These 9 apps lead WordPress Plugin Directory's Syntax category as of September 2026 — ranked by user rating, review count, and audit score, refreshed every 24 hours from the canonical WordPress marketplace listing.
Discover the top-rated syntax apps available on WordPress Plugin Directory. Rankings based on user ratings, review count, and market performance.
This is the curated shortlist — the top-ranked syntax apps. To browse every syntax app on WordPress Plugin Directory, see the full Syntax category.
This list ranks the top 9 WordPress apps classified under Syntax by the source marketplace's own taxonomy — apps appear here only because WordPress Plugin Directory itself tags them in this category, not because of any AppRanks editorial decision. Within the category set, ranking uses a Bayesian-ish blend of average rating × natural log of review count: the formula is rating × ln(reviewCount + 1), so a high-rating-low-review app doesn't leapfrog an established listing on a single 5-star outlier. The blend favors apps that are both well-reviewed AND have an established user base.
AppRanks does not invent a proprietary score for public surfaces — the rank shown mirrors the marketplace's published category position exactly, scraped on a 12-24 hour refresh cycle from the canonical WordPress Plugin Directory listing. The category lookup happens at request time and the page is cached at the edge for 1 hour to absorb traffic spikes; the underlying ranking data refreshes daily so the list stays accurate within one day of any source change. AppRanks does not editorially promote or demote apps based on advertiser or partnership status — the same blend formula applies uniformly across every app on this platform.
Ranks #1 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a category-leading listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (45 reviews, 4.8★ avg). Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Prismatic holds a 4.8-star average across 45 reviews in the syntax category.
Code Block Pro – Beautiful Syntax Highlighting
Ranks #2 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a category-leading listing. An early-stage review volume (50 reviews) with a 4.8-star average. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Code Block Pro – Beautiful Syntax Highlighting holds a 4.8-star average across 50 reviews in the syntax category.
Ranks #3 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a highly rated listing. Tracks at 4.5★ across 19 reviews — early-stage review volume. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Highlighting Code Block holds a 4.5-star average across 19 reviews in the syntax category.
Holds position #4 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a category-leading listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (14 reviews, 4.9★ avg). Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Currently sits at #5 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a highly rated listing. A growing review traction (125 reviews) with a 4.6-star average. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Holds position #6 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a highly rated listing. Tracks at 4.7★ across 17 reviews — early-stage review volume. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Currently sits at #7 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a category-leading listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (1 reviews, 5.0★ avg). AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Holds position #8 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a highly rated listing. An early-stage review volume (2 reviews) with a 4.5-star average. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Currently sits at #9 in the WordPress Plugin Directory syntax category as a category-leading listing. Tracks at 5.0★ across 1 reviews — early-stage review volume. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Same data as the ranked cards, condensed into a sortable-by-eye grid: rating × review depth × pricing tier across the top 9 syntax apps on WordPress Plugin Directory.
| # | App | Rating | Reviews | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prismatic | 4.8★ | 45 | — |
| 2 | Code Block Pro – Beautiful Syntax Highlighting | 4.8★ | 50 | — |
| 3 | Highlighting Code Block | 4.5★ | 19 | — |
| 4 | Pastacode | 4.9★ | 14 | — |
| 5 | String locator | 4.6★ | 125 | — |
| 6 | Better File Editor | 4.7★ | 17 | — |
| 7 | Syntax Highlighter++ | 5.0★ | 1 | — |
| 8 | ACE Editor for WP | 4.5★ | 2 | — |
| 9 | Syntax Highlighting | 5.0★ | 1 | — |
Want to compare any two apps in detail (features, ratings trend, pricing plans side-by-side)? Open the head-to-head page from the "Compare to #N" link on each card above. Custom multi-app comparisons, historical rank trajectory, and CSV export are available on a paid plan.
Methodology details: /glossary/audit-score · /about.
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