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Header and Footer Scripts

By Anand Kumar

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Header and Footer Scripts Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily add custom scripts to your WordPress site's header and footer. Perfect for analytics, styles, and more.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.17/10

User Rating

4.6/5 (based on 58+ reviews)

Active Installations

200,000+

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

If you are running a WordPress site then sooner or later you need to insert some kind of code to your website. It is most likely a web analytics code like Google Analytics or maybe a social media script or some CSS stylesheet or custom fonts. This plugin will do all the magic. Even if you want to insert those codes in a custom post type.

All you have to do is add the appropriate HTML code.

Don't forget to wrap your code with proper tags.

For JavaScript:

Or for CSS:

Why use this plugin:

To insert CSS and JavaScript codes to <head> or before </body>.
To insert code to <head> of any single page or post.
To insert code to Custom Post Type [New Feature].

The plugin should be compatible with WooCommerce.

What it does not offer:

You can't insert/execute PHP codes.

Almost all WordPress themes do support this "Header and Footer Scripts" plugin. If the codes are not appearing on your site, ask for support or check your theme file for standard <code>wp_head</code> and <code>wp_footer</code> hooks.

For further information, you are welcome to follow these links:

Comparing to Alternatives

Header and Footer Scripts competes in a crowded field of lightweight script-injection plugins. It stands out for its simplicity and long track record, though many alternatives offer similar functionality with more frequent updates or per-page targeting options.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple, focused interface for adding header/footer code without complexity
Strong user satisfaction with a high proportion of 5-star reviews
Useful for injecting custom CSS or metadata on individual pages
Free and fully functional without upsells

Weaknesses

Infrequent updates have raised concerns about ongoing maintenance
A known stored XSS vulnerability affecting versions before 2.4.0
Lacks save confirmation, which can confuse users

User Sentiment Analysis

With 58 total ratings, sentiment is largely positive: nearly 83% of users gave 5 stars, while only 8.6% left a 1 or 2-star review. The overall impression is a reliable, easy-to-use plugin, though a handful of reviewers flagged security and usability concerns.

Positive highlights

leaderotmane called it 'one of the most useful plugins' for adding metadata, and praised recent bug fixes
Wsan1 said it 'works great' with a 'simple interface' across several sites
DB described it as a solution that 'saved my bacon' for injecting page-specific CSS after a theme switch
Rizwan Ahmed said the plugin 'made my life so much easier' and would rate it higher than 5 stars if possible

Common complaints

Concern that the plugin is vulnerable to hijacks and injections, with unexpected ads appearing after installation

Weaknesses

A confirmed medium-severity stored XSS vulnerability existed in versions prior to 2.4.0
Some users worry about the plugin's update frequency and ongoing developer support
No save confirmation message, which can leave users unsure if changes were applied

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a no-frills way to insert custom scripts, CSS, or metadata into their site's header or footer, especially those needing page-specific injections rather than just global scripts, will find this plugin straightforward and effective.

Not ideal for

Users who prioritize frequent updates and airtight security may want to be cautious, given the plugin's past stored XSS vulnerability and reports of infrequent maintenance. Sites with multiple contributor-level users should ensure the plugin is updated to 2.4.0 or later before use.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides full functionality for adding custom scripts, styles, and metadata to the header and footer, including page-specific injection, at no cost.

Final Verdict

Header and Footer Scripts earns strong user goodwill thanks to its simplicity and reliability for common tasks like injecting CSS or tracking scripts. The high proportion of 5-star reviews reflects genuine satisfaction, though a small number of users have raised valid concerns about security and update cadence.

Given the documented stored XSS vulnerability (patched in 2.4.0) and mixed confidence in ongoing maintenance, users should ensure they're running the latest version and weigh more actively maintained alternatives if security is a top priority. For straightforward, free header/footer script management, it remains a solid choice.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Header and Footer Scripts plugin.

header scripts

footer scripts

custom code insertion

Screenshots

FAQ

A. I couldn’t handle wp.org forums on regular basis. You are suggested to visit GitHub Wiki for more updated plugin documentation and troubleshoot your problem.