Simple 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: Simple Sitemap at #4 and XML Sitemap & Google News at #3. XML Sitemap & Google News leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Simple Sitemap
Simple Sitemap – Responsive HTML Sitemap for WordPress
Build a responsive HTML sitemap in the block editor with live preview, flexible sorting, tabs, and shortcode support.
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 4 of the 5 measures we track.
XML Sitemap & Google News ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Sitemap Plugins.
XML Sitemap & Google News has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 60,000+.
XML Sitemap & Google News is rated higher: 4.4 out of 5 from 85 reviews, against 3.9 from 72 reviews.
XML Sitemap & Google News has more reviews behind its score: 85 against 72.
Simple Sitemap was updated more recently, on September 1, 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.
Simple Sitemap
Pick Simple 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, the review score matters most to you or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Simple Sitemap vs XML Sitemap & Google News side by side
| Simple Sitemap | XML Sitemap & Google News | |
|---|---|---|
| Sitemap Plugins ranking | #4 | #3 |
| Rating | 3.9 | 4.4 |
| Reviews | 72 | 85 |
| Active installs | 60,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Total downloads | 1,834,571 | 4,909,566 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Sep 1, 2026 | Jun 10, 2026 |
| First published | Jun 30, 2010 | 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.
Simple 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 Simple 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.
Simple Sitemap vs XML Sitemap & Google News: common questions
Is Simple Sitemap better than XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News leads on 4 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 #4 in Sitemap Plugins.
Which has more users, Simple Sitemap or XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News ranks higher on WordPress.org: #3 against #4 in Sitemap Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Simple Sitemap or XML Sitemap & Google News?
XML Sitemap & Google News has more users: 100,000+ active installs against 60,000+.
Are Simple Sitemap and XML Sitemap & Google News free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Simple 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 Simple Sitemap and XML Sitemap & Google News
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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HTML Page Sitemap
10,000+ installs · 4.4 from 24 reviews
-
WP Sitemap Page
200,000+ installs · 4.8 from 205 reviews
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Kwayy HTML Sitemap
6,000+ installs · 4.7 from 18 reviews
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Dynamic XML Sitemaps Generator for Google
20,000+ installs · 4.7 from 46 reviews
-
Companion Sitemap Generator
7,000+ installs · 4.7 from 55 reviews
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