Google Maps Widget vs WP Google Maps
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 | WP Google Maps v10.1.10 · checked 23 Oct 2026 Free + paid · ★ 4.8/5 Visit Details |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 300,000+ |
| Last updated | August 16, 2026 | September 28, 2026 |
| Editions | Maps Widget for Google Maps · Maps Widget for Google Maps PRO ($) | WP Go Maps · WP Go Maps Pro ($) |
| Pros | Lightweight map thumbnail that opens in a lightbox; Geocoding results are cached; Simple widget setup with an API key test | Free version with unlimited markers and map themes; Choice of Google Maps, Leaflet or OpenLayers engines; Store locator and map block in the free version; Street View support on Google Maps |
| 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 | Directions, categories and marker images need Pro; Google Maps engine needs a Google API key; Temporary key option sends the site URL and a site hash to the vendor |
| 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 ($) | Map shortcode, Store locator, Google Maps, Leaflet and OpenLayers engines, Map block for the block editor, Elementor map widget, Map styling page, Temporary Google API key for first-time setup, Pro features menu |
| Integrations | ||
| Plugins | — | Elementor, Gutenberg block editor |
| Other | Google Maps Static and Embed APIs, Google Maps Geocoding API, Maps Widget licence servers ($) | Google Maps JavaScript API, OpenStreetMap Nominatim geocoding, WP Go Maps temporary key service |
| Requires WordPress | 4.0 | 6.0 |
| Requires PHP | 7.2 | 7.0 |
| Tested up to | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Phones home | Only if you agree | No |
| External services | maps.googleapis.com, www.google.com, license.gmapswidget.com, license2.gmapswidget.com | wpgmaps.us-3.evennode.com, console.cloud.google.com, maps.googleapis.com, maps.google.com, nominatim.openstreetmap.org |
| Blocks | — | 3 |
| Shortcodes | — | 1 |