Head-to-head · October 2026
Classic Editor vs Markup Markdown
Markup Markdown comes out ahead, winning 6 of 9 head-to-head checks against Classic Editor.
Classic Editor
Classic Editor is an official plugin maintained by the WordPress team that restores the previous (“classic”)…
Markup Markdown
This plugin replaces the Gutenberg block editor (or the classic TinyMCE) on the edit screen with EasyMDE, a…
| Metric | Classic Editor | Markup Markdown |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 8M+ | 1K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 689.9K | 2.2K |
| Download trend | -13.9% | +326% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 1,248 | 11 |
| Health score | 70/100 | 86/100 |
| Last updated | 4 months ago | 4 weeks ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.6 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | 0% | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 7.2.0+ |
| First released | Oct 2017 | Jan 2022 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Classic EditorMarkup Markdown
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 Markup Markdown if…
You care most about download trend, rating and health score.
- Actively developed — last update 4 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 326% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: editor
FAQ
Classic Editor vs Markup Markdown: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Classic Editor or Markup Markdown?
Markup Markdown comes out ahead, winning 6 of 9 head-to-head checks against Classic Editor. Choose Classic Editor if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Markup Markdown if you care most about download trend, rating and health score.
Is Classic Editor more popular than Markup Markdown?
Classic Editor is the more popular of the two with 8M+ active installs, compared with 1K+ for Markup Markdown.
Can I use Classic Editor and Markup Markdown together?
Both plugins cover editor, 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 Markup Markdown 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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