Require Featured Image vs Return shortlink button (2026)

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

Require Featured Image

Require Featured Image

3.9(16)

4.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 6 years ago
View Require Featured Image
VS
Return shortlink button

Return shortlink button

5(1)

100 active installs

Free

Updated 4 months ago
View Return shortlink button

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Return shortlink button has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) while Require Featured Image leads in active installations (4.0K+ vs 100). Both are free WordPress plugins. Require Featured Image has accumulated 96K+ total downloads while Return shortlink button has 3.4K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
3.9/5Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button5/5
Total Reviews
16Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button1
Active Installs
4.0K+Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button100
Total Downloads
96K+Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button3.4K+
Support Resolution
N/ARequire Featured Image
Return shortlink buttonN/A
Last Updated
6 years agoRequire Featured Image
Return shortlink button4 months ago
First Released
2013Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button2016
Age
13 yearsRequire Featured Image
Return shortlink button10 years
WP Requires
3.5+Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button4.4+
PHP Requires
false+Require Featured Image
Return shortlink buttonfalse+
Business Model
FreeRequire Featured Image
Return shortlink buttonFree
Latest Version
1.5.0Require Featured Image
Return shortlink button1.0

Rating Breakdown

Require Featured Image

3.9/5(16 reviews)
5
63%
4
6%
3
6%
2
13%
1
13%

Return shortlink button

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

Recent Reviews

Require Featured Image Reviews

by ramon fincken

Does what it needs to do

Works on WP 5.8 with build in Gutenberg editor for CPT = posts When you remove the image the message re-appears

by renathy

allows to remove thumb image

It allows to delete thumb image on existing posts. If I open post that already doesn’t have thumb image it doesn’t show any error message.

by bullshark

Doesn’t work on version 5.1

at least in terms of hiding the button. Plz fix already.

Return shortlink button Reviews

No reviews yet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Require Featured Image or Return shortlink button more popular?
Require Featured Image has 4.0K+ active installations while Return shortlink button has 100. Require Featured Image is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Require Featured Image or Return shortlink button?
Require Featured Image has a 3.9/5 rating from 16 reviews, while Return shortlink button has a 5/5 rating from 1 reviews.
Are Require Featured Image and Return shortlink button free?
Require Featured Image is free and Return shortlink button is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Require Featured Image or Return shortlink button?
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?
Require Featured Image was last updated 6 years ago and Return shortlink button was last updated 4 months ago.

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