Head-to-head · October 2026
Custom-Single vs Media Library Categories
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom-Single.
Custom-Single
This plugin enables themes to specify a different single.php template based on post category. As posts can…
Media Library Categories
Adds the ability to use categories in the WordPress Media Library. When activated a dropdown of categories…
| Metric | Custom-Single | Media Library Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 20K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 39 | 3.2K |
| Download trend | +30% | +5.6% |
| Rating | — | 4.2/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 52 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 71/100 |
| Last updated | 13 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.7.41 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Dec 2013 | Nov 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Custom-SingleMedia Library Categories
Choose Custom-Single if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 12 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Media Library Categories if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Both compete in: categories
FAQ
Custom-Single vs Media Library Categories: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 12, 2026
Which is better, Custom-Single or Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom-Single. Choose Custom-Single if you care most about download trend. Choose Media Library Categories if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Custom-Single more popular than Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Custom-Single.
Can I use Custom-Single and Media Library Categories together?
Both plugins cover categories, 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-Single and Media Library Categories 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
