# Debug Bar vs Developer Debug Mode

> Debug Bar vs Developer Debug Mode compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Debug Bar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Developer Debug Mode.

**Debug Bar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Developer Debug Mode.** Choose Debug Bar if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Developer Debug Mode if you care most about download trend.

| | Debug Bar | Developer Debug Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ ✅ | 50+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 44.5K ✅ | 95 |
| Download trend | -8.9% | +4.4% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 69 ✅ | 1 |
| Health score | 65/100 ✅ | 47/100 |
| Last updated | 7 months ago ✅ | 8 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.6 ✅ | WP 6.9.9 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.0+ |
| First released | Nov 2010 | Feb 2026 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Debug Bar or Developer Debug Mode?
Debug Bar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Developer Debug Mode. Choose Debug Bar if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Developer Debug Mode if you care most about download trend.

### Is Debug Bar more popular than Developer Debug Mode?
Debug Bar is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 50+ for Developer Debug Mode.

### Can I use Debug Bar and Developer Debug Mode together?
Both plugins cover debug, 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 and Developer Debug Mode 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/debug-bar-vs-developer-debug-mode/ · Generated 2026-09-29 21:52 UTC by PageForge