# Sidebar Shortcodes

> Sidebar Shortcodes has 70+ active installs and 62 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 25/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Consider an alternative.** Sidebar Shortcodes shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 70+ sites and was last updated 18 years ago, and scores 25/100 on our health check.

**Once this plugin is activated, you’ll be able to use the new “shortcodes” in your sidebar text widget. The shortcodes will work exactly the same way as they do in your posts.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 70+
- **Total downloads:** 6,583
- **Downloads (30 days):** 62 (+6.9% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 25/100 (At risk)
- **Version:** 0.1.1
- **Last updated:** Aug 24, 2008
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 2.6.1
- **Requires:** WordPress 2.5+
- **Support resolved:** 0 of 0 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** DanCoulter (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/dancoulter/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/sidebar-shortcodes/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [shortcode](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/shortcode/) | >100 | 1,428 |
| [shortcodes](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/shortcodes/) | #77 | 201 |
| [sidebar](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/sidebar/) | >100 | 489 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| shortcode | >100 | 10,000 |
| shortcodes | >100 | 10,000 |
| sidebar | >100 | 10,000 |

## Version adoption

- 0.1: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Shortcodes Ultimate – Content Elements](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/shortcodes-ultimate/) | 400K+ | 4.9/5 (5,925) | Sep 25, 2026 | 82/100 |
| 2 | [MW WP Form](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/mw-wp-form/) | 200K+ | 4.2/5 (23) | Sep 27, 2026 | 59/100 |
| 3 | [Shortcoder — Create Shortcodes for Anything](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/shortcoder/) | 100K+ | 4.9/5 (227) | Sep 14, 2026 | 81/100 |
| 4 | [Display Posts – Easy lists, grids, navigation, and more](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/display-posts-shortcode/) | 80K+ | 4.8/5 (164) | Oct 14, 2024 | 51/100 |
| 5 | [Better Font Awesome](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/better-font-awesome/) | 60K+ | 4.5/5 (88) | Sep 10, 2026 | 89/100 |
| 6 | [Column Shortcodes](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/column-shortcodes/) | 60K+ | 4.8/5 (134) | Oct 11, 2022 | 47/100 |
| 7 | [eRecht24 Legal Texts](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/erecht24/) | 50K+ | 5/5 (1) | Oct 12, 2026 | 85/100 |
| 8 | [Shortcode in Menus](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/shortcode-in-menus/) | 50K+ | 4.7/5 (82) | Feb 10, 2026 | 66/100 |
| 9 | [Advanced iFrame](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/advanced-iframe/) | 40K+ | 4.4/5 (54) | Oct 10, 2026 | 88/100 |
| 10 | [Insert Pages](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/insert-pages/) | 30K+ | 4.8/5 (71) | Jun 19, 2026 | 75/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sidebar Shortcodes free?
Yes. Sidebar Shortcodes is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is Sidebar Shortcodes safe to use in 2026?
Sidebar Shortcodes shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 70+ sites and was last updated 18 years ago, and scores 25/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use Sidebar Shortcodes?
Sidebar Shortcodes is active on 70+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 6,583 times since it launched in August 2008. It was downloaded 62 times in the last 30 days.

### Does Sidebar Shortcodes work with WordPress 7.1?
Sidebar Shortcodes is officially tested up to WordPress 2.6.1, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### When was Sidebar Shortcodes last updated?
The latest version, 0.1.1, was released on August 24, 2008 (18 years ago).

### Who makes Sidebar Shortcodes?
Sidebar Shortcodes is developed and maintained by DanCoulter.

### What are the best alternatives to Sidebar Shortcodes?
The most popular alternatives to Sidebar Shortcodes are Shortcodes Ultimate (400K+ installs), MW WP Form (200K+ installs) and Shortcoder (100K+ installs).


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/sidebar-shortcodes/ · Generated 2026-10-13 22:21 UTC by PageForge