Head-to-head · October 2026
WP Fakeloader vs WP Smart Preloader
WP Smart Preloader comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP Fakeloader.
WP Fakeloader
WP Fakeloader is an awesome Preloader based on Fakeloader JS. This is simple to customize and super…
WP Smart Preloader
WP Smart Preloader is a Simple CSS spinners and throbbers made with CSS and minimal HTML markup. It offers…
| Metric | WP Fakeloader | WP Smart Preloader |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20+ | 5K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 168 | 585 |
| Download trend | +5% | +32.7% |
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 25 |
| Health score | 31/100 | 46/100 |
| Last updated | 9 years ago | 2 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 4.7.38 | WP 6.6.10 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | Any |
| First released | Apr 2016 | Dec 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
WP FakeloaderWP Smart Preloader
Choose WP Fakeloader if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (20+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 9 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.7 (latest is 7.1)
Choose WP Smart Preloader if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Momentum — downloads up 32.7% vs the previous 30 days
- No update in over a year
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.6 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: wordpress preloader
FAQ
WP Fakeloader vs WP Smart Preloader: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 19, 2026
Which is better, WP Fakeloader or WP Smart Preloader?
WP Smart Preloader comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against WP Fakeloader. Choose WP Smart Preloader if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is WP Fakeloader more popular than WP Smart Preloader?
WP Smart Preloader is the more popular of the two with 5K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for WP Fakeloader.
Can I use WP Fakeloader and WP Smart Preloader together?
Both plugins cover wordpress preloader, 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 WP Fakeloader and WP Smart Preloader 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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