PluginScout

Disable WP REST API

by Jeff Starr · WordPress.org page · Website

v2.6.9 Tested up to WP 7.1.3 PHP 5.6.20+

Disable WP REST API has 30,000+ active installs on WordPress.org and 440,864 downloads all time. It was downloaded 6,777 times in the last 30 days. The last update was on August 10, 2026, tested up to WordPress 7.1.3.

Disable WP REST API at a glance

Active installs
30,000+
Total downloads
440,864
Downloads, last 30 days
6,777
30-day growth
–
downloads vs the previous 30 days

Is Disable WP REST API well maintained?

Support threads resolved
No open threads
nothing waiting on the WordPress.org forum
WordPress compatibility
Current
tested up to WordPress 7.1.3, the current release is 7.1.3
Languages
2
translated 90%+ on translate.wordpress.org, 208 locales in progress
One-star reviews
3%
1 of 36 reviews on WordPress.org

Features

The feature list from the plugin's own readme on WordPress.org, trimmed to the essentials.

  • One-click disable all routes
  • One-click disable all /users routes
  • Disable any specific user routes based on role
  • Whitelist any user IDs
  • Whitelist any IP addresses
  • Customize the REST error message
  • Customize the REST response code
  • Always require or force SSL/TLS
  • Disable all JSONP shenanigans
  • One-click disable any REST API headers
  • Add any post meta (custom field) to REST API
  • Add any user meta (custom field) to REST API

Disable WP REST API reviews and ratings

36 reviews on WordPress.org, with the most recent ones as their authors posted them.

4.8 out of 5

36 reviews

5★
34
4★
0
3★
1
2★
0
1★
1
  • good job

    good job

    pftsoi
  • Very simple and effective

    just activate the plugin and it works.

    terrymason
  • I like it!

    I've tried many different solutions using functions.php because I did not want to install yet another plugin. I'm glad I found this one though. It's simple, lightweight, maintains privacy, and functions with the latest version of WordPress. Thanks Jeff!

    WildStar
  • Good Stuff - but make many other things more complicate

    In generel a Good security concept . But at the other end many plugin developer use the Rest API Could be done much easier with a 5 3 line htaccess rule to block only ^.*wp-json/wp/v2/(users But anyway a good solution if you have a simpel installation.

    metaeditor
  • Blocks Contact Form 7 forms sending

    As the title says: Blocks Contact Form 7 forms sending after install and activate.

    Hendrik57
  • Super simple plugin

    Great plugin, takes nopower from the blog:)

    tinaponting

Download and install history

11,052 downloads over the last 48 days. Snapshots taken daily from WordPress.org.

Downloads per day
Disable WP REST API downloads per day0125250375500Sep 5Sep 28Oct 22Downloads per day
Active installs
Disable WP REST API active installs012.5k25k37.5k50kSep 5Sep 28Oct 22Active installs
Rating out of 5
Disable WP REST API rating01.32.53.85Sep 5Sep 28Oct 22Rating out of 5
Reviews
Disable WP REST API review count012.52537.550Sep 5Sep 28Oct 22Reviews

Disable WP REST API alternatives

Plugins that solve the same problem, ranked by how closely they overlap with Disable WP REST API.

Details

Disables the WP REST API for visitors not logged into WordPress.

The full description, screenshots and every review live on the WordPress.org page.

Tags

  • api
  • disable
  • JSON
  • rest
  • rest-api

More from Jeff Starr

Version
2.6.9
Last updated
Aug 10, 2026
First published
Jun 6, 2018
Requires WordPress
4.7
Tested up to
7.1.3
Requires PHP
5.6.20
Pricing
Free on WordPress.org

Disable WP REST API FAQ

What does Disable WP REST API do?

According to its WordPress.org readme, Disable WP REST API offers One-click disable all routes, One-click disable all /users routes, Disable any specific user routes based on role, Whitelist any user IDs and Whitelist any IP addresses.

How many active installs does Disable WP REST API have?

WordPress.org reports 30,000+ active installs for Disable WP REST API as of October 22, 2026.

Is Disable WP REST API still maintained?

Yes. The last release was on August 10, 2026 and it is tested up to WordPress 7.1.3.

Is Disable WP REST API free?

Disable WP REST API is free to install from WordPress.org. Many plugins also sell a paid version or add-ons.