SearchWP is a WordPress plugin that replaces the default site search with a configurable search engine that can index custom fields, taxonomies, documents and more. It is used by sites with large or structured content, such as stores, directories and documentation sites. If you only need part of it, you can get a focused plugin built for your own site and pay once.
SearchWP: $99 a year for one site (Standard).
Your own plugin on Pluginora: from $9 once, with 5 free changes. Try it first for $1.
What SearchWP does
- Search custom fields, taxonomies and custom post types
- PDF and Office document search
- Adjustable relevance weights per field
- Keyword stemming and Boolean search
- Live AJAX search results and modal search form
- Search engine exclusions and priority results
- Integrations such as Advanced Custom Fields and WooCommerce
Free version: No (a free SearchWP Live Ajax Search plugin exists on WordPress.org, but the main search engine is paid).
What you can build instead
A Pluginora plugin does one job for your site. For SearchWP, that could be:
- Include one custom field in the default search
- Restrict search to selected post types
- Show live search suggestions in a dropdown
- Exclude specific pages from results
A small custom plugin would not replace SearchWP's indexing engine, document search, relevance tuning or search analytics.
Related plugins you can build:
Cost over 3 years
| SearchWP | Your own plugin | |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $99 | From $9 |
| Year 2 | $199 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $199 | $0 |
| 3-year total | $497 | From $9 |
When SearchWP is the better choice
- You need to search across custom fields, documents and many content types with tuned relevance
- You have a large site where search quality affects sales or support
- You want search statistics, integrations and ongoing support
When your own plugin makes more sense
- You use one or two of its features, not the whole package.
- You would rather pay once than renew every year.
- You want it to work exactly the way your site needs, and to change it on request.
How to get your own
- Describe it. For example: “Make my site search also look in the 'SKU' custom field and only return products.”
- See the plan and price. Ora replies with what it will build and a fixed price. Nothing is built until you approve.
- Try it for $1. Test it on a practice site for 7 days, then keep it and pay the rest once.
Questions
Is there a free alternative to SearchWP?
There is no free version of SearchWP. Free plugins from other makers may cover part of it. A Pluginora plugin costs from $9 once and does exactly the job you describe.
How much does SearchWP cost?
It costs $99 a year for one site (Standard), as listed on searchwp.com on 20 October 2026. introductory price $99/year, normally $199/year; 1 site. Prices change, so check their pricing page.
Will my own plugin do everything SearchWP does?
No. A small custom plugin would not replace SearchWP's indexing engine, document search, relevance tuning or search analytics. It does the focused job you describe, built for your site.
Does Pluginora copy SearchWP?
No. Ora builds a new plugin from your description. It does not copy any code, text or design from SearchWP or any other product.
Can I try it before I pay the full price?
Yes. For $1, Ora builds your plugin and you test it on a private practice site for 7 days, with 2 changes. If you keep it, the $1 comes off the price.
Product names are trademarks of their owners. Pluginora is not affiliated with or endorsed by SearchWP, LLC. The name SearchWP is used only to describe the product being compared.