Head-to-head · October 2026
Darken vs Dark Mode
Dark Mode comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Darken.
| Metric | Darken | Dark Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | <10 | 20K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 93 | 40.5K |
| Download trend | +29.2% | +2962.4% |
| Rating | — | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 390 |
| Health score | 21/100 | 92/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 2 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.3.12 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 5.6+ |
| First released | Oct 2023 | Jul 2020 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
DarkenDark Mode
Choose Darken 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 2 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.3 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Dark Mode if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.5/5 from 390 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 2 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 2962.4% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: dark dark mode Night Mode
FAQ
Darken vs Dark Mode: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 1, 2026
Which is better, Darken or Dark Mode?
Dark Mode comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Darken. Choose Dark Mode if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Darken more popular than Dark Mode?
Dark Mode is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with <10 for Darken.
Can I use Darken and Dark Mode together?
Both plugins cover dark, dark mode and Night Mode, 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 Darken and Dark Mode 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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