WP REST API Controller vs WP REST Cache
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
WP REST Cache leads the WordPress.org popular list today at #1,782, ahead of WP REST API Controller at #2,439. Over the last 7 days WP REST Cache climbed 8 places and WP REST API Controller slipped 8 places. WP REST Cache has the largest install base, roughly 1.3× the next: 10K+ active installs against 8K+ for WP REST API Controller. Downloads this week: WP REST Cache 1,225 and WP REST API Controller 144. Ratings: WP REST API Controller 4.3★ from 12 and WP REST Cache 4.9★ from 42 reviews.
| Metric | WP REST API Controller | WP REST Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank today | #2,439 ▼ 8 | #1,782 ▲ 8 |
| Active installs | 8K+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads, last 7 days | 144 | 1,225 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (12) | 4.9★ (42) |
| Last updated | Mar 22, 2023 | Jul 25, 2026 |
| Current version | 2.1.2 | 2026.3.1 |
| Best rank on record | #2,407 | #1,776 |
| Days in the top 50 | 0 | 0 |
| On WordPress.org since | Jul 2016 | Jan 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, WP REST API Controller or WP REST Cache?
By active installs, WP REST Cache: 10K+ sites run it against 8K+ for WP REST API Controller, according to WordPress.org figures captured on October 20, 2026.
Which ranks higher on WordPress.org, WP REST API Controller or WP REST Cache?
WP REST Cache, at #1,782 on the WordPress.org popular plugins list today, with WP REST API Controller at #2,439. The ranking reflects recent installs and moves daily, which is why this page shows the history rather than one snapshot.
Are WP REST API Controller or WP REST Cache 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.