Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… vs Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by…
500K+ active installs
Free + Premium
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and…
400K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… has a higher user rating (4.6/5 from 731 reviews) and leads in active installations (500K+ vs 400K+). Both are free + premium WordPress plugins. Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… has accumulated 33M+ total downloads while Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… has 44M+. Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… has a higher support resolution rate (85% vs 15%).
Expert Insight
As of February 2026, MetaSlider (4.6★, 500k installs) and NextGEN Gallery (4.3★, 400k installs) represent two distinct takes on gallery management. MetaSlider emphasizes simplicity, responsive sliders, and flexible integrations, while NextGEN offers feature-heavy gallery and proofing tools aimed at photographers. MetaSlider’s premium starts at $79/year (currently $39.50), with strong WooCommerce and Events Calendar integrations. NextGEN’s premium starts at $69.50/year, adding eCommerce and proofing workflows. MetaSlider boasts higher user satisfaction and an 80% support resolution rate versus NextGEN’s 10%. However, NextGEN’s enterprise-oriented photo proofing and print fulfillment appeal to visual professionals. In sum, MetaSlider excels for lightweight, visual sites or marketers; NextGEN suits studios selling prints or managing client galleries.
Analysis by PluginSift editorial team
Who Should Use Which?
Overall Recommendation
MetaSlider – Higher ratings, faster support (80% resolution), and versatile slider design make it the better all-around choice for most websites, while NextGEN remains the go-to for professional photographers needing proofing or print workflows.
Best for Beginners
MetaSlider – It’s easier to set up, integrates cleanly with page builders, and offers intuitive drag-and-drop controls without overwhelming configuration screens.
Best for Developers
NextGEN Gallery – Offers deeper customization through its REST API, Lightroom sync, and extensive display styles better suited to complex image workflows.
Best for Budget
MetaSlider – With the Pro plan discounted to $39.50/year and a generous free version, it delivers strong value compared to NextGEN’s $69.50/year Starter tier.
Best for WooCommerce
MetaSlider – Its Pro edition includes WooCommerce product and post feed slides, integrating directly with stores, while NextGEN focuses on eCommerce for photographers rather than general WooCommerce shops.
Pricing Comparison
MetaSlider’s Pro pricing starts at $79/year (often discounted 50%) for one site, scaling to $199/year for unlimited sites. It includes premium features like video slides, custom themes, and scheduling. NextGEN’s tiers run from $69.50 to $199.50/year, depending on site count, adding eCommerce, print fulfillment, and Lightroom sync. While both use annual subscriptions, MetaSlider’s current discount and broader integrations offer stronger price-to-feature value for general site owners.
Pricing verified as of April 2026
Feature Comparison
MetaSlider emphasizes sliders and responsive carousels, with Smart Crop, drag‑and‑drop layouts, Unsplash integration, and WCAG accessibility. Its Pro tier unlocks YouTube, Vimeo, WooCommerce, and post feed slides. NextGEN is geared toward photographers, offering gallery proofing, batch uploads, Lightroom sync, and automated print sales. MetaSlider excels in flexibility and embedding ease, while NextGEN dominates in professional image management and sales workflows.
Compatibility Notes
Both plugins support Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi. MetaSlider officially supports WooCommerce and multisite out of the box, while NextGEN reserves multisite for its Ultra plan. Both integrate with multilingual plugins, but MetaSlider lists WPML and PolyLang specifically, which makes it slightly stronger for multilingual sites.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… | Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | ◄ | 4.3/5 |
| Total Reviews | 731 | ► | 4,336 |
| Active Installs | 500K+ | ◄ | 400K+ |
| Total Downloads | 33M+ | ► | 44M+ |
| Support Resolution | 85% | ◄ | 15% |
| Last Updated | 1 week ago | ► | Today |
| First Released | 2013 | 2007 | |
| Age | 13 years | 19 years | |
| WP Requires | 5.0+ | 5.5.4+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.0+ | 7.0+ | |
| Business Model | Free + Premium | Free | |
| Latest Version | 3.107.0 | 4.1.3 |
Rating Breakdown
Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by…
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and…
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… averaged approximately 10,716 daily downloads while Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… averaged 13,238.
Recent Reviews
Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… Reviews
Works great!
Works great!
Great plugin and service
As a novice the plugin is easy to use and make it all look very good. Also Steve at Metaslider did an excellent job with an issue I had. Highly recommendable!
Excellent Slider Plugin
I really appreciate the Effort that MetaSlider has put into making the slideshow accessible.
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… Reviews
Пользуюсь старой версией.
Спасибо создателю этого плагина за старую версию.
v4 Is a Major Downgrade – To many Errors and Missing Features
I’ve been using NextGEN Galleries for a long time across multiple websites and I have over 300 Galleries. It was always my first choice for albums and galleries. But since v4, everything has changed —
Have Used For Years – I Don’t Care For Imagely Ver 4.0.x
We have used NextGEN Gallery for years. Website has 50 galleries, with over 4500 images. Whenever there’s been a problem, Supoort has responded promptly, with resolution and/or suggestions. Haven’t sw
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… or Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… more popular?
Which has better ratings — Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… or Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and…?
Are Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… and Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and… free?
Which plugin has better support — Slider, Gallery, and Carousel by… or Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and…?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Which plugin offers more free features?
Which provides better pricing value for most WordPress users?
What is the main difference between MetaSlider and NextGEN Gallery?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.