Search & Filter vs Ad Widget for WordPress (2026)

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

Search & Filter

Search & Filter

4.5(174)

50K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 months ago
View Search & Filter
VS
Ad Widget for WordPress

Ad Widget for WordPress

4.3(16)

2.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 6 months ago
View Ad Widget for WordPress

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Search & Filter has a higher user rating (4.5/5 from 174 reviews) and leads in active installations (50K+ vs 2.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Search & Filter has accumulated 950K+ total downloads while Ad Widget for WordPress has 310K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.5/5Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress4.3/5
Total Reviews
174Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress16
Active Installs
50K+Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress2.0K+
Total Downloads
950K+Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress310K+
Support Resolution
0%Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPressN/A
Last Updated
3 months agoSearch & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress6 months ago
First Released
2013Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress2013
Age
13 yearsSearch & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress13 years
WP Requires
3.5+Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress3.0+
PHP Requires
false+Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPressfalse+
Business Model
FreeSearch & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPressFree
Latest Version
1.2.18Search & Filter
Ad Widget for WordPress2.20.1

Rating Breakdown

Search & Filter

4.5/5(174 reviews)
5
84%
4
2%
3
2%
2
4%
1
7%

Ad Widget for WordPress

4.3/5(16 reviews)
5
75%
4
0%
3
13%
2
6%
1
6%

Recent Reviews

Search & Filter Reviews

by shinji

The instructions on how to change the settings to version 3.X are insufficient a

We were using version 2.X.The instructions on how to change the settings to version 3.X are insufficient and unclear. In addition, when upgrading from 2.X to 3.X, a database error occurs (in secret

by saksaksak

Could be developed.

I tried to test the starter (free) version of the plugin with Kadence theme. It is great that is supports filtering via custom taxonomies. The UI of the plugin is outdated. The only way to define filt

by lisalindeman

The Support is Excellent!

I had an odd problem, which was certain posts and pages appearing in results despite not containing the search term. I submitted a support ticket and got a quick response. Their support was extremely

Ad Widget for WordPress Reviews

by tiffanyreedy

Simple to use and Dependable

I have been using Broadstreet’s plugin for almost 3 months now and enjoy it tremendously. It is simple to use and very dependable. I couldn’t think of using anything else.

by Jessica Holbrook

Doesn't work with Google Adsense

This simply does not work. I am using the newest version of WordPress and tried everything I could think of and it doesn’t work. I was checking my website for ads in incognito so there would be no ad-

by bobwordpress

Excellent

Nice! plugin..

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Search & Filter or Ad Widget for WordPress more popular?
Search & Filter has 50K+ active installations while Ad Widget for WordPress has 2.0K+. Search & Filter is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Search & Filter or Ad Widget for WordPress?
Search & Filter has a 4.5/5 rating from 174 reviews, while Ad Widget for WordPress has a 4.3/5 rating from 16 reviews.
Are Search & Filter and Ad Widget for WordPress free?
Search & Filter is free and Ad Widget for WordPress is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Search & Filter or Ad Widget for WordPress?
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?
Search & Filter was last updated 3 months ago and Ad Widget for WordPress was last updated 6 months ago.

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