# WP REST API Key Authentication

> WP REST API Key Authentication has 10+ active installs and 53 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 26/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** WP REST API Key Authentication shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 2 years ago, and scores 26/100 on our health check.

**WP REST API Key Authentication adds a simple API key-based authentication method to the WordPress REST API. This plugin is perfect for developers who want to interact with the REST API securely without relying on…**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 10+
- **Total downloads:** 1,272
- **Downloads (30 days):** 53 (+32.5% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 26/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 1.0
- **Last updated:** Jan 16, 2025
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 6.7.10
- **Requires:** WordPress 5.0+, PHP 7.2+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Kamal Hosen (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/ikamal/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/rest-api-key-authentication/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [access-control](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/access-control/) | #41 | 118 |
| [api authentication](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/api-authentication/) | #1 | 1 |
| [API key](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/api-key/) | #2 | 3 |
| [rest-api](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/rest-api/) | >100 | 371 |
| [security](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/security/) | >100 | 1,679 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| access-control | >100 | 7,389 |
| api authentication | >100 | 3,703 |
| API key | >100 | 10,000 |
| rest-api | >100 | 8,286 |
| security | >100 | 10,000 |

## Version adoption

- 1.0: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [PublishPress Capabilities: User Role Access Control, Admin Area Permissions](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/capability-manager-enhanced/) | 100K+ | 4.7/5 (143) | Oct 14, 2026 | 95/100 |
| 2 | [Content Control – The Ultimate Content Restriction Solution! Restrict Content, Create Conditional Blocks & More](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/content-control/) | 40K+ | 4.9/5 (575) | Sep 29, 2026 | 80/100 |
| 3 | [Restrict User Access – Ultimate Membership & Content Protection](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/restrict-user-access/) | 10K+ | 4.3/5 (94) | Oct 10, 2026 | 76/100 |
| 4 | [PublishPress Permissions: Access Control, Content Permissions, User Access](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/press-permit-core/) | 10K+ | 4.3/5 (66) | Oct 14, 2026 | 76/100 |
| 5 | [Groups – Memberships and Access Control](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/groups/) | 10K+ | 4.8/5 (382) | Sep 24, 2026 | 93/100 |
| 6 | [SureMembers – Membership & Content Restriction Plugin](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/suremembers-core/) | 2K+ | 5/5 (2) | Sep 8, 2026 | 63/100 |
| 7 | [Quick Download Button](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/quick-download-button/) | 1K+ | 4.6/5 (12) | May 6, 2026 | 58/100 |
| 8 | [Menu By User Roles](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/menu-by-user-roles/) | 1K+ | 5/5 (3) | Oct 14, 2026 | 77/100 |
| 9 | [SimpleShop](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/simpleshop-cz/) | 1K+ | — | Aug 25, 2026 | 66/100 |
| 10 | [Groups 404 Redirect](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/groups-404-redirect/) | 1K+ | 4.6/5 (10) | Sep 25, 2026 | 80/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is WP REST API Key Authentication free?
Yes. WP REST API Key Authentication is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is WP REST API Key Authentication safe to use in 2026?
WP REST API Key Authentication shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 10+ sites and was last updated 2 years ago, and scores 26/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use WP REST API Key Authentication?
WP REST API Key Authentication is active on 10+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 1,272 times since it launched in January 2025. It was downloaded 53 times in the last 30 days.

### Does WP REST API Key Authentication work with WordPress 7.1?
WP REST API Key Authentication is officially tested up to WordPress 6.7.10, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### What PHP version does WP REST API Key Authentication need?
WP REST API Key Authentication requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.

### When was WP REST API Key Authentication last updated?
The latest version, 1.0, was released on January 16, 2025 (2 years ago).

### Who makes WP REST API Key Authentication?
WP REST API Key Authentication is developed and maintained by Kamal Hosen.

### What are the best alternatives to WP REST API Key Authentication?
The most popular alternatives to WP REST API Key Authentication are PublishPress Capabilities:… (100K+ installs), Content Control (40K+ installs) and Restrict User Access (10K+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/rest-api-key-authentication/ · Generated 2026-10-20 23:14 UTC by PageForge