Head-to-head · October 2026
WPCode vs Short Syntax Highlighter…
WPCode comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Short Syntax Highlighter Sh….
WPCode
WPCode (formerly known as Insert Headers and Footers by WPBeginner) is the most popular code snippets plugin…
Short Syntax Highlighter Shortcode
Short Syntax Highlighter allows you to easily post syntax-highlighted code to your site without losing it’s…
| Metric | WPCode | Short Syntax Highlighter… |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 3M+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 922.8K | 36 |
| Download trend | -49.6% | +16.1% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | — |
| Reviews | 1,898 | 0 |
| Health score | 92/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 1 month ago | 10 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.2 | WP 4.5.33 |
| Support resolved | 80% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.0+ | Any |
| First released | Jul 2012 | Dec 2010 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
WPCodeShort Syntax Highlighte…
Choose WPCode if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 3M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 1,898 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 80% of recent threads resolved
Choose Short Syntax Highlighter… if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 10 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.5 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
WPCode vs Short Syntax Highlighter…: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Which is better, WPCode or Short Syntax Highlighter Sh…?
WPCode comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Short Syntax Highlighter Sh…. Choose WPCode if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Short Syntax Highlighter Sh… if you care most about download trend.
Is WPCode more popular than Short Syntax Highlighter Sh…?
WPCode is the more popular of the two with 3M+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Short Syntax Highlighter Sh….
Can I use WPCode and Short Syntax Highlighter Sh… together?
Both plugins cover code and css, 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 WPCode and Short Syntax Highlighter Sh… 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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