Head-to-head · September 2026
HW Image Widget vs Swifty Image Widget
HW Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 4 of 8 head-to-head checks against Swifty Image Widget.
HW Image Widget
This widget requires WordPress 3.5 or newer. Primary features of HW Image Widget:
Swifty Image Widget
Super simple but powerful widget that allows adding single or multiple images to your widget positions, using…
| Metric | HW Image Widget | Swifty Image Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ | 900+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 224 | 116 |
| Download trend | +39.1% | +7.4% |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 14 | 12 |
| Health score | 37/100 | 39/100 |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 3 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.2.39 | WP 6.3.12 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Mar 2013 | Aug 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
HW Image WidgetSwifty Image Widget
Choose HW Image Widget if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.2 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Swifty Image Widget if…
You care most about rating, health score and last updated.
- Small user base (900+ active installs)
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.3 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: image widget widget
FAQ
HW Image Widget vs Swifty Image Widget: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Which is better, HW Image Widget or Swifty Image Widget?
HW Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 4 of 8 head-to-head checks against Swifty Image Widget. Choose HW Image Widget if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose Swifty Image Widget if you care most about rating, health score and last updated.
Is HW Image Widget more popular than Swifty Image Widget?
HW Image Widget is the more popular of the two with 1K+ active installs, compared with 900+ for Swifty Image Widget.
Can I use HW Image Widget and Swifty Image Widget together?
Both plugins cover image widget and widget, 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 HW Image Widget and Swifty Image Widget 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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