Custom Shortcodes vs Text Replace (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Custom Shortcodes has a higher user rating (5/5 from 1 reviews) and leads in active installations (6.0K+ vs 3.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Custom Shortcodes has accumulated 5.7K+ total downloads while Text Replace has 80K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Custom Shortcodes | Text Replace | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | ◄ | 4.4/5 |
| Total Reviews | 1 | ► | 18 |
| Active Installs | 6.0K+ | ◄ | 3.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 5.7K+ | ► | 80K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 17 years ago | ► | 4 years ago |
| First Released | 2009 | 2004 | |
| Age | 17 years | 22 years | |
| WP Requires | 2.0.2+ | 4.9+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.0 | 4.0 |
Rating Breakdown
Custom Shortcodes
Text Replace
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Custom Shortcodes averaged approximately 4 daily downloads while Text Replace averaged 5.
Recent Reviews
Custom Shortcodes Reviews
Still works on WP 4.2.2! Really easy to use, love it.
I stumbled upon this seemingly underrated plugin recently and it’s been great, it just works (and STILL works on WP v 4.2.2, even though it hasn’t been updated in many many years). Nothing to configu
Text Replace Reviews
Did not work
I could not get it to work with WordPress version: 5.8
100% free and useful
100% free and useful
Excellent plugin
Does well what it says in the tin. Search / Replace….bingo! Well done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Custom Shortcodes or Text Replace more popular?
Which has better ratings — Custom Shortcodes or Text Replace?
Are Custom Shortcodes and Text Replace free?
Which plugin has better support — Custom Shortcodes or Text Replace?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.