Head-to-head · October 2026
Search My Theme vs String locator
String locator comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Search My Theme.
String locator
When working on themes and plugins you often notice a piece of text that appears hardcoded into the files…
| Metric | Search My Theme | String locator |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200+ | 100K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 85 | 37.7K |
| Download trend | +26.9% | +412.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Reviews | 3 | 125 |
| Health score | 33/100 | 79/100 |
| Last updated | 6 years ago | 6 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.6.21 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.0+ |
| First released | May 2013 | Aug 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Search My ThemeString locator
Choose Search My Theme if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 5 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.6 (latest is 7.1)
Choose String locator if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.6/5 from 125 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 6 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 412.4% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: search
FAQ
Search My Theme vs String locator: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Search My Theme or String locator?
String locator comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Search My Theme. Choose String locator if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Search My Theme more popular than String locator?
String locator is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 200+ for Search My Theme.
Can I use Search My Theme and String locator together?
Both plugins cover search, 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 Search My Theme and String locator 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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