Head-to-head · September 2026
HTML Editor Syntax Highli… vs SmartAss Highlighter
HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against SmartAss Highlighter.
HTML Editor Syntax Highlighter
Add syntax highlighting in the Classic Post & Page HTML text editor, Gutenberg Code Editor, and Theme &…
| Metric | HTML Editor Syntax Highli… | SmartAss Highlighter |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 60K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.2K | 69 |
| Download trend | +2.9% | +32.7% |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | — |
| Reviews | 110 | 0 |
| Health score | 45/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 11 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.5.0 | WP 4.2.39 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Apr 2012 | Jan 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
HTML Editor Syntax High…SmartAss Highlighter
Choose HTML Editor Syntax Highli… if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 60K+ active sites
- No update in 2 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.5 (latest is 7.1)
Choose SmartAss Highlighter if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: code highlighter
FAQ
HTML Editor Syntax Highli… vs SmartAss Highlighter: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Which is better, HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… or SmartAss Highlighter?
HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against SmartAss Highlighter. Choose HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose SmartAss Highlighter if you care most about download trend.
Is HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… more popular than SmartAss Highlighter?
HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… is the more popular of the two with 60K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for SmartAss Highlighter.
Can I use HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… and SmartAss Highlighter together?
Both plugins cover code highlighter, 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 HTML Editor Syntax Highligh… and SmartAss 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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