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Column Shortcodes vs Genesis Easy Columns (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

Column Shortcodes

Column Shortcodes

4.8(134)

60K+ active installs

Free

Updated 3 years ago
View Column Shortcodes
VS
Genesis Easy Columns

Genesis Easy Columns

4.4(11)

2.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 8 years ago
View Genesis Easy Columns

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Column Shortcodes has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 134 reviews) and leads in active installations (60K+ vs 2.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Column Shortcodes has accumulated 894K+ total downloads while Genesis Easy Columns has 52K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.8/5Column Shortcodes
◄
Genesis Easy Columns4.4/5
Total Reviews
134Column Shortcodes
◄
Genesis Easy Columns11
Active Installs
60K+Column Shortcodes
◄
Genesis Easy Columns2.0K+
Total Downloads
894K+Column Shortcodes
◄
Genesis Easy Columns52K+
Support Resolution
N/AColumn Shortcodes
Genesis Easy ColumnsN/A
Last Updated
3 years agoColumn Shortcodes
◄
Genesis Easy Columns8 years ago
First Released
2012Column Shortcodes
Genesis Easy Columns2013
Age
14 yearsColumn Shortcodes
Genesis Easy Columns13 years
WP Requires
4.8+Column Shortcodes
Genesis Easy Columns3.2+
PHP Requires
false+Column Shortcodes
Genesis Easy Columnsfalse+
Business Model
FreeColumn Shortcodes
Genesis Easy ColumnsFree
Latest Version
1.0.1Column Shortcodes
Genesis Easy Columns1.4

Rating Breakdown

Column Shortcodes

4.8/5(134 reviews)
5
91%
4
2%
3
1%
2
2%
1
3%

Genesis Easy Columns

4.4/5(11 reviews)
5
82%
4
0%
3
0%
2
9%
1
9%

Recent Reviews

Column Shortcodes Reviews

by hmschiefer

Basic column shortcode, I’m sure there are better ones out there.

I only use this because it’s what my client already had installed and they’ve been using it for years. When I asked why I can’t align content vertically within a column I was simply told, “it can’t do

by Viktor Jenerál

Perfect

Perfect plugin! Thanks a lot.

by maruska

Easy to use

Simple and easy to use, that is the reason I like it.

Genesis Easy Columns Reviews

by soul33

TOTALLY IDIOT PLUGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And HERE THE REASON WHY: (dont worry, it’s NOT JUST YOU that make plugins like this with these STUPID shortcodes that appear BETWEEN the page. All idiots that are UNABLE TO MAKE A VISUAL EDITOR OF COL

by Mary

Not responsive

Columns were overlapping when screen size get’s smaller.

by princessslattie

THE BEST PLUGIN FOR MAKING COLUMNS

Terrific plug-in for creating columns, so easy. More importantly truly AMAZING support. Being new to technology I did not know what I was doing but Matthew(Code96) walked me through it ..BTW it is rea

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Column Shortcodes or Genesis Easy Columns more popular?
Column Shortcodes has 60K+ active installations while Genesis Easy Columns has 2.0K+. Column Shortcodes is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Column Shortcodes or Genesis Easy Columns?
Column Shortcodes has a 4.8/5 rating from 134 reviews, while Genesis Easy Columns has a 4.4/5 rating from 11 reviews.
Are Column Shortcodes and Genesis Easy Columns free?
Column Shortcodes is free and Genesis Easy Columns is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Column Shortcodes or Genesis Easy Columns?
Support resolution data is not available for all plugins. Check each plugin's WordPress.org support forum for current response quality.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Column Shortcodes was last updated 3 years ago and Genesis Easy Columns was last updated 8 years ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.