Head-to-head · October 2026
WP REST API Key Authentic… vs Restrict User Access
Restrict User Access comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP REST API Key Authenticat….
WP REST API Key Authentication
WP REST API Key Authentication adds a simple API key-based authentication method to the WordPress REST API…
Restrict User Access
Restrict User Access is a fast and simple Membership Plugin for WordPress. Restrict your content in minutes…
| Metric | WP REST API Key Authentic… | Restrict User Access |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 53 | 12K |
| Download trend | +32.5% | +4.7% |
| Rating | — | 4.3/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 94 |
| Health score | 26/100 | 76/100 |
| Last updated | 2 years ago | 2 weeks ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.7.10 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | 7.2+ | 7.2+ |
| First released | Jan 2025 | Mar 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
WP REST API Key Authent…Restrict User Access
Choose WP REST API Key Authentic… if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Restrict User Access if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Actively developed — last update 2 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Both compete in: access-control
FAQ
WP REST API Key Authentic… vs Restrict User Access: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 20, 2026
Which is better, WP REST API Key Authenticat… or Restrict User Access?
Restrict User Access comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP REST API Key Authenticat…. Choose WP REST API Key Authenticat… if you care most about download trend. Choose Restrict User Access if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is WP REST API Key Authenticat… more popular than Restrict User Access?
Restrict User Access is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for WP REST API Key Authenticat….
Can I use WP REST API Key Authenticat… and Restrict User Access together?
Both plugins cover access-control, 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 WP REST API Key Authenticat… and Restrict User Access 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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