Head-to-head · September 2026
Column Shortcodes vs Foundation Columns
Column Shortcodes comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Foundation Columns.
Column Shortcodes
Adds shortcodes to easily create columns in your posts or pages.
Foundation Columns
Adds support for using Zurb’s Foundation grid-system via shortcodes in WordPress’ TinyMCE editor.
| Metric | Column Shortcodes | Foundation Columns |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 60K+ | 40+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.7K | 169 |
| Download trend | +18.1% | +9% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 134 | 2 |
| Health score | 47/100 | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 4 years ago | 11 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.0.16 | WP 4.7.37 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Aug 2012 | May 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Column ShortcodesFoundation Columns
Choose Column Shortcodes if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 60K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 134 reviews
- Momentum — downloads up 18.1% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.0 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Foundation Columns if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (40+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.7 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: columns
FAQ
Column Shortcodes vs Foundation Columns: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 29, 2026
Which is better, Column Shortcodes or Foundation Columns?
Column Shortcodes comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Foundation Columns. Choose Column Shortcodes if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Column Shortcodes more popular than Foundation Columns?
Column Shortcodes is the more popular of the two with 60K+ active installs, compared with 40+ for Foundation Columns.
Can I use Column Shortcodes and Foundation Columns together?
Both plugins cover columns, 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 Column Shortcodes and Foundation Columns 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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