Head-to-head · September 2026
Foundation Columns vs Lightweight Grid Columns
Lightweight Grid Columns comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Foundation Columns.
Foundation Columns
Adds support for using Zurb’s Foundation grid-system via shortcodes in WordPress’ TinyMCE editor.
Lightweight Grid Columns
Lightweight Grid Columns are super easy to use! Install and activate the plugin, then look for the columns…
| Metric | Foundation Columns | Lightweight Grid Columns |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 40+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 169 | 393 |
| Download trend | +9% | +15.2% |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 42 |
| Health score | 30/100 | 47/100 |
| Last updated | 11 years ago | 8 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.7.37 | WP 5.1.26 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | May 2014 | May 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Foundation ColumnsLightweight Grid Columns
Choose Foundation Columns if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (40+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Lightweight Grid Columns if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 42 reviews
- No update in 7 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.1 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: columns
FAQ
Foundation Columns vs Lightweight Grid Columns: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 29, 2026
Which is better, Foundation Columns or Lightweight Grid Columns?
Lightweight Grid Columns comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Foundation Columns. Choose Lightweight Grid Columns if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Foundation Columns more popular than Lightweight Grid Columns?
Lightweight Grid Columns is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 40+ for Foundation Columns.
Can I use Foundation Columns and Lightweight Grid Columns together?
Both plugins cover columns, 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 Foundation Columns and Lightweight Grid Columns 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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