Undoubtedly, WordPress is the most comprehensive CMS platform these days, but due to having some limitations WordPress comes with the plugins to resolve those issues. Creating tables is one of the complex issues of WordPress because by default users can’t create any table without row coding. In this case, the plugin comes into existence to resolve the issue. There are tons of table plugins in the WordPress directory which makes the users more complicated & confused about creating the table. Among them, Ninja Tables and TablePress are most advanced table plugins. Today, I am going to demonstrate a comparative view between the two most highly rated and fast-growing plugin in WordPress.
TablePress is a great WordPress plugin that helps users to create and add tables to their WordPress posts. Even though it looks similar to Ninja Tables, in reality, they are two different plugins that accord a few common functionalities. Ninja Tables plugin is the fast-growing table plugin in the WordPress directory. The table below summarizes some of their key similarities and differences. Here, I am using Ninja Tables plugin to create this interactive dynamic comparison table.
Comparison Table Between Ninja Tables and TablePress
Features | Ninja Tables | TablePress |
---|---|---|
WooCommerce Integration | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Data Migration | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Advanced Styling | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Custom CSS | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
PDF Support | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
JSON & CSV Support | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Internal Smart Preview | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Responsive Breakdown/Breakpoint | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Responsiveness/ Mobile Friendly | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Shortcode Facility | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Friendliness | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Dynamic Table Data | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Import-Export | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Data modification | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Excel/XLS Support | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Stying | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Table Pagination | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Table filter | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Table sorting | Image may be NSFW. | Image may be NSFW. |
Other Important Issues
Table Interface
The interface is a vital part of any kind of tool. There are two types of interfaces in general. One is the table interface that has already been created by the respective plugin that we see in the preview section and another one is the plugin’s appearance which determines how much easier or harder to operate the plugin.
First of all, in terms of the table interface, tables created by the Ninja Tables plugin looks very organized and easy to understand. You can have a better preview of your desired table using the Ninja Tables plugin. In the front-end section, the table design is so much user-friendly as it looks. Here is the screenshot of a table created by Ninja Tables plugin:
Clik here to view.

On the other hand, tables created by TablePress seem a little bit bulky, and squeezy. There are some issues that actually necessarily not needed in the interface which makes a bit confused to the users.
Plugin Interface
Let’s come to the plugin interface section, the interface of the plugin is a very crucial part which makes the users more interactive. The easier the interface the more you get the interaction. If someone doesn’t feel comfortable using any particular plugin then it would be a tough task to manage a table by that particular person.
Ninja Tables comes with an easy to use interface which a novice user can easily operate. One functionality is separated from other 0ne, users can easily manage the plugin using any kind of table. Here is the look of a customized view of a table back-end using Ninja Tables which shows the plugin’s interface very user-friendly.
Clik here to view.

On the other hand, the interface of TablePress is messy as it seems like a bunch of ingredients in a small room. In comparison, it’s not that handy to manage any table using TablePress as it’s a way more complicated to operate. Here is the look of a customized view of a table that shows the plugin interface very untidy.
Clik here to view.

This is how the plugin interface is created and it looks so much complicated one.
Segmentation
Ninja Tables comes with a bunch of handy options for its users. Every functionality is segmented from each other for making things easy. There is an option named Table Configuration which is used to configure the whole table staying from a single tab. You will get a number of advanced options in the left sidebar panel of the plugin. In the Columns option, you can use the drag & drop feature to rearrange the columns of the table.
Clik here to view.

In the case of designing and configuring any table, the plugin categorizes its functions by segmentation. You can have the Table Configuration tab for configuring any specific part of the table and you can have the Table Design tab for styling any table of a specific part of the table. Here is a screenshot of the table interface for your better understanding.
Clik here to view.

On the other hand, in TablePress you can’t have such segmented options. There are lots of options on a single page which makes things complicated for its users. There is nothing like anything segmented options for designing and configuring rather it bears a complicated interface compared to the Ninja Tables. Here is the look of the generic interface of the TablePress plugin.
Clik here to view.

Table Plugin Styling Comparison
Both plugins’ user interfaces follow the stylings of the core WordPress UI. This indicates the back-end pages of both plugins mingle smoothly into the rest of the WordPress admin dashboard area, making them feel like a core part of your website. Ninja Tables gives you a great styling option in a simple way. It’s a handy way to manage your table through styling. Here is the look of different styling ways of Ninja Tables.
Clik here to view.

In TablePress, there is no segmented option at all. There is an option of styling along with other functionalities.
Clik here to view.

Responsiveness Issue
Ninja Tables bears a responsive breakpoint facility which ultimately gives a full responsive outlook in the table. Users can choose any specific column to be displayed on any specific devices according to their choice. This is a smart way to deal with all the table data on different devices.
TablePress doesn’t have that responsive breakpoint facility rather it’s not fully responsive and mobile-friendly in type.
Data Migration Facility
If you are using TablePress plugin, the good news is that you can easily migrate your existing data into Ninja Tables within a short possible time. Here are two screenshots have given for your better understanding. If you want to know more about data migration, you can have by clicking here.
Clik here to view.

On the other hand, TablePress doesn’t have any data migration facility from other tables.
Final Thoughts on the Issue
One thing should be kept in mind that when TablePress came into the market it was named by WP-Table Reloaded and it has happened almost 10 years before. Then in 20013, WP-Table Reloaded replaced by the name of TablePress. At that time it was the leading plugin in the market. And most importantly, since it’s been encompassing for so long, it has acquired a massive download and active installation count. It was like scoring goals without having any player on the field.
As time passes on, however, it’s no longer the best tool because it fails to keep up with the latest requirements and add new features to make the plugin more comprehensive and user-friendly. Though it’s still on the market, it loses popularity as it was.
On the other hand, Ninja Tables continues to grow in demand because it offers competitive features, better support, and exceptional overall user experience for its users. Users find the plugin more easy to use than that of TablePress do offer.
After a close discussion there you have the comparison of Ninja Tables and TablePress, It seems that Ninja Tables coming out as the obvious winner.
In fine, I would highly recommend everyone to use Ninja Tables plugin for serving your purposes. Ninja Tables plugin allows you to have a responsive breakdown facility for having a better tabular look on your site. In this regard, I would place the TablePress in the second position.
Hence, what are you looking for? Start with the most powerful Table Plugin from now. If you have any opinion regarding the issue, let me know by commenting below. I hope the article helped you so much to mitigate your confusion.
Clik here to view.

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