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WP REST Cache

By Acato

Performance & Optimization / Caching Solutions

WP REST Cache Review - In-Depth Analysis

WP REST Cache speeds up the WordPress REST API by caching responses. It allows for automated cache flushing and manual cache management.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.01/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 42+ reviews)

Active Installations

10,000+

Update Frequency

Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

7.2 / 10 (High Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Are you facing speed issues, using the WordPress REST API? This plugin will allow WordPress to cache the responses of the REST API, making it much faster.

This plugin offers caching of all default WordPress REST API GET endpoints, custom post type endpoints, and custom taxonomy endpoints. It also provides automated flushing of caches if contents are edited, manual flushing options, and a counter for cache retrievals.

For more advanced features, check out our WP REST Cache Pro plugin. It allows you to configure custom endpoints for caching through the wp-admin interface and set relationships within endpoints with no coding required.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP REST Cache stands out among caching plugins by focusing specifically on caching REST API responses, which is crucial for headless WordPress setups and API-heavy sites.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Specialized caching for REST API endpoints improves API response times significantly.
Good compatibility with headless WordPress and custom API endpoints.
Responsive and helpful developer support.
Lightweight and focused plugin without unnecessary features.
Clear improvements in load speed for API-driven content.

Weaknesses

Limited settings and customization options compared to broader caching plugins.
Lacks advanced cache management features like selective cache duration per route.
No built-in option to regenerate all caches automatically.
Some filters and settings could be more user-friendly or accessible via the admin UI.

User Sentiment Analysis

Users appreciate the plugin's effectiveness and developer support, though some desire more configuration options.

Positive highlights

"Response time is now 4-5 times quicker." - katerlouis
"Works perfectly fine with headless WordPress and Nuxt 3." - thaikolja
"Made a big difference in load speeds of maps." - carnini
"API response improved from 2.3 seconds to about 200 ms." - hirngesicht
"Excellent and works exactly as advertised." - zerfl

Common complaints

Lack of settings for per-route cache duration.
No 'regenerate all caches' button, only 'clear all'.
The filter to hide REST API button in admin doesn't work as expected.
FAQ could be more comprehensive regarding custom endpoints.

Weaknesses

Limited cache management features.
Settings interface could be improved for ease of use.
Some filters are not intuitive or fully functional.
Documentation lacks some details for advanced use cases.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers and site owners using headless WordPress setups or relying heavily on REST API endpoints will benefit most from WP REST Cache's focused caching capabilities.

Not ideal for

Users seeking a full-featured caching plugin for general page caching or those wanting extensive cache management options might find this plugin too limited.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides essential REST API caching features that significantly improve API response times and overall site performance.

Pro version

The premium version typically offers enhanced features such as advanced cache control, per-route cache duration settings, and priority support.

Final Verdict

WP REST Cache is a specialized caching plugin that excels at improving REST API response times, making it ideal for headless WordPress and API-centric sites.

While it lacks some advanced cache management features, its effectiveness and developer responsiveness make it a valuable tool for users focused on API performance.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free WP REST Cache plugin.

API

Cache

REST

Screenshots

FAQ

No, the plugin will automatically flush all cache related to the page/post you just edited.

Yes you can! You can use our WP REST Cache Pro plugin to easily register your own endpoints for caching through the wp-admin interface. Or you can do it programmatically by using the hook wp_rest_cache/allowed_endpoints like this:

/**  * Register the /wp-json/acf/v3/posts endpoint so it will be cached.  */ function wprc_add_acf_posts_endpoint( $allowed_endpoints ) {     if ( ! isset( $allowed_endpoints[ 'acf/v3' ] ) || ! in_array( 'posts', $allowed_endpoints[ 'acf/v3' ] ) ) {         $allowed_endpoints[ 'acf/v3' ][] = 'posts';     }     return $allowed_endpoints; } add_filter( 'wp_rest_cache/allowed_endpoints', 'wprc_add_acf_posts_endpoint', 10, 1);

Please note: the WP REST Cache plugin will try to detect relations in the cached data to automatically flush the cache when related items are edited, but this detection is not flawless so your caches might not be flushed automatically.

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/allowed_endpoints like this:

/**  * Unregister the /wp-json/wp/v2/comments endpoint so it will not be cached.  */ function wprc_unregister_wp_comments_endpoint( $allowed_endpoints ) {     if ( isset( $allowed_endpoints[ 'wp/v2' ] ) && ( $key = array_search( 'comments', $allowed_endpoints[ 'wp/v2' ] ) ) !== false ) {         unset( $allowed_endpoints[ 'wp/v2' ][ $key ] );     }     return $allowed_endpoints; } add_filter( 'wp_rest_cache/allowed_endpoints', 'wprc_unregister_wp_comments_endpoint', 100, 1);

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/determine_object_type like this:

function wprc_determine_object_type( $object_type, $cache_key, $data, $uri ) {     if ( $object_type !== 'unknown' || strpos( $uri, $your_namespace . '/' . $your_rest_base ) === false ) {         return $object_type;     }     // Do your magic here     $object_type = 'website';     // Do your magic here     return $object_type; } add_filter( 'wp_rest_cache/determine_object_type', 'wprc_determine_object_type', 10, 4 );

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/display_clear_cache_button like this:

function wprc_display_clear_cache_button( $show ) {     return false; } add_filter('wp_rest_cache/display_clear_cache_button', 'wprc_display_clear_cache_button', 10, 1);

Yes you can! There are two options for this: 1. Go to Settings > WP REST Cache and add Global cacheable request headers. This is a comma seperated list. These headers will be used for ALL endpoints. 2. Use the hook wp_rest_cache/cacheable_request_headers to specify per endpoint which request headers should be used. Like this:

function wprc_add_cacheable_request_headers( $cacheable_headers ) {     $cacheable_headers['wp/v2/posts'] = 'LANG';     return $cacheable_headers; } add_filter('wp_rest_cache/cacheable_request_headers', 'wprc_add_cacheable_request_headers', 10, 1);

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/settings_capability like this:

function wprc_change_settings_capability( $capability ) {     // Change the capability to users who can edit posts.     return 'edit_posts'; } add_filter('wp_rest_cache/settings_capability', 'wprc_change_settings_capability', 10, 1);

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/determine_object_type like this:

function wprc_determine_object_type( $object_type, $cache_key, $data, $uri ) {     if ( $object_type !== 'unknown' || strpos( $uri, $your_namespace . '/' . $your_rest_base ) === false ) {         return $object_type;     }     // Do your magic here     $object_type = 'website';     // Do your magic here     return $object_type; } add_filter( 'wp_rest_cache/determine_object_type', 'wprc_determine_object_type', 10, 4 );

Yes you can! Use the hook wp_rest_cache/display_clear_cache_button like this:

function wprc_display_clear_cache_button( $show ) {     return false; } add_filter('wp_rest_cache/display_clear_cache_button', 'wprc_display_clear_cache_button', 10, 1);