Head-to-head · October 2026
CLP Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish
CLP Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish.
CLP Varnish Cache
Under Settings → CLP Varnish Cache or by clicking on the top menu, you can configure CLP Varnish Cache and…
Smart Varnish
Smart Varnish A simple plugin to bypass varnish caching for logged in users and serve uncached content.
| Metric | CLP Varnish Cache | Smart Varnish |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 2.1K | 30 |
| Download trend | +25.4% | -11.8% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 7 | 2 |
| Health score | 57/100 | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 7 months ago | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.10 | WP 4.6.0 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.1+ | Any |
| First released | Nov 2022 | Oct 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
CLP Varnish CacheSmart Varnish
Choose CLP Varnish Cache if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Momentum — downloads up 25.4% vs the previous 30 days
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Smart Varnish if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 10 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.6 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: varnish varnish cache
FAQ
CLP Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Which is better, CLP Varnish Cache or Smart Varnish?
CLP Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish. Choose CLP Varnish Cache if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is CLP Varnish Cache more popular than Smart Varnish?
CLP Varnish Cache is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Smart Varnish.
Can I use CLP Varnish Cache and Smart Varnish together?
Both plugins cover varnish and varnish cache, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are CLP Varnish Cache and Smart Varnish free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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