Head-to-head · October 2026
User Meta Display vs Widget Output Cache
User Meta Display comes out ahead, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head checks against Widget Output Cache.
User Meta Display
Ajax powered admin page to show, edit, add, and remove user meta. Choose dropdown list by User Login, ID, or…
Widget Output Cache
Use PHP output buffering to extract widget output and store it into WordPress transients for faster…
| Metric | User Meta Display | Widget Output Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 500+ | 200+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 154 | 106 |
| Download trend | +54% | +51.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 5 | 7 |
| Health score | 39/100 | 38/100 |
| Last updated | 12 years ago | 3 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.9.40 | WP 6.2.14 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Mar 2014 | Mar 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
User Meta DisplayWidget Output Cache
Choose User Meta Display if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Small user base (500+ active installs)
- No update in 12 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Widget Output Cache if…
You care most about reviews, last updated and tested up to.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: output
FAQ
User Meta Display vs Widget Output Cache: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Which is better, User Meta Display or Widget Output Cache?
User Meta Display comes out ahead, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head checks against Widget Output Cache. Choose User Meta Display if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose Widget Output Cache if you care most about reviews, last updated and tested up to.
Is User Meta Display more popular than Widget Output Cache?
User Meta Display is the more popular of the two with 500+ active installs, compared with 200+ for Widget Output Cache.
Can I use User Meta Display and Widget Output Cache together?
Both plugins cover output, 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 User Meta Display and Widget Output Cache 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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