Add a plugin vs paste a code snippet

Add a plugin vs paste a code snippet

For a small tweak, you'll often find both a plugin and a copy-paste code snippet online. Which is safer?

— A plugin is maintained, updates itself, and is easy to switch off if it misbehaves. The cost is one more add-on loading on every page.
— A code snippet is feather-light and adds nothing extra to load. The risk: a single wrong character can take down your site, and you must remember where you put it.

A sensible rule:
— Need it once and you're confident? A snippet (added through a child theme or a snippets plugin) is clean.
— Not comfortable with code, or it's a big feature? Use a trusted plugin.

In plain words: snippets are lightest but unforgiving, plugins are safer and self-updating. Match it to your comfort.