PDF Embedder vs PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg
10K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 9 reviews) while PDF Embedder leads in active installations (300K+ vs 10K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. PDF Embedder has accumulated 5.0M+ total downloads while PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg has 73K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | PDF Embedder | PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7/5 | ► | 4.8/5 |
| Total Reviews | 480 | ◄ | 9 |
| Active Installs | 300K+ | ◄ | 10K+ |
| Total Downloads | 5.0M+ | ◄ | 73K+ |
| Support Resolution | 100% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ◄ | 4 months ago |
| First Released | 2015 | 2019 | |
| Age | 11 years | 7 years | |
| WP Requires | 6.1+ | 5.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.2+ | 5.6+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 4.9.3 | 1.1 |
Rating Breakdown
PDF Embedder
PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, PDF Embedder averaged approximately 1,140 daily downloads while PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg averaged 53.
Recent Reviews
PDF Embedder Reviews
It does the job efficiently
It performs the advertized tasks efficiently
Easy to use
Simple, easy and efficient.
VERY GOOD PLUGIN
VERY GOOD PLUGIN
PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg Reviews
I’ve tried a few and found this to be the best
The presentation is not in the preview but shows landscape presentations just fine and scales to 100% – unlike any of the other ones I tried.
Highly functional and easy to use
It works without any problems on smartphones. It’s great that it’s highly functional yet simple and easy to use.However, if I may be greedy, I would like to be able to set default values for height,
The best PDF Viewer
Very easy to install and to use. No need to configure anything. And it works out of the box.
More Pdf Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as PDF Embedder and PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg
Create, print & automatically email PDF or XML Invoices & PDF Packing Slips for WooCommerce orders.
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PDF Poster lets you embed PDF files in WordPress using a responsive viewer and block support, including full-screen, download, and print options.
Embed a PDF from the Media Library or elsewhere via oEmbed or as a block into an iframe tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PDF Embedder or PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg more popular?
Which has better ratings — PDF Embedder or PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg?
Are PDF Embedder and PDF Viewer Block for Gutenberg free?
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.