# Custom Widget Area vs rtWidgets

> Custom Widget Area vs rtWidgets compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Custom Widget Area comes out ahead, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head checks against rtWidgets.

**Custom Widget Area comes out ahead, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head checks against rtWidgets.** Choose Custom Widget Area if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose rtWidgets if you care most about last updated and tested up to.

| | Custom Widget Area | rtWidgets |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200+ ✅ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 150 ✅ | 47 |
| Download trend | +27.1% ✅ | +4.4% |
| Rating | 4/5 | — |
| Reviews | 1 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 30/100 ✅ | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 15 years ago | 12 years ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 3.2.1 | WP 4.0.38 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Nov 2011 | Dec 2013 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Custom Widget Area or rtWidgets?
Custom Widget Area comes out ahead, winning 5 of 7 head-to-head checks against rtWidgets. Choose Custom Widget Area if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose rtWidgets if you care most about last updated and tested up to.

### Is Custom Widget Area more popular than rtWidgets?
Custom Widget Area is the more popular of the two with 200+ active installs, compared with 10+ for rtWidgets.

### Can I use Custom Widget Area and rtWidgets together?
Both plugins cover custom widget and widget, 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 Widget Area and rtWidgets 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-widget-area-vs-rtwidgets/ · Generated 2026-10-18 18:40 UTC by PageForge