# Advanced Custom Widget vs WP Categories Widget

> Advanced Custom Widget vs WP Categories Widget compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. WP Categories Widget comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Advanced Custom Widget.

**WP Categories Widget comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Advanced Custom Widget.** Choose WP Categories Widget if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | Advanced Custom Widget | WP Categories Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 6K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 51 | 631 ✅ |
| Download trend | -22.7% | +6.9% ✅ |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 27 ✅ |
| Health score | 30/100 | 59/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 7 years ago | 8 months ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 5.2.29 | WP 6.9.10 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 8.0+ |
| First released | Aug 2018 | Sep 2016 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Advanced Custom Widget or WP Categories Widget?
WP Categories Widget comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Advanced Custom Widget.  Choose WP Categories Widget if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is Advanced Custom Widget more popular than WP Categories Widget?
WP Categories Widget is the more popular of the two with 6K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Advanced Custom Widget.

### Can I use Advanced Custom Widget and WP Categories Widget together?
Both plugins cover custom widget, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.

### Are Advanced Custom Widget and WP Categories Widget free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/advanced-custom-widget-vs-wp-categories-widget/ · Generated 2026-10-19 16:09 UTC by PageForge