# Custom Search Results vs Spotlight Search

> Custom Search Results vs Spotlight Search compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Spotlight Search comes out ahead, winning 4 of 5 head-to-head checks against Custom Search Results.

**Spotlight Search comes out ahead, winning 4 of 5 head-to-head checks against Custom Search Results.** Choose Custom Search Results if you care most about downloads (30 days). Choose Spotlight Search if you care most about download trend, health score and last updated.

| | Custom Search Results | Spotlight Search – Find Anything, Anywhere |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 109 ✅ | 96 |
| Download trend | +19.8% | +35.2% ✅ |
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 51/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 10 years ago | 4 months ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 4.7.37 | WP 7.0.6 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Nov 2016 | Nov 2024 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Custom Search Results or Spotlight Search?
Spotlight Search comes out ahead, winning 4 of 5 head-to-head checks against Custom Search Results. Choose Custom Search Results if you care most about downloads (30 days). Choose Spotlight Search if you care most about download trend, health score and last updated.

### Is Custom Search Results more popular than Spotlight Search?
Custom Search Results is the more popular of the two with 10+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Spotlight Search.

### Can I use Custom Search Results and Spotlight Search together?
Both plugins cover post search, 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 Custom Search Results and Spotlight Search 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/custom-search-results-vs-spotlight/ · Generated 2026-10-01 17:01 UTC by PageForge