Smart Slider 3 vs Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider
7.0K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Smart Slider 3 has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 1,119 reviews) and leads in active installations (800K+ vs 7.0K+). Both are free + premium WordPress plugins. Smart Slider 3 has accumulated 23M+ total downloads while Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider has 57K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Smart Slider 3 | Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.9/5 | ◄ | 3.8/5 |
| Total Reviews | 1,119 | ◄ | 12 |
| Active Installs | 800K+ | ◄ | 7.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 23M+ | ◄ | 57K+ |
| Support Resolution | 67% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 week ago | ◄ | 5 years ago |
| First Released | 2015 | 2012 | |
| Age | 11 years | 14 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.0+ | false+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.0+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free + Premium | Free | |
| Latest Version | 3.5.1.34 | 2.1 |
Rating Breakdown
Smart Slider 3
Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Smart Slider 3 averaged approximately 14,297 daily downloads while Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider averaged 4.
Recent Reviews
Smart Slider 3 Reviews
Хорош!!
Данный слайдер используется на нашем сайте2 разных слайдера размещены в разных локацияхНемного придётся изучить плагин, чтобы привыкнуть и адаптировать каждый слайд к определённому типу устройств. Даж
Stunning visuals without the complexity!
I used Smart Slider 3 for my project and the results are amazing. I’m not a web designer, but this plugin allowed me to create beautiful, professional-looking sliders in no time.What I appreciate most
ONE OF THE BEST SLIDER
I HAVE BEEN USING THIS PLUGIN FOR MULIPLE WEBSITES IT IS BEST.
Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider Reviews
looks good but difficult to size
Simple to set up and looks great. Found the template sizes for the slider odd and only one worked – the rest result in a stretch or distorted images. Tried inline css using a div to control the size b
Plugin continues to improve!
I’ve been using this plugin since it was “Responsive Slider for Developers” — it was easy to customize on a client per-client basis, and was always very stable and easy for both me to set up and the c
doesnt work sorry
the shordcode doesnt activate the slider
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smart Slider 3 or Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider more popular?
Which has better ratings — Smart Slider 3 or Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider?
Are Smart Slider 3 and Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider free?
Which plugin has better support — Smart Slider 3 or Responsive WordPress Slider – HG Slider?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.