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Urvanov Syntax Highlighter

By urvanov

Content Management / Blog & Article Publishing

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

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

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter Review - In-Depth Analysis

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter is a powerful tool for highlighting code snippets in WordPress. It supports multiple languages and themes, making it versatile for developers. Easily manage and customize code display with various features.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.74/10

User Rating

4.5/5 (based on 19+ reviews)

Active Installations

3,000+

Update Frequency

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

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter is a reincarnation of Crayon Syntax Highlighter, designed to enhance the way code snippets are displayed in WordPress posts. This plugin supports multiple programming languages and offers customizable themes, allowing users to tailor the appearance of their code.

With the Urvanov Syntax Highlighter, you can easily highlight code from a URL or directly from your post text. The plugin includes a special block for new posts, ensuring a seamless integration into your content creation process.

Some of the standout features include a theme editor, tag editor, toggled plain code, line numbers, and the ability to copy and paste code snippets. It also supports mobile devices and offers extensive error logging, making it a reliable choice for developers looking to showcase their code effectively.

Comparing to Alternatives

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter is a robust syntax highlighting plugin with several alternatives available that offer similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Supports a wide range of programming languages including Bash, C#, Docker, JSON, Go, Powershell, and Python.
Includes useful features like a copy button and multi-line folding options.
Maintains compatibility with PHP 8 and newer WordPress versions.
Revives features from the popular but abandoned Crayon plugin.
Free to use with no paid version required.

Weaknesses

Does not work with the default WordPress block editor without the Classic Editor plugin.
Has a known medium-level security vulnerability fixed in recent updates.
Lacks inline support for code highlighting.
Limited direct support for users relying solely on the default editor.

User Sentiment Analysis

The plugin enjoys a high overall rating with most users praising its features and reliability, though a small minority report issues related to editor compatibility.

Positive highlights

"Best code syntax highlighter" - RealMag777
"Crayon resurrected" - Luis Alejandre
"This plugin is literally the best one out there... Awesome, absolutely phenomenal" - pjohnst5
"Works great" - erden15
"Very useful plugin" - vasimov

Common complaints

Does not work with the default WordPress block editor, requiring the Classic Editor plugin to function properly.

Weaknesses

Compatibility issues with the default WordPress editor.
Security vulnerability fixed in version 2.8.34.
Lack of inline code support.
Limited support for users not using Classic Editor.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who prefer or are willing to use the Classic Editor in WordPress and need a powerful, feature-rich syntax highlighter compatible with modern PHP versions.

Not ideal for

Users who rely exclusively on the default WordPress block editor or require inline code highlighting features may find this plugin less suitable.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers comprehensive syntax highlighting features, including support for many languages and useful UI elements like copy buttons and folding.

Final Verdict

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter stands out as a powerful and feature-rich plugin that effectively revives the beloved Crayon plugin's capabilities, offering excellent language support and user-friendly features. Its free availability and compatibility with PHP 8 make it an attractive choice for many users.

However, its reliance on the Classic Editor and past security vulnerabilities may limit its appeal for users who prefer the default WordPress block editor or require the highest security standards. Alternatives exist that may better suit those needs.