Simple Lightbox vs Improved GD Image Editor (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Simple Lightbox has a higher user rating (4.3/5 from 236 reviews) and leads in active installations (100K+ vs 10). Both are free WordPress plugins. Simple Lightbox has accumulated 3.0M+ total downloads while Improved GD Image Editor has 2.3K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Simple Lightbox | Improved GD Image Editor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3/5 | ◄ | N/A |
| Total Reviews | 236 | ◄ | 0 |
| Active Installs | 100K+ | ◄ | 10 |
| Total Downloads | 3.0M+ | ◄ | 2.3K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 1 month ago | ◄ | 11 years ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2013 | |
| Age | 16 years | 13 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.3+ | 3.5+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6.20+ | false+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.9.5 | 1.1 |
Rating Breakdown
Simple Lightbox
Improved GD Image Editor
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.
Improved GD Image Editor Reviews
No reviews yet
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Adds an image or icon in the menu items. You can choose the position of the image (after, before, above, below) or even hide the menu item title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Simple Lightbox or Improved GD Image Editor more popular?
Which has better ratings — Simple Lightbox or Improved GD Image Editor?
Are Simple Lightbox and Improved GD Image Editor free?
Which plugin has better support — Simple Lightbox or Improved GD Image Editor?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.