Head-to-head · October 2026
NS Category Widget vs Media Library Categories
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against NS Category Widget.
NS Category Widget
Are you frustrated by the lack of customization options in default Category widget in WordPress? Then this…
Media Library Categories
Adds the ability to use categories in the WordPress Media Library. When activated a dropdown of categories…
| Metric | NS Category Widget | Media Library Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 1K+ | 20K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 221 | 3.3K |
| Download trend | -16% | +15% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Reviews | 34 | 52 |
| Health score | 52/100 | 71/100 |
| Last updated | 1 year ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.8.11 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | 7.2.24+ | Any |
| First released | Dec 2013 | Nov 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
NS Category WidgetMedia Library Categories
Choose NS Category Widget if…
You care most about rating.
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 34 reviews
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Media Library Categories if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Momentum — downloads up 15% vs the previous 30 days
Both compete in: category
FAQ
NS Category Widget vs Media Library Categories: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 14, 2026
Which is better, NS Category Widget or Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against NS Category Widget. Choose NS Category Widget if you care most about rating. Choose Media Library Categories if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is NS Category Widget more popular than Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 1K+ for NS Category Widget.
Can I use NS Category Widget and Media Library Categories together?
Both plugins cover category, 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 NS Category Widget and Media Library Categories 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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