Head-to-head · October 2026
The Image Widget vs HW Image Widget
HW Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against The Image Widget.
The Image Widget
Using this simple image widget you can display a clickable image in any sidebar.
HW Image Widget
This widget requires WordPress 3.5 or newer. Primary features of HW Image Widget:
| Metric | The Image Widget | HW Image Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 80+ | 1K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 74 | 227 |
| Download trend | +45.1% | +42.8% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 14 |
| Health score | 32/100 | 37/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 9 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.4.12 | WP 4.2.39 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Jul 2016 | Mar 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
The Image WidgetHW Image Widget
Choose The Image Widget if…
You care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
- Small user base (80+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 2 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.4 (latest is 7.1)
Choose HW Image Widget if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: image widget widget
FAQ
The Image Widget vs HW Image Widget: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 2, 2026
Which is better, The Image Widget or HW Image Widget?
HW Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against The Image Widget. Choose The Image Widget if you care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to. Choose HW Image Widget if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is The Image Widget more popular than HW Image Widget?
HW Image Widget is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 80+ for The Image Widget.
Can I use The Image Widget and HW Image Widget together?
Both plugins cover image widget and 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 The Image Widget and HW Image 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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