Head-to-head · October 2026
Indicate External Links vs Smart Arrow Shortcodes
Indicate External Links comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Arrow Shortcodes.
Indicate External Links
A simple and lightweight plugin to indicate external http and https links in posts, pages and custom content…
Smart Arrow Shortcodes
If you have a blog that requires giving instructions to users, like moving following Settings → General, this…
| Metric | 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 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Indicate External LinksSmart Arrow Shortcodes
Choose Indicate External Links if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Small user base (600+ active installs)
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Smart Arrow Shortcodes if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 13 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.5 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: arrow
FAQ
Indicate External Links vs Smart Arrow Shortcodes: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 16, 2026
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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