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WordPress REST API (Version 2) vs WP REST API Controller (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
WP REST API Controller

WP REST API Controller

4.3(12)

9.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 years ago
View WP REST API Controller

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, WP REST API Controller has a higher user rating (4.3/5 from 12 reviews) while WordPress REST API (Version 2) leads in active installations (10K+ vs 9.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. WordPress REST API (Version 2) has accumulated 534K+ total downloads while WP REST API Controller has 184K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.2/5WordPress REST API (Version 2)
►
WP REST API Controller4.3/5
Total Reviews
34WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
WP REST API Controller12
Active Installs
10K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
WP REST API Controller9.0K+
Total Downloads
534K+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
◄
WP REST API Controller184K+
Support Resolution
N/AWordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API ControllerN/A
Last Updated
8 years agoWordPress REST API (Version 2)
►
WP REST API Controller3 years ago
First Released
2009WordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API Controller2016
Age
17 yearsWordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API Controller10 years
WP Requires
4.6+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API Controller4.7+
PHP Requires
false+WordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API Controllerfalse+
Business Model
FreeWordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API ControllerFree
Latest Version
2.0-beta15WordPress REST API (Version 2)
WP REST API Controller2.1.2

Rating Breakdown

WordPress REST API (Version 2)

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

WP REST API Controller

4.3/5(12 reviews)
5
83%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
17%

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

WP REST API Controller Reviews

by meirk

taxonomies not saving

taxonomies not saving – no response from support This topic was modified 4 years, 9 months ago by meirk.

by elec1123

It is not removed from the plugin.

It is not removed from the plugin.

Just great

This thing saved me a lot of time trying to expose Woocommerce product price directly in WordPress API, awesome!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress REST API (Version 2) or WP REST API Controller more popular?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has 10K+ active installations while WP REST API Controller has 9.0K+. 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 WP REST API Controller?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) has a 4.2/5 rating from 34 reviews, while WP REST API Controller has a 4.3/5 rating from 12 reviews.
Are WordPress REST API (Version 2) and WP REST API Controller free?
WordPress REST API (Version 2) is free and WP REST API Controller is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — WordPress REST API (Version 2) or WP REST API Controller?
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 WP REST API Controller was last updated 3 years ago.

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