Head-to-head · October 2026
Custom Post Avatar vs Real Simple Avatar
Real Simple Avatar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Custom Post Avatar.
Custom Post Avatar
Custom Post Avatar is inspired by Aaron Parecki’s Emoji Avatars functionality on his website…
Real Simple Avatar
Real Simple Avatar gives your users a real profile picture on your WordPress site — without Gravatar and…
| Metric | Custom Post Avatar | Real Simple Avatar |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 75 | 260 |
| Download trend | +8.7% | +409.8% |
| Rating | — | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 1 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 77/100 |
| Last updated | 6 years ago | 6 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.5.22 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Mar 2019 | Apr 2026 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Custom Post AvatarReal Simple Avatar
Choose Custom Post Avatar if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.5 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Real Simple Avatar if…
You care most about downloads (30 days), download trend and reviews.
- Actively developed — last update 6 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: avatar gravatar local avatar
FAQ
Custom Post Avatar vs Real Simple Avatar: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 3, 2026
Which is better, Custom Post Avatar or Real Simple Avatar?
Real Simple Avatar comes out ahead, winning 6 of 6 head-to-head checks against Custom Post Avatar. Choose Real Simple Avatar if you care most about downloads (30 days), download trend and reviews.
Is Custom Post Avatar more popular than Real Simple Avatar?
Custom Post Avatar is the more popular of the two with 10+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Real Simple Avatar.
Can I use Custom Post Avatar and Real Simple Avatar together?
Both plugins cover avatar, gravatar and local avatar, 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 Post Avatar and Real Simple Avatar 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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