Column Shortcodes vs Category Column (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Category Column has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) while Column Shortcodes leads in active installations (60K+ vs 20). Both are free WordPress plugins. Column Shortcodes has accumulated 894K+ total downloads while Category Column has 15K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Column Shortcodes | Category Column | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ► | 5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 134 | ◄ | 1 |
| Active Installs | 60K+ | ◄ | 20 |
| Total Downloads | 894K+ | ◄ | 15K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 years ago | ◄ | 10 years ago |
| First Released | 2012 | 2011 | |
| Age | 14 years | 15 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.8+ | 2.9+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.0.1 | 4.5 |
Rating Breakdown
Column Shortcodes
Category Column
Download Trends
Recent Reviews
Column Shortcodes Reviews
Basic column shortcode, I’m sure there are better ones out there.
I only use this because it’s what my client already had installed and they’ve been using it for years. When I asked why I can’t align content vertically within a column I was simply told, “it can’t do
Perfect
Perfect plugin! Thanks a lot.
Easy to use
Simple and easy to use, that is the reason I like it.
Category Column Reviews
No reviews yet
More Plugins Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as Column Shortcodes and Category Column
Make entire columns, sections and containers clickable in Elementor — improve navigation and user experience with just one link.
Easily equalize the height of columns or any collection of elements.
With the ACF Columns plugin it is possible to arrange ACF fields in column groups in the post editor.
Turbo charge your posts admin for any custom post type with sortable filters and columns, and auto-registration of metaboxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Column Shortcodes or Category Column more popular?
Which has better ratings — Column Shortcodes or Category Column?
Are Column Shortcodes and Category Column free?
Which plugin has better support — Column Shortcodes or Category Column?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.