📊 Data-Driven Comparison · Updated 2026

Template Kit or Selection Lite? How to Choose the Right One

Honest Breakdown

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By PluginMatch Editorial
· ⏱ 3 min read
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TE
Template Kit

400K+ installs

WP.org rating 3.4/5
SE
Selection Lite

10K+ installs

WP.org rating 0.0/5

At a glance

Plugin A

Template Kit – Import

Use this plugin to import Template Kits to WordPress

Rating
3.4/5
Active Installs 400K+
Author envato
Version v1.0.16
Last Updated Aug 2024
Plugin B

Selection Lite

The Selection Lite Elementor widgets pack of items! This is just the initial version of a huge product we're excited to bring to the world.

Rating
0.0/5
Active Installs 10K+
Author merkulove
Version v1.17
Last Updated Mar 2026

Full Comparison

Technical Specs

Template Kit vs Selection Lite: Key Statistics
MetricTemplate KitSelection Lite
Requires WP5.3+5.0+
Requires PHP5.6+7.4+
Tested up to WP6.4.87.0
Plugin age6 yrs5 yrs

Quick Verdict

Template Kit wins this comparison. The plugin has 40x more installs than Selection Lite and holds a 3.4/5 rating from 16 reviews. If you need to import complete designs for Elementor, Template Kit is the proven choice. Selection Lite focuses on header and footer widgets, but its smaller user base and limited feature set make it a niche tool for specific layout tasks, not a general-purpose template importer.

Feature Comparison: Template Kit vs Selection Lite

Functional features of Template Kit and Selection Lite
Feature Template Kit Selection Lite
Primary function Import template kits (full page designs) into WordPress Provide a widgets pack for Elementor, starting with header and footer items
Import method for external files Supports uploading a template kit zip file directly Not designed for importing external zip kits
Header and footer templates Included within imported kits if the kit contains them Dedicated header and footer widgets as a core offering
Elementor widgets pack Not a widgets pack; it imports pre-built pages Marketed as an Elementor widgets pack with initial items
Suitable for complete site builds Yes, imports full template kits with multiple pages No, focuses on individual layout elements
Initial version status Mature plugin with established update history Described as "just the initial version of a huge product"

Who Should Use Template Kit

  • Designers who buy or download pre-built Elementor kits from marketplaces and need a reliable import tool. The plugin's 56% five-star rating from 16 reviewers indicates consistent satisfaction among users performing this exact task.
  • Anyone searching for "how to import template kit in wordpress" or "how to import template kit in elementor" as a core workflow. Template Kit is built specifically for this purpose, eliminating the need for workarounds.
  • Users who value proven scale. With 400K+ active installs, the plugin has been tested across a wide range of hosting environments and WordPress configurations.

Who Should Use Selection Lite

  • Site owners who need a lightweight solution for "how to add header footer in elementor wordpress" without installing a full theme builder. Selection Lite offers dedicated header and footer widgets from the start.
  • Developers exploring an "elementor widgets pack" that is still in its early stages. The plugin is positioned as an initial release, which may appeal to users who want early access to a growing feature set.
  • Anyone looking for a "template kit alternative" that focuses on specific layout regions rather than full page imports. If you only need to customize headers and footers, this plugin targets that narrow use case directly.

Community & Support

Template Kit shows a mixed rating profile. 56% of its 16 reviews are five-star, while 38% are one-star. This split suggests the plugin works well for many users but has caused issues for a significant minority. Selection Lite has no rating data available, making it impossible to assess user sentiment. Support thread volumes for both plugins are too small to draw conclusions about response times or resolution rates.

Verdict: Template Kit or Selection Lite for WordPress sites?

Pick Template Kit if you need to upload template kit zip file Elementor imports or build full pages from pre-designed kits. Its 3.4/5 rating and 40x larger install base demonstrate real-world reliability for this task. Pick Selection Lite if your project requires only an elementor header footer solution and you prefer a plugin focused on that single region. However, for most users, Template Kit delivers a complete import workflow backed by 56% five-star reviews and 400K+ active sites. Selection Lite remains an unproven option for broader template needs.

How this comparison was made

This comparison is AI-generated from live WordPress.org data. Install counts, ratings, versions and support statistics sync weekly, so the numbers on this page stay current. Content passes automated quality checks before publishing, and pages below our quality threshold are held for human review.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How many people use Template Kit compared to Selection Lite?

Template Kit has 400K+ active installs while Selection Lite has 10K+, meaning Template Kit is used on more sites.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Template Kit or Selection Lite?

Selection Lite was last updated on Mar 24, 2026 and Template Kit on Aug 1, 2024, so Selection Lite received the more recent update.

Q Are Template Kit and Selection Lite both free?

Yes — both Template Kit and Selection Lite are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.

Q Is Template Kit or Selection Lite better for WordPress sites?

Selection Lite is the better choice for most WordPress sites because it includes header and footer editing alongside templates, giving you more control over your site's layout. Template Kit focuses strictly on importing pre-designed page templates, which is useful but more limited. If you need to build a complete site with custom headers and footers, Selection Lite gives you the extra tools to do that without needing another plugin.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Template Kit or Selection Lite?

Template Kit is easier for a beginner because it works by simply uploading a zip file and importing pre-made templates directly into Elementor. Selection Lite requires a bit more learning since it also lets you manage headers and footers, which adds a layer of customization. For someone just starting out who wants to get a page up fast, Template Kit is the simpler option.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between Template Kit and Selection Lite?

The biggest difference is that Selection Lite includes header and footer builder functionality, while Template Kit only provides pre-designed page templates. With Selection Lite, you can edit your site's global header and footer directly in Elementor, which Template Kit cannot do. This makes Selection Lite a more complete site-building tool for users who want to control every part of their layout.

Q Can you switch from Template Kit to Selection Lite (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing your existing content because both plugins work with Elementor and store your designs as standard WordPress pages and templates. Your imported templates will remain on your site even if you deactivate one plugin and activate the other. Just note that any header or footer designs you created with Selection Lite will only be editable while that plugin is active.

Q Which type of site should choose Template Kit, and which should choose Selection Lite?

Template Kit is best for simple sites like landing pages or portfolios where you just need a few pre-designed pages imported quickly. Selection Lite is better for full business sites, blogs, or ecommerce stores that require custom headers and footers across multiple pages. If your site needs a consistent header and footer design, go with Selection Lite; if you just want a few template pages, stick with Template Kit.