Head-to-head · October 2026
Advanced Widgets vs Spectra Legacy
Spectra Legacy comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Advanced Widgets.
Spectra Legacy – Gutenberg Blocks
This plugin was previously called Spectra. It’s now Spectra Legacy. Nothing on your website has changed.
| Metric | Advanced Widgets | Spectra Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 50+ | 1M+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 64 | 676.5K |
| Download trend | -4.5% | -2% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Reviews | 4 | 1,871 |
| Health score | 32/100 | 93/100 |
| Last updated | 12 years ago | 1 week ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.1.42 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 75% |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Mar 2014 | Jun 2018 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Advanced WidgetsSpectra Legacy
Choose Advanced Widgets if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (50+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.1 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Spectra Legacy if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 1M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 1,871 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 1 week ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 75% of recent threads resolved
Both compete in: blocks
FAQ
Advanced Widgets vs Spectra Legacy: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
Which is better, Advanced Widgets or Spectra Legacy?
Spectra Legacy comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Advanced Widgets. Choose Spectra Legacy if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Advanced Widgets more popular than Spectra Legacy?
Spectra Legacy is the more popular of the two with 1M+ active installs, compared with 50+ for Advanced Widgets.
Can I use Advanced Widgets and Spectra Legacy together?
Both plugins cover blocks, 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 Widgets and Spectra Legacy 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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