Head-to-head · September 2026
Show var_dump vs WP Debugging
WP Debugging comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Show var_dump.
Show var_dump
“var_dump” method can’t show results in functions.php. If You can use original method “var_dump_ex”,the…
WP Debugging
This plugin sets the following debug constants in wp-config.php on plugin activation and removes them on…
| Metric | Show var_dump | WP Debugging |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 72 | 5.8K |
| Download trend | +28.6% | -67.4% |
| Rating | — | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 21 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 75/100 |
| Last updated | 12 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.0.38 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | Any | 5.6+ |
| First released | Oct 2014 | Feb 2019 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Show var_dumpWP Debugging
Choose Show var_dump if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.0 (latest is 7.1)
Choose WP Debugging if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 5/5 from 21 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Both compete in: debug
FAQ
Show var_dump vs WP Debugging: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 29, 2026
Which is better, Show var_dump or WP Debugging?
WP Debugging comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Show var_dump. Choose Show var_dump if you care most about download trend. Choose WP Debugging if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Show var_dump more popular than WP Debugging?
WP Debugging is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Show var_dump.
Can I use Show var_dump and WP Debugging together?
Both plugins cover debug, 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 Show var_dump and WP Debugging 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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