Hierarchical HTML Sitemap vs XML Sitemap & Google News (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Sitemap Plugins top 10: Hierarchical HTML Sitemap at #9 and XML Sitemap & Google News at #3. XML Sitemap & Google News leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap
A lightweight HTML sitemap that groups posts by hierarchical categories and can optionally list pages.
XML Sitemap & Google News
Take control of your WordPress core XML Sitemap and add a Google News Sitemap.
Who leads on what
XML Sitemap & Google News leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
XML Sitemap & Google News ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Sitemap Plugins.
XML Sitemap & Google News has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 4,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Hierarchical HTML Sitemap has 12, XML Sitemap & Google News has 85. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
XML Sitemap & Google News has more reviews behind its score: 85 against 12.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap was updated more recently, on August 30, 2026; XML Sitemap & Google News on June 10, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap
Pick Hierarchical HTML Sitemap if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
XML Sitemap & Google News
Pick XML Sitemap & Google News if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap vs XML Sitemap & Google News side by side
| Hierarchical HTML Sitemap | XML Sitemap & Google News | |
|---|---|---|
| Sitemap Plugins ranking | #9 | #3 |
| Rating | 5.0 | 4.4 |
| Reviews | 12 | 85 |
| Active installs | 4,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Total downloads | 44,695 | 4,909,566 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 30, 2026 | Jun 10, 2026 |
| First published | Dec 28, 2014 | Sep 26, 2009 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.0.4 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 5.6 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap ratings
XML Sitemap & Google News ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Hierarchical HTML Sitemap nor XML Sitemap & Google News can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Sitemap Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Hierarchical HTML Sitemap vs XML Sitemap & Google News: common questions
Is Hierarchical HTML Sitemap better than XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. XML Sitemap & Google News ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Sitemap Plugins.
Which has more users, Hierarchical HTML Sitemap or XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #9 in Sitemap Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Hierarchical HTML Sitemap or XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 4,000+.
Are Hierarchical HTML Sitemap and XML Sitemap & Google News free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Hierarchical HTML Sitemap may also sell a paid version or add-ons. XML Sitemap & Google News is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Hierarchical HTML Sitemap and XML Sitemap & Google News
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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Companion Sitemap Generator
7,000+ installs · 4.7 from 55 reviews
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HTML Page Sitemap
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XML Sitemap Generator for Google
1 million+ installs · 4.8 from 2,233 reviews
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Dynamic XML Sitemaps Generator for Google
20,000+ installs · 4.7 from 46 reviews
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WP Sitemap Page
200,000+ installs · 4.8 from 205 reviews
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