User Switching
by John Blackbourn · Login & Users
Also makes 1 other plugin · 400K+ installs across the portfolio →
Instant switching between user accounts in WordPress and WooCommerce.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
A 92/100
no flags
Active installs
200K+
≈290K estimated
Momentum
-19%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Swap “multisite”, “woocommerce” and “users” for “user agent”, “user ip” and “user”. “multisite” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “user agent” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “woocommerce” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “user ip” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “users” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “user” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
92 health vs 61 average across 2,204 Login & Users plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →3.1%
of downloads still active
At least 200K of 6.4M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Login & Users plugin keeps 0.7%, across 1,477 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Login & Users plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 5 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Excellent listing optimization
Well tuned across the board
Updated 64 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.1.4, the current branch or newer
4.9★ over 238 reviews, smoothed to 4.76★
5 of 5 tags set · short description in place
1 of 1 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
39
Momentum
Losing ground
-0.1
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
19%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
-0.1
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| fast user switching your tag | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| switching | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| user switching your tag | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| user accounts | #1 | #1 | — |
| switch user | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| user sessions | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| instant user switch | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| multisite user | #1 | #1 | 0 |
| user data | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| add user | #2 | #2 | 0 |
| user location | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| user menu | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| user capabilities | #3 | #3 | 0 |
| user log | #3 | #3 | up 1 |
| user | #5 | #6 | down 1 |
| user management | #3 | #3 | down 1 |
| user id | #3 | #2 | 0 |
| user agent | #4 | #3 | down 2 |
| user ip | #4 | #4 | 0 |
| user activity | #4 | #4 | up 1 |
| multisite your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
| woocommerce your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
247 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 202 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 2 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Swap “multisite”, “woocommerce” and “users” for “user agent”, “user ip” and “user”. “multisite” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “user agent” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “woocommerce” isn't earning its slot: you're not in the first 24 results for its own search. “user ip” sits at #4 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. “users” isn't earning its slot: it only gets you to #11. “user” sits at #5 untagged, close enough for a declared tag to move it up. All five slots are taken, so one has to go.
- One page off on “users”. #11 puts you just past the first ten results, where almost all the clicks stop. The gap to close is small.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 230.4K · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
5
releases in the last 12 months
2mo ago
latest release · v1.12.2 · 29 Aug 2026
50
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 55% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “200K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 4.9 years ago; the previous band took 3.4 years to cross, which places it about 90% of the way through.
Install history since 4 Dec 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ CJW11mo ago
What a great plug in! Made my life so much easier – thank you!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Zrenjaninac1.2y ago
A real timesaver that I install every time I need to test out different user type roles.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Brandon Hubbard1.3y ago
Super great plugin for any WordPress site using members, portal, or similar experience.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ phantasmix1.4y ago
Had to test what multiple user roles see after logging in and User Switching plugin helped tremendously. No fussing with fake/temp accounts needed.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Ivijan-Stefan Stipic1.9y ago
I integrate this plugin with BuddyBoss, WooCommerce, and some of my custom dashboards. It’s a very handy plugin and has saved me a lot of time by providing features that I would otherwise have to develop from scratch.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Alex Gor2.0y ago
Very happy with this plugin! It’s simple to use and works flawlessly, making my tasks easier and more efficient.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ amingor2.0y ago
I’m very pleased with how this plugin works! It’s easy to set up, runs smoothly, and delivers exactly what it promises. The functionality has been reliable, with no issues or glitches so far. It’s become an essential part of my workflow – highly recommended! This topic was modified 1 year, 8 months ago by amingor.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Mark Wilkinson2.0y ago
An excellent plugin which is very easy to use and a must for sites with multiple types of users when you need to test things. Well written too and good for developers to work with if needed. Highly recommended.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 1.12.1 Fixes a hardcoded period after the “Switch back” link that could break punctuation in non-English languages Switches to wp_print_inline_script_tag() for the inline script Styling tweaks for the Switch Back button in the 1.12.1
- — Version 1.12.0 Introduces the ability to switch users from the WordPress Command Palette Confirms support for WordPress 7.0 1.12.0
- — Version 1.11.2 Fixes an expired nonce on the switch back link after the user session is destroyed Fixes a potential undefined cookie constant warning in the wp_die handler 1.11.2
- — Version 1.11.1 Confirms support for WordPress 6.9 1.11.1
- — Version 1.11.0 Adds a Switch Back link to all wp_die() screens when you’re switched into another account. 1.11.0
- — Version 1.10.0 When the user is switched, display all of User Switching’s messages in the language of the original user 1.10.0
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 54 languages, 19 at 90% or more
Plus 30 more locales with partial translations.
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.
Readme readiness
6 of 8 pass · checked 28 Oct 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ! Says what it does Short description names no action; say what the plugin does for the site.
- ✓ Has a FAQ 20 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 20 of 20 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for One audience phrase ("for developers"); say who the plugin is for and what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, bbPress, BuddyPress, Multisite.
- ✓ Headings and lists 7 headings and 6 lists.
- ✓ Enough to quote 4,041 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 4 of 5 tags appear in the text; "fast user switching" does not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2021-12-04 100K+ → 200K+ up after 1235 days in tier
- 2018-07-18 90K+ → 100K+ up after 139 days in tier
- 2018-03-01 80K+ → 90K+ up after 210 days in tier
- 2017-08-03 70K+ → 80K+ up after 163 days in tier
- 2017-02-21 60K+ → 70K+ up after 166 days in tier
- 2016-09-08 50K+ → 60K+ up after 220 days in tier
- 2016-02-01 40K+ → 50K+ up after 257 days in tier
- 2015-05-20 30K+ → 40K+ up
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Password Strength Settings for WooCommerce 10K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags D -
Code Snippets 1M+ installs · 4.7★ · 1 shared tag A -
Google for WooCommerce 800K+ installs · 2.8★ · 1 shared tag C -
WooCommerce PayPal Payments 800K+ installs · 2.9★ · 1 shared tag B -
WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway 700K+ installs · 3.1★ · 1 shared tag B -
WooCommerce Tax (formerly WooCommerce Shipping & Tax) 500K+ installs · 2.3★ · 1 shared tag B
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for User Switching into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/user-switching" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="User Switching — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> User Switching: 200K+ active installs, 4.9★ (238 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/user-switching
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