Head-to-head · September 2026
Preloader vs Custom Preloader
Preloader comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Preloader.
Preloader
The ultimate Preloader plugin for WordPress. Smart, flexible, and made for easy control.
| Metric | Preloader | Custom Preloader |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ | 100+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.5K | 80 |
| Download trend | -2.7% | -1.2% |
| Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 41 | 2 |
| Health score | 82/100 | 34/100 |
| Last updated | 1 month ago | 1 year ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.2 | WP 6.7.9 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | 5.2.4+ |
| First released | Jul 2015 | Jul 2022 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
PreloaderCustom Preloader
Choose Preloader 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)
Choose Custom Preloader if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (100+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.7 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Preloader vs Custom Preloader: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 28, 2026
Which is better, Preloader or Custom Preloader?
Preloader comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Preloader. Choose Preloader if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Custom Preloader if you care most about download trend.
Is Preloader more popular than Custom Preloader?
Preloader is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with 100+ for Custom Preloader.
Can I use Preloader and Custom Preloader together?
Both plugins cover load, loader and loading, 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 Preloader and Custom Preloader 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
