Head-to-head · October 2026
Debug Bar vs Simple Debug Info Panel
Debug Bar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Debug Info Panel.
Debug Bar
Adds a debug menu to the admin bar that shows query, cache, and other helpful debugging information.
Simple Debug Info Panel
Simple Debug Info Panel for WordPress will enable you to instantly see some “under-the-hood” debugging info…
| Metric | Debug Bar | Simple Debug Info Panel |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ | 20+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 46.7K | 53 |
| Download trend | +6% | -28.4% |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 69 | 1 |
| Health score | 81/100 | 70/100 |
| Last updated | 9 hours ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.4.0+ | Any |
| First released | Nov 2010 | Apr 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Debug BarSimple Debug Info Panel
Choose Debug Bar if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Actively developed — last update 9 hours ago
Choose Simple Debug Info Panel if…
You care most about tested up to.
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: debug
FAQ
Debug Bar vs Simple Debug Info Panel: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Which is better, Debug Bar or Simple Debug Info Panel?
Debug Bar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Debug Info Panel. Choose Debug Bar if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose Simple Debug Info Panel if you care most about tested up to.
Is Debug Bar more popular than Simple Debug Info Panel?
Debug Bar is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Simple Debug Info Panel.
Can I use Debug Bar and Simple Debug Info Panel 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 Simple Debug Info Panel 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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