Core Framework vs Custom CSS and JavaScript
Two WordPress plugins head to head: ranking, active installs, downloads and ratings, from our daily tracking of the WordPress.org directory.
These aren’t all alternatives to each other — they do different jobs — so this page compares popularity only, not features.
At a glance
Core Framework leads the WordPress.org popular list today at #1,424, ahead of Custom CSS and JavaScript at #1,973. Over the last 7 days Core Framework slipped 1 place and Custom CSS and JavaScript climbed 5 places. Core Framework has the largest install base: 10K+ active installs against 10K+ for Custom CSS and JavaScript. Downloads this week: Core Framework 699 and Custom CSS and JavaScript 250. Ratings: Core Framework 5★ from 41 and Custom CSS and JavaScript 4.7★ from 60 reviews.
| Metric | Core Framework | Custom CSS and JavaScript |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank today | #1,424 ▼ 1 | #1,973 ▲ 5 |
| Active installs | 10K+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads, last 7 days | 699 | 250 |
| Rating | 5★ (41) | 4.7★ (60) |
| Last updated | Aug 28, 2026 | Aug 12, 2024 |
| Current version | 2.0.2 | 2.0.16 |
| Best rank on record | #1,422 | #1,927 |
| Days in the top 50 | 0 | 0 |
| On WordPress.org since | Mar 2024 | Dec 2015 |
Highlighted cells mark the strongest figure in each row. Rank and installs are from the latest WordPress.org capture; downloads are the last seven captured days.
Ranking history Lower is better
Active installs
Downloads per day
More comparisons
- Core Framework vs WP Add Custom CSS
- Core Framework vs Bricksable for Bricks Builder
- Core Framework vs Elements For Elementor
- Core Framework vs Custom Body Class
- Custom CSS and JavaScript vs WP Add Custom CSS
- Custom CSS and JavaScript vs WP-LESS
- Custom CSS and JavaScript vs Simple Custom CSS
- Custom CSS and JavaScript vs Snazzy Maps
Frequently asked questions
Which is more popular, Core Framework or Custom CSS and JavaScript?
By active installs, Core Framework: 10K+ sites run it against 10K+ for Custom CSS and JavaScript, according to WordPress.org figures captured on November 1, 2026.
Which ranks higher on WordPress.org, Core Framework or Custom CSS and JavaScript?
Core Framework, at #1,424 on the WordPress.org popular plugins list today, with Custom CSS and JavaScript at #1,973. The ranking reflects recent installs and moves daily, which is why this page shows the history rather than one snapshot.
Are Core Framework or Custom CSS and JavaScript alternatives to each other?
Not all of them. Some of these plugins do different jobs and many sites run more than one. This page compares their popularity, not their features.
Where do these numbers come from?
WordPress.org publishes each plugin’s active install count and its position on the popular list. This site records both every day, along with per-day downloads and ratings, so the charts above show how the plugins have moved over time rather than a single day.