Secure and protect WordPress REST API from unauthorized access using JWT token, Basic Authentication, API Key,...
Free
20k+ installs 4.4★ (74)
JSON API Auth
Extends the JSON API Plugin for RESTful user authentication
The facts
- Rating
- 4.7★ from 11
- Active installs
- 600+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 17 Jul 2026
- Added
- Dec 2013
- Requires WP
- 3.0.1
- Tested up to
- WP 7.0.4
- Requires PHP
- 7.4
- Downloads
- 80,870
Our analysis
AI-assistedJSON API Auth is a WordPress plugin that extends the functionality of the original JSON API plugin to facilitate RESTful user authentication. It is designed for existing sites that rely on the legacy JSON API's cookie-authentication workflow. Users can generate and validate authentication cookies and retrieve current user information.
This plugin is suitable for sites that have already integrated the original JSON API and need to maintain compatibility with existing authentication methods. New integrations should consider using the RESTful JSON API for enhanced features and security.
Best for: This plugin suits existing WordPress sites that depend on the legacy JSON API for user authentication.
What it does well
- ✓Extends the original JSON API plugin for user authentication
- ✓Allows generation and validation of auth cookies
- ✓Retrieves current user information
Where it falls short
- •Only suitable for existing integrations with the original JSON API
- •Does not provide new features compared to RESTful JSON API
Verdict
JSON API Auth is a practical solution for maintaining legacy integrations, but it may not be ideal for new projects seeking modern authentication methods.
From the developer
Ali Qureshi's own description of JSON API Auth, lightly tidied.
Important: use RESTful JSON API for new integrations
JSON API Auth is retained for existing sites that still depend on the original JSON API plugin and its cookie-authentication workflow. For a new mobile app, headless site, external service, or AI-assisted integration, install RESTful JSON API instead.
RESTful JSON API provides plugin-issued JWT bearer authentication, requires HTTPS by default for requests that handle passwords or tokens, and includes a broader set of endpoints organized into Core, Posts, User, Respond, and Widgets controllers. Its User controller includes signup, JWT login, token validation, profiles, avatars, password-reset requests, safe user meta, and authenticated comments, while the other controllers expose content, custom post type, taxonomy, media, menu, search, comment, and widget workflows.
Existing JSON API Auth integrations can continue using this plugin. Because JWT bearer tokens replace the legacy cookie format and endpoint paths differ, test your client migration before deactivating the legacy JSON API stack.
JSON API Auth extends the JSON API Plugin to allow RESTful user authentication.
JSON API Plugin, that is required, was closed on August 7, 2019 from WordPress repository. You can download JSON API Plugin from https://github.com/PI-Media/json-api until it is republished and available on WordPress.
Features include:
-
Generate Auth Cookie for user authentication
-
Validate Auth Cookie
-
Get Current User Info
For documentation: See ‘Other Notes’ tab above for usage examples.
Credits: http://www.parorrey.com/solutions/json-api-auth/
Tagged as
industry
Crypto & Web3
feature
REST API
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