# Merging Image Boxes vs Smart Slider 3

> Merging Image Boxes vs Smart Slider 3 compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Smart Slider 3 comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Merging Image Boxes.

**Smart Slider 3 comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Merging Image Boxes.** Choose Merging Image Boxes if you care most about download trend. Choose Smart Slider 3 if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

| | Merging Image Boxes | Smart Slider 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 800K+ ✅ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 68 | 99K ✅ |
| Download trend | +19.3% ✅ | -76% |
| Rating | — | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 0 | 1,125 ✅ |
| Health score | 23/100 | 89/100 ✅ |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 2 months ago ✅ |
| Tested up to | WP 4.9.34 | WP 7.0.7 ✅ |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.0+ |
| First released | Oct 2011 | Nov 2015 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Merging Image Boxes or Smart Slider 3?
Smart Slider 3 comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Merging Image Boxes. Choose Merging Image Boxes if you care most about download trend. Choose Smart Slider 3 if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.

### Is Merging Image Boxes more popular than Smart Slider 3?
Smart Slider 3 is the more popular of the two with 800K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Merging Image Boxes.

### Can I use Merging Image Boxes and Smart Slider 3 together?
Both plugins cover gallery, 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 Merging Image Boxes and Smart Slider 3 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/merging-image-boxes-vs-smart-slider-3/ · Generated 2026-10-09 10:14 UTC by PageForge