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List categories

By Fernando Briano

Site Structure & Navigation / Categories & Taxonomies

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

List categories Review - In-Depth Analysis

Display categories in posts or pages using a shortcode. Customize the output with various parameters.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.86/10

User Rating

4.5/5 (based on 15+ reviews)

Active Installations

5,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin allows you to display categories in any post or page using a simple shortcode. It serves as a shortcode API interface to the wp_list_categories WordPress function. You can pass various parameters accepted by the function as shortcode parameters.

For example, using the shortcode [categories orderby=count] will display links to all categories ordered by the number of posts in each category. Additionally, you can list tags or any other WordPress taxonomy by specifying the taxonomy parameter.

The plugin provides flexibility in displaying categories, including sorting options, styling, and more. Customize your category list to fit your site's design and functionality needs.

Comparing to Alternatives

List categories is a straightforward plugin for displaying category lists, with several alternatives offering similar functionality but with varying features and complexity.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple and easy to use for listing categories and subcategories
Works well with recent WordPress versions and popular themes
Well documented with clear instructions
Effective for users needing basic category listing functionality
Positive user feedback highlights reliability and ease of setup

Weaknesses

Limited advanced customization options compared to some alternatives
Has a known security vulnerability that was fixed recently
No pro version available for extended features
One user found it difficult to understand how to use the plugin

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin enjoys a high overall rating with most users praising its simplicity and effectiveness, though a small minority struggled with usability.

Positive highlights

"Works as promised" - Mel, Jett Web Development
"Thank you!! I tested this and works fine!" - bigcheesez
"Just what I needed, works perfectly with WP v6.0.2 and my Hello Theme" - Chris Roberts
"Well documented. Thank you!" - robegb
"Simple, but effective for listing subcategories" - amedeebulle

Common complaints

Could not figure out how to use the plugin

Weaknesses

Limited advanced features
One reported usability difficulty
Recent security vulnerability (stored XSS)
No paid version for enhanced support or features

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a straightforward, no-frills plugin to list categories and subcategories quickly and easily without needing advanced customization.

Not ideal for

Users who require advanced category management features, extensive customization, or who prioritize plugins with no known security vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides essential functionality to list categories and subcategories with ease and includes documentation for setup.

Final Verdict

List categories is a reliable and simple plugin that fulfills its core purpose effectively, as reflected by the positive user reviews and high rating. It is a good choice for users who want a quick solution to display categories without complexity.

However, the plugin does have a recent security vulnerability that has been fixed, and it lacks advanced features or a pro version, which may limit its appeal for users needing more robust category management or enhanced security assurances. Alternatives may be better suited for those needs.