Head-to-head · October 2026
Disable REST API vs Kill JSON REST API
Disable REST API comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Kill JSON REST API.
Disable REST API
The most comprehensive plugin for controlling access to the WordPress REST API!
Kill JSON REST API
While WordPress is slowly but surely becoming a complete application framework and JSON REST API is huge step…
| Metric | Disable REST API | Kill JSON REST API |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 80K+ | 20+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 5.8K | 191 |
| Download trend | +1% | +13.7% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | — |
| Reviews | 38 | 0 |
| Health score | 48/100 | 24/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.3.12 | WP 4.7.37 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | Any |
| First released | Oct 2014 | Feb 2017 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Disable REST APIKill JSON REST API
Choose Disable REST API if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 80K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 38 reviews
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.3 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Kill JSON REST API if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 9 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.7 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Disable REST API vs Kill JSON REST API: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Disable REST API or Kill JSON REST API?
Disable REST API comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Kill JSON REST API. Choose Disable REST API if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Kill JSON REST API if you care most about download trend.
Is Disable REST API more popular than Kill JSON REST API?
Disable REST API is the more popular of the two with 80K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Kill JSON REST API.
Can I use Disable REST API and Kill JSON REST API together?
Both plugins cover api, JSON and rest, 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 Disable REST API and Kill JSON REST API 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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