# Purge Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish

> Purge Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Purge Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish.

**Purge Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish.** Choose Purge Varnish Cache if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | Purge Varnish Cache | Smart Varnish |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ ✅ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 514 ✅ | 30 |
| Download trend | +9.1% ✅ | -11.8% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 10 ✅ | 2 |
| Health score | 67/100 ✅ | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 5 months ago ✅ | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 ✅ | WP 4.6.0 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Nov 2016 | Oct 2014 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Purge Varnish Cache or Smart Varnish?
Purge Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish. Choose Purge Varnish Cache if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is Purge Varnish Cache more popular than Smart Varnish?
Purge Varnish Cache is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Smart Varnish.

### Can I use Purge Varnish Cache 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 Purge Varnish Cache 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/purge-varnish-vs-smart-varnish/ · Generated 2026-10-17 10:07 UTC by PageForge