Best WordPress Syntax Highlighter Plugins

Do you want to display custom code on your website? If you need, using WordPress syntax highlighter plugins would be one of the best things you can do. There are numerous plugins available for displaying code. But which one to choose?

If you are unsure about the available options, continue reading this article. Here, we will show you the top six WordPress syntax highlighter plugins you should try.

But before going further, let’s see why using a syntax highlighter plugin is a good idea.

Why Use WordPress Syntax Highlighter Plugins

Using syntax highlighter plugins will simplify your coding experience. You can display code in WordPress using the preformatted text or the dedicated Gutenberg block – Code.

But they come with some limitations. With the dedicated plugins, it is so simple to display code. Since the plugins can display multiple programming languages, you can ensure the tools can display the code according to your requirements.

On top of that, managing the code with syntax highlighter plugins is also easy. The codes you are going to display will have better readability. Better user experience is another notable feature of these plugins.

Finally, most plugins come with a copy-paste option in the front end. So, users can easily copy the code you have displayed in the front end and use it wherever needed.

Now you know why using syntax highlighter plugins is better than the manual method. Now, let’s look at the top syntax highlighter plugins in the market.

Best WordPress Syntax Highlighter Plugins

This article will cover six of the best syntax highlighter plugins for WordPress:

• SyntaxHighlighter Evolved
• Enlighter
• Code Block Pro
• Urvanov Syntax Highlighter
• Highlighting Code Block
• Prismatic

Each tool comes with unique features. Below, we will mention what makes it special. Based on your requirements and preferences, you can choose a tool.

1) SyntaxHighlighter Evolved

If you prefer using an easy-to-use solution for displaying code, check out SyntaxHighlighter Evolved. SyntaxHighlighter Evolved is an excellent tool optimized for the Gutenberg editor and Classic Editor. It provides no technical configuration options. Once you have activated the tool, you can start displaying codes.

This tool also supports 10+ coding languages. Some of the popular ones are HTML, PHP, Java, JavaScript, Python, SQL, and XML, among others. You will have total control over the code. You can change the languages according to your preference. Additionally, you have the option to tweak the code displayed in the front end.

If you prefer, you can show numbers beside the line. Also, you can make URLs clickable with the plugin. If you are using the shortcode to display code with SyntaxHighlighter, there are extra parameters you can use. By using them, you can customize every inch of the code. It is one of the best tools to display code in WordPress.

Features

• Supports multiple languages
• Optimized for the Gutenberg editor
• Lightweight
• Shortcodes
• Extra parameters

Pricing

SyntaxHighlighter plugin is a free tool. From the WordPress plugins repository, you can get it.

2) Enlighter

When you need a tool with lightweight code, look at Enlighter. This tool helps you display code in posts, pages, or custom post types hassle-free. Since the plugin is compatible with most WordPress themes, you can use it on any website. Also, it is well-coded, ensuring the best speed and performance.

Enlighter can be integrated with both Gutenberg and Classic Editor. You can use the dedicated Gutenberg block with the tool to display code. On the other hand, if you are using the old-style Classic Editor, the plugin can be combined with the TinyMCE editor. The inline syntax highlighting is another notable feature of the tool.

The plugin will work well with all commonly used languages, making it one of the best WordPress syntax highlighter plugins.

Features

• Compatible with Gutenberg and Classic Editor
• Supports all languages
• Inline syntax highlighter
• Lightweight
• Compatible with all themes

Pricing

Enlighter is a free plugin. The same can be downloaded from the WordPress plugins repository.

3) Code Block Pro

Code Block Pro offers a sleek and performant syntax highlighter built for WordPress. It runs code through the VS Code rendering engine, delivering native syntax highlighting for over 140 programming languages.

The plugin includes features like line numbers, line highlighting, blur effects, and a “copy to clipboard” button. It also supports “dark” and “light” themes, offering over 25 built-in options optimized for minimal asset loading.

With performance first in mind, Code Block Pro is designed to avoid bloat and work seamlessly within the Gutenberg editor, preserving site speed and visual quality.

Features

• 140+ programming languages supported
• 25+ built-in themes
• Line highlighting (static & on hover)
• Blur highlighting effect
• Copy to clipboard button
• Native Gutenberg block

Pricing

Code Block Pro is a freemium WordPress plugin. You can get the free version from the repository. The premium version will cost you $12 (lifetime deal).

4) Urvanov Syntax Highlighter

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter is a versatile WordPress plugin designed to display code snippets beautifully and clearly on your website. It supports multiple programming languages and allows you to highlight code from posts, pages, or external files.

The plugin offers customizable themes, line numbering, and copy-to-clipboard functionality for a better user experience. It also includes features like code expanding and collapsing, mobile responsiveness, and retina display support, ensuring your code looks great on all devices.

With its lightweight design, it won’t slow down your site and provides an easy-to-use interface for both beginners and advanced users who need clean, readable, and professional code presentation on their WordPress site.

Features

• Supports multiple programming languages for accurate syntax highlighting
• Customizable themes to match your website’s design and style
• Line numbering for better readability and reference
• Copy-to-clipboard functionality for user convenience
• Expand and collapse code blocks to save space on pages

Pricing

Urvanov Syntax Highlighter is a free tool. From the WordPress plugins repository, you can get the plugin.

5) Highlighting Code Block

When you prefer a syntax highlighter plugin compatible with Gutenberg and Classic Editor, check out Highlighting Code Block. You will never face any issues with displaying code with this tool. Using it is also simple. All you need to do is search for the dedicated Gutenberg – Highlighted Code block and insert it into your posts/pages or custom post types.

Make sure you are using PHP version 5.6 or up. Additionally, ensure you are using WordPress version 5.6 or later. The plugin will only work with those specific items. You can display more than 15 custom languages with the plugin. Since the plugin comes with lightweight code, it will not affect the speed and performance of your website.

This is the best option if you need a simple plugin to help you highlight code in your articles.

Features

• Works with the classic editor
• Gutenberg compatible
• Multiple languages support
• Easy to use
• Lightweight

Pricing

Highlighting Code Block is a free plugin. If you need to get it, check out the WordPress plugins repository.

6) Prismatic

If you are looking for a feature-rich syntax highlighter plugin for WordPress, you should check out Prismatic. The plugin comes with three custom modes you can choose from to display code: Prism.js, Highlight.js, and plan mode. You will have total control over the models, allowing you to choose one that meets your requirements. The plugin supports over 60 languages, which is very impressive.

And when it comes to the theme design, you will have multiple choices. The prism.js will give you access to eight themes. Highlight.js offers over 90 themes for you to choose from. So, according to your requirements and brand colors, you can select a theme. The plugin will also only load CSS and JS files when required.

This will help you keep the website’s speed stable without compromising performance.

Features

• Multiple modes
• Supports 60+ languages
• ACF support
• Gutenberg compatible
• Clean code

Pricing

Prismatic is a free WordPress plugin. You can download it from the repository.

Bonus: How to Display Code in WordPress

This section will show you how to display code in WordPress. You can do it with the dedicated Code block with the Gutenberg editor or any syntax highlighter plugins we mentioned above.

Gutenberg Editor Method

Here’s how you can display code in WordPress using the Gutenberg editor. The first step is to add the Code block to the editor.

Once you have done that, mention the code you need to display.

That’s it. If you check the front end, you will see the code.

Next, let’s see how to display code with a dedicated plugin.

Plugin Method

For this task, we will be using the SyntaxHighlighter plugin. So, install and activate it on your website. Once you have done that, add the SyntaxHighlighter Code block to the editor.

Now, from the block settings section on the right-hand side, you can select the language you plan to add.

In this demo, we will be pasting CSS code. So, select CSS from the dropdown, and paste the code in the block. After that, you can update the page.

Check the post from the front.

You will see the code there.

That’s it! You can use the plugin to display any code you need.

Check out this article for a definitive guide on the topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now, let’s take a look at some of the frequently asked questions regarding this topic.

Conclusion

You must display code to your visitors if you are writing tutorials or handling a blog. A dedicated syntax highlighter plugin would be a feasible alternative to manual highlighting. You won’t get additional customization options when you display the code manually. On the other hand, if you have a dedicated syntax highlighter plugin, you can tweak the displaying method, theme, and everything according to your preferences.

The plugins we mentioned in this article come with minimal configuration options. If you prefer an easy-to-use solution, check out SyntaxHighlighter Evolved and Highlight Code Block. If you prefer more features, check out Prismatic and WP-Syntax. Finally, you can choose Enlighter or Code Syntax Block if you need a lightweight solution.

We hope you have found this article helpful and enjoyed reading it. If you did, please consider sharing this post with your friends and fellow bloggers. Here are a couple of related articles that you can check to learn more about WordPress:

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• Best WordPress Speed Optimization Plugins – Top 5