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WordPress REST API (Version 2) vs SearchWP API (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
SearchWP API

SearchWP API

5(4)

100 active installs

Free

Updated 10 years ago
View SearchWP API

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, SearchWP API has a higher user rating (5/5 from 4 reviews) while WordPress REST API (Version 2) leads in active installations (10K+ vs 100). Both are free WordPress plugins. WordPress REST API (Version 2) has accumulated 534K+ total downloads while SearchWP API has 14K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.2/5WordPress REST API (Version 2)
►
SearchWP API5/5
Total Reviews
34WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
SearchWP API4
Active Installs
10K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
SearchWP API100
Total Downloads
534K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
SearchWP API14K+
Support Resolution
N/AWordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP APIN/A
Last Updated
8 years agoWordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
SearchWP API10 years ago
First Released
2009WordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP API2015
Age
17 yearsWordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP API11 years
WP Requires
4.6+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP API4.3.1+
PHP Requires
false+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP APIfalse+
Business Model
FreeWordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP APIFree
Latest Version
2.0-beta15WordPress REST API (Version 2)
SearchWP API1.1.0

Rating Breakdown

WordPress REST API (Version 2)

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

SearchWP API

5/5(4 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

SearchWP API Reviews

No reviews yet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress REST API (Version 2) or SearchWP API more popular?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has 10K+ active installations while SearchWP API has 100. 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 SearchWP API?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has a 4.2/5 rating from 34 reviews, while SearchWP API has a 5/5 rating from 4 reviews.
Are WordPress REST API (Version 2) and SearchWP API free?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) is free and SearchWP API is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — WordPress REST API (Version 2) or SearchWP API?
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 SearchWP API was last updated 10 years ago.

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