Simple Lightbox vs Download External Images In Posts (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Download External Images In Posts
100 active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Download External Images In Posts has a higher user rating (4.4/5 from 9 reviews) while Simple Lightbox leads in active installations (100K+ vs 100). Both are free WordPress plugins. Simple Lightbox has accumulated 3.0M+ total downloads while Download External Images In Posts has 7.7K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Simple Lightbox | Download External Images In Posts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | ► | 4.4/5 |
| Total Reviews | 236 | ◄ | 9 |
| Active Installs | 100K+ | ◄ | 100 |
| Total Downloads | 3.0M+ | ◄ | 7.7K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 month ago | ◄ | 8 years ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2017 | |
| Age | 16 years | 9 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.3+ | 4.7+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6.20+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.9.5 | 1.0 |
Rating Breakdown
Simple Lightbox
Download External Images In Posts
Download Trends
Recent Reviews
Simple Lightbox Reviews
Does not do anything
Just does not work. This topic was modified 6 months, 3 weeks ago by Benjamin Stocker.
Worked straight out of the box!
Couldn’t be simpler. Downloaded, installed, activated and now all my post images open in a lightbox. Brilliant!
Simple Yet Awesome
I like the simplicity of the plugin and it works with WP native image block. The ability to automatically group single images on a page or post and browse through them in the model box is great.
Download External Images In Posts Reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.