Classic Widgets vs Advanced Classic Editor (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Advanced Classic Editor
2.0K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Classic Widgets has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 263 reviews) and leads in active installations (2.0M+ vs 2.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Classic Widgets has accumulated 7.3M+ total downloads while Advanced Classic Editor has 41K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Classic Widgets | Advanced Classic Editor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9/5 | ◄ | 4.3/5 |
| Total Reviews | 263 | ◄ | 9 |
| Active Installs | 2.0M+ | ◄ | 2.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 7.3M+ | ◄ | 41K+ |
| Support Resolution | 25% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ► | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2021 | 2017 | |
| Age | 5 years | 9 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 6.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 0.3 | 3.1.5 |
Rating Breakdown
Classic Widgets
Advanced Classic Editor
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Classic Widgets averaged approximately 2,179 daily downloads while Advanced Classic Editor averaged 19.
Recent Reviews
Classic Widgets Reviews
Works Like Before
Does exactly what I needed. Brought back the old widget system without any issues. Super easy to use, no extra setup needed. tnx to devs, saved my time 👍
Old Widgets Back
Installed Classic Widgets cz I prefer the old widget screen. Works exactly like before and keeps things simple. No confusion with block widgets anymore. Really glad this exists. Tnkz devs!
Great and very helpful plugin
Great widget plugin. The widgets are flexible, easy to style, and they do not slow down the site.
Advanced Classic Editor Reviews
Pretty Much Needed This Plugin
I disliked what the editor was before I installed this plugin. Thank you for the plugin! This topic was modified 11 months ago by kiyasu.
Best TinyMCE addon
This plugin has only 1 competitor: “Advanced editor tools” by Automattic. I mention it because I tested both. Atomattic’s only adds the table and top menu capabilities, while Advanced Classic Editor a
WARNING!!! Terrible, sneaky and shady!
I download this app because it stated it was compatible with my WordPress. However, as soon as I did I received a warning error message on the banner area of my website that stated, “Warning: Illegal
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.