Have you ever tried searching for something on a website and felt like you were yelling into a void? You type in a keyword, hit “search,” and get a bunch of irrelevant pages—or nothing at all. Frustrating, right? As someone who has built and managed websites for years, I’ve felt this pain too many times. And that’s why I started looking into making site searches better. Today, I’m sharing an in-depth SearchWP: Relevanssi review to help you find the best search plugin for your WordPress site.
Whether you’re running a bustling online shop or a cozy personal blog, your site’s search feature can make or break the visitor experience. In this article, I’ll compare SearchWP and Relevanssi—two giants in the WordPress search plugin space. We’ll explore their features, pricing, ease of use, and overall value. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which one suits your site best. So, grab a cup of tea, relax, and let’s dive into the world of site search!
What is SearchWP? An Introduction
Have you ever felt like your site’s built-in WordPress search doesn’t really “get” your content? That’s where SearchWP shines. It’s a premium search plugin built for site owners who want precision and control. I’ve used it myself on countless projects, and what I love is how it works right out of the box. You install it, and instantly your site search improves, making it smarter and more relevant.
With SearchWP, you can:
- Customize how searches work across your site.
- Index PDFs, text documents, and custom fields.
- Control the order in which results appear.
- Build unique search forms for specific areas of your site.
More than 30,000 website owners use it—and when I say owners, I mean people just like you and me. Those who want their visitors to type a keyword and feel like the site understands exactly what they’re looking for.
What is Relevanssi? An Introduction
Then we have Relevanssi. This plugin has been around for a long time and has a faithful user base. Its claim to fame? Making WordPress searches a lot smarter than the native one. It supports:
- Indexing of custom fields
- Searching within PDFs
- Detailed search results
- Multiple site search settings
With roughly 100,000 active installations, it’s one of the best-known search plugin names. But as I’ve learned from using both, quantity doesn’t always mean quality.
Relevanssi is available in both free and premium versions. Its free version gives you decent site search capabilities, making it an attractive option for those starting out. However, you’ll need the premium version if you want the bells and whistles.
A Side-by-Side Comparison of SearchWP: Relevanssi Review Features
Here’s a quick snapshot:
| Feature | SearchWP | Relevanssi |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very easy, works out of the box | Requires more setup effort |
| Indexing PDFs | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| Custom Fields Support | ✅ Supported | ✅ Supported |
| Multiple Search Engines | ✅ Supported | ❌ Not available |
| Result Order Control | ✅ Supported | ❌ Limited |
| Premium Version | ✅ Premium only | ✅ Free + Premium available |
Getting Started and Ease of Use
One thing I learned quickly when trying both plugins is how important user experience is. As site owners, we already wear too many hats. The last thing we need is another piece of software making things harder.
With SearchWP, you don’t have to be a developer. The installation is simple:
- Install and activate the plugin.
- Let it automatically integrate with your theme.
- Enjoy smarter searches instantly.
Relevanssi, on the other hand, can require a bit more effort. Its settings page has many options and checkboxes, making it ideal for those who love tinkering. However, if you’re a newbie or just want results right away, it can feel overwhelming.
My experience? I had SearchWP set up and working in five minutes. Meanwhile, Relevanssi required a lot of reading and guessing before I felt confident using it.
Why Features Matter: A Deeper Dive into SearchWP’s Power
Here’s where SearchWP shines. Its ability to transform searches on your site goes far beyond “better results.” Let’s unpack the core benefits:
1. Custom Search Forms
Imagine running an online shop and wanting customers to only search within certain product categories. Or picture having a blog where one search bar should only find “recipes” while another finds “travel guides.”
With SearchWP, this is a breeze. You can:
- Build multiple search forms.
- Limit searches to certain post types.
- Tailor results for certain sections of your site.
For example:
If you have an online bookshop site, you can have:
- A “Search for Fiction” bar
- A “Search for Non-Fiction” bar
- A general site-wide search bar
Each one delivers tailored results instantly. That’s pure magic.
Why Features Matter: The Relevanssi Angle
Relevanssi doesn’t have the same level of precision when it comes to custom searches. Its strength is making the standard site search more robust, by indexing areas that WordPress typically ignores:
- PDFs
- Text documents
- Custom fields
- Excerpts and taxonomy terms
But if you want fine-tuned control, like making certain results rank higher or creating unique search instances, you’ll have to work harder—or write custom code.
Making Results Shine: The Importance of Result Order
Have you ever noticed that the right result sometimes appears on page 3 of a site search? Frustration doesn’t begin to cover it.
With SearchWP, you can fix this. You can:
- Pin certain pages.
- Adjust result weighting for certain post types.
- Make sure your best articles are always seen first.
With Relevanssi, you have some basic weighting controls, but it doesn’t match the precision and sheer versatility of SearchWP.
The Human Touch: Why This Matters
At the end of the day, site searches aren’t about code. They’re about people. A visitor arrives, looking for an answer, hoping your site can guide them. The better your site understands that person, the longer they stay—and the more likely they’ll trust you.
I’ve seen this first hand. After implementing SearchWP on one of my clients’ websites (a mid-sized online shop), we noticed:
- A 25% drop in bounce rate.
- Visitors were 30% more likely to click deeper into the site.
- An increase in actual sales.
Relevanssi brought improvements too, especially compared to the native WordPress search. But it felt like a starter car versus the sports car experience of SearchWP.
Pricing Comparison: Which Gives You More Value?
The cost of a plugin can be a deciding factor for many site owners. So, let’s talk dollars and cents.
SearchWP is a premium plugin. Its pricing starts at roughly $99 per year for a single site, making it ideal for serious site owners, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and bloggers who want precision and reliability. Its higher pricing is justified by its rich feature set, seamless experience, and exceptional support.
Relevanssi, on the other hand, is available as a free version and a premium version. The free version covers basic needs, making it ideal for new site owners or those with tighter budgets. The premium version starts at roughly €99 per year.
Here’s a quick glance:
| Plugin | Free Version? | Premium Cost (Annually) | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
| SearchWP | ❌ No | $99 | Medium to large websites that value precision |
| Relevanssi | ✅ Yes | €99 | Beginners or smaller websites |
My experience? If you’re serious about site search, SearchWP is worth every dollar. Its precision can win over visitors and boost sales. But for smaller websites or those just starting out, Relevanssi can be a solid, cost-friendly option.
Customer Support: Will You Be Left Alone?
This is another area where both plugins differ greatly.
With SearchWP, support is almost like having a trusted friend on call. Their team replies quickly, guides you through setup, and genuinely wants you to succeed. I’ve used their support multiple times and felt like I was talking to a technician who knew WordPress inside and out.
Relevanssi has decent support, too, especially for premium users. But the free version depends more on forums and community support. It’s worth mentioning that while the help is available, it might take longer to get a reply.
What Do Real Users Say?
Throughout this SearchWP: Relevanssi review, I’ve tried to give you a balanced view, but what about other site owners? Here’s what I’ve noticed across forums and review sites:
- SearchWP Users often say:
- It’s easy to set up.
- It’s highly customizable.
- It’s worth the investment.
- Relevanssi Users often say:
- It’s ideal for smaller websites.
- It’s a solid upgrade from the built-in search.
- The free version meets their needs.
If you have an online shop, a large site, or a website with custom post types and custom fields, I’ve noticed that people tend to lean towards SearchWP. Meanwhile, if your site is smaller or a hobby project, Relevanssi might be a solid fit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions site owners ask when choosing between SearchWP and Relevanssi:
1. What is the biggest difference between SearchWP and Relevanssi?
The biggest difference is that SearchWP is designed for precision and deep customization, making it ideal for larger sites. Relevanssi focuses more on making basic site searches better.
2. Do I need coding knowledge to use SearchWP or Relevanssi?
No. Both plugins are designed for site owners. SearchWP is especially easy to use and doesn’t require any coding. Relevanssi can have a higher learning curve if you want to adjust its settings extensively.
3. Will these plugins work with page builders like Elementor or Divi?
Yes! Both plugins work well with popular page builders. However, SearchWP tends to integrate more smoothly.
4. Do these plugins slow down the website?
Both plugins are optimized for speed. However, with large indexes, you should use caching. In my experience, SearchWP is highly optimized for performance.
5. Is the free version of Relevanssi worth trying?
Absolutely. If you have a small site, it can be an excellent way to test the waters before committing to the premium version.
6. Will SearchWP or Relevanssi help with WooCommerce searches?
Yes, both can index WooCommerce products, making searches more relevant for online stores.
7. What if I need help setting up?
Both plugins have extensive documentation. SearchWP offers premium support, making it ideal for complex websites.
8. Which plugin is better for PDFs and custom fields?
Both can index PDFs and custom fields, but SearchWP provides more precise controls and customization options.
Final Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?
The SearchWP: Relevanssi review can be summed up like this:
Choose SearchWP if:
- You have a large site.
- You run an online shop.
- You want precision, advanced control, and premium support.
- You’re looking for seamless site search improvement.
Choose Relevanssi if:
- You have a smaller site.
- You’re just starting out.
- You want a free or lower-cost option.
- You don’t need deep customization.
At the end of the day, it’s about knowing your site’s needs and your visitor’s expectations. Whatever you pick, making site searches smarter can only help your site grow and evolve.