Head-to-head · October 2026
Simple Exclude Categories vs Media Library Categories
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Exclude Categories.
Simple Exclude Categories
Plugin help hide all posts in one or more category on your homepage.
Media Library Categories
Adds the ability to use categories in the WordPress Media Library. When activated a dropdown of categories…
| Metric | Simple Exclude Categories | Media Library Categories |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100+ | 20K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 75 | 3.3K |
| Download trend | +38.9% | +7.4% |
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Reviews | 5 | 52 |
| Health score | 34/100 | 71/100 |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 2 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.9.34 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | — | 0% |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Feb 2014 | Nov 2013 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Simple Exclude Categori…Media Library Categories
Choose Simple Exclude Categories if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- No update in 8 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Media Library Categories if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 20K+ active sites
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
Both compete in: categories
FAQ
Simple Exclude Categories vs Media Library Categories: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 17, 2026
Which is better, Simple Exclude Categories or Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Simple Exclude Categories. Choose Simple Exclude Categories if you care most about download trend. Choose Media Library Categories if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
Is Simple Exclude Categories more popular than Media Library Categories?
Media Library Categories is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Simple Exclude Categories.
Can I use Simple Exclude Categories and Media Library Categories together?
Both plugins cover categories, 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 Exclude Categories 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.
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
