Comments can be both the best and worst parts of the internet, but most would agree that websites would be duller without them.
Websites thrive on interaction. While the site owner shares news, reviews, and articles, the readers respond with their comments. This exchange fosters a vibrant community and makes the site more engaging and enjoyable.
It’s what makes the web an exciting place.
To Allow Comments or Not?
If you’ve spent any time online, you know how polarising comment sections can be. Some view them as breeding grounds for negativity, while others see them as essential for maintaining a two-way conversation.
I belong to the latter group. I believe comments are a critical part of running a website, and pages without them miss out on valuable interaction.
Here are four reasons why allowing comments benefits your site:
Increases Engagement – Everyone has opinions, and the ability to share them makes users feel part of the conversation. This sense of inclusion plays a key role in how visitors interact with a website.
Boosts Time on Page – Comment sections keep readers engaged longer. Search engines favour pages with higher dwell time, which can improve rankings.
Some Visitors Focus on Comments – Many readers spend more time engaging with the comments than the article itself. This is fine as long as they stay involved!
Valuable Feedback – Comments offer writers and publishers unique insights. From fresh perspectives to helpful suggestions, there’s always something to learn.
I always read the comments and often discover new plugins, themes, or WordPress tips I hadn’t encountered before. Your feedback is a valuable learning tool, and I appreciate it!
What to Look for in a Comment Plugin
When choosing a WordPress comment plugin, I seek the same qualities as any plugin: ease of use, clear purpose, tangible benefits, and either free or reasonably priced.
For comment-specific plugins, I prioritise an appealing interface with minimal barriers to participation. The simpler it is to comment, the more likely users are to engage.
I also favour clean, streamlined login systems that enable easy commenting while protecting against spam.
The Best WordPress Comment Plugins
Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best WordPress comment plugins available. Stay tuned for a detailed overview of each one.
1. Disqus Comment System
Disqus is one of the most well-known WordPress comment plugins, powering discussions on many major websites. It’s a cloud-hosted solution that integrates with your site via an API, ensuring your comments section stays organised and runs smoothly.
One of Disqus’ biggest advantages is its universal login system. Once logged in, users can comment on any Disqus-enabled site without needing to log in again. There’s also the option to log in via social media. However, one drawback is that logging in is mandatory, so anonymous commenting is not supported.
Pros:
- Seamlessly integrates with your website’s design
- Supports rich media in comments, such as images and videos
- Option to monetise the comments section
- Intuitive comment moderation panel
- Automated spam filtering
Cons:
- The free plan is quite limited in functionality. To access the full feature set, you’ll need a paid subscription, starting at $12/month and going up to $115/month.
Pricing:
Disqus offers a free, ad-supported plan, as well as premium plans without ads.
2. Thrive Comments
Thrive Comments, developed by the creators of Thrive Themes, is a robust WordPress comment plugin that brings gamification to the table. With features like votes, badges, and comment sharing, it encourages engagement by tapping into the same techniques used by social networks. Now, you can use these tools to boost interaction on your own site.
Thrive Comments also supports social media logins, includes prompts for sharing comments on social networks, and replaces the default WordPress comment section with a more visually appealing one. For those who love data, the plugin offers analytics to track various comment metrics.
Pros:
- Boosts engagement with features like comment likes, upvotes, and badges
- Encourages frequent visitors by awarding badges
- Prompts users to share comments on social media
- Converts comments into actionable leads by redirecting commenters to a URL or CTA
- Streamlines comment management with an intuitive Comment Moderation Dashboard
Cons:
- Thrive Comments is only available as part of the Thrive Suite. To use the plugin, you’ll need to purchase the entire suite, which includes tools like a builder, Automator, and quiz builder.
Pricing:
Thrive Comments is priced at $19 per month when purchased annually and can be used on up to 25 websites.
3. wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz is a comprehensive WordPress comment plugin that revitalises the comment section with a fresh design and powerful features. It offers inline comments, live notifications, post ratings, social media integration, and a rich editor that supports media uploads. To combat spam, it also integrates reCAPTCHA.
I consider wpDiscuz one of the best WordPress comment plugins for its aesthetic appeal, value, and user-friendly design. It includes multiple layout options, lazy loading for performance and style, and a robust reporting tool with graphs and metrics for data enthusiasts.
Pros:
- Choose different comment layouts for various pages and posts
- Inline Commenting allows readers to respond to questions directly within the article
- Add a sticky comment icon anywhere on your site with the Comment Bubble feature
- Users can rate your articles without leaving comments
- Social media login support
Cons:
- Support response time can be slow
Pricing:
wpDiscuz is free, with an optional add-on bundle available for $99.
4. ReplyBox
ReplyBox is one of the top WordPress comment plugins for privacy-conscious users. Similar to Disqus, but without ads, data collection, or user monetisation, it’s an excellent choice for those who prioritise privacy.
ReplyBox is a lightweight hosted platform with an API under 100KB. It features attractive comment templates, integrates with Akismet for spam protection, supports markdown for emojis, offers nested comments for better navigation, allows social media login, and supports custom CSS. It’s also compatible with most WordPress themes, including Astra.
I recommend ReplyBox not just for its features, but for its strong commitment to privacy.
Pros:
- Lightweight, ensuring fast load times
- Focused on privacy with no data monetisation
- Integrated with Akismet to block spam
- Simple and effective comment moderation system
- Supports Google and Twitter login
- Easily imports and syncs existing comments
Cons:
- Limited login options; more would be beneficial
Pricing:
ReplyBox starts at $6 per month, with plans going up to $26 per month.
5. Simple Comment Editing
Simple Comment Editing made the list of best WordPress comment plugins due to its standout feature: a five-minute cooldown period that allows users to add, edit, or change their comments before they are finalised.
The plugin is free, easy to use, and requires no setup—just plug and play. You can choose to hide or display the countdown timer, enable email notifications for comment updates, and prevent comment deletion. While customisation options are limited, advanced tweaks are possible if you’re familiar with CSS.
Pros:
- Quick and easy installation
- Provides a 5-minute window for editing comments before they’re published
- Paid version offers more customisation, free for a single site
- Simple, plug-and-play functionality
- Free to use
Cons:
- Limited customisation options without CSS knowledge
Pricing:
The plugin is free to use.
6. Jetpack Comments
Jetpack Comments is a straightforward WordPress comment plugin that integrates with the powerful Jetpack suite. This add-on allows users to log in and comment via social media accounts, including WordPress.com, Facebook, and Google.
While Jetpack Comments doesn’t modify the comment form or add new features to the appearance or functionality of comments, its social media login feature makes it a valuable addition. For those seeking simple social login integration, it’s definitely worth considering.
Pros:
- Part of the versatile Jetpack plugin, which offers many features for WordPress sites
- Enables users to log in and comment using social media accounts
- Integrates seamlessly with Jetpack and most WordPress themes
- Free to use
Cons:
- Jetpack includes a wide range of features, some of which might overlap with existing plugins, potentially causing conflicts. If all you need is a comments plugin, Jetpack might be more than necessary.
Pricing:
Jetpack Comments is included in the free version of the Jetpack plugin.
