Head-to-head · September 2026
Image Widget vs Simple Image Widget
Simple Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Image Widget.
Image Widget
With Image Widget plugin you can in few simple steps publish images grid on sidebar of your blog page or…
Simple Image Widget
Simple Image Widget is what the name implies — the easiest way to add images to your sidebars. Display…
| Metric | Image Widget | Simple Image Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 3K+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 388 | 468 |
| Download trend | -2.5% | +15.6% |
| Rating | 3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 39 |
| Health score | 38/100 | 54/100 |
| Last updated | 1 year ago | 1 year ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.8.10 | WP 6.8.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Jul 2018 | Sep 2008 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Image WidgetSimple Image Widget
Choose Image Widget if…
You care most about last updated.
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Simple Image Widget if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 10K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.5/5 from 39 reviews
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: image widget sidebar widget
FAQ
Image Widget vs Simple Image Widget: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 30, 2026
Which is better, Image Widget or Simple Image Widget?
Simple Image Widget comes out ahead, winning 5 of 6 head-to-head checks against Image Widget. Choose Image Widget if you care most about last updated. Choose Simple Image Widget if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Image Widget more popular than Simple Image Widget?
Simple Image Widget is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 3K+ for Image Widget.
Can I use Image Widget and Simple Image Widget together?
Both plugins cover image widget, sidebar 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 Image Widget and Simple 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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