Head-to-head · October 2026
Custom Translation Files vs Performant Translations
Performant Translations comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Translation Files.
Custom Translation Files
Let’s say, you have translated a plugin or theme and have a mo file ready. But the plugin author does not…
Performant Translations
Making internationalization/localization in WordPress faster than ever before.
| Metric | Custom Translation Files | Performant Translations |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | <10 | 30K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 44 | 6.4K |
| Download trend | +63% | +22.1% |
| Rating | — | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 16 |
| Health score | 21/100 | 86/100 |
| Last updated | 8 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.9.34 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 7.0+ |
| First released | Oct 2018 | Aug 2023 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Custom Translation FilesPerformant Translations
Choose Custom Translation Files if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 7 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Performant Translations if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 30K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 22.1% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: localization translation
FAQ
Custom Translation Files vs Performant Translations: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 11, 2026
Which is better, Custom Translation Files or Performant Translations?
Performant Translations comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Translation Files. Choose Custom Translation Files if you care most about download trend. Choose Performant Translations if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Custom Translation Files more popular than Performant Translations?
Performant Translations is the more popular of the two with 30K+ active installs, compared with <10 for Custom Translation Files.
Can I use Custom Translation Files and Performant Translations together?
Both plugins cover localization and translation, 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 Translation Files and Performant Translations 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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