Management dashboard comparison
Solid Central, formerly iThemes Sync and now Kadence Central, manages updates, backups, security, uptime, and client reports for many WordPress sites, with backups and security through Kadence plugins. CMDPress builds those in and adds SEO, teams, and AI.
The short version
WordPress management dashboard
A dashboard for managing many WordPress sites: bulk updates, backups, security, uptime, and client reports. It was iThemes Sync, then Solid Central, and is now branded Kadence Central by Liquid Web.
Cross-host WordPress management platform
CMDPress connects the WordPress sites you already run, on any host, and puts updates, backups, security, uptime, SEO, client reports, teams, and AI agents in one workspace.
Where they overlap
Both run live sites on any compatible host. Solid Central leans on Kadence plugins for backups and security; CMDPress includes them.
Side by side
From each vendor’s own pages. “Not listed” means we didn’t find it there, not that it can never be done.
| Decision area | CMDPress | Solid Central |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Cloud dashboard with a lightweight WordPress agent plugin on each site | Cloud dashboard; connector plugin on each site |
| Host requirement | Any host: shared, VPS, managed WordPress, or servers with no control panel | Any host with HTTPS, TLS 1.2, REST API, and Application Passwords |
| Installs WordPress | No. Connects the WordPress sites you already run | No. Connects existing sites; Migrations move sites between servers |
| Many hosts in one place | Yes. Every connected site on every host in one workspace | Yes. Sites on any compatible host |
| Updates | Bulk and per-site core, plugin, and theme updates | One-click bulk core, plugin, and theme updates with rollback |
| Backups | Create, list, and restore backups per site with central oversight | Run and restore backups through the Kadence Backups plugin on each site |
| Security | Vulnerability scans, HMAC-signed site requests, two-factor sign-in, role-aware access | Kadence Security integration with vulnerabilities and virtual patching; 2FA on login |
| Uptime monitoring | Built-in uptime checks, response history, and alerts | Yes. Uptime tracking with email alerts |
| Client reports and white label | White-label reports, invoices, branding, and client support | Scheduled maintenance reports; white label in Central Pro |
| Team access | Roles, invitations, and per-site access | Shared dashboard with role-based access |
| SEO and analytics | Technical SEO audits, GA4, Search Console, PageSpeed, AdSense, Cloudflare | Google Analytics, Search Console, Yoast checks, Lighthouse audits |
| AI | Built-in and custom AI agents, plus a ChatGPT plugin with 66 functions | Not listed |
| One-click admin login | Magic Login into every connected site | Yes. One-click admin login and user switching |
| Pricing model | First site free forever, then $2.99 per extra site monthly. No feature add-ons | No free tier; sold in Kadence Elite at $499/year |
Where it runs
Host requirement
Installs WordPress
Many hosts in one place
Updates
Backups
Security
Uptime monitoring
Client reports and white label
Team access
SEO and analytics
AI
One-click admin login
Pricing model
Hosting and total cost
Solid Central connects WordPress sites on any host that allows HTTPS, TLS 1.2, the REST API, and Application Passwords; some firewalls need allowlisting. It can also move sites between servers over SFTP or SSH.
CMDPress runs on its own cloud and works with WordPress on any host, so one workspace covers sites spread across providers.
| Sites | CMDPress | Solid Central |
|---|---|---|
| 1 site | $0 | $499 per year in Kadence Elite |
| 10 sites | $26.91 per month | $499 per year in Kadence Elite |
| 50 sites | $146.51 per month | $499 per year in Kadence Elite |
1 site
10 sites
50 sites
The current sales page offers Central inside the Kadence Elite bundle; its site limit isn’t listed. The WordPress.org plugin listing still cites plans from $6.99 a month for 5 sites.
Honest trade-offs
Where Solid Central is the better choice
Where CMDPress is the better choice
Recommendation
Running both is mostly redundant. It only makes sense if you depend on Kadence Security and Backups and want CMDPress for SEO, AI, invoicing, and team work.
Questions
Yes. iThemes Sync became Solid Central, and it’s now branded Kadence Central by Liquid Web.
No free tier is listed. The current sales page sells Central inside Kadence Elite at $499 per year.
Its backup and security features rely on Kadence Backups and Kadence Security installed on each site.
One site is free forever. Each additional site is $2.99 per month, with every feature included and no add-ons.
Research notes
Public pages from Liquid Web (Kadence) were checked on October 20, 2026. Prices and plans change, so confirm them with each vendor before you buy.
Decide with the product open
Open the demo workspace, then connect one WordPress site for free.