String locator vs Search shortcode (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Search shortcode has a higher user rating (5/5 from 6 reviews) while String locator leads in active installations (100K+ vs 1.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. String locator has accumulated 1.4M+ total downloads while Search shortcode has 19K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | String locator | Search shortcode | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 124 | ◄ | 6 |
| Active Installs | 100K+ | ◄ | 1.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 1.4M+ | ◄ | 19K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 year ago | ◄ | 10 years ago |
| First Released | 2013 | 2013 | |
| Age | 13 years | 13 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 3.2+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.6.7 | 1.0 |
Rating Breakdown
String locator
Search shortcode
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, String locator averaged approximately 270 daily downloads while Search shortcode averaged 4.
Recent Reviews
String locator Reviews
Great
Great
Great for support
I’ve used this plugin now a dozen times to track down plugins conflicts for my customers. Truly one of the best debug utilities, up there with Query Monitor!
A translation passepartout
Some plugins don’t allow translations in a standard way. For those, there is String locator.
Search shortcode Reviews
Simple and easy to configure
I went looking for a simple shortcode for adding the search form to a page, and found so much more. Well done!
Clean, simple, works.
The Subject line says it all. No muss, no fuss — just works.
I like it!
this is real nice thanks!
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Set up find and replace rules that are executed AFTER a page is generated by WordPress, but BEFORE it is sent to a user's browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is String locator or Search shortcode more popular?
Which has better ratings — String locator or Search shortcode?
Are String locator and Search shortcode free?
Which plugin has better support — String locator or Search shortcode?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.