PHP Code Widget vs Shortcode Widget
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
PHP Code Widget leads the WordPress.org popular list today at #569, ahead of Shortcode Widget at #1,623. Over the last 7 days PHP Code Widget climbed 1 place and Shortcode Widget climbed 5 places. PHP Code Widget has the largest install base, roughly 7× the next: 70K+ active installs against 10K+ for Shortcode Widget. Ratings: PHP Code Widget 4.7★ from 61 and Shortcode Widget 4.9★ from 34 reviews.
| Metric | PHP Code Widget | Shortcode Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Popular rank today | #569 ▲ 1 | #1,623 ▲ 5 |
| Active installs | 70K+ | 10K+ |
| Downloads, last 7 days | 204 | — |
| Rating | 4.7★ (61) | 4.9★ (34) |
| Last updated | Mar 30, 2022 | Mar 22, 2026 |
| Current version | 2.4 | 1.5.3 |
| Best rank on record | #541 | #1,623 |
| Days in the top 50 | 0 | 0 |
| On WordPress.org since | Mar 2008 | Feb 2013 |
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
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more popular, PHP Code Widget or Shortcode Widget?
By active installs, PHP Code Widget: 70K+ sites run it against 10K+ for Shortcode Widget, according to WordPress.org figures captured on September 12, 2026.
Which ranks higher on WordPress.org, PHP Code Widget or Shortcode Widget?
PHP Code Widget, at #569 on the WordPress.org popular plugins list today, with Shortcode Widget at #1,623. The ranking reflects recent installs and moves daily, which is why this page shows the history rather than one snapshot.
Are PHP Code Widget or Shortcode Widget 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.