Head-to-head · October 2026
Simple Session Support vs What The File
What The File comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Simple Session Support.
Simple Session Support
This plugin adds PHP session support. Data can be passed from one request to the next.
What The File
What The File adds an option to your toolbar showing what file and template parts are used to display the…
| Metric | Simple Session Support | What The File |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200+ | 40K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 89 | 3.8K |
| Download trend | +29% | +3.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 13 | 882 |
| Health score | 38/100 | 63/100 |
| Last updated | 13 years ago | 8 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.7.41 | WP 6.9.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 5.3+ |
| First released | Feb 2012 | Aug 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Simple Session SupportWhat The File
Choose Simple Session Support if…
You care most about download trend and rating.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- No update in 12 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose What The File if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 40K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 882 reviews
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: development
FAQ
Simple Session Support vs What The File: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 7, 2026
Which is better, Simple Session Support or What The File?
What The File comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Simple Session Support. Choose Simple Session Support if you care most about download trend and rating. Choose What The File if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Simple Session Support more popular than What The File?
What The File is the more popular of the two with 40K+ active installs, compared with 200+ for Simple Session Support.
Can I use Simple Session Support and What The File together?
Both plugins cover development, 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 Simple Session Support and What The File 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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