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Advanced Editor Tools

By Andrew Ozz

Content Management / Blog & Article Publishing

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

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

Advanced Editor Tools Review - In-Depth Analysis

Enhances the block editor and classic editor with additional features and customization options.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.54/10

User Rating

4.5/5 (based on 354+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Advanced Editor Tools, previously known as TinyMCE Advanced, introduces a Classic Paragraph block for the block editor. This allows users to continue using the familiar TinyMCE editor while accessing all new features in the block editor.

Version 5.5 improves features introduced in version 5.0, including a Clear Formatting button and advanced settings for tables. Users can import and export settings to a file for convenience.

This plugin enables the previous classic editor in WordPress 5.0 and newer, allowing users to switch between editors. It is compatible with the Classic Editor plugin and offers customizable toolbar buttons for the Visual Editor.

With 15 TinyMCE plugins automatically enabled or disabled based on chosen buttons, users can configure up to four rows of buttons including Font Sizes, Font Family, and table options. Advanced Editor Tools does not collect user data and maintains user privacy.

Comparing to Alternatives

Advanced Editor Tools sits in a crowded field of classic editor and Gutenberg-alternative plugins. Compared to simpler tools that just restore the old editor, it stands out by offering deeper customization of the TinyMCE toolbar itself, plus compatibility with the block editor via its Classic Paragraph block.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Adds granular control over TinyMCE toolbar buttons and options that most classic editor plugins don't offer
Bridges old and new WordPress workflows with the Classic Paragraph block for Gutenberg
Works on the frontend as well as the admin editor
Long-standing, widely trusted plugin with a large user base

Weaknesses

More configuration-heavy than simple 'disable Gutenberg' toggles, which may overwhelm users wanting a quick fix
Doesn't fully replace or hide Gutenberg like dedicated block-editor-disabling plugins

User Sentiment Analysis

With a 4.5-star average from 354 ratings, sentiment is strongly positive: over 88% of users rate it 4 or 5 stars. Negative reviews are a small minority (8.8%), and the single 1-2 star review available highlights a specific technical concern rather than a widespread pattern of dissatisfaction.

Positive highlights

Josh Journey calls it 'The Best Classic Editor Plugin!' for its customization options and frontend support
Matt Rock praises it as a 'Time saver!' for cleaning up formatting like stray span tags
tkoc says simply: 'Does exactly what it says on the box'
kiyasu appreciates the 'Helpful Tools' the plugin adds
Avir Media describes it as a 'Gutenberg Safety Net,' highlighting the clever Classic Paragraph block for easing the transition

Common complaints

One user (gpotter) reported that deactivating the plugin left content trapped in an unremovable container, making pages uneditable while still publicly visible

Weaknesses

A historical CSRF vulnerability was found in versions before 4.2.3, though it has long since been patched
Deactivation risk noted by at least one user, where content structure changes could cause data accessibility issues if the plugin is removed

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Ideal for site owners and content editors who prefer the classic WordPress editing experience but still want to work within or alongside Gutenberg. It particularly suits users who need extended TinyMCE toolbar options, custom formatting controls, or frontend editing capabilities.

Not ideal for

Not the best fit for users seeking a simple, no-configuration way to disable Gutenberg entirely, or for those wary of plugins that restructure content in ways that could complicate future deactivation. Sites requiring airtight security assurances should note the plugin's one historical (now patched) vulnerability.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers full-featured TinyMCE customization, including toolbar configuration, added formatting tools, table editing, and the Classic Paragraph block for Gutenberg compatibility—all at no cost.

Final Verdict

Advanced Editor Tools earns its strong 4.5-star reputation through reliable, well-rounded functionality that bridges the classic and block editing worlds. The overwhelming majority of reviews are positive, praising its customization depth and thoughtful Gutenberg integration, with only a small fraction of users reporting serious issues—most notably a content-locking problem on deactivation that prospective users should be aware of.

With no pro version to worry about and a security history limited to one old, patched CSRF vulnerability, this is a low-risk, high-value choice for anyone wanting more control over their editing experience. Users seeking a simpler, single-purpose Gutenberg toggle might prefer one of the many lighter alternatives, but for those wanting robust classic editing features, this plugin remains a top pick.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Advanced Editor Tools plugin.

Block editor

Classic Editor

Editor customization

Screenshots

FAQ

These errors are usually caused by the file in question being blocked by some security setting on the server, or (rarely) by caching issues or wrong permissions.

The first step to debug this is to try to access the file directly in the browser (i.e. copy the URL and paste in the browser and press Enter).

If you see the file (that’s usually minified JS, so it is all on one line) chances are it was some sort of caching issue that is now resolved. Try using the editor again.

If you see an HTTP error (like 403 or 500) best would be to contact your web hosting company for help. In some cases deleting and re-installing the plugin may help.