Flexible Map vs Simple Shortcode for Google Maps (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Simple Shortcode for Google Maps
4.0K+ active installs
Free
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Flexible Map has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 66 reviews) and leads in active installations (7.0K+ vs 4.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Flexible Map has accumulated 356K+ total downloads while Simple Shortcode for Google Maps has 169K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Flexible Map | Simple Shortcode for Google Maps | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8/5 | ◄ | 4.6/5 |
| Total Reviews | 66 | ◄ | 46 |
| Active Installs | 7.0K+ | ◄ | 4.0K+ |
| Total Downloads | 356K+ | ◄ | 169K+ |
| Support Resolution | N/A | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 3 months ago | ◄ | 1 year ago |
| First Released | 2012 | 2012 | |
| Age | 14 years | 14 years | |
| WP Requires | 4.6+ | 4.6+ | |
| PHP Requires | 5.6+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.19.0 | 1.8.2 |
Rating Breakdown
Flexible Map
Simple Shortcode for Google Maps
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Flexible Map averaged approximately 16 daily downloads while Simple Shortcode for Google Maps averaged 8.
Recent Reviews
Flexible Map Reviews
Brilliant and so simple for KML import
Implemented so quickly and easily. Worked straight out of the box for KML files. Highly recommend!
Simple and works great
Can’t get much easier to display a .kml file on a webpage. For a time Google had a hard time loading a local .kml file so I stored mine on a public Google.sites page, but that seems to have been res
Easy
Just works, but you’ll need a Google maps API key.
Simple Shortcode for Google Maps Reviews
Simple and effective
Would be cool if there was a custom block but works with the shortcode also.
Exactly what I was looking for
Needed something simple and easy to use on a webpage. This is it. Glad I found it.
Great. Simple. Free.
The title says it all – what more could you ask?!
More Maps Worth Comparing
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MapPress is the easiest way to add unlimited interactive Google and Leaflet maps to WordPress.
Apply styles to your Google Maps with the official Snazzy Maps WordPress plugin.
Google Map plugin for WordPress is very Simple, light-weight and Easy to use Google Custom Map with markers in Posts, Pages, Sidebar as shortcode.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.