Head-to-head · October 2026
Prettify Code Syntax vs Simple Custom CSS Plugin
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Prettify Code Syntax.
Prettify Code Syntax
The main reason for the development of this plugin was the lack of options supporting the HTML5…
Simple Custom CSS Plugin
Add Custom CSS to your WordPress site without any hassles. An easy-to-use WordPress Plugin to add custom CSS…
| Metric | Prettify Code Syntax | Simple Custom CSS Plugin |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 70+ | 100K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 207 | 7.8K |
| Download trend | +22.5% | +12.3% |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Reviews | 12 | 159 |
| Health score | 34/100 | 51/100 |
| Last updated | 14 years ago | 2 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.5.2 | WP 6.7.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Feb 2013 | Aug 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Prettify Code SyntaxSimple Custom CSS Plugin
Choose Prettify Code Syntax if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (70+ active installs)
- No update in 13 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.5 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 159 reviews
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.7 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: code
FAQ
Prettify Code Syntax vs Simple Custom CSS Plugin: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 10, 2026
Which is better, Prettify Code Syntax or Simple Custom CSS Plugin?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 7 of 8 head-to-head checks against Prettify Code Syntax. Choose Prettify Code Syntax if you care most about download trend. Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and rating.
Is Prettify Code Syntax more popular than Simple Custom CSS Plugin?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 70+ for Prettify Code Syntax.
Can I use Prettify Code Syntax and Simple Custom CSS Plugin together?
Both plugins cover code, 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 Prettify Code Syntax and Simple Custom CSS Plugin 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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