PluginSift

Classic Editor vs User Role Editor (2026)

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

Classic Editor

Classic Editor

4.9(1,225)

9.0M+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 months ago
View Classic Editor
VS
User Role Editor

User Role Editor

4.5(287)

700K+ active installs

Free

Updated 4 months ago
View User Role Editor

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Classic Editor has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 1,225 reviews) and leads in active installations (9.0M+ vs 700K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Classic Editor has accumulated 85M+ total downloads while User Role Editor has 21M+. User Role Editor has a higher support resolution rate (0% vs 0%).

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.9/5Classic Editor
◄
User Role Editor4.5/5
Total Reviews
1,225Classic Editor
◄
User Role Editor287
Active Installs
9.0M+Classic Editor
◄
User Role Editor700K+
Total Downloads
85M+Classic Editor
◄
User Role Editor21M+
Support Resolution
0%Classic Editor
User Role Editor0%
Last Updated
3 months agoClassic Editor
◄
User Role Editor4 months ago
First Released
2017Classic Editor
User Role Editor2010
Age
9 yearsClassic Editor
User Role Editor16 years
WP Requires
4.9+Classic Editor
User Role Editor4.4+
PHP Requires
5.2.4+Classic Editor
User Role Editor7.3+
Business Model
FreeClassic Editor
User Role EditorFree
Latest Version
1.6.7Classic Editor
User Role Editor4.64.6

Rating Breakdown

Classic Editor

4.9/5(1,225 reviews)
5
95%
4
2%
3
1%
2
0%
1
1%

User Role Editor

4.5/5(287 reviews)
5
85%
4
3%
3
2%
2
1%
1
8%

Recent Reviews

Classic Editor Reviews

by Shelton

Back to Simple

Really helpful if u don’t like the block editor. Feels familiar n easy to work with. Not fancy, but it makes editing way more comfortable for me.

by Get Homeservice Quotes

perfect for users who prefer the old WordPress

The Classic Editor plugin is perfect for users who prefer the old WordPress editing experience. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and works flawlessly without any setup. Highly recommended for a simple a

by tyriqsuth

Keeps It Simple

Installed this cz I prefer the old editor. Works exactly as expected, no issues so far. Makes writing posts much easier for me. Would be nicer if it had few more options, but still solid. tnkz devs.

User Role Editor Reviews

by Pk Gibson

Simple and works nicely

This plugin is working well. Thank you for the developer who put lot of time into it. Very nice, lightest and most simple.

by indivisible

Worked great for my site

I’m a DIY self learner, and had a great experience with URE. It has vast capabilities and is organized to make it easy to navigate and apply so many customizations. Very intuitive. On the one occasion

by jen000

Wont save capabilities for custom role

I hate giving bad reviews as I know how much work goes into these plugins, often by one person. But we have wasted so much time and lost orders because of a known bug. I can see that others have rep

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Classic Editor or User Role Editor more popular?
Classic Editor has 9.0M+ active installations while User Role Editor has 700K+. Classic Editor is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Classic Editor or User Role Editor?
Classic Editor has a 4.9/5 rating from 1,225 reviews, while User Role Editor has a 4.5/5 rating from 287 reviews.
Are Classic Editor and User Role Editor free?
Classic Editor is free and User Role Editor is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Classic Editor or User Role Editor?
As of April 2026, Classic Editor has a 0% support resolution rate while User Role Editor has a 0% rate.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Classic Editor was last updated 3 months ago and User Role Editor was last updated 4 months ago.

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