For more than a decade, Advanced Database Cleaner (ADC) has helped WordPress users keep their databases clean, fast, and optimized. On November 28, 2025, we introduced Advanced Database Cleaner 4.x, a completely rebranded plugin.
However, many users (using version 3.x) understandably asked:
“Is version 4.x the update of version 3.x? Where can I download the new update?”
The answer is no, and this article explains everything clearly.
1. Version 4.x is not an update of version 3.x
It is a completely new plugin, rewritten from zero with an entirely different architecture, interface, scanning engine, and pricing model.
Version 3.x (Classic) and version 4.x (Rebranded) are:
- Two separate plugins
- Two different codebases
- Two different licensing models
- Two different long-term roadmaps
This means:
✔ Version 4.x will not overwrite version 3.x
✔ Version 4.x will not appear as an update for 3.x in the WordPress dashboard
✔ Lifetime customers of 3.x are not required to upgrade or purchase anything
✔ Version 3.x remains fully valid and maintained
Think of them as two siblings, not the same product, but belonging to the same family.
2. Why we created version 4.x as a separate plugin from scratch
When we started working on improvements for version 3.x (two years ago), our goal was to enhance the existing 3.x version. But as we dug deeper into the original codebase (mostly written between 2016 and 2018), we discovered limitations that prevented us from building modern and flexible features.
Here are the main reasons a full rewrite became necessary:
🧱 The old architecture had reached its limits
The previous structure made it very hard to introduce new modules, scales poorly on large sites, and did not align with modern WordPress standards (REST API, React, modular logic, etc.).
⚡ A modern database scanning engine required a new foundation
To drastically improve orphan detection accuracy, performance, and safety, we needed a fully modular system built with isolated logic for each cleanup type.
📱 A new UI/UX experience was impossible to build on top of v3
The new interface is built using React, fully responsive, faster, and far more intuitive. This could not be achieved by patching the old UI.
☁️ Cloud-Based Remote Scan required a new design
The new cloud-powered scanning feature, one of the biggest innovations in ADC 4.x, required an architecture that does not exist in the 3.x plugin.
🔒 Long-term scalability and performance
For the next 10 years, we needed a flexible, modular, and maintainable system. The only way to achieve that was to rebuild from scratch.
3. Why version 4.x uses a subscription model
After rebuilding the entire plugin for version 4.x, we found ourselves facing significant ongoing development and maintenance costs, far higher than anything required for the classic 3.x version. The new architecture, cloud-based features, and modern UI introduce continuous expenses that naturally grow over time. Unfortunately, it would no longer be possible to sustain this level of innovation under the old lifetime license model.
For this reason, we made the difficult decision to separate version 4.x from version 3.x and place it under an annual pricing model. We truly didn’t take this step lightly, and we understand it’s a big change. However, it was the only way to keep the plugin improving, secure, and future-ready while still honoring lifetime users of the classic version.
Here’s why it became necessary and beneficial for everyone in the long term.
🔥 A Two-Year Development Effort
Building this new version took two full years of research, development, testing, and investment. We rebuilt the entire architecture, redesigned every screen with a new React interface, and introduced cloud-powered features that simply weren’t possible before.
This level of effort comes with real ongoing costs, and the old one-time pricing model could no longer sustain that.
🔥 Cloud Infrastructure and Ongoing Costs
The new Remote Scan feature relies on a secure cloud infrastructure that we continuously maintain and upgrade. This involves ongoing server, storage, and security expenses, essential to guarantee both speed and privacy for our users.
A subscription model allows us to keep this service reliable, secure, and regularly improved.
🔥 A Commitment to Continuous Innovation
Unlike the older versions, the new modular architecture enables us to release new features more frequently. We already have a roadmap packed with upcoming modules and integrations, updates that will keep your sites running faster and cleaner than ever.
To support this continuous innovation, we needed a pricing model that aligns with ongoing development and maintenance efforts.
🔥 Long-Term Sustainability
After ten years and more than 200,000 active installations, our priority is to ensure Advanced Database Cleaner continues to evolve for another decade.
Subscriptions give us the stability to maintain top-quality updates, provide responsive support, and invest in security, compatibility, and new features that meet the expectations of modern WordPress users.
That is to say, version 4.x uses a different pricing model because it is a completely different product.
You can read more about changes introduced in 4.x in this article.
4. What happens to version 3.x and lifetime users?
This is the part many users on version 3.x are concerned about, so let’s make it 100% clear and transparent.
⭐ Version 3.x is NOT discontinued, and it never will be
Lifetime license users of version 3.x will always keep their lifetime access; nothing changes for them. Our 3.x users are extremely valuable to us, and we want to reassure you that version 3.x will never be discontinued. We will continue to maintain it indefinitely with security updates, fixes, and improvements whenever needed.
⭐ Lifetime licenses remain valid FOREVER
- You paid for a lifetime plan, and you will always keep it.
- No subscription.
- No renewal.
- No extra payment.
- Ever.
⭐ What type of updates will 3.x receive?
Version 3.x will continue to receive:
- 🛡️ Security patches
- 🐞 Bug fixes
- 🔧 Compatibility updates with new WordPress releases
- ✨ Improvements based on user needs
⭐ What will NOT change for 3.x?
The core structure will remain the same; we will not transform it into v4 (because v4 is an entirely new plugin). But it will remain a reliable, stable, safe tool for all lifetime users.
⭐ Should lifetime users switch to 4.x?
No obligation at all.
If you want to try the new features and the new design, you can, but you are never forced to.
Your version 3.x will always stay active, supported, and working exactly as promised at the time of purchase.
5. Summary
Version 3.x (Classic)
- ✔ Your lifetime license remains valid forever
- ✔ Fully maintained: security, fixes, compatibility, improvements
- ✔ Stable, reliable, and still supported
- ❌ Will not evolve into v4.x
Version 4.x (Rebranded)
- ✔ A completely new plugin
- ✔ Modern interface built with React
- ✔ Powerful new scanning engine
- ✔ Cloud-based Remote Scan
- ✔ New modules and features
- ✔ Subscription model to support continuous innovation
6. Final words
We deeply value our long-time users; without you, Advanced Database Cleaner could not have grown for more than 10 years.
Version 4.x represents the future of the plugin, built with modern technologies and packed with new capabilities.
But version 3.x remains a respected, supported product that will continue to serve lifetime users faithfully.
No one is forced to switch.
Your license remains yours forever.
Both plugins will continue to live side-by-side.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance, we are always here to help: contact us
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