# Custom News Widget vs XML Sitemap & Google News

> Custom News Widget vs XML Sitemap & Google News compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. XML Sitemap & Google News comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom News Widget.

**XML Sitemap & Google News comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom News Widget.** Choose Custom News Widget if you care most about download trend. Choose XML Sitemap & Google News if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

| | Custom News Widget | XML Sitemap & Google News |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20+ | 100K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 42 | 13.9K ✅ |
| Download trend | +16.7% ✅ | -14.2% |
| Rating | 4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 1 | 85 ✅ |
| Health score | 28/100 | 71/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 4 months ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 4.9.34 | WP 7.0.7 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | 50% |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 5.6+ |
| First released | Mar 2018 | Sep 2009 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Custom News Widget or XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom News Widget. Choose Custom News Widget if you care most about download trend. Choose XML Sitemap & Google News if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

### Is Custom News Widget more popular than XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Custom News Widget.

### Can I use Custom News Widget and XML Sitemap & Google News together?
Both plugins cover news, 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 Custom News Widget and XML Sitemap & Google News 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/custom-news-widget-vs-xml-sitemap-feed/ · Generated 2026-10-21 04:54 UTC by PageForge