Google Maps Widget vs Maps Marker
Compare WordPress plugins and tools side by side. Pick products with “Compare” in the software directory.
| Feature | Google Maps Widget v4.27 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.6/5 Visit Details | Maps Marker v3.12.10 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.6/5 Visit Details |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 9,000+ |
| Last updated | August 16, 2026 | December 5, 2025 |
| Editions | Maps Widget for Google Maps · Maps Widget for Google Maps PRO ($) | Leaflet Maps Marker · Maps Marker Pro ($) |
| Pros | Lightweight map thumbnail that opens in a lightbox; Geocoding results are cached; Simple widget setup with an API key test | Markers grouped into layers with icons; Shortcode and recent-markers widget; Several basemap providers to choose from |
| Cons | Needs a Google Maps API key; Classic widget; the admin shows a notice when classic widgets are unavailable; Extra features are in the paid PRO edition | Free version retired: security fixes only; Upgrade pages push the paid Maps Marker Pro; Some providers need their own keys or accounts |
| Mentioned in our posts | 1 | 1 |
| More features | ||
| Other features | Google Map sidebar widget, Map thumbnail that opens in a lightbox, Geocoding with cached coordinates, Test the Google Maps API key from settings, PRO licence activation through the vendor license servers ($) | Markers organised into layers, Map shortcode, default name mapsmarker, Recent markers widget, Google Places address search for markers, Marker import and export tools, Basemaps from OpenStreetMap and other providers |
| Integrations | ||
| Other | Google Maps Static and Embed APIs, Google Maps Geocoding API, Maps Widget licence servers ($) | Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Mapbox |
| Requires WordPress | 4.0 | 3.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2 | 5.3 |
| Tested up to | 7.1 | 6.9 |
| Phones home | Only if you agree | No |
| External services | maps.googleapis.com, www.google.com, license.gmapswidget.com, license2.gmapswidget.com | maps.googleapis.com, tile.openstreetmap.org, tiles.mapbox.com |
| Shortcodes | — | 1 |