Head-to-head · October 2026
Shortcode in Menus vs User role sidebar menu
Shortcode in Menus comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against User role sidebar menu.
Shortcode in Menus
Allows you to add shortcodes in WordPress Navigation Menus so that you can generate links dynamically. Also…
User role sidebar menu
Welcome to User role sidebar menu..! This plugin allows you to Manage custom Sidebar menus based on logged-in…
| Metric | Shortcode in Menus | User role sidebar menu |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 50K+ | 50+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.5K | 85 |
| Download trend | +4.4% | +14.9% |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 82 | 2 |
| Health score | 66/100 | 32/100 |
| Last updated | 8 months ago | 8 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.9.10 | WP 4.9.34 |
| Support resolved | 100% | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | Any |
| First released | Sep 2013 | Feb 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Shortcode in MenusUser role sidebar menu
Choose Shortcode in Menus if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 50K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.7/5 from 82 reviews
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose User role sidebar menu if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (50+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.9 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: menus
FAQ
Shortcode in Menus vs User role sidebar menu: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Which is better, Shortcode in Menus or User role sidebar menu?
Shortcode in Menus comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against User role sidebar menu. Choose Shortcode in Menus if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose User role sidebar menu if you care most about download trend.
Is Shortcode in Menus more popular than User role sidebar menu?
Shortcode in Menus is the more popular of the two with 50K+ active installs, compared with 50+ for User role sidebar menu.
Can I use Shortcode in Menus and User role sidebar menu together?
Both plugins cover menus, 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 Shortcode in Menus and User role sidebar menu 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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