PubCare Monthly: February 2026

We are wrapping up January with some important maintenance updates to keep your paywall secure and fast, along with a quick look ahead at what is coming next.

Extension Updates

We’ve rolled out a mix of security patches and performance improvements this month. We focused on tightening up access control in the core plugin, optimizing script loading for faster page speeds, and smoothing out international shipping logic. Here are the highlights:

Leaky Paywall 4.22.6

Fixed a broken access control issue reported by Patchstack.

Gift Subscriptions 3.2.2

Fixed shortcode output and restricted script loading to the gift subscription page only.

Basic Shipping 1.8.9

Updated state field compatibility for international users on the new gift subscription form.

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Leaky Paywall 5.0 is on the way

We’ve been quietly building something big behind the scenes. Leaky Paywall 5.0 is on the way — and it’s going to be our most powerful release yet.

Over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out a new generation of features designed to give you more control, more flexibility, and more ways to grow your subscription business inside WordPress.

But before we lock it in, we want your input.

What’s the one thing you wish Leaky Paywall did better?
What would save you the most time?
What would make running your publication feel easier, faster, or more profitable?

Just reply to this email and tell us.

Our product team reads every message, and your ideas will directly influence what ships in 5.0.

New on the Paywall Podcast

If you need inspiration for your strategy this year, you have to hear our latest conversation with Travis Bembenek, CEO and Publisher of Mexico News Daily.

He breaks down exactly how Mexico News Daily built a 100% reader revenue powerhouse, ditching ads entirely to focus on a premium subscriber experience. It is a masterclass in retention and focus.

Listen to the episode here

Ep. 85: 7 Revenue Killers That Sank a 240-Year-Old Newspaper
We break down the strategic mistakes that destroyed a historic publication and exactly how you can avoid making the same errors.

Ep. 84: How to Turn Subscription Features into Benefits
Pete and Tyler explain why selling the “why” (benefits) works better than selling the “what” (features) to help you convert more readers.

Subscribe To The Paywall Podcast