PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen vs SmartWait Animated Preloader (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
4.2(5)
800 active installs
Free
Updated 3 years ago
View PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen VS
VS
SmartWait Animated Preloader
0(0)
0 active installs
Free
Updated 2 weeks ago
View SmartWait Animated Preloader Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen has a higher user rating (4.2/5 from 5 reviews) and leads in active installations (800 vs 0). Both are free WordPress plugins. PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen has accumulated 15K+ total downloads while SmartWait Animated Preloader has 280.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen | SmartWait Animated Preloader | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | ◄ | N/A |
| Total Reviews | 5 | ◄ | 0 |
| Active Installs | 800 | ◄ | 0 |
| Total Downloads | 15K+ | ◄ | 280 |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 years ago | ► | 2 weeks ago |
| First Released | 2018 | 2026 | |
| Age | 8 years | 2 months | |
| WP Requires | 3.6+ | 5.8+ | |
| PHP Requires | false+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.1 | 1.0.2 |
Rating
4.2/5PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
◄SmartWait Animated PreloaderN/A
Total Reviews
5PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
◄SmartWait Animated Preloader0
Active Installs
800PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
◄SmartWait Animated Preloader0
Total Downloads
15K+PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
◄SmartWait Animated Preloader280
Support Resolution
N/APageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated PreloaderN/A
Last Updated
3 years agoPageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
►SmartWait Animated Preloader2 weeks ago
First Released
2018PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated Preloader2026
Age
8 yearsPageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated Preloader2 months
WP Requires
3.6+PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated Preloader5.8+
PHP Requires
false+PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated Preloader7.4+
Business Model
FreePageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated PreloaderFree
Latest Version
1.1PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
SmartWait Animated Preloader1.0.2
Rating Breakdown
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen
4.2/5(5 reviews)
5
80%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
20%
SmartWait Animated Preloader
0/5(0 reviews)
5
0%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
More Plugins Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen and SmartWait Animated Preloader
Preloader Awesome – Page Loading…
Preloader Awesome help You to create page loading animation WordPress with spinner or You can upload Your own GIF.
11.0K+ installs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen or SmartWait Animated Preloader more popular?
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen has 800 active installations while SmartWait Animated Preloader has 0. PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen or SmartWait Animated Preloader?
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen has a 4.2/5 rating from 5 reviews, while SmartWait Animated Preloader has a 0/5 rating from 0 reviews.
Are PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen and SmartWait Animated Preloader free?
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen is free and SmartWait Animated Preloader is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen or SmartWait Animated Preloader?
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?
PageLoader Lite – Loading Screen was last updated 3 years ago and SmartWait Animated Preloader was last updated 2 weeks ago.
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.