Controlled Admin Access vs Simple Client Dashboard (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Controlled Admin Access
10K+ active installs
Free
Simple Client Dashboard
2.0K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Controlled Admin Access has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 44 reviews) and leads in active installations (10K+ vs 2.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Controlled Admin Access has accumulated 218K+ total downloads while Simple Client Dashboard has 84K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Controlled Admin Access | Simple Client Dashboard | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ◄ | 4.5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 44 | ◄ | 26 |
| Active Installs | 10K+ | ◄ | 2.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 218K+ | ◄ | 84K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ► | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2015 | 2013 | |
| Age | 11 years | 13 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.0+ | 3.5+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.0+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.1.2 | 2.1.7.25 |
Rating Breakdown
Controlled Admin Access
Simple Client Dashboard
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Controlled Admin Access averaged approximately 42 daily downloads while Simple Client Dashboard averaged 19.
Recent Reviews
Controlled Admin Access Reviews
Great Plugin
It’s a very great plugin. Thank you.
Perfect software
The software works perfectly. Something than can maybe be added is a way to log page view, of the admins we create. (Real time, or simply log events & display them onto a page), maybe with an email no
Excellent!
This is an extremely useful little plugin that not only makes it easier to provide admin access to outsiders but also to understand what actions they are taking and ensuring they don’t have access to
Simple Client Dashboard Reviews
Fantastic Plugin – Works Perfectly
Simple Client Dashboard is exactly what I needed. Setup was effortless, the interface is clean and intuitive, and managing role permissions is simple and stress-free. The role editing options are thou
The new UI is fantastic!
It’s super intuitive and makes managing client websites so much easier. The design is clean and straightforward, which means I can adjust the “Admin” role quickly and without any confusion. It’s clear
The sweet spot between existing standard user roles
As a non-developer, the option to restrict access to settings that can inadvertently break my sites is a great safety net. I can even use it to restrict myself by logging with the newly created admin
More Role Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as Controlled Admin Access and Simple Client Dashboard
User Role Editor WordPress plugin makes user roles and capabilities changing easy. Edit/add/delete WordPress user roles and capabilities.
Select easily which admin menus to remove for which roles.
Redirect users after login/logout by role. Optionally hide admin bar and block dashboard access for selected roles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Controlled Admin Access or Simple Client Dashboard more popular?
Which has better ratings — Controlled Admin Access or Simple Client Dashboard?
Are Controlled Admin Access and Simple Client Dashboard free?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.