecting that trust.
The goal of this migration is simple:
All LTD users get version 4.
No one is forced to subscribe.
Paid upgrades are optional only.
Phase 1 – Optional Upgrade to the Full 4.x (With Remote Scan)
📅 From January 01, 2026 → February 28, 2026 (2-month period)
Phase 1 is 100% optional and has already started! Please read here to learn how to upgrade during this phase
During this period, LTD users may choose to purchase a new license for Advanced Database Cleaner 4.x (Full Version), which includes the Remote Scan feature.
If you decide to do so:
- 🎁 50% discount on the first purchase
- 🔁 50% discount on all future renewals – forever
- ⏳ Available only during this 2-month window
👉 If you do nothing during Phase 1, nothing changes for you!
Phase 2 – Migration for All Remaining LTD Users
📅 Target date: March 01, 2026
If you do not upgrade during Phase 1, you will still be migrated – for free.
You will receive a normal update notification inviting you to upgrade from v3.x → v4.x (Local Version). This version includes:
✅ The modern 4.x interface
✅ All core cleanup & optimization features
✅ Local scans only (same philosophy as v3.x)
✅ Ongoing updates and improvements
❌ No Remote Scan
❌ No subscription
❌ No recurring payments
Important Notes
- Your version number will change from 3.x to 4.x
- Your LTD license remains valid
- You are not forced into any paid plan
- Nothing is taken away from you
Optional Upgrade After Migration (Still Optional)
Even after Phase 2, LTD users running 4.x without Remote Scan can optionally upgrade later to the full 4.x (with Remote Scan). At that point:
🚫 Still completely optional
🎁 25% lifetime discount on all renewals
⏱️ No deadline – upgrade anytime
Summary – Your Choices as an LTD User
You always have two clear and safe paths:
Option 1 – Stay Lifetime (Free)
- ✔ Upgrade to 4.x without Remote Scan
- ✔ No additional cost
- ✔ No subscription
- ✔ Fully local, just like v3.x
Option 2 – Optional Paid Upgrade
- ✔ Get Remote Scan + cloud-assisted accuracy
- ✔ 50% lifetime discount if purchased during Phase 1
- ✔ 25% lifetime discount afterward
- ❌ Optional, never required
A Final Word
Lifetime users helped shape Advanced Database Cleaner into what it is today. We are not replacing your product, not invalidating your license, and not forcing a new business model on you.
We are simply offering:
- A free, modern upgrade for all LTD users as always
- And an optional paid path for those who want advanced remote features
If anything remains unclear, please contact us directly – we are listening and happy to clarify.
—
Younes
Founder, SigmaPlugin
32 comments
Strange that I've never heard about this update... Did you send emails about it?
I think that what you offer is very good, taking into account the LTD and surely having two versions will create also costs for you, so really appreciate what you are doing here. In a world where there's a bunch of LTDs rising and falling every week, it's a good point for you to treat us as good as you do.
Honestly, I don't know yet if I'll upgrade, as it's still $75US (i.e. more than a hundred dollars for me in Canada) per year, and this is for a feature that I currently don't have and still wonder how much of a benefit it is (of course, I understand there IS a benefit, especially for people already paying... but is it worth $75/year?)...
But again, thank you for all your work and for the benefit you give us!
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment and for taking the time to share your feedback 😊
Just to clarify: we have not sent any emails yet. At the moment, we are still carefully preparing the full migration process to make sure everything is clear, fair, and technically smooth for all LTD users. Once this process is fully ready, we will notify all LTD users by email and also communicate clearly inside the plugin and on our website.
Our goal is to make this transition as respectful and transparent as possible for our long-time supporters. We truly appreciate your understanding and your trust while we finalize the details.
Concerning the Remote Scan, it allows the plugin to enhance the local scan results by performing additional analysis on our server's side, which helps identify categorization and orphaned items more accurately, especially in complex or heavily customized setups. Based on our internal metrics, we already see that new users are extensively using this feature, as reflected by the number of remote scan calls we receive.
That said, it's important to clarify that Remote Scan is completely optional.
The local scan already detects categorization and orphaned items, just like in previous versions. Remote Scan is meant as an extra layer of precision, not a requirement to use the plugin effectively.
If you'd like to understand exactly how Remote Scan works and why it improves accuracy, you can read the full explanation here:
👉 https://docs.sigmaplugin.com/article/57-the-remote-scan-in-advanced-database-cleaner-precision-meets-security
I hope this helps clarify things, and please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any other questions.
I suppose that if we test it (for a month or year, depending on what we buy) and then decide to cancel it, we will simply revert back to the lite (i.e. V.4 without remove) version, but keep the same number of installations (unlimited for me) as if we just migrate without upgrading...?
That's absolutely correct. Since you hold a lifetime license, you will always retain access to it without the remote scan feature, even if you later cancel your subscription to the full Version 4.
Here is how the process works:
Thank you for the update. Please could you give more details on the remote scan? As a LTD owner, if we do not have this feature, can we still login to a site with this plugin and scan manually please ? Thank you
Hi Stephen,
The Remote Scan improves the accuracy of detecting orphaned items and provides more precise relationship detection, such as identifying which options belong to which plugins or themes, as well as tables, post meta, and user meta, etc.
You can read more about the Remote Scan here
If you don't have access to the Remote Scan feature, you can still perform local scans just as you did in version 3.x.
Ok that all sounds like fair deal. Just so you know though I think I will be leaving the setup as it is and going for the version 4 with no scanning. I don't want to get another annual payment but also if you had given me an option to pay something like $150 as a one off, I would have paid it just to get the scanning although I have no idea what benefit there is. Support for customers goes both ways I have found your plugin so great that I would want to support you.
Hi Dominic,
Your decision is completely understandable, and version 4 without Remote Scan will still give you a strong and reliable setup. Nothing essential is lost compared to what you've been using so far.
I also truly value your feedback about a one-time payment option. The Remote Scan involves ongoing infrastructure and maintenance costs, which is why it's offered as an annual payment, but your willingness to support the plugin genuinely means a lot to me.
You can read more about the Remote Scan here
Thanks again for your trust and continued support. I'm always here if you need anything.
Let me get this straight. You are changing my lifetime subscription to a annual subscription model. But wait, you can wait until March to upgrade to the non-subscription model which does not have the 'remote scan' feature. Why didn't you introduce another product or plugin called 'Ultra Pro' or something like that with just this capability? After looking at the 'remote scan' feature I am not convinced this is a good idea at all. Why would I give you access to remotely access or 'scan' my database. Are you planning on saving a copy, or even a partial copy of my database, data or schema on your site? If so, I would disclose this to your users, as it has important privacy concerns.
Thanks for your message. I completely understand your concerns, and I'd like to clarify a few important points.
First of all, we are not converting your lifetime license into an annual subscription. Your lifetime (LTD) license remains valid and respected. To support our long-time users while also making version 4 sustainable, we are offering two clear upgrade paths for our LTD users:
Phase 1: Optional paid upgrade
If you choose to upgrade earlier and want access to Remote Scan, this is offered under an annual plan. This feature has ongoing infrastructure and maintenance costs, which is why it cannot be included in a lifetime license. A permanent 50% off is applied.
Phase 2: Free upgrade on March 1
On March 1, you will be able to upgrade to version 4 for free, under your existing lifetime license. This version includes all the new architecture, UI, and improvements except the Remote Scan feature. No subscription is required.
About the Remote Scan & privacy concerns
The Remote Scan does NOT give us access to your database, and we never remotely connect to it. Before starting a scan, you explicitly choose:
- Local Scan (100% local, identical in principle to how version 3.x worked), or
- Full Scan (Local + Remote analysis)
If you choose Full Scan, only non-sensitive, strictly technical metadata is sent to our server for analysis. This allows us to:
- More accurately detect orphaned items
- Identify which data belongs to which plugin or theme
Important clarifications:
❌ No database credentials are ever sent
❌ No database content (posts, users, emails, passwords, values, etc.) is sent
❌ We do not store this data
❌ We do not reuse it for any purpose
✅ The data is processed temporarily and discarded immediately after analysis
If you are not comfortable with this (which is completely fair), you can simply continue using Local Scan only, forever, under your lifetime license.
We fully agree that transparency is critical. That's why we documented everything in detail, what data is sent, how it's processed, and why it's needed - in this article:
👉 Remote Scan in details
To summarize:
✅ Your lifetime license is not being changed
✅ You get version 4 for free on March 1, without Remote Scan
✅ Remote Scan is optional, transparent, privacy-safe, and never forced
✅ You always remain in full control of how your site is scanned
If you have any further questions or want clarification on any technical detail, I'll be more than happy to explain.
I bought a lifetime license precisely because the plugin was completely local, self-sufficient and under the full control of my server. The introduction of a cloud-based feature as a central element of the plugin's future, even if optional, changes this balance and partially breaks the implicit pact made with LTD users.
"We do not send sensitive data" is not a sufficient guarantee. Why: today you don't send them, tomorrow you might, the day after tomorrow ownership changes or policy changes or a data breach takes over
And I don't even want to have to think about it. This is a key point: you are forcing me to trust you. Trust is not only a matter of declared privacy, but also of the stability of the model over time. For this reason, this new direction leaves me puzzled.
It's no longer the kind of product I want in my stack, you should offer a refund.
Hi Rodolfo,
Thank you for sharing your concerns so clearly. I'd like to clarify a few important points.
First, version 4 without Remote Scan is identical in principle to version 3.x: it performs a fully local scan only, with no remote communication at all. No Remote Scan is executed, no cloud dependency exists, and everything remains entirely under your server's control, exactly as it was with 3.x.
Second, the plugin is released under the GPL license, which means the entire codebase is open and auditable. Anyone in the community can verify what data is (or is not) sent. We do not send sensitive data, and we never will. This is not just a statement of intent, it is verifiable in the code.
For full transparency, you can also read detailed documentation explaining exactly what data is sent during a Remote Scan (when it is explicitly enabled), and why. Nothing is hidden: 👉 Remote Scan in details
If you are not comfortable with Remote Scan, that is perfectly fine. You can keep your lifetime license and use version 4 (without Remote Scan), which will fit your needs perfectly and does not send anything remotely.
Finally, if you need any assistance regarding your license or have further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly, I'll be happy to help.
Kind regards,
Younes
I appreciate the technical explanations, but they do not answer the point I raised: my request for a refund concerns a change in the product's direction, not its current operation. I prefer to close here.
Hi Rodolfo,
I think there may be a misunderstanding about how version 4 and the migration work, so let me clarify it further.
Your LTD product (3.x) is not being turned into a remote or a subscription-based product. It will be naturally upgraded to version 4, just like previous updates:
- 100% local
- No remote features
- No data sent anywhere
- Same lifetime spirit
Plus a new interface and new local functionalities.
Nothing is revoked, nothing is taken away, and nothing "remote" is forced or injected into your LTD product.
In parallel, we created a separate, new plugin, with remote scan features. Because those features involve ongoing infrastructure costs, this separate product follows an annual pricing model. It is not a replacement for your LTD product.
Given this situation - and because LTD users are very important to us - we offered two clear and respectful options:
Solution 1 (default, no change):
_____
Continue using your LTD product and upgrade to version 4, as you have always done (on 1 March). Fully local, lifetime, no remote, no subscription - exactly consistent with your original purchase.
Solution 2 (optional):
_____
If you choose to use the separate plugin that includes remote scan features, you would need to purchase a new license. As an LTD user, you are eligible for a permanent 50% discount, applied forever. This option is entirely optional and offered as a goodwill gesture - it is not an obligation and does not replace or affect your LTD rights in any way.
So this is not a case of a lifetime product being shifted toward remote features or a recurring subscription model. The lifetime product continues forward, locally, as promised. The recurring model exists only for a different product with different capabilities.
I hope this clears things up.
Please explain in more detail what "identical in principle to how version 3.x worked" means. It seems that that version 3.x of the plugin worked pretty well to detect orphaned items and identify which data belongs to which plugin or theme. Will this no longer be the case in version 4.x?
Why would someone need the remote scan feature?
It seems that you are not disclosing everything here...
Hi Mark,
When I say identical in principle, I mean that version 4 (without Remote Scan) works the same way version 3.x did from a detection logic point of view:
- It analyzes your local database only
- It uses pattern-based rules, known prefixes, WordPress conventions, and plugin/theme footprints
- It detects orphaned data and tries to associate data with plugins/themes using locally available information
So no, detection is not removed, not downgraded, and not crippled in version 4.x. In fact, the engine itself is newer, cleaner, and more robust than 3.x, so local scans are generally more reliable and stable than before.
What Remote Scan adds (briefly)
Remote Scan is optional and simply improves accuracy in complex cases. It compares local findings with a reference database containing over 1 million verified plugin/theme relations, all 100% correct. This helps reduce "unknown" items and increases confidence - nothing more.
If version 3.x worked well for you, version 4 (without Remote Scan) will work better.
You can read more about the Remote Scan here
Ah, it's getting kind of embarrassing now how many times I've bought a lifetime licence only to then be told, nope, you're gonna have to pay if you want to keep getting the good stuff...
BTW: An email notification would have been appreciated. Looking around the site, I can see this has been talked about since early December, but only today did I get a notification on my website admin page that this was happening.
Hi Penny,
Just to clarify: your lifetime license is not abandoned. On March 1, you'll be invited to upgrade to version 4, which is a much more powerful release than 3.x, with a completely new design and many improvements, and you will not need to pay anything to get this version.
The only feature not included is Remote Scan, as it involves ongoing monthly costs on our side and is entirely optional. Version 4 will work perfectly, and better than 3.x, without it.
Regarding communication, you're right. We are currently going through several steps of communication with our customers (in-plugin notices, documentation, and emails, which will also be sent). The admin notice you saw is part of that process.
If you have any questions, I'm happy to help.
Kind regards,
Younes
Hi,
I've just stumbled upon this too - I went to check the changelog to know what had been updated in 3.2.13, saw something on the changelog about v4, and wondered what I'd missed!
Given it was a year ago that I committed US$149 to purchase a lifetime Agency licence (a big thing for me as I'm a single person shop, note really and agency, but I wanted to be able to grow), I was concerned at first that I'd signed up for a lifetime for version that was now being abandoned. Things weren't too clear on first reading.
But now if I've got it right:
* I will get access to V4.x on March 1. It won't have remote scanning, but otherwise it's full featured and doesn't require an annual payment.
* If I jump into an annual subscription before March 1, then I can get an ongoing 50% discount on annual payments for V4+Remote Scanning.
* If I wait, and at some point decide Remote Scanning is worthwhile, I can convert to an annual subscription with a 25% discount.
Have I understood correctly?
Cheers from Aotearoa New Zealand :)
Hi Minty,
Thank you for taking the time to write this, and for explaining your thoughts so clearly.
First of all, please let me reassure you: your lifetime license is absolutely not abandoned. Not at all.
On March 1, you will be invited to upgrade to version 4, which is a much more powerful version than 3.x, with a completely rebuilt engine, many new features, and a fully redesigned modern interface. In everyday use, it works better and more efficiently than 3.x.
The only feature not included in your lifetime upgrade is Remote Scan. This is simply because it involves ongoing monthly infrastructure costs on our side (servers, processing, maintenance). It is entirely optional, and your version 4 will work perfectly without it, just like (and better than) 3.x.
To confirm your understanding - yes, you've got it right:
✔️ On March 1, you'll get V4.x without Remote Scan, under your existing lifetime license, with no annual payment.
✔️ If you choose to upgrade before March 1, you can get V4 + Remote Scan with a permanent 50% discount on all annual renewals.
✔️ If you wait and later decide Remote Scan is useful for you, you'll still be able to upgrade with a 25% discount.
I truly appreciate your support back then, especially knowing it was a meaningful investment for you. Version 4 is the result of a long and careful rebuild, and I'm confident you'll feel that it's a big step forward compared to 3.x.
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Super clear explanation and I hugely appreciate it.
I hope everyone else takes confidence from it too.
I too have been caught in ‘lifetime’ licenses turning to ash. Very glad to see it’s not the case here. And I think the explanation about charging for remote (with its extra server costs) is entirely valid.
Thanks again for a brilliant plugin!
Thank you so much for your kind words 🙏
I really appreciate your trust and support. I'm glad the explanation helped, and I'm happy to hear you're enjoying the plugin.
First of all, thank you for the detailed explanation and for taking us into account., we appreciate it 😊
On the other hand, all we would be getting from changing to the annual subscription would be the remote scan, that while it can be something nice for those doing a deep cleaning, it personally isn't worth to me a yearly 75USD for a feature that as others have already mentioned, I'm not sure I will really use. Furthermore, considering this is only one of many features and that the only addition we are paying for is that remote scan, a 50% of the price seems to be still pretty steep. Until now I've mostly been able to figure out by myself whose theme/plugin orphaned items belong to with the help of some online tools such as https://plugintests.com/search-ids.
I would probably pay 5-10USD for a single month whenever I really need one website that requires a very deep and detailed cleaning, however. Or to pay for AI credits when required.
Those are just some ideas! We are not losing anything with this update, so I'm happy keeping what I already have 😃 I understand as well that due to the AI costs you need to change to recurrent plans. Maybe just consider some monthly subscriptions instead of just yearly ones, if you want to 😊
Thank you!
Hi Gerard,
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and respectful message, I really appreciate the time you took to explain your point of view 😊
You're absolutely right on one important thing: you are not losing anything at all. Your LTD license stays exactly the same, and you can happily continue using version 4 locally, just as you do today. If that already meets your needs, that's perfectly fine.
The annual plan is only for the separate plugin that includes the Remote Scan, and it's totally optional. The 50% discount is simply there for LTD users who do see value in that feature and want to support its ongoing costs - but there is absolutely no obligation to move to it.
Your ideas about short-term access, pay-per-use, or credit-based models are very valid and honestly align with thoughts we're already exploring internally. We're still early in this phase, and feedback like yours is exactly what helps shape fairer and more flexible options in the future.
Thank you again for your understanding, your suggestions, and your support.
Younes,
Thanks. I think you've been really fair to the LTD customers, and that some of them are not treating you fairly in return.
I think what you are saying is something like this:
"We've put a lot of work into developing the Remote Scan feature, which was developed because there are tens of thousands of WordPress plugins, and trying to include that database in every installation is not feasible for database size, server load, and other reasons.
We are offering LTD customers who want to try this functionality a 50% Lifetime offer on it. This will help us by providing a cash infusion to help cover our past (mostly) and future (somewhat) costs.
Maintenence of the Remote Scan database involves (I am guessing) memberships on many GPL sites and ongoing download/install/scan processes to maintain the most complete relationship between WordPress items (files, folders, database tables, options records, etc.) that exists.
This is the next generation of our mission to help our users maintain the cleanest and most perfomant WordPress sites possible."
Something like that?
Dear kenlyle,
Exactly, that's a very accurate summary, and thank you for expressing it so clearly. To add a bit more detail and clarity:
- The Remote Scan is not added to the LTD plugin. It is included in a completely new, separate plugin.
- LTD users keep their existing license exactly as it is. Nothing changes, nothing is revoked, and nothing becomes remote.
- On March 1, all LTD users will be invited to upgrade normally to version 4 of the plugin, just as they always have - fully local, under the same lifetime license, at no additional cost, and with a new design and extra features.
The new plugin with Remote Scan is optional. Users who want it must purchase a new license for that separate plugin, and since LTD users are valuable to us, they benefit from a permanent 50% discount applied to the first year and all future renewals.
Choosing not to use the new plugin with the remote scan means absolutely nothing changes for LTD users.
So to be very clear:
LTD licenses remain fully valid, fully local, and continue as usual. The Remote Scan does not alter that in any way.
Thanks again for your understanding and for the fair, thoughtful way you've approached this.
Hi,
I fully understand the pricing model for the new "Remote Scan" option, but I do have to ask about GDPR.
It is stated that "We are also fully GDPR compliant:". as GDPR rules vary depending on where a business is located can I ask where the data will be stored?
The UK/EU have strict rules on GDPR and failure to comply can lead to being fined.
Hi Andy,
Thank you for your question, this is an important point and I'm happy to clarify.
Server location
The Remote Scan data is processed on servers located in the United States. Our company is based in Morocco.
Data that is sent
For the Remote Scan to function, we send:
- The website URL
- The license key
- Non-personal, technical identifiers (such as database table names, option names, meta keys, and plugin/theme slugs)
No user data, content, emails, IP addresses, credentials, or database values are transmitted.
Optional feature
The Remote Scan is fully optional. If you choose the local scan instead, nothing is sent remotely at all, exactly as in version 3.x.
This is 100% fair. We get to use the plugin we paid for with updates. If we want an extra feature that has recurring costs, we can pay for the annual subscription.
This feature offers way to clean sites quickly which is super useful for agencies or people taking care of multiple sites = a lot more value than $75/month.
The other option? Plugin dies.
Sorry, I have really hard time understanding people complaining about this super fair switch. Most likely you are running a business of your own so you should be able to understand all of this. And asking for a refund? Wow.
Thank you Younes for this and I hope you see you've done a great job with the plugin and with this transition. All the best! Just working out on a new kind of care package for my clients and with this more automated approach I could include free database cleanups too, would be great!
Hi Kristian,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. I truly appreciate your understanding and support 🙏
Indeed, the migration process was misunderstood by some users, with a few thinking they would lose their lifetime license. In reality, it's quite the opposite: this migration is actually an advantage for LTD users. Their lifetime license remains fully valid, continues to receive updates, and they can move to version 4 without losing what they originally paid for.
The optional annual subscription only applies to the extra Remote Scan feature, which comes with real, ongoing infrastructure costs and is mainly valuable for agencies or users managing many sites, exactly as you described. For everyone else, nothing is taken away.
We did our best to explain this clearly through articles and notices, but understandably not all customers read every detail. That said, we fully accept all remarks, respect different points of view, and we're always here to clarify anything that may still be confusing.
Thank you again for your trust and encouragement. It truly motivates me to keep improving the plugin 🙏
Hello,
We've decided to proceed with updating to version 4.0 and would like to clarify the installation process:
Is the standard/traditional installation method appropriate for version 4.0?
Should version 3 be uninstalled first, or can it remain installed during the upgrade?
Please advise.
Best regards,
Hello José,
To upgrade to version 4 (full version including the remote scan features) and get 50% discount, please follow these steps:
1- Log in to the account here: login
2- Choose the Version 4 license that fits your needs: plugin page
3- At checkout, use the following special coupon code (which will give you 50% off on your first order and all renewals): LTD50
4- Download, install, and activate Version 4 just like any other plugin.
5- Navigate to the plugin menu "WP DB Cleaner", you will be invited to import your data from version 3.x if you want.
6- Once your data is imported, you can delete version 3.x as it is not needed anymore.
Please let me know if you need any further assistance. I will be happy to help.