Genesis Simple Sidebars vs Genesis Portfolio Pro (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Genesis Simple Sidebars
10K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Genesis Portfolio Pro has a higher user rating (4.5/5 from 4 reviews) while Genesis Simple Sidebars leads in active installations (10K+ vs 6.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Genesis Simple Sidebars has accumulated 475K+ total downloads while Genesis Portfolio Pro has 168K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Genesis Simple Sidebars | Genesis Portfolio Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | ► | 4.5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 27 | ◄ | 4 |
| Active Installs | 10K+ | ◄ | 6.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 475K+ | ◄ | 168K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 4 months ago | ◄ | 4 months ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2016 | |
| Age | 16 years | 10 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.7.3+ | 4.4+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 5.6+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.2.3 | 1.3 |
Rating Breakdown
Genesis Simple Sidebars
Genesis Portfolio Pro
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Genesis Simple Sidebars averaged approximately 24 daily downloads while Genesis Portfolio Pro averaged 8.
Recent Reviews
Genesis Simple Sidebars Reviews
Works as Stated
On a Genesis site, Britlish.com, the plugin works exactly as described right out of the box.
Great, clean functionality
… but it seems to only support child pages in one layer (1. generation). Sub-sub-pages are not supported when “child pages” are clicked.
Doesn’t Work
You can create a sidebar, but it won’t get added to the page.
Genesis Portfolio Pro Reviews
Grid is not customizable
In the settings there is no way to change the default view of 3 columns in the porfolio overview / archive page. This topic was modified 6 years, 8 months ago by hansbraumueller.
Rock Solid
Handy plugin for adding a portfolio custom post type to your Genesis theme. Does exactly what I needed it to do.
LIFESAVER
This plugin was a lifesaver. After searching the web for a solution and most required moderate to complex solutions and paid tutorials. I was happy to find it and see that it came from a trusted Gen
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Genesis Simple Sidebars or Genesis Portfolio Pro more popular?
Which has better ratings — Genesis Simple Sidebars or Genesis Portfolio Pro?
Are Genesis Simple Sidebars and Genesis Portfolio Pro free?
Which plugin has better support — Genesis Simple Sidebars or Genesis Portfolio Pro?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.