Head-to-head · October 2026
Breadcrumb NavXT vs Variable Column Block
Breadcrumb NavXT comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Variable Column Block.
Breadcrumb NavXT
Breadcrumb NavXT, the successor to the popular WordPress plugin Breadcrumb Navigation XT, was written from…
Variable Column Block
WordPress has completely changed the editing experience by introducing block-based editor (earlier…
| Metric | Breadcrumb NavXT | Variable Column Block |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 800K+ | 80+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 122.2K | 184 |
| Download trend | -56.9% | +5.7% |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 3/5 |
| Reviews | 132 | 5 |
| Health score | 77/100 | 29/100 |
| Last updated | 1 month ago | 4 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 6.1.15 |
| Support resolved | 0% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.0+ | 8.0+ |
| First released | Dec 2007 | Nov 2018 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Breadcrumb NavXTVariable Column Block
Choose Breadcrumb NavXT if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
- Proven at scale on 800K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.6/5 from 132 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Choose Variable Column Block if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (80+ active installs)
- Low rating so far — 3/5 from only 5 reviews
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.1 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: block
FAQ
Breadcrumb NavXT vs Variable Column Block: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 13, 2026
Which is better, Breadcrumb NavXT or Variable Column Block?
Breadcrumb NavXT comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Variable Column Block. Choose Breadcrumb NavXT if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating. Choose Variable Column Block if you care most about download trend.
Is Breadcrumb NavXT more popular than Variable Column Block?
Breadcrumb NavXT is the more popular of the two with 800K+ active installs, compared with 80+ for Variable Column Block.
Can I use Breadcrumb NavXT and Variable Column Block together?
Both plugins cover block, 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 Breadcrumb NavXT and Variable Column Block free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
