Head-to-head · October 2026
Google Reader Widget vs Subscribe Widget
Subscribe Widget comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Google Reader Widget.
Google Reader Widget
In order to get your shares, you need to know your user id according to Google Reader. This can be found by…
Subscribe Widget
Important: Before plugin install make sure that folders can be created by wordpress in your blog directory…
| Metric | Google Reader Widget | Subscribe Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20+ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 131 | 94 |
| Download trend | +23.6% | +32.4% |
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Health score | 24/100 | 25/100 |
| Last updated | 18 years ago | 16 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 2.7.1 | WP 2.9.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Mar 2008 | Apr 2009 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Google Reader WidgetSubscribe Widget
Choose Google Reader Widget if…
You care most about downloads (30 days).
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 17 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 2.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Subscribe Widget if…
You care most about active installs, download trend and health score.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 16 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 2.9 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Google Reader Widget vs Subscribe Widget: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 4, 2026
Which is better, Google Reader Widget or Subscribe Widget?
Subscribe Widget comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Google Reader Widget. Choose Google Reader Widget if you care most about downloads (30 days). Choose Subscribe Widget if you care most about active installs, download trend and health score.
Is Google Reader Widget more popular than Subscribe Widget?
Subscribe Widget is the more popular of the two with 100+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Google Reader Widget.
Can I use Google Reader Widget and Subscribe Widget together?
Both plugins cover reader 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 Google Reader Widget and Subscribe Widget 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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