Head-to-head · October 2026
Classic Editor vs Rich Text Formats Block
Classic Editor comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against Rich Text Formats Block.
Classic Editor
Classic Editor is an official plugin maintained by the WordPress team that restores the previous (“classic”)…
Rich Text Formats Block
Magic Text Block enhances your WordPress Gutenberg editor with powerful text formatting options that go…
| Metric | Classic Editor | Rich Text Formats Block |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 8M+ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 715.5K | 129 |
| Download trend | -7.3% | +21.7% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | — |
| Reviews | 1,248 | 0 |
| Health score | 70/100 | 53/100 |
| Last updated | 4 months ago | 4 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 | WP 7.0.7 |
| Support resolved | 0% | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Oct 2017 | May 2025 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Classic EditorRich Text Formats Block
Choose Classic Editor if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 8M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 1,248 reviews
Choose Rich Text Formats Block if…
You care most about download trend and last updated.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: gutenberg
FAQ
Classic Editor vs Rich Text Formats Block: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Which is better, Classic Editor or Rich Text Formats Block?
Classic Editor comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against Rich Text Formats Block. Choose Classic Editor if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Rich Text Formats Block if you care most about download trend and last updated.
Is Classic Editor more popular than Rich Text Formats Block?
Classic Editor is the more popular of the two with 8M+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Rich Text Formats Block.
Can I use Classic Editor and Rich Text Formats Block together?
Both plugins cover gutenberg, 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 Classic Editor and Rich Text Formats Block 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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