# Debug Bar vs Developer Tool

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

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

| | Debug Bar | Developer Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ ✅ | <10 |
| Downloads (30 days) | 44.5K ✅ | 45 |
| Download trend | -8.9% | +73.1% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | — |
| Reviews | 69 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 65/100 ✅ | 21/100 |
| Last updated | 7 months ago ✅ | 7 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.6 ✅ | WP 5.2.28 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 5.3+ |
| First released | Nov 2010 | Feb 2019 |

## Frequently asked questions

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

### Is Debug Bar more popular than Developer Tool?
Debug Bar is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with <10 for Developer Tool.

### Can I use Debug Bar and Developer Tool 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 Tool 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-tool/ · Generated 2026-09-29 23:26 UTC by PageForge