Creating quality content requires more than just stringing words together. To ensure maximum effectiveness, content must prioritize reader convenience, especially when dealing with lengthy articles. Table of Contents (TOC) plugins are a crucial component facilitating navigation through the material.
In this article, we will showcase the top 8 WordPress table of contents plugins that help enhance user experience, optimize structure, and visually present the post or single page’s layout.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Using Table Content Plugin in WordPress
- Top 8 WordPress Table of Contents Plugins Compared
- FAQ
- Sum Up
Benefits of Using Table Content Plugin in WordPress
You can manually add a table of contents using HTML code and CSS or other advanced tools. However, this process can be time-consuming and challenging for beginners, as even a tiny mistake can corrupt the entire TOC. That’s why WordPress table of contents plugins are a simple and effective way to make website content more user-friendly and improve its overall effectiveness. They offer a range of advantages that make them a valuable tool for any website with long articles or pages. Using this tool can significantly improve:
- Readability. It allows you to quickly find sections of interest due to its structured, understandable, and visually appealing format.
- SEO. Positively influence the site’s rankings in search results.
- Time on page. Audiences stay on the page longer because they can easily find the information they need, improving SEO and overall content effectiveness.
- Content conversion. Readers find the information they need faster, contributing to better user satisfaction.
So, let’s take a closer look at WordPress table of contents plugins and choose the one that best suits your needs.
Top 8 WordPress Table of Contents Plugins Compared
Ultimate Blocks (Free/Premium)
🏆 Best for creating more interesting and attractive pages thanks to a variety of blocks.
Ultimate Blocks is primarily known for its Gutenberg blocks, but it also includes a special Table of Contents block. With a rating of 4.9, it’s highly trusted and widely popular among users. This plugin offers a range of customization options to tailor the content to suit your specific requirements.
Ultimate Blocks is easy to use; you just need to download and activate the plugin and then use the block on the desired content page.
Key features:
- a large library of special Gutenberg blocks;
- the TOC block follows the best SEO practices;
- sticky table of contents;
- generate a table of contents from headings;
- column integration of TOC;
- setting the parameters and style of the blocks according to your needs.
Pricing: there’s a free version. The annual license costs $49 for a single site or $69 for unlimited sites. A lifetime license is available for $349.
Pros:
- a universal range of blocks for different content needs;
- simple and intuitive interface;
- flexible list options (bulleted, numbered, and plain lists);
- optimization for SEO thanks to built-in features and structured data.
Cons:
- depends heavily on Gutenberg, so using other editors may be challenging.
Fixed TOC (Premium)
🏆 Best for experienced users and beginners.
Fixed TOC stands as a powerful WordPress plugin crafted to establish a table of contents for your website. The plugin has a notable record of downloads and positive feedback. You can effortlessly configure the plugin to enhance user experience and streamline content access, making it an invaluable asset for website optimization.
Key features:
- auto TOC creation;
- smooth scrolling;
- supports adding the widget to the sidebar;
- ability to collapse/expand the sub-list;
- heading-link indicator while scrolling;
- adapts to any device size.
Pricing: the regular license is $20.
Pros:
- can be fixed in the sidebar;
- freely customize position, size, font, color, etc.;
- compatible with various WordPress themes and plugins;
- supports the shortcode feature to show TOC anywhere in a post;
- several style variations.
Cons:
- limited customization options;
- no free version.
Easy Table of Contents (Free/Premium)
🏆 Best for a wide range of users.
The name of the plugin matches the reality. If you want to quickly add basic navigation to the post, Easy Table of Contents is definitely for you. The plugin automatically adds TOC based on the headings from posts, pages, and custom post types. An accessible settings panel allows both beginners and advanced users to easily customize the appearance and functionality of TOC.
Key features:
- automatically inserts a TOC;
- works with the Classic Editor, Gutenberg, Divi, Elementor, and other page builders;
- ability to adjust the placement and appearance of the table of contents;
- supports smooth scrolling;
- easily exclude headers globally and on a post-by-post basis;
- the TOC can be made sticky so it is always visible as you scroll down the page;
- hide TOC and enable headers.
Pricing: annual licenses range from $49 for one site to $199 for unlimited sites, while the lifetime license costs $499. But there’s also a free version.
Pros:
- user-friendly interface for users of all skill levels;
- the plugin supports responsive design;
- compatible with a wide range of WordPress themes and plugins;
- auto-generation of TOC.
Cons:
- the range of styling choices may be limited;
- the effectiveness relies on the consistent use of headings within content;
- limited advanced features.
Table of Contents Plus (Free)
🏆 Best for websites with long pages or a significant amount of content.
Table of Contents Plus is a universal plugin that automatically generates a table of contents for posts and pages. With its user-friendly interface, this plugin makes it easy to customize the look and feel of the TOC. From customizing the numbering style to excluding certain headings, Table of Contents Plus offers plenty of flexibility.
Key features:
- automatically generates a TOC;
- tailors TOC appearance to match the website’s design;
- supports various heading levels (H2-H6).
Pricing: free.
Pros:
- high level of control over TOC appearance;
- may indirectly improve SEO by making content more structured;
- easy to use.
Cons:
- primarily focused on TOC generation;
- customizations rely on shortcodes and CSS classes;
- limited visual settings.
SimpleTOC (Free)
🏆 Best for basic and user-friendly table of contents solutions, especially for websites with simple content structure and a focus on accessibility.
Create a table of contents effortlessly with no coding required. Get started by downloading and activating the SimpleTOC plugin. You can customize the TOC title by replacing it with your own heading. It is ideal for beginners as it is adaptable to use. With a perfect 5 out of 5 rating and currently boasting 10K installations, the plugin is rapidly gaining popularity.
💡 Are you curious about how this plugin performs in real-world scenarios? We invite you to explore our article on redesigning the knowledge base. There, we delve into our experiences and impressions of working with SimpleTOC.
Key features:
- styles match your theme;
- designed for Gutenberg;
- minimal code involvement;
- wide range of headings (Н1-Н6).
Pricing: free.
Pros:
- accessible in multiple languages;
- no setup, just add a block;
- smooth scrolling effect;
- using the show/hide table’s heading function.
Cons:
- no customization options;
- elementary TOC’s interface.
TOP Table of Contents (Free/Premium)
🏆 Best for lengthy and complex content.
TOP Table of Contents, developed by BoomDevs, is a WordPress plugin with over 3,000 active installations. It improves user flow and engagement for long content. The plugin automatically generates and inserts stylish, SEO-friendly tables of contents into your posts and pages, improving navigation and user experience.
Key features:
- multiple heading level support;
- automatic TOC generation;
- tailors TOC appearance (colors, fonts, borders) to match the website’s design;
- three premade templates;
- TOC can be made sticky on scrolling;
- progress bar at the top;
- SEO-friendly code.
Pricing: you can try the free version for basic features. Annual licenses are priced at $39.99 for one site, $59.99 for three sites, and $99.99 for ten sites.
Pros:
- effortless TOC creation;
- seamlessly matches your website’s design;
- enhances user experience for long content.
Cons:
- mostly focused on TOC generation;
- requires staying updated and monitoring plugin activity.
Joli Table of Contents (Free/Premium)
🏆 Best for any content for clear organization, easy navigation, and efficient access to information.
Joli Table of Contents combines SEO optimization, convenience, and beauty – all in one package. The plugin automatically generates visually appealing and, most importantly, user-friendly table of contents. With it, readers will easily navigate through website materials, spending less time searching for the information they need.
Key features:
- automatically generates TOCs;
- highly customizable;
- integrates with Gutenberg;
- flexible customization settings such as margins, indentation, borders, colors, fonts, and more;
- multiple heading level support.
Pricing: the free version is available with limited features. The annual license costs $39.99 for one site, $69.99 for five sites, and $129.99 for 15 sites, offering expanded functionalities and support.
Pros:
- easy to use and configure;
- supports multiple heading levels;
- SEO-friendly and performance-oriented;
- handles hidden headings from third-party elements.
Cons:
- limited features in the free version compared to the Pro version.
Table of Contents Block (Free)
🏆 Best for those who regularly publish articles or pages with multiple sections.
Table of Contents Block simplifies content website navigation on your WordPress site. Integrated seamlessly with the Gutenberg editor, it helps you create clear and organized tables of contents for your posts and pages. With automatic generation based on headings and easy customization options, you can effortlessly enhance the readability and structure of content.
Key features:
- integration with the Gutenberg editor;
- multiple heading levels;
- completely customizable.
Pricing: free.
Pros:
- no complex coding;
- intuitive and efficient TOC creation;
- automatically updates the table of contents as content changes.
Cons:
- has limited advanced features compared to other plugins.
FAQ
Table of Contents plugins improve user experience by offering easy navigation through lengthy articles or pages. They help readers quickly locate relevant sections, enhancing readability and engagement.
Unlike manual methods involving HTML and CSS, TOC plugins automate the process, saving time and effort. They also offer customization options, SEO benefits, and compatibility with various WordPress themes and page editors.
Yes, most Table of Contents plugins allow customization of the TOC’s appearance.
Yes, many Table of Contents plugins are compatible with various WordPress site editors, including Elementor, Gutenberg, Classic Editor, Divi, Bricks, and others.
When choosing a Table of Contents plugin, opt for one that automatically generates TOC and offers flexible style settings. Ensure that the plugin doesn’t slow down your site, is compatible with your theme, and has up-to-date documentation. It’s important to test the plugin manually, so pay attention to the availability of a free version and consider user ratings and reviews to make the right choice.
Sum Up
In conclusion, Table of Contents plugins are not just a beautiful addition to a WordPress site. It can significantly improve SEO and positively affect the site’s search engine ranking.
Let’s briefly recap the purposes for which you can utilize the plugins described in the article:
- Ultimate Blocks: A versatile plugin offering a wide array of Gutenberg blocks for crafting engaging and visually appealing content.
- Easy Table of Contents: Simplifies the creation of table of contents, catering to both beginners and advanced users with its intuitive settings.
- Table of Contents Plus: Ideal for automatically generating and customizing TOCs for posts and pages with long content.
- SimpleTOC: A user-friendly solution for effortlessly adding and customizing table of contents without the need for coding.
- TOP Table of Contents: Designed to streamline content navigation and enhance user experience, particularly for websites featuring lengthy and complex content.
- Joli Table of Contents: Combines SEO optimization and user convenience, automatically generating visually appealing TOCs for improved content navigation.
- Table of Contents Block: Seamlessly integrates with the Gutenberg editor, enabling users to create clear and organized TOCs with ease.
Choose the plugin that best aligns with your content organization needs and share your experience with content navigation in the comments below.
For further insights on optimizing your WordPress site’s speed and performance, explore resources discussing the top plugins for speed optimization. A detailed review of key features, advantages, and disadvantages will help you choose the right plugin.
