wpDataTables vs. Data Tables Generator by Supsystic: Which Table Plugin Is Right for You?

When you need to show data on your WordPress site, not all table plugins are the same. At a glance they might look similar, but most fall into two clear categories: basic builders you use to make simple content tables, and more advanced tools that handle large datasets, external data sources, and charts.

Picking the right type matters because it affects how easy it is to work with your data, how fast your pages load, and how much control you get over sorting, filtering, and visuals.

Let’s see how wpDataTables and Data Tables Generator by Supsystic differ in real use.

Quick Overview

wpDataTables

wpDataTables is a more advanced data table solution for WordPress that goes beyond simple spreadsheets. It’s built to handle larger datasets and works with a variety of data sources. You can import data from CSV, Excel, JSON, XML, and even connect to external databases or Google Sheets. Once the data is in, wpDataTables gives you tools to create sortable, searchable, and filterable tables that feel more like business reports than static content.

One of its core strengths is that it supports charts and graphs directly from your data. That means if you want your readers to see visual summaries alongside the numbers, you can build those in the same workflow. wpDataTables is useful when you need to present real data that might change over time, or when you’re dealing with datasets that are too big or complex for a basic table plugin.

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic is focused on ease of use and responsive design. It’s a “no code” table builder that lets you make tables right inside the WordPress dashboard without touching code. You get sorting, search, and pagination features out of the box, and the tables work well on mobile devices.

It also includes options for charts and graphs, so you can turn your data into visual elements if you want. The emphasis here is on simplicity and visual control: users can build and style tables visually, choose how visitors interact with them, and embed them easily wherever they need to appear. It’s a solid fit if you need interactive, responsive tables without complex data source setups.

wpDataTables vs. Data Tables Generator by Supsystic: Core Comparison Table

wpDataTables vs. Data Tables Generator

Criteria wpDataTables Data Tables Generator by Supsystic
Ease of setup Best when you already have data files or a source to connect (imports + connections are the “point” of the plugin).  Built around creating tables directly in WP with a spreadsheet-style workflow, aimed at “no code” use. 
Editor UX Data-first workflow: build tables (often from an existing source), then configure display and charts.  Table-builder workflow: create and manage tables in a structured, Excel-like interface. 
Data sources (Excel/CSV/JSON/XML/DB/Google Sheets) Explicitly supports Excel, CSV, XML, JSON, PHP arrays, plus MySQL queries and Google Spreadsheet as input sources.  Excel-like spreadsheets for WordPress and export formats, but is less explicit about external source connections. 
Charts Tables + charts positioning; charts built from data tables.  Built-in charts and graphs generated from table data. 
Filtering / search / pagination Built to present vast amounts of data in a user-friendly way  Searching, ordering, navigation, and responsive tables. 
Performance with large tables Built to handle large/complicated datasets and represent them concisely.  Supports large tables built from spreadsheet-style data and positions as responsive by default. 
Styling / templates Strong customization positioning (tables + charts plugin, aimed at readable “report-style” outputs).  Emphasizes custom design + clean, responsive tables. 
Integrations (WooCommerce, etc.) WooCommerce product tables integration that can auto-update and include Add to Cart.  No WooCommerce-specific integration 
Pricing / licensing approach Paid plans available as Annual or Lifetime licenses (tiered).  Supsystic sells paid licenses (plugin/bundle pricing model); Pro uses license activation. 
Support / docs Dedicated documentation + help center content (features overview, licensing help).  Dedicated documentation section (tutorials, setup guides). 

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Setup and learning curve

wpDataTables is built for situations where you already have structured data. If you’re working with Excel files, CSV exports, JSON feeds, database queries, or Google Sheets, the setup process is straightforward: connect or import your source, configure how it should be displayed, and publish. Instead of manually recreating tables inside WordPress, you work from real data and define how it should behave.

At the same time, wpDataTables is not limited to complex setups. If you simply need a clean, Excel-like table created directly inside WordPress, you can do that too. The interface supports a familiar spreadsheet-style workflow when needed, making it accessible for smaller projects. But when your requirements grow, it can also handle more advanced scenarios such as external database connections, large datasets, calculated columns, and dynamic updates.

For teams handling reporting, product catalogs, research data, financial tables, or frequently updated information, this flexibility saves time long term. The learning curve is tied to how your data is structured rather than manual row-by-row entry. Once you understand the data-source workflow, scaling becomes significantly easier because you’re not rebuilding tables from scratch every time something changes.

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic, on the other hand, follows a more traditional “table-first” workflow. You create a new table inside WordPress, define rows and columns manually, and edit content visually in an interface similar to a spreadsheet. It’s intuitive for users who just want to build tables directly in the dashboard without connecting external sources.

If your primary need is quickly assembling static or semi-static tables inside WordPress, that visual workflow can feel familiar and simple. But when datasets grow or require automation, the manual-first approach can become limiting.

Table types and what they’re best at

Not all tables serve the same purpose. The right plugin often depends on what kind of table you’re building.

Content tables

Examples: pricing tables, feature comparison matrices, product specification lists.

For straightforward content presentation, both plugins can create clean, responsive tables. Supsystic focuses heavily on interactive behavior like sorting and searching even for content-based tables, which works well for marketing pages that need user interaction.

wpDataTables also handles content tables effectively, especially when that content originates from structured data files rather than manual entry. If pricing or features are maintained in spreadsheets, wpDataTables makes it easier to sync updates instead of editing content cell by cell.

Interactive Data Tables

Examples: searchable directories, sortable product lists, filterable comparison tables.

Supsystic explicitly emphasizes sorting, searching, pagination, and responsive design. This makes it suitable for interactive tables built directly inside WordPress.

wpDataTables supports the same interactive behaviors but positions them within a broader data-management context. Instead of simply making tables interactive, it enables advanced filtering and dynamic behavior across large datasets connected to external sources.

Data-heavy reporting tables

Examples: financial reports, research datasets, WooCommerce product catalogs, operational dashboards.

This is where positioning becomes clearer.

wpDataTables is designed to represent large volumes of structured data in a readable way. It supports multiple source formats and is built around the idea of managing and displaying vast amounts of information without overwhelming the user. For organizations that need recurring updates, automated feeds, or database-driven tables, this approach scales better.

Supsystic supports responsive, interactive tables, but its core workflow centers on building tables inside WordPress rather than managing complex external data pipelines.

In short:

  • For content-focused and manually built tables, a visual-first builder works well.
  • For structured, data-driven, and frequently updated tables, a source-connected approach is more sustainable.

Data sources and importing

wpDataTables

wpDataTables is built around the idea that your data often exists outside WordPress. Instead of forcing you to manually recreate tables inside the dashboard, it allows you to import or connect directly to structured sources.

You can create tables from:

  • Excel files
  • CSV files
  • XML files
  • JSON feeds
  • PHP arrays
  • MySQL queries
  • Google Sheets

This flexibility matters when you’re working with real datasets that are updated elsewhere. For example, if your pricing, product catalog, research results, or financial reports live in spreadsheets or databases, wpDataTables lets you connect those sources and control how they’re displayed on the front end.

The benefit is long-term efficiency. When data changes, you update the source file or database, not every individual table cell in WordPress. For agencies, ecommerce sites, research projects, and reporting dashboards, this approach reduces human error.

And importantly, wpDataTables does not force complexity. If you want to upload a simple CSV or create a table manually in an Excel-like interface, you can. But when you need deeper data handling, external connections are already built in.

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic centers its workflow around building and managing tables directly inside WordPress. At the same time, its Export/Import PRO option expands what you can do with external data.

With the PRO version, users can:

  • Import tables from CSV, Excel, and Google Sheets
  • Export tables to CSV, PDF, XLS, and XLSX

This makes it practical for teams that regularly move data between spreadsheets and WordPress, or that need downloadable versions of their tables for reporting or sharing.

The core workflow, however, remains table-first. You typically create and structure the table inside the plugin interface, then use import features to populate it or export it when needed. Imports function as a way to bring spreadsheet data into the builder rather than as persistent, continuously connected external data sources.

For content-driven tables or moderately sized spreadsheets that don’t require database queries or complex external logic, this setup can work well. It allows teams to manage structured tables visually while still maintaining the ability to import and export across common file formats.

When workflows depend on deeper external integrations, multiple data source formats, or direct database queries, the distinction between a table-first approach and a data-source-first architecture becomes more noticeable.

Charts and visualizations

Both plugins allow you to generate charts and graphs from table data, which is essential when numbers alone are not enough.

With wpDataTables, charts are tightly integrated with your data tables. Once your dataset is connected or imported, you can create visual representations directly from that structured source. This works especially well for reporting environments where tables and charts need to stay synchronized as data updates.

Supsystic also enables chart creation from tables built within its interface. For users creating interactive content tables or smaller datasets, this makes it easy to turn rows of data into visual summaries without extra tools.

The important question is not just whether charts are supported, but when charts actually matter.

Charts become critical in:

  • Business dashboards
  • Financial reporting
  • Research presentations
  • Stakeholder updates
  • Performance tracking

In these cases, visual clarity improves decision-making. If your data changes frequently and feeds into ongoing reports, having charts directly connected to structured sources reduces maintenance and risk of inconsistency.

For static marketing content, simple visual summaries may be enough. But for recurring reports and data-driven environments, the ability to connect charts to dynamic datasets becomes a major advantage.

Editing experience: backend vs front-end

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic highlights front-end editing as a Pro feature. This allows users to edit table data directly from the front end of the website, depending on configuration and permissions. For teams that want non-technical contributors to update data without accessing the WordPress dashboard, this can simplify collaboration. Screenshots and feature descriptions emphasize visual editing and user-facing flexibility, making it approachable for sites where content managers or clients need direct access to table updates.

In contrast, wpDataTables is primarily managed from the WordPress backend. Tables are created, configured, and maintained within the admin interface, where administrators and editors define structure, data sources, filtering rules, and display settings. This aligns with its positioning as a data-driven solution. In many use cases, the person editing the table is not manually changing individual cells, but rather managing the data source itself. For example, an Excel file, Google Sheet, or database query may be updated externally, while WordPress controls how that data is presented.

This backend-centered workflow is typically preferred in professional environments where data integrity, role-based permissions, and structured workflows matter. Rather than exposing editing capabilities publicly, wpDataTables supports centralized management with clear separation between data handling and front-end display.

Performance and large tables

Performance becomes critical when working with larger datasets. As table size increases, several issues commonly appear:

  • Slower admin interface when editing large tables
  • Increased front-end loading times
  • Heavy filtering and sorting operations
  • Mobile responsiveness challenges
  • Browser slowdowns when rendering thousands of rows

If you expect hundreds or thousands of rows, performance should not be an afterthought. The way a plugin handles data loading, filtering, and rendering directly impacts user experience.

wpDataTables is positioned around handling larger and more complex datasets. Because it supports structured data sources and database queries, it is suited for scenarios where datasets grow over time or are updated frequently. Instead of manually storing all data inside the WordPress editor, tables can rely on external sources, which helps maintain cleaner workflows as scale increases.

Supsystic supports responsive and interactive tables, which works well for moderate datasets built within WordPress. However, when dealing with larger volumes of structured data, the underlying architecture becomes more important than visual editing features.

In practical terms: if you anticipate thousands of rows, frequent updates, or database-driven reporting, prioritize a solution designed around scalable data sources rather than purely manual table building.

Pricing and licensing

Pricing structure can influence long-term value, especially for agencies and multi-site projects.

wpDataTables offers tiered plans, typically available as annual or lifetime licenses. Different tiers vary based on the number of sites and included features. This makes it flexible for freelancers, agencies, and businesses that want predictable licensing options. Check out wpDataTables’ prices and choose the best plan for your business.

Data Tables Generator by Supsystic has a free version available on WordPress.org. For extended features such as advanced import/export capabilities and additional functionality, paid Pro licenses are offered. Users can review feature differences and pricing directly on the WordPress plugin listing or the official Supsystic website.

For teams evaluating long-term scalability, it’s important to compare not just entry cost, but which features are included in each tier.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re deciding between the two, the right choice depends on how you work with data.

Choose wpDataTables if you need:

  • Multiple data sources such as Excel, CSV, JSON, XML, PHP arrays, MySQL queries, or Google Sheets
  • Frequent updates coming from external files, feeds, or databases
  • Reporting-style tables and dashboards with connected charts
  • Advanced filtering, calculated values, and structured datasets
  • A more “data app” experience inside WordPress rather than a simple table builder

wpDataTables is built for environments where tables are not just content blocks, but part of a larger data workflow. If your tables need to scale, sync with external sources, or support business reporting, it’s the stronger long-term solution.

Choose Data Tables Generator by Supsystic if you need:

  • Fast table creation directly inside WordPress
  • A visual, spreadsheet-style builder
  • Interactive tables with sorting, searching, and pagination for typical site content
  • A straightforward Google Sheets import workflow
  • Import/export functionality for common file formats

If your tables are mostly content-driven, moderately sized, and managed manually inside WordPress, Supsystic can be sufficient.

In short, the difference comes down to architecture.

If your workflow revolves around structured data and scalability, choose wpDataTables. If you primarily need visual table building for standard website content, Supsystic may meet your needs.


Tijana Cuviza
Tijana Cuviza
Articles: 6