Head-to-head · October 2026
Simple Custom CSS Plugin vs Smart Code Escape
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Code Escape.
Simple Custom CSS Plugin
Add Custom CSS to your WordPress site without any hassles. An easy-to-use WordPress Plugin to add custom CSS…
Smart Code Escape
A tiny plugin for WordPress which converts greater than signs, smaller than signs and ampersands to html…
| Metric | Simple Custom CSS Plugin | Smart Code Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 7.6K | 46 |
| Download trend | +3% | -22% |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 5/5 |
| Reviews | 159 | 1 |
| Health score | 51/100 | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 2 years ago | 11 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.7.10 | WP 4.2.39 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Aug 2013 | Dec 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Simple Custom CSS PluginSmart Code Escape
Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- 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)
Choose Smart Code Escape if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: code
FAQ
Simple Custom CSS Plugin vs Smart Code Escape: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 18, 2026
Which is better, Simple Custom CSS Plugin or Smart Code Escape?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Smart Code Escape. Choose Simple Custom CSS Plugin if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Simple Custom CSS Plugin more popular than Smart Code Escape?
Simple Custom CSS Plugin is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Smart Code Escape.
Can I use Simple Custom CSS Plugin and Smart Code Escape 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 Simple Custom CSS Plugin and Smart Code Escape 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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