Head-to-head · October 2026
Purge Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish
Purge Varnish Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Varnish.
Purge Varnish Cache
Purge Varnish Cache provides integration between your WordPress site and multiple Varnish Cache servers…
Smart Varnish
Smart Varnish A simple plugin to bypass varnish caching for logged in users and serve uncached content.
| Metric | 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 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Purge Varnish CacheSmart Varnish
Choose Purge Varnish Cache if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Full Purge Varnish Cache report →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
Purge Varnish Cache vs Smart Varnish: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 17, 2026
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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