Head-to-head · October 2026
Fastcache by Host.it vs Smart Varnish
Fastcache by Host.it comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish.
Fastcache by Host.it
FastCache è l’evoluzione del plugin FastCache 1.0.x sviluppato da HOST S.p.A. (Host.it). La versione attuale…
Smart Varnish
Smart Varnish A simple plugin to bypass varnish caching for logged in users and serve uncached content.
| Metric | Fastcache by Host.it | Smart Varnish |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 2.4K | 31 |
| Download trend | +42.6% | -11.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 2 |
| Health score | 72/100 | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 4 days ago | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 | WP 4.6.0 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 8.0+ | Any |
| First released | Oct 2024 | Oct 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Fastcache by Host.itSmart Varnish
Choose Fastcache by Host.it if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Actively developed — last update 4 days ago
- Momentum — downloads up 42.6% vs the previous 30 days
- Very few reviews so far
Choose Smart Varnish 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 4.6 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: varnish
FAQ
Fastcache by Host.it vs Smart Varnish: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Which is better, Fastcache by Host.it or Smart Varnish?
Fastcache by Host.it comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish. Choose Fastcache by Host.it if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Fastcache by Host.it more popular than Smart Varnish?
Fastcache by Host.it is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Smart Varnish.
Can I use Fastcache by Host.it and Smart Varnish together?
Both plugins cover varnish, 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 Fastcache by Host.it and Smart Varnish 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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