REST API Custom Fields vs JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs
Two WordPress plugins head to head: ranking, active installs, downloads and ratings, from our daily tracking of the WordPress.org directory.
These aren’t all alternatives to each other — they do different jobs — so this page compares popularity only, not features.
At a glance
JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs leads the WordPress.org popular list today at #1,466, ahead of REST API Custom Fields at #7,615. Over the last 7 days JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs slipped 15 places and REST API Custom Fields climbed 17 places. JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs has the largest install base, roughly 13× the next: 10K+ active installs against 800+ for REST API Custom Fields. Downloads this week: JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs 2,142 and REST API Custom Fields 39. Ratings: REST API Custom Fields 4.5★ from 8 and JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs 4.4★ from 74 reviews.
| Metric | REST API Custom Fields | JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank today | #7,615 ▲ 17 | #1,466 ▼ 15 |
| Active installs | 800+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads, last 7 days | 39 | 2,142 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (8) | 4.4★ (74) |
| Last updated | Aug 14, 2020 | Oct 9, 2026 |
| Current version | 1.3 | 5.0.0 |
| Best rank on record | #7,417 | #1,386 |
| Days in the top 50 | 0 | 0 |
| On WordPress.org since | Jul 2019 | May 2019 |
Highlighted cells mark the strongest figure in each row. Rank and installs are from the latest WordPress.org capture; downloads are the last seven captured days.
Ranking history Lower is better
Active installs
Downloads per day
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more popular, REST API Custom Fields or JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs?
By active installs, JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs: 10K+ sites run it against 800+ for REST API Custom Fields, according to WordPress.org figures captured on October 18, 2026.
Which ranks higher on WordPress.org, REST API Custom Fields or JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs?
JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs, at #1,466 on the WordPress.org popular plugins list today, with REST API Custom Fields at #7,615. The ranking reflects recent installs and moves daily, which is why this page shows the history rather than one snapshot.
Are REST API Custom Fields or JWT Authentication for WP REST APIs alternatives to each other?
Not all of them. Some of these plugins do different jobs and many sites run more than one. This page compares their popularity, not their features.
Where do these numbers come from?
WordPress.org publishes each plugin’s active install count and its position on the popular list. This site records both every day, along with per-day downloads and ratings, so the charts above show how the plugins have moved over time rather than a single day.