Head-to-head · October 2026
Link Manager vs WP-LinkEX
Link Manager comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP-LinkEX.
Link Manager
In WordPress 3.5, the Link Manager (which some use to build blogrolls) will be disabled by default. If you…
WP-LinkEX
This plugin allows you to easily display the links included in your LinkEX installation directly in a…
| Metric | Link Manager | WP-LinkEX |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 845 | 53 |
| Download trend | +31.8% | -18.5% |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 33 | 0 |
| Health score | 45/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 16 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.1.15 | WP 2.8 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Aug 2012 | Nov 2010 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Link ManagerWP-LinkEX
Choose Link Manager if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.5/5 from 33 reviews
- Momentum — downloads up 31.8% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.1 (latest is 7.1)
Choose WP-LinkEX 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 15 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 2.8 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Link Manager vs WP-LinkEX: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 17, 2026
Which is better, Link Manager or WP-LinkEX?
Link Manager comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP-LinkEX. Choose Link Manager if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Link Manager more popular than WP-LinkEX?
Link Manager is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for WP-LinkEX.
Can I use Link Manager and WP-LinkEX together?
Both plugins cover blogroll and links, 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 Link Manager and WP-LinkEX 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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