# Fetch URL – Fetch and Parse External Content

> Fetch URL has 10+ active installs and 69 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 23/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** Fetch URL shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 13 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.

**Use the remote_get and preg_replace shortcodes to fetch external content and parse it to use on your page or post.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 10+
- **Total downloads:** 2,826
- **Downloads (30 days):** 69 (+35.3% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 23/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 3.04.26
- **Last updated:** Dec 30, 2013
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 3.7.41
- **Requires:** WordPress 2.7+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Ovidiu Purdea (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/povidiu/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/fetchurl/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [curl](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/curl/) | #4 | 5 |
| [preg_replace](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/preg_replace/) | #2 | 2 |
| [shortcode](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/shortcode/) | >100 | 1,400 |
| [wp_remote_get](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/wp_remote_get/) | #2 | 2 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| curl | >100 | 1,430 |
| preg_replace | #88 | 98 |
| shortcode | >100 | 10,000 |
| wp_remote_get | >100 | 297 |

## Version adoption

- 3.04: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [SaFly Curl Patch](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/safly-curl-patch/) | 200+ | 5/5 (5) | Feb 8, 2018 | 38/100 |
| 2 | [EZ SHORTCURL Shortcodes to Fetch and Parse External Content](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/shortcurl/) | 70+ | 5/5 (5) | Dec 16, 2017 | 37/100 |
| 4 | [Code Repository](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/code-repository/) | 10+ | — | Jun 9, 2014 | 23/100 |
| 5 | [Check Update Servers](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/check-update-servers/) | <10 | — | Oct 5, 2022 | 21/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fetch URL free?
Yes. Fetch URL is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is Fetch URL safe to use in 2026?
Fetch URL shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 13 years ago, and scores 23/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use Fetch URL?
Fetch URL is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 2,826 times since it launched in December 2013. It was downloaded 69 times in the last 30 days.

### Does Fetch URL work with WordPress 7.1?
Fetch URL is officially tested up to WordPress 3.7.41, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### When was Fetch URL last updated?
The latest version, 3.04.26, was released on December 30, 2013 (13 years ago).

### Who makes Fetch URL?
Fetch URL is developed and maintained by Ovidiu Purdea.

### What are the best alternatives to Fetch URL?
The most popular alternatives to Fetch URL are SaFly Curl Patch (200+ installs), EZ SHORTCURL Shortcodes to… (70+ installs) and Code Repository (10+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/fetchurl/ · Generated 2026-10-06 10:13 UTC by PageForge