Head-to-head · October 2026
Hearken vs Newspack Newsletters
Newspack Newsletters comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Hearken.
Hearken
When this plugin is activated, Hearken resources can be embedded using the [hearken] shortcode.
Newspack Newsletters
Create email newsletters with the block editor and send them via ActiveCampaign, Constant Contact, or…
| Metric | Hearken | Newspack Newsletters |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 1K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 164 | 2.4K |
| Download trend | +10.1% | -11.9% |
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 65/100 |
| Last updated | 4 years ago | 6 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.0.16 | WP 7.0.6 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Jun 2021 | Feb 2021 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
HearkenNewspack Newsletters
Choose Hearken if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 4 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.0 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Newspack Newsletters if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and health score.
- Actively developed — last update 6 days ago
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: Newspack
FAQ
Hearken vs Newspack Newsletters: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Hearken or Newspack Newsletters?
Newspack Newsletters comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Hearken. Choose Hearken if you care most about download trend. Choose Newspack Newsletters if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and health score.
Is Hearken more popular than Newspack Newsletters?
Newspack Newsletters is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Hearken.
Can I use Hearken and Newspack Newsletters together?
Both plugins cover Newspack, 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 Hearken and Newspack Newsletters 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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