Head-to-head · October 2026
Code Prettify vs Prism Syntax Highlighter
Code Prettify comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Prism Syntax Highlighter.
Code Prettify
Uses a customized version of the Code Prettify library to support local styles and scripts. Plugin applies…
Prism Syntax Highlighter
Prism is a new lightweight, extensible syntax highlighter, built with modern web standards in mind, by Lea…
| Metric | Code Prettify | Prism Syntax Highlighter |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ | 20+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.4K | 45 |
| Download trend | +141.4% | +18.4% |
| Rating | 5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 18 | 0 |
| Health score | 82/100 | 24/100 |
| Last updated | 2 days ago | 14 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 3.4.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Dec 2010 | Aug 2012 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Code PrettifyPrism Syntax Highlighter
Choose Code Prettify if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Actively developed — last update 2 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 141.4% vs the previous 30 days
Choose Prism Syntax Highlighter if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 14 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.4 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: code highlighter pre
FAQ
Code Prettify vs Prism Syntax Highlighter: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 15, 2026
Which is better, Code Prettify or Prism Syntax Highlighter?
Code Prettify comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Prism Syntax Highlighter. Choose Code Prettify if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Code Prettify more popular than Prism Syntax Highlighter?
Code Prettify is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Prism Syntax Highlighter.
Can I use Code Prettify and Prism Syntax Highlighter together?
Both plugins cover code, highlighter and pre, 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 Code Prettify and Prism Syntax Highlighter 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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