# Best Essentials Plugins for WordPress

> Compare 6 essentials plugins for WordPress ranked by active installs, rating and update health. Top picks: WPDevDesign, axanet Tools, Surplus Essentials.

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [WPDevDesign – Oxygen – Essentials](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/wpdevdesign-oxygen-essentials/) | 500+ | 4.3/5 (3) | Feb 14, 2020 | 32/100 |
| 2 | [axanet Tools](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/axanet-tools/) | 10+ | — | Sep 9, 2026 | 66/100 |
| 3 | [Surplus Essentials](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/surplus-essentials/) | 10+ | — | Aug 29, 2020 | 23/100 |
| 4 | [K2 Custom Payment Gateway for WooCommerce](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/k2-woo-custom-payment-gateway/) | <10 | — | Nov 12, 2020 | 21/100 |
| 5 | [Essentials – Essential Elements for WordPress](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/essential-elements/) | <10 | — | Sep 20, 2026 | 64/100 |
| 6 | [th23 Specials](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/th23-specials/) | <10 | — | May 3, 2025 | 30/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the most popular essentials plugin for WordPress?
WPDevDesign – Oxygen – Essentials is the most popular essentials plugin with 500+ active installs and a 4.3/5 rating on WordPress.org.

### How many essentials plugins are on WordPress.org?
There are currently 6 plugins tagged “essentials” in the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Are these essentials plugins actively maintained?
2 of the top 6 essentials plugins were updated in the last 30 days. Check each plugin’s health score for update freshness, WordPress compatibility and support responsiveness.


---
Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/essentials/ · Generated 2026-10-02 01:54 UTC by PageForge