Head-to-head · October 2026
Site Kit by Google vs XML Sitemaps
Site Kit by Google comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against XML Sitemaps.
Site Kit by Google
Site Kit is the official WordPress plugin from Google for insights about how people find and use your site…
XML Sitemaps
The XML Sitemaps plugin for WordPress will automatically generate XML Sitemaps for your site and notify…
| Metric | Site Kit by Google | XML Sitemaps |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 5M+ | 2K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 6.1M | 293 |
| Download trend | +1.6% | +8.9% |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 1,011 | 13 |
| Health score | 92/100 | 38/100 |
| Last updated | 2 weeks ago | 9 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.2 | WP 4.7.37 |
| Support resolved | 77% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | Any |
| First released | Oct 2019 | Jan 2009 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Site Kit by GoogleXML Sitemaps
Choose Site Kit by Google if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 5M+ active sites
- Actively developed — last update 2 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 77% of recent threads resolved
Choose XML Sitemaps if…
You care most about download trend and rating.
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.7 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: google
FAQ
Site Kit by Google vs XML Sitemaps: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 3, 2026
Which is better, Site Kit by Google or XML Sitemaps?
Site Kit by Google comes out ahead, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head checks against XML Sitemaps. Choose Site Kit by Google if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose XML Sitemaps if you care most about download trend and rating.
Is Site Kit by Google more popular than XML Sitemaps?
Site Kit by Google is the more popular of the two with 5M+ active installs, compared with 2K+ for XML Sitemaps.
Can I use Site Kit by Google and XML Sitemaps together?
Both plugins cover google, 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 Site Kit by Google and XML Sitemaps 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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