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Lightweight Grid Columns vs Columns (2026)

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

Lightweight Grid Columns

Lightweight Grid Columns

4.9(42)

10K+ active installs

Free

Updated 7 years ago
View Lightweight Grid Columns
VS
Columns

Columns

4.1(22)

3.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 8 years ago
View Columns

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Lightweight Grid Columns has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 42 reviews) and leads in active installations (10K+ vs 3.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Lightweight Grid Columns has accumulated 120K+ total downloads while Columns has 91K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.9/5Lightweight Grid Columns
◄
Columns4.1/5
Total Reviews
42Lightweight Grid Columns
◄
Columns22
Active Installs
10K+Lightweight Grid Columns
◄
Columns3.0K+
Total Downloads
120K+Lightweight Grid Columns
◄
Columns91K+
Support Resolution
N/ALightweight Grid Columns
ColumnsN/A
Last Updated
7 years agoLightweight Grid Columns
◄
Columns8 years ago
First Released
2015Lightweight Grid Columns
Columns2013
Age
11 yearsLightweight Grid Columns
Columns13 years
WP Requires
4.5+Lightweight Grid Columns
Columns4.4+
PHP Requires
false+Lightweight Grid Columns
Columnsfalse+
Business Model
FreeLightweight Grid Columns
ColumnsFree
Latest Version
1.0Lightweight Grid Columns
Columns0.7.3

Rating Breakdown

Lightweight Grid Columns

4.9/5(42 reviews)
5
95%
4
0%
3
2%
2
2%
1
0%

Columns

4.1/5(22 reviews)
5
68%
4
5%
3
9%
2
9%
1
9%

Recent Reviews

Lightweight Grid Columns Reviews

by alvar05

Really simple plugin

Thanks for a really simple and working plugin!!

by Lindsey

Breaks Admin Bar

The admin bar breaks upon installation and activation of this plugin. If you’re having similar issues, deactivate to troubleshoot.

by bazilio07

Mega plugin

плагин шикарен, как и все творения Тома!

Columns Reviews

by meylodie

Efficient and simple to use, thank you!

It does not compare with other columns plugins, as it is the simplest I have been able to use. It is perfect when using Disable Gutenberg or such.

by Bianca

Simple and effective

I really like these kind of lean plugins. Maybe it’s not for everyone but it doesn’t add any bloat and I like that. To the people who say this plugin is not responsive. Responsive settings are based

by WebDeb

Works nicely but is not responsive

Installed great but on a phone gives two really skinny columns instead of stacking them up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lightweight Grid Columns or Columns more popular?
Lightweight Grid Columns has 10K+ active installations while Columns has 3.0K+. Lightweight Grid Columns is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Lightweight Grid Columns or Columns?
Lightweight Grid Columns has a 4.9/5 rating from 42 reviews, while Columns has a 4.1/5 rating from 22 reviews.
Are Lightweight Grid Columns and Columns free?
Lightweight Grid Columns is free and Columns is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Lightweight Grid Columns or 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?
Lightweight Grid Columns was last updated 7 years ago and Columns was last updated 8 years ago.

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