Classic Widgets vs Visual Shortcodes (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
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 100). Both are free WordPress plugins. Classic Widgets has accumulated 7.3M+ total downloads while Visual Shortcodes has 3.5K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Classic Widgets | Visual Shortcodes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9/5 | ◄ | 2.5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 263 | ◄ | 2 |
| Active Installs | 2.0M+ | ◄ | 100 |
| Total Downloads | 7.3M+ | ◄ | 3.5K+ |
| Support Resolution | 25% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ◄ | 13 years ago |
| First Released | 2021 | 2011 | |
| Age | 5 years | 15 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.9+ | 3.2.1+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 0.3 | 0.1 |
Rating Breakdown
Classic Widgets
Visual Shortcodes
Download Trends
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.
Visual Shortcodes Reviews
No reviews yet
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.