Mailgun for WordPress vs WordPress REST API (Version 2) (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
WordPress REST API (Version 2)
10K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, WordPress REST API (Version 2) has a higher user rating (4.2/5 from 34 reviews) while Mailgun for WordPress leads in active installations (80K+ vs 10K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Mailgun for WordPress has accumulated 2.6M+ total downloads while WordPress REST API (Version 2) has 534K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Mailgun for WordPress | WordPress REST API (Version 2) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8/5 | ► | 4.2/5 |
| Total Reviews | 48 | ◄ | 34 |
| Active Installs | 80K+ | ◄ | 10K+ |
| Total Downloads | 2.6M+ | ◄ | 534K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 2 months ago | ◄ | 8 years ago |
| First Released | 2012 | 2009 | |
| Age | 14 years | 17 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.6+ | 4.6+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.4+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.1.10 | 2.0-beta15 |
Rating Breakdown
Mailgun for WordPress
WordPress REST API (Version 2)
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Mailgun for WordPress averaged approximately 573 daily downloads while WordPress REST API (Version 2) averaged 21.
Recent Reviews
Mailgun for WordPress Reviews
Simple, Reliable, and Honest
I’ve seen the negative reviews, but honestly my experience has been the opposite: the plugin just works, exactly as it should. Updates are rare, but that’s simply because the plugin is straightforward
Better than ever
I’ve been using this plugin for 5+ years now, and I’ve hardly ever experienced an issue. It allows me to easily use Mailgun to send emails on the WordPress sites I manage, and it’s always done its job
Sends email from WordPress via Mailgun service, that’s all, does it well.
Mailgun is an email delivery service aimed at sending transactional email for software developers. If you are not already using Mailgun to send email, then you don’t need or want this plugin. If you d
WordPress REST API (Version 2) Reviews
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
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
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
More Api Worth Comparing
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Connect any REST API to WordPress. WPGet API enables easy API integration, allowing you to display API data without any code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mailgun for WordPress or WordPress REST API (Version 2) more popular?
Which has better ratings — Mailgun for WordPress or WordPress REST API (Version 2)?
Are Mailgun for WordPress and WordPress REST API (Version 2) free?
Which plugin has better support — Mailgun for WordPress or WordPress REST API (Version 2)?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.