PluginSift

Improved Save Button vs Require Featured Image (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

Improved Save Button

Improved Save Button

5(26)

4.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 5 years ago
View Improved Save Button
VS
Require Featured Image

Require Featured Image

3.9(16)

4.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 6 years ago
View Require Featured Image

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Improved Save Button has a higher user rating (5/5 from 26 reviews) and leads in active installations (4.0K+ vs 4.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Improved Save Button has accumulated 19K+ total downloads while Require Featured Image has 96K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
5/5Improved Save Button
◄
Require Featured Image3.9/5
Total Reviews
26Improved Save Button
◄
Require Featured Image16
Active Installs
4.0K+Improved Save Button
Require Featured Image4.0K+
Total Downloads
19K+Improved Save Button
►
Require Featured Image96K+
Support Resolution
N/AImproved Save Button
Require Featured ImageN/A
Last Updated
5 years agoImproved Save Button
◄
Require Featured Image6 years ago
First Released
2015Improved Save Button
Require Featured Image2013
Age
11 yearsImproved Save Button
Require Featured Image13 years
WP Requires
3.5.1+Improved Save Button
Require Featured Image3.5+
PHP Requires
false+Improved Save Button
Require Featured Imagefalse+
Business Model
FreeImproved Save Button
Require Featured ImageFree
Latest Version
1.2.1Improved Save Button
Require Featured Image1.5.0

Rating Breakdown

Improved Save Button

5/5(26 reviews)
5
96%
4
4%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Require Featured Image

3.9/5(16 reviews)
5
63%
4
6%
3
6%
2
13%
1
13%

Recent Reviews

Improved Save Button Reviews

by Alisha Thomas

Still works great!

Love this plugin! I use CPTs on every site I built, and this plugin just makes it so much faster to add and update new CPTs. It hasn’t been updated in a while, but still works excellently. The only bu

by globalexposures

Should be a core component

This should be core part of WordPress. Several of my clients were distressed when it looked like this plugin was abaondoned. So relieved to have it updated recently.

by rallisf1

This is a lifesaver

Still works on WP 5.2.2, also works on custom post types that use /edit layout (e.g. Woocommerce products). You saved me many hours of just watching the backend reload 😀

Require Featured Image Reviews

by ramon fincken

Does what it needs to do

Works on WP 5.8 with build in Gutenberg editor for CPT = posts When you remove the image the message re-appears

by renathy

allows to remove thumb image

It allows to delete thumb image on existing posts. If I open post that already doesn’t have thumb image it doesn’t show any error message.

by bullshark

Doesn’t work on version 5.1

at least in terms of hiding the button. Plz fix already.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Improved Save Button or Require Featured Image more popular?
Improved Save Button has 4.0K+ active installations while Require Featured Image has 4.0K+. Require Featured Image is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Improved Save Button or Require Featured Image?
Improved Save Button has a 5/5 rating from 26 reviews, while Require Featured Image has a 3.9/5 rating from 16 reviews.
Are Improved Save Button and Require Featured Image free?
Improved Save Button is free and Require Featured Image is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Improved Save Button or Require Featured Image?
Support resolution data is not available for all plugins. Check each plugin's WordPress.org support forum for current response quality.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Improved Save Button was last updated 5 years ago and Require Featured Image was last updated 6 years ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.