Head-to-head · September 2026
HTML5 Code editor vs Simple Custom CSS Plugin
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against HTML5 Code editor.
Simple Custom CSS Plugin
Add Custom CSS to your WordPress site without any hassles. An easy-to-use WordPress Plugin to add custom CSS…
| Metric | HTML5 Code editor | Simple Custom CSS Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | <10 | 100K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 67 | 7.4K |
| Download trend | +28.8% | +16.4% |
| Rating | — | 4.7/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 159 |
| Health score | 21/100 | 51/100 |
| Last updated | 7 years ago | 2 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 5.2.28 | WP 6.7.9 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | Any |
| First released | Aug 2019 | Aug 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
HTML5 Code editorSimple Custom CSS Plugin
Choose HTML5 Code editor if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 7 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.2 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 159 reviews
- Momentum — downloads up 16.4% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.7 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: code
FAQ
HTML5 Code editor vs Simple Custom CSS Plugin: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 27, 2026
Which is better, HTML5 Code editor or Simple Custom CSS Plugin?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against HTML5 Code editor. Choose HTML5 Code editor if you care most about download trend. Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is HTML5 Code editor more popular than Simple Custom CSS Plugin?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with <10 for HTML5 Code editor.
Can I use HTML5 Code editor and Simple Custom CSS Plugin together?
Both plugins cover code, 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 HTML5 Code editor and Simple Custom CSS Plugin 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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