Making it easy for your blog audience to comment on your posts is a great way to engage your target audience.
But, how do you effectively mediate and make sure the comments are relevant and not spammy?
If you’re on WordPress, installing the right comment plugin can make all the difference.
However, the sheer number of options in this category can make selecting one plugin tricky.
In this post, we’ll talk about the best comment plugins for WordPress your digital marketing budget can buy.
By the end, you’ll also have the information you need to pick the right comment plugin for your WordPress site.
Let’s dive in.
Best Comment Plugins for WordPress (Reviewed)
1. Jetpack
Jetpack offers a wide range of features, eliminating the need for you to install plugins for any additional functionality.
For instance, its analytics feature lets you know the number of people that visit your site daily. Other features include automatic post-scheduling, security tools, and much more.
However, note that most of these features are only accessible to Jepack’s paid users.
When you install Jetpack, the default WordPress comment feature gets disabled. To comment on a post, a user has to create an account or log into one of their social profiles.
You can even have the plugin notify you about any follow-ups. It also lets you change the color theme to dark.
The comment feature of Jetpack is free, but for most of the additional features, you’ll have to get its paid version.
Pros
- Versatile
- Effective
- Easy to use
- Tons of features
Cons
- Limited free version
2. Disqus
Disqus is a popular comment plugin because of its simplicity and effectiveness. The comment plugin is easy to set up and lets you manage your comments without hassle.
Moreover, Disqus uses different features that encourage engagement, including text formatting, social username logins, and media embeds.
Disqus has a free plan, but it isn’t without its drawbacks. The folks behind the plugin recently decided to showcase ads on the free version.
The free plan does come with all the basic features you’d need to effectively monitor your comments section. This includes spam filters, configurable ads, moderation tools, and analytics.
One of the most annoying things for a website owner is the spam they receive on their content. Disqus takes care of detecting spam and keeping your comments section clean and relevant.
Pros
- User-friendly
- Effective free plan
- Spam filters
- Analytics
Cons
- The free version shows ads
3. wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz is another reliable WordPress comment plugin. It keeps your blog comments saved in the site database.
The comment box it offers is responsive, which means it loads well on different devices. Plus, it lets users log in through social media and drop their comments.
Moreover, the lazy-loading feature prevents your site from slowing down and keeps the user experience up to the mark.
What’s more, the comment plugin has a solid free version. You won’t have to spend anything for effective comment moderation with it.
However, you can buy the add-ons to expand its functionality.
The plugin is also customizable, allowing you to change the colors, buttons, fields, and components. Anonymous comments are also a good feature for some blogs.
Pros
- A solid free plan
- Responsive
- Lazy-loading
- Customizable
Cons
- The paid add-ons may be a bit expensive
4. GraphComment
GraphComment is another common WordPress plugin for comments that tried to reintroduce the standard discussion modules.
The plugin offers some interesting tools like votes, discussions, shares, votes, and even media embedding.
For bloggers and solo website owners, the personal free plan of GraphComment is generally enough. The basic plan offers many features and five themes to let you create a dynamic comment system.
However, if you’re an established blogger and can afford $19 per month, upgrading to the premium version gets you more features and themes.
Moreover, each conversion is hidden under the main topic or comment, keeping everything organized and broken into relevant pieces.
Plus, the badges and reward feature is a great little feature as it encourages readers to leave comments.
Overall, GraphComment has a solid free plan for the starter to intermediate blog owners and offers additional tools and themes to paid users.
Pros
- Solid free plan
- Ability to import past comments
- Several free themes
Cons
- The paid plan isn’t ideal for new bloggers
5. Super Socializer
If you’re looking for a lightweight, free comment plugin, Super Socializer would be a great option. The plugin lets you add social follow icons under your content, making it easier for your audience to follow your brand on social media.
Plus, it lets you integrate over 100 social networks, which gives users tons of options. The best part is there’s no paid version of the Super Socializer plugin, so you’ll get everything the tool has to offer for free.
And because the plugin lets users log in with their social profiles, there’s no need for them to go through the signup process. This helps because many people don’t comment because the signup process is just too long.
However, although it’s a free plugin, you can buy add-ons to improve its functionality. But, these add-ons are super affordable.
Pros
- Almost everything is free
- Minimum spam
- Lots of social login options
Cons
- May not be as versatile as some paid plugins
6. Social Comments by WpDevArt
Social Comments by WpDevArt is another freemium WordPress comment plugin you might like. It comes with a free version and a pro version.
The free version comes with quite a few features, allowing users to interact with your blog posts without hassle.
One of the stand-out features of the Social Comments by WpDevArt plugin is the ability it gives users to sign in through their Facebook accounts.
The feature eliminates the need for signing up for a new account in order to leave a comment.
The pro version starts from $10 and can cost as high as $31, which can be a little expensive.
Pros
- Easy to use
- A free version
- Lots of features
Cons
- The pro version can be expensive
Choosing a WordPress Comments Plugin
So, what features should you look out for when considering a comment plugin for your WordPress site? Let’s find out.
User Experience
One of the most important features of a comment plugin is its user-friendliness. Consider how easy it is for you to customize the overall experience, and how easy it is for users to interact with your content.
Spam Protection
Spam comments impact the credibility of your website adversely and can damage the user experience significantly.
So, make sure to pick a comment plugin that offers effective spam protection. Effective moderation tools, spam filters, and blacklisting tools help you keep your comments clean and relevant.
Log in Options
Asking someone to go through a detailed signup process can deter them from commenting at all. On one side, you want to make sure everyone who comments signs up, to avoid spam.
On the other hand, you want the process to be as easy and simple as possible. To do that, you can use a comment plugin that lets users comment after logging into one of their social media accounts.
Customization Options
There are essentially two types of customization options in a comments plugin: Design and functionality. Both are important; one affects the look and feel of your web page; the other lets you personalize the user experience.
Go for a plugin that has enough customization options, including fonts, colors, styles, and more.
Support and Updates
Pick a comment plugin that has reliable customer support. The plugin should also be compatible with your version of WordPress and the theme you’re using.
Price
Of course, you don’t want to spend a fortune on a comment plugin. There are many free comment plugins that offer enough features.
The free ones can be limiting, so you may want to grab a premium one for a better user experience and customization options.
Mobile Compatibility
It’s become crucial for themes and plugins to be compatible with mobile devices as more and more people access websites on their phones.
Choose a comment plugin that’s responsive and loads in its best form on mobile devices. This will also keep your website search-engine-friendly.
Wrapping Up
This was all about the best comment plugins for WordPress and how you can choose the right one for your commenting needs.
The desirable properties of a comment plugin depend on your needs and preferences. Some free comment plugins offer more than enough features.
When selecting a comment plugin, be sure to look at all the important features, including
- Anti-spam protection
- User experience
- Customization options
- Login options
- Price
If you’re still unsure and want a free yet comprehensive plugin, go with Super Socializer. It offers a complete commenting solution at no cost. But, if you want a premium plugin, Jetpack has a lot of features and is user-friendly. Although its free option is good, it’s not enough in many cases.