# NS Category Widget vs Search & Filter

> NS Category Widget vs Search & Filter compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Search & Filter comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against NS Category Widget.

**Search & Filter comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against NS Category Widget.** Choose NS Category Widget if you care most about rating. Choose Search & Filter if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | NS Category Widget | Search & Filter |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ | 50K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 219 | 4.8K ✅ |
| Download trend | -19.2% | +3% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.8/5 ✅ | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 34 | 175 ✅ |
| Health score | 52/100 | 74/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 1 year ago | 2 months ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 6.8.11 | WP 7.1.3 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | 7.2.24+ | Any |
| First released | Dec 2013 | Sep 2013 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, NS Category Widget or Search & Filter?
Search & Filter comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against NS Category Widget. Choose NS Category Widget if you care most about rating. Choose Search & Filter if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is NS Category Widget more popular than Search & Filter?
Search & Filter is the more popular of the two with 50K+ active installs, compared with 1K+ for NS Category Widget.

### Can I use NS Category Widget and Search & Filter together?
Both plugins cover category and taxonomy, 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 NS Category Widget and Search & Filter 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/ns-category-widget-vs-search-filter/ · Generated 2026-10-17 07:52 UTC by PageForge