TGM Plugin Activation is a PHP library that allows you to easily require or recommend plugins for your WordPress themes (and plugins). It allows your users to install, update and even automatically activate plugins in singular or bulk fashion using native WordPress classes, functions and interfaces. You can reference bundled plugins, plugins from the WordPress Plugin Repository or even plugins hosted elsewhere on the internet.
As my post says I'm using this in a plugin and Visual Composer won't update unless I deactivate the plugin first
There was something in the FAQ but that seemed to be if using this via a theme
Thanks