Head-to-head · October 2026
Highlighting Code Block vs Search Keyword Highlighter
Highlighting Code Block comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Search Keyword Highlighter.
Highlighting Code Block
“Highlighting Code Block” allows you to add a syntax-highlighted code block with just a click.
Search Keyword Highlighter
Search Keyword Highlighter is a lightweight WordPress plugin that automatically highlights search terms on…
| Metric | Highlighting Code Block | Search Keyword Highlighter |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.5K | 67 |
| Download trend | -14.7% | -8.2% |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 20 | 0 |
| Health score | 73/100 | 62/100 |
| Last updated | 3 months ago | 1 month ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.6 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Dec 2018 | Jul 2025 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Highlighting Code BlockSearch Keyword Highligh…
Choose Highlighting Code Block if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.5/5 from 20 reviews
Choose Search Keyword Highlighter if…
You care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: Highlight
FAQ
Highlighting Code Block vs Search Keyword Highlighter: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, Highlighting Code Block or Search Keyword Highlighter?
Highlighting Code Block comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Search Keyword Highlighter. Choose Highlighting Code Block if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Search Keyword Highlighter if you care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
Is Highlighting Code Block more popular than Search Keyword Highlighter?
Highlighting Code Block is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Search Keyword Highlighter.
Can I use Highlighting Code Block and Search Keyword Highlighter together?
Both plugins cover Highlight, 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 Highlighting Code Block and Search Keyword Highlighter 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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