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WP REST Cache
Enable caching of the WordPress REST API and auto-flush caches upon wp-admin editing.
The facts
- Rating
- 4.9★ from 42
- Active installs
- 10k+
- Price
- Free
- Last updated
- 25 Jul 2026
- Added
- Jan 2019
- Requires WP
- 4.7
- Tested up to
- WP 7.0.4
- Requires PHP
- 7.0
- Downloads
- 403,452
Our analysis
AI-assistedWP REST Cache is a WordPress plugin designed to improve the speed of sites using the WordPress REST API by caching API responses. It caches default GET endpoints, custom post types, and taxonomy endpoints, and offers both automated and manual cache flushing options. Users can specify cache timeout durations and register custom endpoints for caching as well.
This plugin is suitable for WordPress site owners who rely on the REST API and want to enhance performance without extensive coding knowledge. It is particularly useful for those managing custom post types and taxonomies.
Best for: WordPress site owners using the REST API who need to improve performance.
What it does well
- ✓Caches all default WordPress REST API GET-endpoints
- ✓Supports caching of custom post type and taxonomy endpoints
- ✓Offers automated and manual cache flushing options
- ✓Allows specification of cache timeout duration
- ✓Includes a counter for cache retrievals
Where it falls short
- •Limited information on advanced features without the Pro version
- •No details on potential conflicts with other plugins
Verdict
WP REST Cache provides essential caching features for REST API responses, making it a practical choice for enhancing site speed. However, those seeking more advanced capabilities may need to consider the Pro version.
From the developer
Acato's own description of WP REST Cache, lightly tidied.
Are you facing speed issues, using the WordPress REST API? This plugin will allow WordPress to cache the responses of the REST API, making it much faster.
This plugin offers:
- Caching of all default WordPress REST API
GET-endpoints. - Caching of (custom) post type endpoints.
- Caching of (custom) taxonomy endpoints.
- Automated flushing of caches if (some of) its contents are edited.
- Manual flushing of all caches.
- Manual flushing of specific caches.
- A counter how many times a cache has been retrieved.
- Specifying after what time the cache should be timed out.
- Registering custom endpoints for caching.
- Automatic cache regeneration.
WP REST Cache Pro
For more advanced features, check out our WP REST Cache Pro plugin:
- Configure custom endpoints for caching through the wp-admin interface.
- Configure relationships within endpoints.
- No coding required.
Installation from within WordPress
- Visit ‘Plugins > Add New’ (or ‘My Sites > Network Admin > Plugins > Add New’ if you are on a multisite installation).
- Search for ‘WP REST Cache’.
- Activate the WP REST Cache plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
- Go to “after activation” below.
Installation manually
- Upload the
wp-rest-cachefolder to the/wp-content/plugins/directory. - Activate the WP REST Cache plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress.
- Go to “after activation” below.
After activation
- Visit ‘Plugins > Must-Use’ (or ‘My Sites > Network Admin > Plugins > Must-Use’ if you are on a multisite installation).
- Check if the ‘WP REST Cache – Must-Use Plugin’ is there, if not copy the file
wp-rest-cache.phpfrom the/sourcesfolder of the WP REST Cache Plugin to the folder/wp-content/mu-plugins/.
Optionally:
The default timeout for caches generated by the WP REST Cache plugin is set to 1 year. If you want to change this:
- Visit ‘Settings > WP REST Cache’.
- Change the Cache timeout.
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