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Free Plugin by mrwweb v2.15.2

MRW Simplified Editor

Focus editors on making great content and letting their themes make it beautiful by removing block editor features.

MRW Simplified Editor

The facts

Rating
5★ from 4
Active installs
100+
Price
Free
Last updated
25 Jun 2026
Added
Feb 2015
Requires WP
6.5
Tested up to
WP 7.0.4
Requires PHP
5.6.20
Downloads
22,089

Our analysis

AI-assisted

MRW Simplified Editor is a WordPress plugin designed to streamline the block editor experience for content creators. It focuses on helping editors create semantic content while maintaining consistent formatting by limiting the available blocks and styling options. This plugin is particularly useful for those managing client sites or looking for a simplified editing interface.

The plugin hides various infrequently used blocks and settings, encouraging a more focused content creation process. It also includes features that enhance the visibility of errors and improve the overall usability of the editor, making it suitable for users who prefer a minimalist approach to editing.

Best for: This plugin suits WordPress site owners and developers who want a simplified editing experience for content creators.

What it does well

  • Simplifies the block editor by hiding unnecessary blocks
  • Encourages semantic content creation
  • Improves usability with enhanced error visibility
  • Regularly updated to align with major WordPress versions
  • Customisable filters for developers

Where it falls short

  • Limited information on specific features and settings
  • Only guaranteed to work with the latest WordPress version

Verdict

MRW Simplified Editor offers a focused approach to content creation by reducing clutter in the block editor. It may be beneficial for those who prefer a streamlined editing process.

From the developer

mrwweb's own description of MRW Simplified Editor, lightly tidied.

Help your site’s editors create semantic content and style it with the theme for consistent formatting and portable content. This plugin removes blocks and other styling options to help editors focus.

I built this plugin for use on client sites. I hope you’ll find it useful! This is an opinionated plugin. Read an in-depth reasoning behind the decisions made by this plugin in the post “A WordPress Formatting Manifesto.” If you find it compelling, then you’ll probably like this plugin!

Contribute on Github.

Block Editor Features

This plugin greatly simplifies the block editor by hiding a significant number of blocks, block settings, and other editor-facing features.

The plugin is regularly updated following major WordPress version updates. Filters are provided for developers to adjust what is hidden (including making it easier to hide additional blocks).

  • Infrequently Used Core Blocks such as Verse, Table, Audio, Video, etc., and all Query- and Site-related blocks when using the Post editor. See FAQ for full list of hidden blocks.
  • All Core Block Styles and the “Default style” feature
  • Some Block Editor Settings: Drop Cap, Text-indent, Heading 1, Heading 5, Heading 6, font sizing by pixel, open links in new tabs (mostly hidden), duotone, text styles like line-height and letter spacing, inline formats including Highlight and Inline Image, etc.
  • Default color, gradient, and duotone settings (Custom theme palettes/settings are never hidden)
  • Core Block Patterns (WP 5.5+)
  • Block Directory (WP 5.5+)
  • Infrequently Used Jetpack Blocks – See FAQ for full list of hidden blocks.
  • “Upload” and “Insert from URL” image options to encourage use of Media Library

The plugin also improves the editor by:

  • Increasing prominence of contrast errors
  • Styling “Save draft” as a button

Classic Editor / Classic Block Features

Reduces editor to a single row of buttons: “Styleselect” (Headings 2-4 and Blockquote as well as Strikethrough, Subscript, Superscript, Preformatted, and Code), Bold, Italic, Add/Edit Link, Break Link, Horizontal Rule, Paste as Plain Text, Remove Styles, Special Characters, Undo, Redo, Help, Distraction Free Mode.

Note on WordPress version Support

Due to frequent changes to the block editor, features are only guaranteed for the latest version of WordPress.

Read the full description on the official page →

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