Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… vs The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings…
70K+ active installs
Free
The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block
20K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block has a higher user rating (4.7/5 from 97 reviews) while Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… leads in active installations (70K+ vs 20K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… has accumulated 6.0M+ total downloads while The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block has 767K+. The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block has a higher support resolution rate (100% vs 6%).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… | The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | ► | 4.7/5 |
| Total Reviews | 540 | ◄ | 97 |
| Active Installs | 70K+ | ◄ | 20K+ |
| Total Downloads | 6.0M+ | ◄ | 767K+ |
| Support Resolution | 6% | ► | 100% |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ► | 1 month ago |
| First Released | 2008 | 2014 | |
| Age | 18 years | 12 years | |
| WP Requires | 6.1+ | 6.2+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.0+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 7.2.3.1 | 3.1.3 |
Rating Breakdown
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings…
The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… averaged approximately 302 daily downloads while The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block averaged 125.
Recent Reviews
Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… Reviews
Calendar month picker breaks with non-English locales (fix inside)
The plugin is very powerful and flexible, but I ran into a critical issue with the calendar month picker when using a non-English locale (e.g. French). After an AJAX reload of the calendar, the sel
Free, feature-rich & costomizable
Best free feature set, very customizable, works great.
Purchasing PRO not possible
I have a FREE version of the plug-in running on an active site. So far everything works fine, but now the customer decided to show past events as well. This feature is only available in the PRO versio
The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block Reviews
Easy to Use!
The plugin is easy to use and was exactly what we were looking for.
Absolutely Stunning!
Truly a professional, perfect solution! Keep it up, this fits themes and gives me the flexibility to place beautiful event listings where I need them. Excellent code, never any issues. Thank you, Bria
Useful and valuable!
This plugin add value to events calendar plugin! Go on…
More Calendar Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… and The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block
The Events Calendar: #1 calendar plugin for WordPress. Create/manage events (virtual too!) on your site with the free plugin.
Optimize your appointment scheduling with our plugin. Sync calendars, automate reminders, and keep your bookings organized.
Smart event organizer and time-management tool with a clean minimalist design for featuring your timetables and upcoming events.
Take a break from selling by putting your WooCommerce shop on hold with vacation mode. Keep customers informed during vacations and holidays.
This booking calendar shows when something is booked or available. Use it to show when your holiday home is available for rent, for example.
Simply add a booking calendar to your site to schedule bookings, reservations, appointments and to collect payments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… or The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block more popular?
Which has better ratings — Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… or The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block?
Are Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings… and The Events Calendar Shortcode & Block free?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.