Better Search Replace
A simple plugin to update URLs or other text in a database.
The facts
- Rating
- 4.3★ from 544
- Active installs
- 1M+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 25 Aug 2026
- Added
- Jan 2015
- Requires WP
- 6.2
- Tested up to
- WP 7.1
- Requires PHP
- 8.1
- Downloads
- 18,601,361
Our analysis
AI-assistedBetter Search Replace is a WordPress plugin designed to assist with search and replace operations in your database, particularly useful when migrating a site to a new domain or server. It allows you to select specific tables and supports serialization, ensuring that data integrity is maintained during the process. You can also perform a 'dry run' to preview changes before applying them.
This plugin is suitable for users who need to update URLs or other database entries without extensive technical knowledge. It is particularly beneficial for WordPress Multisite installations, making it a versatile tool for site administrators.
Best for: This plugin is best for WordPress site administrators managing migrations or URL updates.
What it does well
- ✓Supports serialization for all tables
- ✓Allows selection of specific tables
- ✓Includes a 'dry run' feature
- ✓No special server requirements
- ✓Compatible with WordPress Multisite
Where it falls short
- •Pro version offers additional features not included in the free version
- •Limited information on support and updates beyond the initial offering
Verdict
Better Search Replace provides essential functionality for database management during site migrations. It is a practical tool for those needing straightforward search and replace capabilities.
From the developer
WP Engine's own description of Better Search Replace, lightly tidied.
When moving your WordPress site to a new domain or server, you will likely run into a need to run a search/replace on the database for everything to work correctly. Fortunately, there are several plugins available for this task, however, all have a different approach to a few key features. This plugin consolidates the best features from these plugins, incorporating the following features in one simple plugin:
- Serialization support for all tables
- The ability to select specific tables
- The ability to run a “dry run” to see how many fields will be updated
- No server requirements aside from a running installation of WordPress
- WordPress Multisite support
Time-saving features available in the Pro version:
- View exactly what changed during a search/replace
- Backup and import the database while running a search/replace
- Priority email support from the developer of the plugin
- Save or load custom profiles for quickly repeating a search/replace in the future
- Support and updates for 1 year
The search and replace functionality is heavily based on interconnect/it’s great and open-source Search Replace DB script, modified to use WordPress native database functions to ensure compatibility.
Want to contribute?
Feel free to open an issue or submit a pull request on GitHub.