String locator vs Real-Time Find and Replace (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Real-Time Find and Replace
80K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, String locator has a higher user rating (4.6/5 from 124 reviews) and leads in active installations (100K+ vs 80K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. String locator has accumulated 1.4M+ total downloads while Real-Time Find and Replace has 898K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | String locator | Real-Time Find and Replace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | ◄ | 4.4/5 |
| Total Reviews | 124 | ◄ | 83 |
| Active Installs | 100K+ | ◄ | 80K+ |
| Total Downloads | 1.4M+ | ◄ | 898K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 year ago | ► | 3 months ago |
| First Released | 2013 | 2009 | |
| Age | 13 years | 17 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 5.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.6.7 | 4.3 |
Rating Breakdown
String locator
Real-Time Find and Replace
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, String locator averaged approximately 270 daily downloads while Real-Time Find and Replace averaged 116.
Recent Reviews
String locator Reviews
Great
Great
Great for support
I’ve used this plugin now a dozen times to track down plugins conflicts for my customers. Truly one of the best debug utilities, up there with Query Monitor!
A translation passepartout
Some plugins don’t allow translations in a standard way. For those, there is String locator.
Real-Time Find and Replace Reviews
Simple to set up and does its job
The free version worked perfectly for a few substitution rules. The pro version allows an indefinite number of rules, and the price is very reasonable. Having seen the free version at work, I bought t
Doesn’t work
Doesn’t work and not user friendly. Need to pay before you get actual functions.
Brilliant Plugin!
Straightforward and simple configuration. Excellent price for a life-time license with no limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is String locator or Real-Time Find and Replace more popular?
Which has better ratings — String locator or Real-Time Find and Replace?
Are String locator and Real-Time Find and Replace free?
Which plugin has better support — String locator or Real-Time Find and Replace?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.