Head-to-head · October 2026
Fatal Error Notify vs RuntimeGuard
Fatal Error Notify comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against RuntimeGuard.
Fatal Error Notify
This plugin sends you an email notification whenever a fatal error (or other error level, configurably) is…
RuntimeGuard
RuntimeGuard is a monitoring plugin that helps administrators detect, track, and resolve runtime issues in…
| Metric | Fatal Error Notify | RuntimeGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 6K+ | <10 |
| Downloads (30 days) | 750 | 52 |
| Download trend | -5.8% | +33.3% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | — |
| Reviews | 18 | 0 |
| Health score | 55/100 | 36/100 |
| Last updated | 8 months ago | 6 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.10 | WP 6.9.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Oct 2017 | Apr 2026 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Fatal Error NotifyRuntimeGuard
Choose Fatal Error Notify if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose RuntimeGuard if…
You care most about download trend and last updated.
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: debugging
FAQ
Fatal Error Notify vs RuntimeGuard: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 19, 2026
Which is better, Fatal Error Notify or RuntimeGuard?
Fatal Error Notify comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against RuntimeGuard. Choose Fatal Error Notify if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose RuntimeGuard if you care most about download trend and last updated.
Is Fatal Error Notify more popular than RuntimeGuard?
Fatal Error Notify is the more popular of the two with 6K+ active installs, compared with <10 for RuntimeGuard.
Can I use Fatal Error Notify and RuntimeGuard together?
Both plugins cover debugging, 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 Fatal Error Notify and RuntimeGuard 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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