Head-to-head · September 2026
User Profile Picture vs Simple Local Avatars
Simple Local Avatars comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against User Profile Picture.
User Profile Picture
User Profile Picture is no longer under active development, but will continue to work as is. We have…
Simple Local Avatars
Adds an avatar upload field to user profiles if the current user has media permissions. Generates requested…
| Metric | User Profile Picture | Simple Local Avatars |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 40K+ | 100K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 5.2K | 18.3K |
| Download trend | -43.1% | -0.1% |
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Reviews | 59 | 89 |
| Health score | 80/100 | 90/100 |
| Last updated | 3 months ago | 1 month ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.6 | WP 7.1.2 |
| Support resolved | — | 100% |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | May 2012 | Jan 2011 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
User Profile PictureSimple Local Avatars
Choose User Profile Picture if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Proven at scale on 40K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.6/5 from 59 reviews
Choose Simple Local Avatars if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.6/5 from 89 reviews
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
FAQ
User Profile Picture vs Simple Local Avatars: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 27, 2026
Which is better, User Profile Picture or Simple Local Avatars?
Simple Local Avatars comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against User Profile Picture. Choose Simple Local Avatars if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is User Profile Picture more popular than Simple Local Avatars?
Simple Local Avatars is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 40K+ for User Profile Picture.
Can I use User Profile Picture and Simple Local Avatars together?
Both plugins cover avatar, gravatar and users, 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 User Profile Picture and Simple Local Avatars 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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