Head-to-head · September 2026
Debug Bar Plugin Activati… vs Debug Bar Rewrite Rules
Debug Bar Rewrite Rules comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Debug Bar Plugin Activation.
Debug Bar Plugin Activation
Ever been “greeted” when you activated a plugin with the dreaded:
Debug Bar Rewrite Rules
Debug Bar Rewrite Rules adds information about Rewrite Rules (changed via filters) to a new panel in the…
| Metric | Debug Bar Plugin Activati… | Debug Bar Rewrite Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 700+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 50 | 764 |
| Download trend | +61.3% | +85.9% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 5 |
| Health score | 30/100 | 39/100 |
| Last updated | 10 years ago | 2 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.5.33 | WP 6.5.12 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Jul 2016 | Sep 2016 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Debug Bar Plugin Activa…Debug Bar Rewrite Rules
Choose Debug Bar Plugin Activati… 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 4.5 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Debug Bar Rewrite Rules if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Momentum — downloads up 85.9% vs the previous 30 days
- Small user base (700+ active installs)
- No update in 2 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.5 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: debug bar
FAQ
Debug Bar Plugin Activati… vs Debug Bar Rewrite Rules: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 29, 2026
Which is better, Debug Bar Plugin Activation or Debug Bar Rewrite Rules?
Debug Bar Rewrite Rules comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Debug Bar Plugin Activation. Choose Debug Bar Rewrite Rules if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Debug Bar Plugin Activation more popular than Debug Bar Rewrite Rules?
Debug Bar Rewrite Rules is the more popular of the two with 700+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Debug Bar Plugin Activation.
Can I use Debug Bar Plugin Activation and Debug Bar Rewrite Rules together?
Both plugins cover debug bar, 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 Debug Bar Plugin Activation and Debug Bar Rewrite Rules 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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