Head-to-head · October 2026
Layout Grid Block vs Simple Link Embed
Layout Grid Block comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Link Embed.
Layout Grid Block
Want to create a column-based layout with easily customizable column-width and positions? Or perhaps you want…
Simple Link Embed
Simple Link Embed lets editors create link cards from external URLs or internal posts in the block editor…
| Metric | Layout Grid Block | Simple Link Embed |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 200K+ | 30+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 2.4K | 122 |
| Download trend | +36% | -5.4% |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 13 | 1 |
| Health score | 43/100 | 70/100 |
| Last updated | 3 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.2.14 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Nov 2019 | Mar 2026 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Layout Grid BlockSimple Link Embed
Choose Layout Grid Block if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 200K+ active sites
- Momentum — downloads up 36% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in 3 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.2 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Simple Link Embed if…
You care most about health score, last updated and tested up to.
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (30+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: block
FAQ
Layout Grid Block vs Simple Link Embed: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Which is better, Layout Grid Block or Simple Link Embed?
Layout Grid Block comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Link Embed. Choose Layout Grid Block if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend. Choose Simple Link Embed if you care most about health score, last updated and tested up to.
Is Layout Grid Block more popular than Simple Link Embed?
Layout Grid Block is the more popular of the two with 200K+ active installs, compared with 30+ for Simple Link Embed.
Can I use Layout Grid Block and Simple Link Embed together?
Both plugins cover block, 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 Layout Grid Block and Simple Link Embed 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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