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WordPress REST API (Version 2) vs JSON only (2026)

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

WordPress REST API (Version 2)

WordPress REST API (Version 2)

4.2(34)

10K+ active installs

Free

Updated 8 years ago
View WordPress REST API (Version 2)
VS
JSON only

JSON only

5(1)

10 active installs

Free

Updated 14 years ago
View JSON only

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, JSON only has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) while WordPress REST API (Version 2) leads in active installations (10K+ vs 10). Both are free WordPress plugins. WordPress REST API (Version 2) has accumulated 534K+ total downloads while JSON only has 2.8K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.2/5WordPress REST API (Version 2)
►
JSON only5/5
Total Reviews
34WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
JSON only1
Active Installs
10K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
JSON only10
Total Downloads
534K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
JSON only2.8K+
Support Resolution
N/AWordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON onlyN/A
Last Updated
8 years agoWordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
JSON only14 years ago
First Released
2009WordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON only2012
Age
17 yearsWordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON only14 years
WP Requires
4.6+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON only3.0.1+
PHP Requires
false+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON onlyfalse+
Business Model
FreeWordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON onlyFree
Latest Version
2.0-beta15WordPress REST API (Version 2)
JSON only0.1.1

Rating Breakdown

WordPress REST API (Version 2)

4.2/5(34 reviews)
5
76%
4
0%
3
9%
2
0%
1
15%

JSON only

5/5(1 reviews)
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Recent Reviews

WordPress REST API (Version 2) Reviews

by tazotodua

TOTAL IGNORANCE TO USERS

As we stated, this plugin was way long abandonded, and integrated in WP, and even after request https://wordpress.org/support/topic/why-there-is-no-clear-indication-that-it-is-no-longer-used/ the de

by sachintonte

PHP 7.2 compatibility errors on rest-api

Can you please confirm/deny the PHP 7.2 compatibility? I’m receiving this error report on a PHP 7.2 compatibility test: FILE: /nas/content/live/devreplicon1/wp-content/plugins/rest-api/lib/endpoints/c

by SuperBomd

Bug

Call to undefined function get_registered_meta_keys() in wp-content\plugins\rest-api\lib\fields\class-wp-rest-meta-fields.php on line 244

JSON only Reviews

No reviews yet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress REST API (Version 2) or JSON only more popular?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has 10K+ active installations while JSON only has 10. WordPress REST API (Version 2) is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — WordPress REST API (Version 2) or JSON only?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has a 4.2/5 rating from 34 reviews, while JSON only has a 5/5 rating from 1 reviews.
Are WordPress REST API (Version 2) and JSON only free?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) is free and JSON only is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — WordPress REST API (Version 2) or JSON only?
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?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) was last updated 8 years ago and JSON only was last updated 14 years ago.

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