Search & Filter vs f(x) Categories Widget (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
f(x) Categories Widget

f(x) Categories Widget

5(1)

30 active installs

Free

Updated 9 years ago
View f(x) Categories Widget

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, f(x) Categories Widget has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) while Search & Filter leads in active installations (50K+ vs 30). Both are free WordPress plugins. Search & Filter has accumulated 950K+ total downloads while f(x) Categories Widget has 3.8K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.5/5Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget5/5
Total Reviews
174Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget1
Active Installs
50K+Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget30
Total Downloads
950K+Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget3.8K+
Support Resolution
0%Search & Filter
f(x) Categories WidgetN/A
Last Updated
3 months agoSearch & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget9 years ago
First Released
2013Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget2016
Age
13 yearsSearch & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget10 years
WP Requires
3.5+Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget4.0+
PHP Requires
false+Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widgetfalse+
Business Model
FreeSearch & Filter
f(x) Categories WidgetFree
Latest Version
1.2.18Search & Filter
f(x) Categories Widget1.0.1

Rating Breakdown

Search & Filter

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

f(x) Categories Widget

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

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 The UI of the plugin is outdated.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

f(x) Categories Widget Reviews

No reviews yet

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Search & Filter or f(x) Categories Widget more popular?
Search & Filter has 50K+ active installations while f(x) Categories Widget has 30. Search & Filter is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Search & Filter or f(x) Categories Widget?
Search & Filter has a 4.5/5 rating from 174 reviews, while f(x) Categories Widget has a 5/5 rating from 1 reviews.
Are Search & Filter and f(x) Categories Widget free?
Search & Filter is free and f(x) Categories Widget is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Search & Filter or f(x) Categories Widget?
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 f(x) Categories Widget was last updated 9 years ago.

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