Head-to-head · October 2026
MD Block vs Spectra Legacy
Spectra Legacy comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against MD Block.
MD Block
If you need to take the freedom of markdown then this is the plugin for you. MD Block gives you a Gutenberg…
Spectra Legacy – Gutenberg Blocks
This plugin was previously called Spectra. It’s now Spectra Legacy. Nothing on your website has changed.
| Metric | MD Block | Spectra Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 1M+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 41 | 670.1K |
| Download trend | -14.6% | +37.7% |
| Rating | — | 4.7/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 1,872 |
| Health score | 23/100 | 92/100 |
| Last updated | 4 years ago | 1 week ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.0.17 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 67% |
| Requires PHP | 7.0+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Aug 2022 | Jun 2018 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
MD BlockSpectra Legacy
Choose MD Block 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 4 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.0 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Spectra Legacy if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- One of the most-used plugins on the web — 1M+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 1,872 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 1 week ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 37.7% vs the previous 30 days
FAQ
MD Block vs Spectra Legacy: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 19, 2026
Which is better, MD Block or Spectra Legacy?
Spectra Legacy comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against MD Block. Choose Spectra Legacy if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is MD Block more popular than Spectra Legacy?
Spectra Legacy is the more popular of the two with 1M+ active installs, compared with 10+ for MD Block.
Can I use MD Block and Spectra Legacy together?
Both plugins cover block and editor, 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 MD Block and Spectra Legacy 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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