At a glance
Redis Object Cache
A persistent object cache backend powered by Redis®¹. Supports Predis, PhpRedis, Relay, replication, sentinels, clustering and WP-CLI.
Featherweight
Speed up WordPress by disabling unused features — emojis, embeds, query strings, XML-RPC, RSS and more — for fewer requests and faster pages.
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | Redis Object Cache | Featherweight |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 4.6+ | 6.4+ |
| Requires PHP | 7.2+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 7.0.1 |
| Plugin age | 12 yrs | 9 yrs |
Quick Verdict
Redis Object Cache is the clear winner for sites that need serious performance gains. It has 40x more installs than Featherweight and an 83% five-star rating from 175 reviews. Featherweight solves a different problem: it trims WordPress bloat. If you run a high-traffic WooCommerce store or a membership site, Redis Object Cache is the tool you need. If you manage a simple blog and want a lighter admin experience, Featherweight has merit.
Feature Comparison: Redis Object Cache vs Featherweight
| Feature | Redis Object Cache | Featherweight |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Persistent object cache backend using Redis | Disables unused WordPress features |
| Caching backends supported | Predis, PhpRedis, Relay | None (not a caching plugin) |
| Advanced Redis features | Replication, sentinels, clustering | None |
| WP-CLI support | Built-in | None |
| Disables emojis | No | Yes |
| Disables embeds | No | Yes |
| Removes query strings | No | Yes |
| Disables XML-RPC | No | Yes |
| Disables RSS feeds | No | Yes |
Who Should Use Redis Object Cache
- Teams running WooCommerce stores that need sub-second database queries, Redis Object Cache for WooCommerce setups reduce page load times by caching product and cart data in memory.
- Developers who want to configure replication or clustering without custom code, the plugin supports sentinels and clustering out of the box.
- Anyone who values community trust, 83% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, and the plugin has 400K+ active installs.
Who Should Use Featherweight
- Site owners who want to disable embeds in WordPress quickly, Featherweight handles that with a single toggle, no coding required.
- Bloggers who want to remove query strings from static assets, this helps cache plugins serve files more consistently.
- Anyone looking for a lightweight way to disable emoji in WordPress, the plugin strips the emoji script and stylesheet, reducing render-blocking resources.
Community & Support
Redis Object Cache shows strong support stats: 10 support threads opened in the last 2 months, with 9 resolved (90% resolution rate). The 5-star rating sits at 83%, while 1-star reviews account for 11%. Featherweight's support sample is too small to draw conclusions from, so we only use what we know for Redis Object Cache here. The active forum presence for Redis Object Cache suggests a maintained project with responsive developers.
Verdict: Redis Object Cache or Featherweight for WordPress sites?
Pick Redis Object Cache if your site struggles with database queries under load. With 40x more installs than Featherweight and 83% five-star ratings from 175 reviews, it's the proven choice for serious caching. The built-in support for PhpRedis vs Predis WordPress decisions means you can pick the client that fits your server setup.
Pick Featherweight if your goal is to disable embeds, remove query strings, or disable emoji in WordPress. It does one thing well, trimming front-end bloat, but it won't speed up database queries. For a simple blog, Featherweight paired with a basic cache plugin works fine. For a high-traffic site, Redis Object Cache is the only real option.
This comparison is AI-generated from live WordPress.org data. Install counts, ratings, versions and support statistics sync weekly, so the numbers on this page stay current. Content passes automated quality checks before publishing, and pages below our quality threshold are held for human review.
Read our full methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Q How many people use Redis Object Cache compared to Featherweight?
Redis Object Cache has 400K+ active installs while Featherweight has 10K+, meaning Redis Object Cache is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — Redis Object Cache or Featherweight?
Redis Object Cache averages 4.5/5 from 175 reviews, while Featherweight averages 4.1/5 from 45 reviews — Redis Object Cache has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — Redis Object Cache or Featherweight?
Featherweight was last updated on Jun 13, 2026 and Redis Object Cache on May 4, 2026, so Featherweight received the more recent update.
Q Are Redis Object Cache and Featherweight both free?
Yes — both Redis Object Cache and Featherweight are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.
Q Is Redis Object Cache or Featherweight better for WordPress sites?
Redis Object Cache is better for sites that need a performance boost from database query caching, especially high-traffic or WooCommerce stores. Featherweight is better for sites that want to clean up unnecessary bloat like embeds and emojis. Your choice depends on whether your site struggles with database load or front-end clutter.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Redis Object Cache or Featherweight?
Featherweight is far easier for a beginner because you just install and activate it with no server configuration needed. Redis Object Cache requires you to have Redis installed on your server and a PHP extension like phpredis, which is more technical. Most beginners should start with Featherweight if they want instant results without touching server settings.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between Redis Object Cache and Featherweight?
Redis Object Cache focuses on object caching to speed up database queries, while Featherweight focuses on disabling WordPress bloat like embeds, emojis, and query strings. They solve completely different performance problems. One caches backend data, the other trims frontend fat.
Q Can you switch from Redis Object Cache to Featherweight (or the other way) without losing data?
Yes, you can switch between them without losing any data because they operate on different parts of WordPress. Redis Object Cache caches database queries in memory, while Featherweight disables frontend features. Deactivating one and activating the other will not affect your posts, pages, or settings.
Q Which type of site should choose Redis Object Cache, and which should choose Featherweight?
Choose Redis Object Cache if you run a WooCommerce store, a membership site, or any site with heavy database queries that needs faster page loads. Choose Featherweight if you run a simple blog or brochure site where you just want to clean up unnecessary scripts and reduce HTTP requests. Most sites benefit more from Redis Object Cache if they have traffic, but Featherweight is a safe bet for low-traffic sites.
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