Mastering WordPress Redirects: BetterLinks vs 301 Redirects

Navigating the World of WordPress Redirects: Simple 301 Redirects vs. 301 Redirects

Hey there, fellow WordPress enthusiast! If you’ve been scratching your head trying to figure out the best way to manage redirects on your site, you’re not alone. Today, we’re diving deep into two popular plugins that promise to make your life easier: Simple 301 Redirects By BetterLinks – Easy WordPress Redirect Manager for Redirects, 404 Error Log & More and 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager. Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey through the land of redirects, 404 errors, and SEO goodness!

Why are we comparing these two, you ask? Well, both plugins share the “”301 redirect”” and “”404 error log”” tags, which means they’re competing for your attention in the same space. And let’s face it, managing redirects isn’t exactly the most thrilling part of running a WordPress site (unless you’re a total geek like me), so finding the right tool can save you a ton of headaches down the road.

Features and Functionality: The Nitty-Gritty

Let’s kick things off with a side-by-side comparison of what these plugins bring to the table:

Data last updated: July 11, 2024

At first glance, these plugins might seem pretty similar, but there are some key differences that could sway your decision.

Simple 301 Redirects By BetterLinks is like that reliable friend who’s always got your back. It focuses on doing one thing really well: 301 redirects. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense solution that’s easy to set up and use, this might be your go-to. Plus, it’s got some nifty features like wildcard support (in the Pro version) that can save you a ton of time if you’re dealing with lots of similar URLs.

On the other hand, 301 Redirects – Easy Redirect Manager is more like the Swiss Army knife of redirect plugins. It offers multiple redirect types (301, 302, and 307) right out of the box, which gives you more flexibility in how you handle your redirects. It also throws in some basic redirect stats, so you can see how often your redirects are being used.

User Base and Popularity: The People Have Spoken

When it comes to popularity, these plugins are neck and neck. Both boast over 200,000 active installs, which is pretty impressive. It’s like they’re the Coke and Pepsi of the WordPress redirect world!

Let’s break it down:

• Simple 301 Redirects: 200,000+ active installs, 2,571,581 total downloads
• 301 Redirects: 200,000 active installs, 2,170,757 total downloads

In terms of ratings, 301 Redirects has a slight edge with a 4.5-star rating compared to Simple 301 Redirects’ 4-star rating. But hey, they’re both doing pretty well in the popularity contest!

Interestingly, 301 Redirects seems to be on a bit of a hot streak lately. In the last 7 days, it’s been downloaded 20,111 times, compared to Simple 301 Redirects’ 1,788 downloads. Maybe it’s running a killer marketing campaign, or word of mouth is really working in its favor!

Ease of Use and Setup: Getting Up and Running

Both plugins pride themselves on being user-friendly, but let’s see how they stack up in the real world.

Simple 301 Redirects lives up to its name with a straightforward installation process:

1. Upload the plugin to your /wp-content/plugins/ directory
2. Activate it through the ‘Plugins’ menu
3. Head to Settings > 301 Redirects to start adding redirects

It’s about as simple as it gets. You could probably set it up in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee.

301 Redirects follows a similar pattern:

1. Upload the plugin to your /wp-content/plugins/ directory
2. Activate through the ‘Plugins’ menu
3. Go to Settings > 301 Redirects to manage your redirects

Both plugins offer a user-friendly interface for adding and managing redirects. They’ve got dropdown menus for selecting pages and posts, which is a nice touch if you’re not comfortable typing out full URLs.

One thing to note: 301 Redirects requires that you use a non-default permalink structure. So if you’re still rocking the “”Plain”” permalink option, you’ll need to change that first. It’s a minor inconvenience, but worth mentioning.

Performance and Reliability: Keeping Your Site Speedy

When it comes to performance, both plugins claim to be lightweight and fast. Unfortunately, we don’t have specific benchmarks to compare, but neither plugin has a reputation for slowing down sites.

In terms of reliability, both plugins are regularly updated, which is always a good sign. They’re both compatible with the latest version of WordPress, so you shouldn’t run into any compatibility issues.

One potential advantage for Simple 301 Redirects is that it’s developed by WPDeveloper, a well-known name in the WordPress community. They’ve got a track record of creating solid, reliable plugins, which might give you some extra peace of mind.

Pricing and Support: Show Me the Money (Or Lack Thereof)

Good news, folks! Both plugins offer free versions that are fully functional. You can start redirecting to your heart’s content without spending a dime.

However, both plugins also offer Pro versions with additional features:

• Simple 301 Redirects Pro (called BetterLinks) offers features like wildcard redirects, regular expression matching, and more advanced analytics.
• 301 Redirects Pro includes features like wildcard redirects, complete redirect logs, and a link scanner.

As for support, both plugins offer documentation and support through the WordPress.org forums. Simple 301 Redirects also mentions having a “”super friendly community support”” team, which sounds pretty nice if you ask me.

Pros and Cons: The Good, The Bad, and The Redirecty

Let’s break it down into bite-sized pieces:

Simple 301 Redirects:

Pros:

• Super easy to use
• Wildcard support (in Pro version)
• Developed by a well-known WordPress company
• Import/Export feature for bulk management

Cons:

• Limited to 301 redirects in the free version
• No built-in redirect stats

301 Redirects:

Pros:

• Multiple redirect types (301, 302, 307)
• Basic redirect stats included
• More downloads in recent weeks
• Slightly higher user rating

Cons:

• Requires non-default permalink structure
• Wildcard support only in Pro version

Use Cases: When to Choose Which

Alright, let’s get practical. When should you choose one plugin over the other?

Go with Simple 301 Redirects if:

• You’re new to WordPress and want something super simple to set up
• You only need 301 redirects
• You trust the WPDeveloper brand
• You’re planning to upgrade to Pro for wildcard support

Choose 301 Redirects if:

• You need different types of redirects (301, 302, 307)
• You want basic redirect stats without upgrading to a Pro version
• You’re comfortable changing your permalink structure (if you haven’t already)
• You’re intrigued by their recent popularity surge

Conclusion: The Final Redirect

Whew! We’ve covered a lot of ground, haven’t we? At the end of the day, both Simple 301 Redirects and 301 Redirects are solid choices for managing redirects on your WordPress site. They’re both free, easy to use, and get the job done.

If I had to make a recommendation (and isn’t that why you’re here?), I’d say:

For absolute beginners or those who just need basic 301 redirects, go with Simple 301 Redirects. It’s straightforward, reliable, and backed by a reputable WordPress company.

For those who want a bit more flexibility and don’t mind a slightly steeper learning curve, 301 Redirects might be the way to go. The multiple redirect types and built-in stats give you more control out of the box.

Remember, the best plugin is the one that meets your specific needs. Don’t be afraid to try them both out – they’re free, after all! And who knows? You might just find yourself becoming a redirect expert in the process. Happy redirecting, WordPress warriors!