---
title: "System Requirements"
url: "https://docs.speedinchinaplugin.com/getting-started/requirements/"
---
## Minimum Requirements

| Requirement | Minimum Version |
| --- | --- |
| **WordPress** | 5.1 or higher |
| **PHP** | 7.4 or higher |
| **MySQL** | 5.7+ or MariaDB 10.3+ |

## Server Requirements

*   **Outbound HTTPS** — Your server must be able to make outbound HTTPS requests. The plugin communicates with the Speed in China API (hosted on gauchoplugins.com), which proxies requests to the Globalping API.
*   **WP-Cron** — Required for scheduled testing. If your host disables WP-Cron, you'll need to set up a system cron job instead. The plugin uses WP-Cron intervals of `monthly`, `weekly`, `daily`, and `hourly`.
*   **File write access** — Required for Google Font localization. The plugin downloads font files to `wp-content/uploads/sic-fonts/`. Your web server must have write permissions to the uploads directory.

## What's NOT Required

*   **WooCommerce** — Not needed. Speed in China is a standalone plugin.
*   **Chinese hosting** — Your site can be hosted anywhere in the world. The plugin tests how your site loads *from* China, regardless of where it's hosted.
*   **ICP license** — Not needed for speed testing. An ICP license is only required if you host your site *in* China.

**Local development** — Speed tests require a publicly accessible URL. If you're developing locally (e.g., `.local` or `localhost`), the plugin will use `gauchoplugins.com` as a fallback test target when `WP_DEBUG` is enabled.