Head-to-head · October 2026
Classic Widgets vs Preserved HTML Editor Mar…
Classic Widgets comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Preserved HTML Editor Markup.
Classic Widgets
Classic Widgets is an official plugin maintained by the WordPress team that restores the previous (“classic”)…
Preserved HTML Editor Markup
This plugin preserves the user-generated HTML markup in the TinyMCE editor. Unlike other plugins this one…
| Metric | Classic Widgets | Preserved HTML Editor Mar… |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 2M+ | 600+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 57.2K | 139 |
| Download trend | +3.6% | +16.8% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 272 | 42 |
| Health score | 56/100 | 44/100 |
| Last updated | 10 months ago | 9 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.10 | WP 3.4.2 |
| Support resolved | 0% | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | Any |
| First released | May 2021 | Oct 2011 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Classic WidgetsPreserved HTML Editor M…
Choose Classic Widgets if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 2M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 272 reviews
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Preserved HTML Editor Mar… if…
You care most about download trend and rating.
- Loved by users — 5/5 from 42 reviews
- Small user base (600+ active installs)
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.4 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: editor
FAQ
Classic Widgets vs Preserved HTML Editor Mar…: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Which is better, Classic Widgets or Preserved HTML Editor Markup?
Classic Widgets comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against Preserved HTML Editor Markup. Choose Classic Widgets if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Preserved HTML Editor Markup if you care most about download trend and rating.
Is Classic Widgets more popular than Preserved HTML Editor Markup?
Classic Widgets is the more popular of the two with 2M+ active installs, compared with 600+ for Preserved HTML Editor Markup.
Can I use Classic Widgets and Preserved HTML Editor Markup 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 Widgets and Preserved HTML Editor Markup 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
