wp.org search vs our merit ranking: “mysql database”

wp.org orders by popularity, so a plugin a host bundled onto millions of sites, or a big-brand one that's slow and mediocre, can sit at the top. Our ranking is built to answer a different question: which of these is actually worth installing. How this works →

For “mysql database”, we agree with wp.org on the top plugin, and our order differs from theirs on 12 of the top 20. 1 plugin is pushed down for signals wp.org ignores: errors, a host-installed base, or removal risk.

wp.org search ranks on

Install count (uncapped), the raw star average, freshness, and support. Popularity dominates, so the biggest install base usually wins regardless of how it got there.

We add

A cap on the install boost, volume-weighted ratings, and signals wp.org can't see: whether it throws errors on current PHP, whether the install base is organic or host-pushed, and its risk of being pulled.

Ranked above its merit

CodingBunny Database Cleaner shows at wp.org #10 but places #21 on merit, a gap of 11 places. Its 200+ installs carry it up the search order; its 5.0★ average from 2 reviews, plus freshness and upkeep, place it lower on our volume-weighted scale.

Buried gem

Relevanssi – A Better Search places #10 on merit, 4.8★ from 406 reviews, but shows at wp.org #16. A smaller install base keeps it further down the default search order than its quality signals alone would.

merit plugin signals wp.org

Index WP MySQL For Speed 50K+ · 4.8★ (99) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #1 2

Database Addon For WPForms ( wpforms entries ) – WPFormsDB 20K+ · 5.0★ (131) wp.org #2 3

Database Cleaner: Cleanup, Optimization & Repair 10K+ · 5.0★ (150) wp.org #3 4

Database Addon for Contact Form 7 – CFDB7 600K+ · 5.0★ (1875) wp.org #4 5

WP-Optimize – Cache, Compress images, Minify & Clean database to boost page speed & performance 1M+ · 4.8★ (2617) wp.org #5 6

Optimize Database after Deleting Revisions 60K+ · 4.7★ (181) wp.org #7 1 too low 7

All-in-One WP Migration and Backup 5M+ · 4.5★ (7676) wp.org #11 4 too low 8

WPvivid — Backup, Migration & Staging 900K+ · 4.9★ (1568) wp.org #12 4 too low 9

Database Backup for WordPress 60K+ · 4.5★ (66) wp.org #8 1 too high 10

Relevanssi – A Better Search 100K+ · 4.8★ (406) wp.org #16 6 too low 11 D Database Collation Fix 1K+ · 5.0★ (21) thin reviews wp.org #9 2 too high 12 S SQLite Database Integration 5K+ · 4.6★ (12) thin reviews wp.org #6 6 too high 13

Database for Contact Form 7, WPforms, Elementor forms 60K+ · 4.8★ (124) wp.org #17 4 too low 14

wpDataTables – WordPress Data Table, Dynamic Tables & Table Charts Plugin 60K+ · 4.5★ (449) wp.org #24 9 too low 16

SQLite Object Cache 10K+ · 5.0★ (51) wp.org #19 3 too low 17

BackWPup – WordPress Backup & Restore Plugin 400K+ · 4.0★ (1323) not PHP-current wp.org #20 3 too low 18

WP phpMyAdmin 40K+ · 4.6★ (58) wp.org #21 3 too low 19

Version Info – Server Health Monitor, PHP & MySQL Version Display, Environment Indicators 10K+ · 5.0★ (15) thin reviews wp.org #15 4 too high 20

Database Manager – WP Adminer 20K+ · 5.0★ (28) throws errorsnot PHP-current wp.org #13 7 too high 21

CodingBunny Database Cleaner 200+ · 5.0★ (2) thin reviews wp.org #10 11 too high 22

LWS Tools 10K+ · 5.0★ (6) throws errorsnot PHP-current thin reviews wp.org #23 1 too low 23

MySQL version display 300+ · 0.0★ (0) thin reviews wp.org #14 9 too high 24

PayU India 7K+ · 5.0★ (1) thin reviews wp.org #18 6 too high

Merit ranking caps the install boost at 1M (wp.org leaves it uncapped), replaces the raw star average with a volume-weighted Bayesian score and a Wilson lower bound, and keeps wp.org's own freshness and compatibility decays. Method from the plugin-directory source; see Meta Trac #8298. Positions are tracked daily from the first visit to a keyword, so the small arrows show movement since tracking began.