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Column Shortcodes vs Lightweight Grid Columns (2026)

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

Column Shortcodes

Column Shortcodes

4.8(134)

60K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 years ago
View Column Shortcodes
VS
Lightweight Grid Columns

Lightweight Grid Columns

4.9(42)

10K+ active installs

Free

Updated 7 years ago
View Lightweight Grid Columns

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Lightweight Grid Columns has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 42 reviews) while Column Shortcodes leads in active installations (60K+ vs 10K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Column Shortcodes has accumulated 894K+ total downloads while Lightweight Grid Columns has 120K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.8/5Column Shortcodes
►
Lightweight Grid Columns4.9/5
Total Reviews
134Column Shortcodes
◄
Lightweight Grid Columns42
Active Installs
60K+Column Shortcodes
◄
Lightweight Grid Columns10K+
Total Downloads
894K+Column Shortcodes
◄
Lightweight Grid Columns120K+
Support Resolution
N/AColumn Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid ColumnsN/A
Last Updated
3 years agoColumn Shortcodes
◄
Lightweight Grid Columns7 years ago
First Released
2012Column Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid Columns2015
Age
14 yearsColumn Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid Columns11 years
WP Requires
4.8+Column Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid Columns4.5+
PHP Requires
false+Column Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid Columnsfalse+
Business Model
FreeColumn Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid ColumnsFree
Latest Version
1.0.1Column Shortcodes
Lightweight Grid Columns1.0

Rating Breakdown

Column Shortcodes

4.8/5(134 reviews)
5
91%
4
2%
3
1%
2
2%
1
3%

Lightweight Grid Columns

4.9/5(42 reviews)
5
95%
4
0%
3
2%
2
2%
1
0%

Recent Reviews

Column Shortcodes Reviews

by hmschiefer

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

by Viktor Jenerál

Perfect

Perfect plugin! Thanks a lot.

by maruska

Easy to use

Simple and easy to use, that is the reason I like it.

Lightweight Grid Columns Reviews

by alvar05

Really simple plugin

Thanks for a really simple and working plugin!!

by Lindsey

Breaks Admin Bar

The admin bar breaks upon installation and activation of this plugin. If you’re having similar issues, deactivate to troubleshoot.

by bazilio07

Mega plugin

плагин шикарен, как и все творения Тома!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Column Shortcodes or Lightweight Grid Columns more popular?
Column Shortcodes has 60K+ active installations while Lightweight Grid Columns has 10K+. Column Shortcodes is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Column Shortcodes or Lightweight Grid Columns?
Column Shortcodes has a 4.8/5 rating from 134 reviews, while Lightweight Grid Columns has a 4.9/5 rating from 42 reviews.
Are Column Shortcodes and Lightweight Grid Columns free?
Column Shortcodes is free and Lightweight Grid Columns is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Column Shortcodes or Lightweight Grid Columns?
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?
Column Shortcodes was last updated 3 years ago and Lightweight Grid Columns was last updated 7 years ago.

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