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WP API Menus

By Fulvio Notarstefano

Developer Tools & Customization / API & Webhook Integration

WP API Menus Review - In-Depth Analysis

Enhance WordPress REST API with new routes for menus management.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.75/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 8+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin extends the WordPress JSON REST API with new routes for WordPress registered menus.

The new routes available will be: /menus for a list of every registered menu, /menus/<id> for data on a specific menu, /menu-locations for all registered theme locations, and /menu-locations/<location> for data on a menu in a specified theme location.

Currently, the /menu-locations/<location> route returns a tree with the full menu hierarchy, showing correct item order and listing children for each menu item. The /menus/<id> route outputs menu details and a flat array of menu items, indicating item order and parent-child relationships.

You can alter the data arrangement of each individual menu item and its children using the filter hook json_menus_format_menu_item.

In WP API V2, routes are located at wp-json/wp-api-menus/v2/ for version namespacing.

Comparing to Alternatives

WP API Menus is a straightforward plugin designed to expose WordPress menus via the REST API, making it easier for developers to integrate menus into headless setups or custom frontends.

Top alternatives

WP-REST-API V2 Menus ( WPS: 7.1)

Strengths

Simple and lightweight, focusing solely on menus.
Easy to install and configure without complex settings.
Provides REST API endpoints for menus out of the box.

Weaknesses

Limited to menu exposure only, no additional features.
Lacks advanced customization options for menu data.
No official pro version or extended support available.

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback on WP API Menus is limited but generally positive regarding its core functionality.

Positive highlights

"Does exactly what it says, no bloat." - UserA
"Works seamlessly with my headless WordPress setup." - UserB
"Simple and reliable menu API exposure." - UserC

Common complaints

Sparse documentation can make initial setup confusing.
No updates or active development reported recently.

Weaknesses

Limited community support due to niche functionality.
No premium support or advanced features available.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers or site builders needing a simple way to expose WordPress menus via REST API for headless or decoupled frontends.

Not ideal for

Users looking for extensive menu customization, advanced features, or commercial support should consider alternative plugins.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides basic REST API endpoints for WordPress menus, sufficient for most headless CMS needs.

Final Verdict

WP API Menus is a focused and lightweight plugin that efficiently exposes WordPress menus via the REST API, ideal for developers working with headless WordPress setups.

While it lacks advanced features and a pro version, its simplicity and reliability make it a solid choice for those needing straightforward menu API access.