Finding stuff on a website should be easy, but the default WordPress search often makes it harder than it needs to be. It’s pretty basic, misses important things like product details or comments, and doesn’t give you much control. If your site is packed with content—like a blog, online store, or knowledge base—you’ve probably felt the frustration yourself, and you’re not alone.
That’s where WordPress search plugins save the day. They take your site’s search to the next level, making it faster, smarter, and way easier for visitors to find exactly what they’re looking for. No more endless scrolling or dead ends—just a smooth and helpful experience.
In this post, I’ll share the best WordPress search plugins. Whether you’re looking for something simple or packed with features, there’s a plugin here for you. Let’s get started!
Relevanssi
Relevanssi is hands-down one of the best ways to upgrade your WordPress site’s search. If you’ve ever been frustrated by how basic and limited the default WordPress search is, this plugin is here to save the day. It gives your visitors more accurate and useful results while letting you customize how search works to fit your site perfectly.
If your site has a lot of content—whether it’s a blog, an online store, or a knowledge base—Relevanssi is a total game changer. It handles everything from exact matches to fuzzy (partial) matches and can even highlight search terms in the results, making it easier for people to find what they need. Whether you stick with the free version or go premium for extra features, Relevanssi is my go-to plugin for better search.
Key Features
- Easy Customization: Simple interface to adjust search settings.
- Seamless Integration: Works smoothly with the WordPress search widget.
- Expanded Search: Search through posts, pages, categories, tags, and comments.
- Multisite Support: Search across multiple WordPress sites.
- Custom Fields: Includes custom field search for more specific results.
- Smart Ranking: Results are sorted by relevance and age.
- Search Logging: Tracks searches by IP address.
Pros
- Search More Content: Includes blog comments, tags, categories, and custom fields.
- Multisite Support: Works with WordPress multisite.
- Search Insights: Shows popular and no-result queries.
- Smart Suggestions: Offers helpful “Did you mean?” prompts.
- Membership Plugin Support: Compatible with popular membership plugins.
Cons
- Compatibility Issues: May not work well with some page builder plugins.
- Database Space: Can use up a lot of database space, not ideal for limited hosting.
Pricing
Free, premium version starts at $99/year
Summary
Relevanssi is a fantastic plugin for improving your WordPress site’s search. It takes the basic, limited search feature and turns it into a powerful, user-friendly tool. The best part is, it integrates seamlessly with your site—just replace the default search widget, and you’re good to go. No complicated setup needed.
Relevanssi makes searches more accurate by offering exact and fuzzy matches, as well as highlighting search terms in the results. It also lets users search through more than just posts and pages, including custom fields, product listings, and user profiles.
If you have a lot of content or run a blog, WooCommerce store, or resource library, Relevanssi is a must-have. Whether you start with the free version or go for the premium features, it’s one of the best plugins for giving your users a better search experience. I always recommend it to anyone looking to improve their WordPress site search.
FiboSearch
FiboSearch is a fantastic plugin made just for WooCommerce stores, and it’s no surprise that so many store owners swear by it. It takes WooCommerce’s basic search feature and turns it into a real-time, super-helpful tool that makes finding products faster and easier. With its live Ajax search, customers see instant suggestions as they type, complete with product names, images, prices, and even descriptions. It’s all about making shopping smoother and keeping visitors happy.
On top of that, FiboSearch offers smart features that can really improve the shopping experience. For example, it can handle searches across product details like SKUs, categories, and custom fields, so nothing gets missed. You can even exclude out-of-stock items to keep the results clean and focused. And the best part? Customizing the plugin to match your store’s look and feel is a breeze with its user-friendly settings in WooCommerce -> FiboSearch.
If you’re running a WooCommerce store and want to make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for, FiboSearch is definitely worth trying. It’s one of those plugins that really makes a difference.
Key Features
- Real-time product suggestions with live Ajax search.
- Searches titles, descriptions, categories, tags, and SKUs.
- Option to hide out-of-stock products.
- Mobile-friendly and fully responsive.
- Customizable search form and results.
Pros
- Integrates with WooCommerce search results for consistency.
- Works with multilingual plugins like WPML and Polylang.
- Supports Google Analytics for search tracking.
- Easy to add a search bar to your navigation menu.
- Offers advanced features like synonyms and fuzzy search.
Cons
- No live chat or phone support, even in the pro version.
- May have occasional performance issues compared to other tools.
Pricing
Free, premium version starts at $49/year
Summary
FiboSearch is a fantastic plugin for WooCommerce store owners who want to upgrade their search functionality. It turns the standard WooCommerce search into a fast, user-friendly tool that shows instant suggestions as customers type. With live Ajax search, it displays product names, images, prices, and descriptions, making shopping easier and more engaging.
Customizing the plugin is simple. You can tweak the search bar’s appearance and functionality through an easy-to-use settings panel. It also works seamlessly with multilingual plugins like WPML, making it ideal for stores with a global audience.
While it doesn’t offer live chat support and might occasionally impact site performance, the features and ease of use make FiboSearch a game-changer.
Overall, FiboSearch is a must-try for WooCommerce store owners. Its real-time search and customization options make it easier for customers to find what they need, creating a smoother shopping experience that keeps them coming back.
AJAX Search Lite
Ajax Search Lite is a great choice if you want to boost your WordPress site’s search without complicating things. It adds live Ajax-powered search, so visitors get instant results as they type, including product images, descriptions, and even category filters to make searches more accurate.
What makes Ajax Search Lite stand out is how easy it is to use. It’s designed for both beginners and those with more experience, so you can customize it however you need. Want to adjust the look of your search bar or add filters? It’s all simple to do. Plus, because it’s lightweight, your site stays fast and responsive.
Beyond looking good, the plugin is really practical. It searches through posts, pages, and more, and lets you exclude certain content if necessary. Whether you have a blog, portfolio, or e-commerce site, Ajax Search Lite helps your visitors find what they need faster and with less hassle.
Key Features
- Replace the default WordPress search form with a toggle
- Integrates with Google Analytics
- Supports Google Search autocomplete and suggestions
- Optimized performance with JavaScript minification
Pros
- Fast, live search with instant results
- Easy to set up and customize
- Supports Google autocomplete and search suggestions
- Lightweight, doesn’t slow down your site
- Google Analytics integration for tracking searches
- Multiple pre-designed templates to choose from
- Works well with most WordPress themes
Cons
- The admin interface can be a bit hard to navigate
- You can’t add multiple search forms to your site
Pricing
Free
Summary
Ajax Search Lite is a simple yet powerful plugin that makes your WordPress site’s search faster and more interactive. With live Ajax search, visitors see instant results as they type, complete with images, descriptions, and category filters, making it a huge upgrade from the default search.
What I love about Ajax Search Lite is how easy it is to set up and customize. You can quickly add it to your site using your theme’s default search or with a shortcode. It offers eight templates and lets you tweak the colors, layout, filters, and even the placeholder text.
It’s not just about looks—it works great too. It searches posts, pages, and other content, and you can exclude items to keep results focused. Plus, it’s lightweight, so your site stays fast.
Whether you run a blog, portfolio, or online store, Ajax Search Lite makes finding content easier and more enjoyable for your visitors. It’s a great choice if you want a better search experience without the hassle.
SearchWP
SearchWP is a fantastic plugin for improving your WordPress site’s search functionality. Unlike the basic default search, it provides more accurate and detailed results, making it easier for visitors to find what they need—whether you’re running a blog, an online store, or a content-heavy site.
What makes SearchWP stand out is its ability to search beyond the usual content. It indexes things like WooCommerce products, PDFs, comments, media files, and even user profiles, ensuring no important information gets overlooked. It’s also easy to set up and works perfectly with popular page builders like Elementor and Divi—no coding required.
If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your site’s search experience, SearchWP is a game changer worth checking out.
Key Features
- Accurate Results: Helps visitors find what they need quickly.
- Easy Integration: Works automatically with your theme.
- eCommerce Ready: Supports platforms like WooCommerce and BigCommerce.
- Multilingual Support: Compatible with WPML and Polylang.
- Reliable Help: Offers solid support and documentation.
- Search Insights: Tracks search activity with the Metrics Extension.
Pros
- Easy Integration: Works with WordPress’s default search automatically.
- Theme-Friendly: Fits seamlessly with any theme.
- Plugin Compatibility: Works with popular plugins like WooCommerce and bbPress.
- Search Insights: Tracks keywords, conversions, and usage.
- Smart Features: Includes autocomplete and fuzzy search.
Cons
- No Live Search: Requires a free add-on for live Ajax search.
- Paid Version Only: No free version available.
Pricing
Licenses start from $99 per year
Summary
SearchWP completely upgrades how search works on your WordPress site. It doesn’t just search posts and pages—it digs deep into your site’s content, helping visitors find what they need quickly and easily. Whether you’re running a blog, an online store, or a site with tons of information, it’s built to handle it all.
What really makes SearchWP shine is how much it can search through. It goes beyond the basics, letting you include things like PDFs, custom post types, and even user profiles in the results. Plus, it works perfectly with popular page builders like Elementor and Divi, so you can set it up without any extra hassle. It even shows you what people are searching for so you can tweak your content to meet their needs.
Overall, SearchWP is an excellent tool for anyone looking to improve the search experience on their WordPress site. It’s easy to set up, offers powerful features, and ensures that users can find exactly what they’re looking for. If you want to enhance engagement and make navigation smoother for your visitors, this plugin is definitely worth considering.
ElasticPress
ElasticPress is a fantastic search plugin that transforms how WordPress handles search. Instead of relying on your site’s server, it uses Elasticsearch in the cloud to deliver super-fast results without slowing down your site. Whether you’re running a busy WooCommerce store or a content-heavy blog, it ensures your visitors can quickly find what they need.
What makes ElasticPress stand out is how much more it can do compared to the default WordPress search. It searches through tags, custom fields, metadata, and even files like PDFs, giving users more precise results. Plus, the live Ajax search feature provides instant results as they type, making the experience smooth and modern.
If you want a fast, scalable search solution that’s easy to integrate and works seamlessly with WordPress, ElasticPress is worth checking out.
Key Features
- Works with almost any WordPress hosting provider.
- Makes your site searches super fast.
- Lets you adjust search results to fit your needs.
- Gives you the option to create your own search system.
- Includes instant autosuggest to show results as you type.
- Shows related posts to keep visitors exploring your site.
- Easily connects with WooCommerce for better product searches.
Pros
- Built-in autosuggest for faster searches.
- Handles complex search queries.
- Displays related posts and document content.
- Hosted service that keeps your site fast.
- Offers search analytics and user behavior insights.
- Supports synonyms for more accurate results.
Cons
- Higher cost, not ideal for beginners or for those with tight budgets.
Pricing
Licenses start at $79 per month
Summary
ElasticPress is a game-changing search plugin for WordPress that transforms how users find content on your site. Instead of relying on your server, it uses ElasticSearch in the cloud to provide lightning-fast results without slowing things down. It’s perfect for WooCommerce stores, blogs with tons of content, or any site that needs quick and reliable search.
What makes ElasticPress special is its ability to go beyond basic searches. It looks through custom fields, metadata, tags, and even documents like PDFs, offering detailed and accurate results. The live Ajax search feature is a bonus, showing instant suggestions as users type for a smoother experience.
It’s also easy to set up and works with most WordPress hosting. If you want to improve your site’s speed, accuracy, and overall user experience, ElasticPress is a powerful option worth checking out.
AJAX Search Pro
Ajax Search Pro is a game-changer for improving your WordPress site’s search functionality. It replaces the default search bar with a live, instant search feature, making it perfect for blogs, online stores, or any content-heavy site.
What makes it shine is its customization—65+ themes, four layouts, and adjustable search settings let you create a search bar tailored to your site’s look and needs. Its built-in caching speeds up results and reduces server load, even on high-traffic sites.
If you’re after a faster, smarter, and more user-friendly search experience, Ajax Search Pro is a top-notch option.
Key Features
- Customizable Design: Over 65 themes and four layouts to match your site.
- Smart Search: Adjust settings for more accurate results.
- Fast Performance: Built-in cache for quicker searches on busy sites.
Pros
- Real-Time Results: Live search shows instant suggestions as users type.
- Highly Customizable: Over 65 themes and multiple layouts to match your site’s design.
- Advanced Search Logic: Fine-tune the search algorithm for broader or more specific results.
- Speed Optimization: Built-in cache ensures fast performance, even on high-traffic sites.
- WooCommerce Support: Works seamlessly with eCommerce sites for product searches.
- Responsive Design: Looks great on all devices.
Cons
- The admin panel can be a bit tricky to navigate and may take time to learn.
- You can’t preview search form designs directly in the admin panel.
Pricing
Starts at $49 per site
Summary
AJAX Search Pro is a great way to enhance your WordPress site’s search feature. It replaces the basic search bar with a live, dynamic search experience that shows results instantly, making it perfect for blogs, online stores, or content-heavy sites.
With 65+ pre-designed themes and four layouts, you can create a search bar that matches your site perfectly. You can also customize how it works, choosing between broader or more specific search results to suit your audience.The built-in caching system is another highlight, speeding up searches for busy sites by remembering repeated queries. It’s a small but impactful feature that boosts performance.
Overall, AJAX Search Pro combines style, speed, and functionality into one user-friendly plugin. If you want a fast and flexible search solution, it’s worth a try!
Ivory Search
Ivory Search stands out for its flexibility and simplicity. Setting up a search form is a breeze—just configure it, grab the shortcode, and drop it anywhere on your site. Plus, its seamless integration with block-based themes ensures your search form looks right at home.
What really makes Ivory Search shine is its ability to provide insights into your audience. With Google Analytics integration, you can track what your visitors are searching for and fine-tune your content to match their needs. It’s more than just a search tool—it’s a way to connect with your users on a deeper level.
Key Features
- Create unlimited search forms for your site.
- Customize product searches with WooCommerce support.
- Track searches with Google Analytics integration.
Pros
- Search and index all site content.
- Create unlimited custom search forms.
- Faster search results with an inverted index.
- Exclude certain content from search results.
Cons
- Customizing search forms still relies on the WordPress Customizer.
Pricing
Free, premium version starts at $19.99/year
Summary
Ivory Search is a user-friendly plugin that enhances WordPress search. It lets you create custom search forms for different site sections, like blogs or WooCommerce products, and gives you full control over search results.
The plugin integrates with Google Analytics to track search activity and offers features like content exclusion and faster performance with an inverted index.
Overall, Ivory Search is a simple yet powerful way to improve your site’s search experience. Whether you’re managing a blog or an online store, it provides the flexibility and tools to fit your needs without being overly complicated.
WP Extended Search
WP Extended Search is a simple yet powerful plugin that upgrades the default WordPress search. If you’ve ever found WordPress search lacking, this tool lets you customize it to include titles, content, taxonomies, custom fields, and more, so your visitors find exactly what they need.
One of the best parts? It’s super easy to use. Once activated, it automatically replaces the default search, and you can even create custom forms for specific sections of your site. Whether you’re running a WooCommerce store or a blog, it offers options like searching product SKUs and excluding outdated posts to give you complete control.
If you want a smarter, faster, and more tailored search experience, WP Extended Search is a great pick!
Key Features
- WooCommerce Support: Enhance product searches for online stores.
- Easy Setup: Beginner-friendly and quick to configure.
- Exclude Old Posts: Remove outdated content from results.
Pros
- Instantly upgrades WordPress search without complicated setup.
- Create as many custom search forms as you need.
- Easily remove outdated content from search results.
- Choose between showing partial matches or exact matches.
- Fully compatible with WooCommerce for product searches.
Cons
- Doesn’t include advanced features like live search results.
- Limited options for customizing the search design.
Pricing
Free
Summary
WP Extended Search is a handy plugin that makes WordPress search much better. It gives you control over what users can search, like titles, content, taxonomies, or custom fields, so your visitors find exactly what they’re looking for. Whether you’re running a blog, an online store, or a content-heavy site, this plugin makes your search results more useful and relevant.
What I like about WP Extended Search is how simple it is to use. It works with WooCommerce, lets you create unlimited custom search forms, and even helps you clean up search results by excluding outdated content.
Overall, WP Extended Search is a great pick if you want a better search tool without any fuss. It’s easy to set up, flexible, and a solid upgrade to the default WordPress search.
Conclusion
WordPress search plugins like Relevanssi, FiboSearch, and Ajax Search Lite are great tools to improve your site’s search functionality. Whether it’s making product searches easier, adding live search to your blog, or speeding things up on a bigger site, these plugins can help make the experience smoother for your visitors.
If you’re after something more advanced, plugins like SearchWP and ElasticPress give you extra control over search settings and indexing. For a stylish and interactive search experience, Ajax Search Pro is a top choice, while Ivory Search and WP Extended Search are perfect for keeping things simple yet effective.
With features like live search, WooCommerce support, and advanced filters, these plugins make it easier for visitors to find what they’re looking for quickly.
By picking the right plugin, you can create a user-friendly search experience that not only improves navigation but also keeps your visitors coming back for more.
Recommendations
Here are my top picks for WordPress search plugins to help you create a better, faster, and more accurate search experience:
Best Overall: Relevanssi
Relevanssi is a powerful all-rounder. It improves search by offering partial word matches, highlighting search terms, and giving you full control over what shows up in results. Great for any type of website.
Best for Online Stores: FiboSearch
If you’re running a WooCommerce store, FiboSearch is the way to go. It makes product searches easier with live suggestions, SKU matching, and category filters, so your customers can find items quickly.
Easiest to Use: Ajax Search Lite
Want a simple live search feature? Ajax Search Lite is lightweight, stylish, and super easy to set up. It shows results instantly as users type, perfect for improving search on smaller sites.
Most Customizable: SearchWP
For those who want full control, SearchWP is your go-to plugin. It lets you customize search settings, include custom fields, and refine results exactly how you want them.
Best for Big Websites: ElasticPress
ElasticPress is designed for speed and handling large amounts of data. It’s perfect for bigger websites with complex search needs, thanks to its use of Elasticsearch for lightning-fast results.
Best for Beginners: Ivory Search
Ivory Search is great for those just starting out. It’s easy to use and lets you create multiple custom search forms or exclude certain content, all with minimal setup.
Best for Simple Tweaks: WP Extended Search
This plugin is perfect if you just need to tweak how WordPress searches work. It’s lightweight and lets you easily include or exclude areas like titles, content, or custom fields.
Each plugin brings something unique to the table, whether it’s simplicity, advanced customization, or eCommerce-specific tools. Pick the one that fits your needs, and you’ll transform your site’s search experience in no time!
