Head-to-head · October 2026
Widget Output Cache vs Widget Output Filters
Widget Output Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Widget Output Filters.
Widget Output Cache
Use PHP output buffering to extract widget output and store it into WordPress transients for faster…
Widget Output Filters
Sometimes developers need to filter the output of a widget that does not have its own output filter built-in…
| Metric | Widget Output Cache | Widget Output Filters |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200+ | 70+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 106 | 65 |
| Download trend | +51.4% | +32.7% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 7 | 3 |
| Health score | 38/100 | 32/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.2.14 | WP 4.6.30 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Mar 2013 | Jun 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Widget Output CacheWidget Output Filters
Choose Widget Output Cache if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Small user base (200+ active installs)
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.2 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Widget Output Filters if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (70+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 10 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.6 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Widget Output Cache vs Widget Output Filters: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Which is better, Widget Output Cache or Widget Output Filters?
Widget Output Cache comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Widget Output Filters. Choose Widget Output Cache if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Widget Output Cache more popular than Widget Output Filters?
Widget Output Cache is the more popular of the two with 200+ active installs, compared with 70+ for Widget Output Filters.
Can I use Widget Output Cache and Widget Output Filters together?
Both plugins cover output, widget and widgets, 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 Widget Output Cache and Widget Output Filters 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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