User Role Editor vs Better User Search (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Better User Search has a higher user rating (5/5 from 15 reviews) while User Role Editor leads in active installations (700K+ vs 700). Both are free WordPress plugins. User Role Editor has accumulated 21M+ total downloads while Better User Search has 12K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | User Role Editor | Better User Search | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 287 | ◄ | 15 |
| Active Installs | 700K+ | ◄ | 700 |
| Total Downloads | 21M+ | ◄ | 12K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 4 months ago | ◄ | 10 years ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2015 | |
| Age | 16 years | 11 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.4+ | 3.1+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.3+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 4.64.6 | 1.1.1 |
Rating Breakdown
User Role Editor
Better User Search
Download Trends
Recent Reviews
User Role Editor Reviews
Simple and works nicely
This plugin is working well. Thank you for the developer who put lot of time into it. Very nice, lightest and most simple.
Worked great for my site
I’m a DIY self learner, and had a great experience with URE. It has vast capabilities and is organized to make it easy to navigate and apply so many customizations. Very intuitive. On the one occasion
Wont save capabilities for custom role
I hate giving bad reviews as I know how much work goes into these plugins, often by one person. But we have wasted so much time and lost orders because of a known bug. I can see that others have rep
Better User Search Reviews
No reviews yet
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is User Role Editor or Better User Search more popular?
Which has better ratings — User Role Editor or Better User Search?
Are User Role Editor and Better User Search free?
Which plugin has better support — User Role Editor or Better User Search?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.