# Indicate External Links vs Smart Arrow Shortcodes

> Indicate External Links vs Smart Arrow Shortcodes compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Indicate External Links comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Arrow Shortcodes.

**Indicate External Links comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Arrow Shortcodes.** Choose Indicate External Links if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | Indicate External Links | Smart Arrow Shortcodes |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 600+ ✅ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 175 ✅ | 51 |
| Download trend | +29.6% ✅ | -15% |
| Rating | 5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 7 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 52/100 ✅ | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 1 year ago ✅ | 13 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.8.11 ✅ | WP 3.5.2 |
| Support resolved | 100% | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Apr 2014 | Jun 2013 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Indicate External Links or Smart Arrow Shortcodes?
Indicate External Links comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Arrow Shortcodes. Choose Indicate External Links if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is Indicate External Links more popular than Smart Arrow Shortcodes?
Indicate External Links is the more popular of the two with 600+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Smart Arrow Shortcodes.

### Can I use Indicate External Links and Smart Arrow Shortcodes together?
Both plugins cover arrow, 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 Indicate External Links and Smart Arrow Shortcodes 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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