PluginSift

Backend Designer vs Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

Backend Designer

Backend Designer

5(4)

1.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 year ago
View Backend Designer
VS
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)

Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)

3.3(84)

1.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 months ago
View Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Backend Designer has a higher user rating (5/5 from 4 reviews) and leads in active installations (1.0K+ vs 1.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Backend Designer has accumulated 13K+ total downloads while Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) has 116K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
5/5Backend Designer
◄
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)3.3/5
Total Reviews
4Backend Designer
►
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)84
Active Installs
1.0K+Backend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)1.0K+
Total Downloads
13K+Backend Designer
►
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)116K+
Support Resolution
N/ABackend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)N/A
Last Updated
1 year agoBackend Designer
►
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)3 months ago
First Released
2015Backend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)2017
Age
11 yearsBackend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)9 years
WP Requires
3.0.1+Backend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)6.2+
PHP Requires
false+Backend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)7.4+
Business Model
FreeBackend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)Free
Latest Version
1.4Backend Designer
Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)4.2.1

Rating Breakdown

Backend Designer

5/5(4 reviews)
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%

Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)

3.3/5(84 reviews)
5
52%
4
4%
3
4%
2
2%
1
38%

Recent Reviews

Backend Designer Reviews

by kenmundell

Great Simple Plugin

Really like how simple your plugin is to use and make changes. Is it possible to add a little more customization? Like adding more options that can be customized, links, backgrounds, etc. and possibly

by yannickburky

Love it

Clean and useful.

by hasi63

Genau das was ich gesucht habe

Hiermit kann das Backend ganz einfach in andere Farben getaucht werden. Sehr nützlich um ein Backend zwei Installationen zu Unterscheiden. Läuft bei mir unter 4.7.5 einwandfrei. This topic was

Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) Reviews

by leanderlindahl

No markdown

I would have to agree with the other reviews/comments. No markdown.

by dramsuko

can’t use markdown editor!!

can’t use markdown editor!!

by jakeparis

Plugin doesn’t deliver markdown

I believe this plugin is in violation of the WordPress terms. You can’t access its main feature “markdown editor” without paying. The free version only has a dark mode/light mode toggle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Backend Designer or Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) more popular?
Backend Designer has 1.0K+ active installations while Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) has 1.0K+. Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Backend Designer or Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)?
Backend Designer has a 5/5 rating from 4 reviews, while Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) has a 3.3/5 rating from 84 reviews.
Are Backend Designer and Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) free?
Backend Designer is free and Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Backend Designer or Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode)?
Support resolution data is not available for all plugins. Check each plugin's WordPress.org support forum for current response quality.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Backend Designer was last updated 1 year ago and Markdown Editor (Formerly Dark Mode) was last updated 3 months ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.