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Debug Bar

By WordPress.org

Developer Tools & Customization / Debugging & Development Tools

Debug Bar Review - In-Depth Analysis

Debug Bar adds a debug menu to the admin bar, showing query, cache, and debugging information. It's essential for developers.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.37/10

User Rating

4.1/5 (based on 69+ reviews)

Active Installations

20,000+

Update Frequency

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

Debug Bar adds a debug menu to the admin bar that shows query, cache, and other helpful debugging information.

A must for developers!

When WP_DEBUG is enabled it also tracks PHP Warnings and Notices to make them easier to find.

When SAVEQUERIES is enabled the mysql queries are tracked and displayed.

To enable these options, add the following code to your wp-config.php file:

define( 'WP_DEBUG', true );

define( 'SAVEQUERIES', true );

Add a PHP/MySQL console with the Debug Bar Console plugin.

There are numerous other add-ons available to get more insight into, for instance, the registered Post Types, Shortcodes, WP Cron, Language file loading, Actions and Filters and so on. Just search the plugin directory for 'Debug Bar'.

Comparing to Alternatives

Debug Bar is a straightforward debugging plugin for WordPress, often compared to more feature-rich tools like Query Monitor.

Top alternatives

Query Monitor – The developer tools panel for WordPress ( WPS: 7.11)

Strengths

Simple and easy to use interface
Provides memory usage and basic debugging info
Lightweight and does not overload the admin panel
Widely recognized and recommended in WordPress developer circles

Weaknesses

Lacks detailed debugging features compared to alternatives
No recent updates leading to compatibility issues
Limited documentation and usage instructions
Does not display comprehensive debug information

User Sentiment Analysis

User feedback reveals a mix of appreciation for simplicity and frustration over lack of updates and features.

Positive highlights

'It works…' - Lene
'Simple and useful.' - Mehedi Hasan
'A plugin without which I cannot imagine my work.' - Marcin Pietrzak
'Finding bugs is very easy and efficient with that plugin.' - Michael Galli

Common complaints

Lack of detailed debug information
Errors and warnings with latest WordPress versions
Plugin appears abandoned with no recent updates
Insufficient usage instructions

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with WordPress 6.7
PHP notices and errors when WP_DEBUG is enabled
Neglect from maintainers causing trust issues

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Developers seeking a simple, lightweight debugging tool integrated into the WordPress admin without extra complexity.

Not ideal for

Users needing comprehensive debugging details or those requiring a plugin with active maintenance and frequent updates.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers basic debugging features such as memory usage display and simple debug information within the admin panel.

Final Verdict

Debug Bar serves as a basic and accessible debugging plugin that is easy to use and integrates well into WordPress admin. However, its lack of recent updates and limited feature set make it less suitable for developers needing in-depth debugging capabilities.

While it remains a useful tool for simple tasks, users should be aware of compatibility issues with newer WordPress versions and consider alternatives like Query Monitor for more comprehensive debugging needs.