Master Slider vs WP Carousel (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Slider Plugins top 10: Master Slider at #6 and WP Carousel at #9. WP Carousel leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Master Slider
Master Slider – Responsive Touch Slider
Build SEO friendly sliders fast and easy with touch swipe navigation that works smoothly across all devices.
WP Carousel
Carousel, Slider, Photo Gallery with Lightbox, Video Slider, by WP Carousel
Carousel, Slider, and Photo Gallery with Lightbox plugin. Create Image Carousel, Video Slider, Post Carousel, Post Grid, Product Carousel, and more.
Who leads on what
WP Carousel leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track.
Master Slider ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #9 in Slider Plugins.
WP Carousel has more users: 70,000+ active installs against 60,000+.
WP Carousel is rated higher: 4.7 out of 5 from 433 reviews, against 4.6 from 503 reviews.
Master Slider has more reviews behind its score: 503 against 433.
WP Carousel was updated more recently, on August 18, 2026; Master Slider on May 9, 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.
Master Slider
Pick Master Slider if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
WP Carousel
Pick WP Carousel if you want the plugin more sites already run, the review score matters most to you or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Master Slider vs WP Carousel side by side
| Master Slider | WP Carousel | |
|---|---|---|
| Slider Plugins ranking | #6 | #9 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 503 | 433 |
| Active installs | 60,000+ | 70,000+ |
| Total downloads | 3,210,557 | 2,098,980 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | May 9, 2026 | Aug 18, 2026 |
| First published | Jul 12, 2014 | Jul 30, 2014 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 6.9.7 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 5.4 | 7.0.0 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Master Slider ratings
WP Carousel 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 Master Slider nor WP Carousel can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Slider Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Master Slider vs WP Carousel: common questions
Is Master Slider better than WP Carousel?
WP Carousel leads on 3 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Master Slider ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #9 in Slider Plugins.
Which has more users, Master Slider or WP Carousel?
Master Slider ranks higher on WordPress.org: #6 against #9 in Slider Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Master Slider or WP Carousel?
WP Carousel has more users: 70,000+ active installs against 60,000+.
Are Master Slider and WP Carousel free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Master Slider may also sell a paid version or add-ons. WP Carousel is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Master Slider and WP Carousel
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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What moved this week
One email a week, built from the same daily snapshots these rankings come from: the plugins that climbed, what launched, and one ranking worth a look.