Google Maps Widget vs Simple Google Maps Shortcode
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| Feature | Google Maps Widget v4.27 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.6/5 Visit Details | Simple Google Maps Shortcode v1.8.3 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free · ★ 4.6/5 Visit Details |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 3,000+ |
| Last updated | August 16, 2026 | June 22, 2026 |
| Editions | Maps Widget for Google Maps · Maps Widget for Google Maps PRO ($) | Simple Shortcode for Google Maps |
| Pros | Lightweight map thumbnail that opens in a lightbox; Geocoding results are cached; Simple widget setup with an API key test | Shortcode and block for maps; Geocoding of addresses; Simple options for zoom and controls |
| Cons | Needs a Google Maps API key; Classic widget; the admin shows a notice when classic widgets are unavailable; Extra features are in the paid PRO edition | Needs your own Google Maps API keys; Google Cloud keys must be restricted by hand |
| Mentioned in our posts | 1 | 1 |
| More features | ||
| Other features | Google Map sidebar widget, Map thumbnail that opens in a lightbox, Geocoding with cached coordinates, Test the Google Maps API key from settings, PRO licence activation through the vendor license servers ($) | Map shortcode, Map block, Address geocoding, Settings page for API keys |
| Integrations | ||
| Other | Google Maps Static and Embed APIs, Google Maps Geocoding API, Maps Widget licence servers ($) | Google Maps JavaScript API, Google Geocoding API |
| Requires WordPress | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2 | 7.4 |
| Tested up to | 7.1 | 7.0 |
| Phones home | Only if you agree | No |
| External services | maps.googleapis.com, www.google.com, license.gmapswidget.com, license2.gmapswidget.com | maps.googleapis.com |
| Blocks | — | 1 |
| Shortcodes | — | 1 |