Column Shortcodes vs Shortcode in Menus (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Column Shortcodes has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 134 reviews) and leads in active installations (60K+ vs 50K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Column Shortcodes has accumulated 894K+ total downloads while Shortcode in Menus has 502K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Column Shortcodes | Shortcode in Menus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ◄ | 4.7/5 |
| Total Reviews | 134 | ◄ | 82 |
| Active Installs | 60K+ | ◄ | 50K+ |
| Total Downloads | 894K+ | ◄ | 502K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 years ago | ► | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2012 | 2013 | |
| Age | 14 years | 13 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.8+ | 3.6+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 5.6+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.0.1 | 3.5.1 |
Rating Breakdown
Column Shortcodes
Shortcode in Menus
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Column Shortcodes averaged approximately 37 daily downloads while Shortcode in Menus averaged 45.
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.
Shortcode in Menus Reviews
‘Please provide a valid link.’
Interesting concept but adding the shortcode to the link as the images show generates a wordpress error: ‘Please provide a valid link.’ So, unfortunately, cannot add the shortcode to nav bar as the ex
Please don’t let this plugin die..
I kindly ask the developers to maintain this plugin updated… please 🙂
Didn’t work for me
Didn’t work in shortcode menu item or custom link.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Column Shortcodes or Shortcode in Menus more popular?
Which has better ratings — Column Shortcodes or Shortcode in Menus?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.