Description
At a glance
Heartbeat Control v2.0.1 is a free WordPress plugin with 80K+ active installs, 4.2/5 rating from 68 reviews, updated August 31, 2023, requires WordPress 3.6+ & PHP 5.3+. Download the latest GPL version below — free, with live demo included.
Heartbeat Control by WP Rocket allows you to manage the frequency of the WordPress heartbeat API in a few clicks.
The WordPress Heartbeat API is a great feature that provides real-time communication between the server and the browser when you are logged into your WordPress admin panel. It uses the file /wp-admin/admin-ajax.php to run AJAX calls from the browser. By default, AJAX requests are sent every 15 seconds on post edit pages, and every 60 seconds on the dashboard.
This is indeed helpful; but if you usually leave your WordPress admin open for long periods (for example when you write or edit posts), the AJAX requests from the API can pile up and generate high CPU usage, leading to server performance issues and even hosting account suspensions.
With Heartbeat Control by WP Rocket, you can easily choose to limit or completely stop the activity of the WordPress Heartbeat API. You can also add rules for specific locations only (Dashboard, Frontend or Post Editor).
To learn more about WordPress performance optimization and make your website faster, join our WP Rocket Facebook Community!
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Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I download Heartbeat Control?
Heartbeat Control 2.0.1 is the latest version. It is a WordPress plugin you can download here free of charge under the GPL license, with the complete feature set included and no trial limitations. It holds a 4.2/5 rating from 68 user reviews.
Does Heartbeat Control cost anything?
No. Heartbeat Control 2.0.1 is 100% free — the full GPL version, not a trial or demo. There are no download limits, no accounts to create, and no upsells during the download.
How do I install Heartbeat Control 2.0.1?
Download the ZIP file from this page, then in your WordPress dashboard go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, choose the file, click Install Now, then Activate. The plugin works immediately after activation — no license key or extra setup is required for the core features.
What are the requirements for Heartbeat Control?
Heartbeat Control 2.0.1 requires WordPress 3.6 or higher and PHP 5.3 or higher. Most modern WordPress hosts already meet these versions. Running older versions may cause features to break, so update WordPress and PHP first if your site is behind.
When was Heartbeat Control last updated?
Version 2.0.1 was last updated on August 31, 2023. This page is refreshed automatically, so the download here always matches the newest version we have verified.
Is the Heartbeat Control download safe?
The file is sourced directly from the official WordPress.org repository — the same file the developer published. It is served unmodified, so what you install here is byte-identical to the official release.
Version: 2.0.1
Updated: October 1, 2026
Technical details
| Version | 2.0.1 |
|---|---|
| Last updated | August 31, 2023 |
| Active installs | 80,000+ |
| Rating | ★★★★☆ 4.2/5 (68 reviews) |
| Requires WordPress | 3.6 or higher |
| Requires PHP | 5.3 or higher |
| Author | WP Media |
| Tags | admin-ajax, heartbeat, heartbeat-api, heartbeat-control, server-resources |
Demo Heartbeat Control
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