WordPress popup plugins let you capture visitor attention with targeted messages, email signups, and special offers. They include advanced targeting features like exit-intent technology and integrate with email marketing services to help you grow your list.
In this guide, I’ve tested 9 popup plugins and narrowed them down based on ease of use, features, and value. I’ll show you which ones work best for different needs, from simple lead capture to advanced targeting.
Quick Comparison: Best WordPress Popup Plugins
| Plugin | Pricing | Free Plan | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OptinMonster | $9-$49/month | No | Serious list building & conversion optimization | A+ |
| TrustPulse | $5-$39/month | No | Social proof & FOMO for eCommerce | A |
| Popup Maker | Free (premium $39+/year) | Yes | Budget-conscious users & developers | B+ |
| HubSpot | Free-$45/month | Yes | All-in-one lead generation with CRM | B+ |
| Thrive Leads | $99-$299/year | No | Advanced marketers & A/B testing | B |
| UserFeedback | Free-$49.50/year | Yes | Surveys & user feedback collection | B |
| Bloom | $89/year | No | Existing Elegant Themes users | C+ |
| Elementor Pro | $49/year | No | Existing Elementor Pro users | C+ |
| Sumo | Free-$39/month | Yes (limited) | Testing popups before committing | C |
How I Chose the Best WordPress Popup Plugins
I focused on what actually matters when you’re trying to convert visitors, not what looks impressive in a demo.
- I tested each plugin on a live WordPress site. I looked at setup speed, interface clarity, and where things get confusing.
- I checked performance and page load impact. Popup plugins can slow down your site, so I favored solutions that stay light.
- I built real campaigns. That included exit-intent popups, timed popups, and scroll-triggered forms.
- I compared value and support. I looked at what you get for free vs paid and how helpful the documentation is.
This isn’t a comprehensive list of every popup plugin available. It’s a curated selection of the ones that actually deliver results without unnecessary complexity.
Best WordPress Popup Plugins
- 1. OptinMonster: Best Overall WordPress Popup Plugin
- 2. TrustPulse: Best Social Proof Popup Plugin
- 3. Popup Maker: Best Free WordPress Popup Plugin
- 4. HubSpot: Best All-in-One Free Popup Solution
- 5. Thrive Leads: Best for Advanced Marketers
- 6. UserFeedback: Best for Surveys and Feedback
- 7. Bloom: Best for Elegant Themes Users
- 8. Elementor Pro: Best for Elementor Users
- 9. Sumo: Budget Free Option with Limitations
1. OptinMonster: Best Overall WordPress Popup Plugin
| Pricing | $9-$49/month (billed annually) |
| Free Plan | No |
| Standout Features | • Exit-Intent® technology • Page-level targeting • 26+ MonsterEffects animations • A/B testing • Spin-to-win wheels |
| Rating | A+ |
| Best For | Serious list building and conversion optimization |
OptinMonster is a cloud-based popup builder used by millions of websites to convert abandoning visitors into subscribers and customers. It loads from OptinMonster’s CDN instead of your hosting, which keeps your site fast.
My Experience
I use OptinMonster on SeedProd.com, and what sold me was the Exit-Intent® technology. It detects when someone’s about to leave and triggers a popup at exactly that moment. I’ve seen 8-12% conversion rates on exit popups consistently.
The drag-and-drop builder makes creating popups quick. I started with a template, adjusted the headline and colors, and had a working popup in about 10 minutes. The AI content generator speeds things up even more if you’re stuck on copy.
Page-level targeting lets me show different popups on different pages. I use it to display product-specific offers on WooCommerce product pages without manually creating separate campaigns for each page.
The campaign types go beyond basic popups. I’ve tested floating bars for announcements, full-screen welcome mats for new visitors, and countdown timers for limited-time offers. The spin-to-win wheel works particularly well for discount campaigns.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exit-Intent® technology converts abandoning visitors | No free version available |
| Cloud-based delivery keeps your site fast | |
| Drag-and-drop builder with AI content generator | |
| 26+ MonsterEffects animations and sound effects | |
| Advanced targeting (geolocation, Adblock detection, referrer) | |
| Multi-site license | |
| Integrates with all major email marketing services |
Verdict: OptinMonster is my top choice if you’re serious about growing your email list or reducing cart abandonment. The price pays for itself quickly once you start seeing conversion results.
For more details, check out my OptinMonster Review.
2. TrustPulse: Best Social Proof Popup Plugin
| Pricing | $5-$39/month |
| Free Plan | No (but lowest tier is $5/month) |
| Standout Features | • Real-time activity tracking • “On Fire” notifications • Smart targeting • Lightweight script |
| Rating | A |
| Best For | WooCommerce stores and high-traffic sites needing social proof |
TrustPulse is a social proof notification plugin that displays recent sales and signup activity on your site. It’s different from traditional popup plugins because it shows what other visitors are doing in real time.
My Experience
I tested TrustPulse on a WooCommerce test store, and the “On Fire” notifications made a visible difference. When it shows “5 people purchased in the last hour,” it creates urgency without being pushy.
The setup took about 10 minutes. I connected TrustPulse to WooCommerce, picked which products to track, and the notifications started appearing automatically. The targeting options let me show different messages to new vs returning visitors.
The script is lightweight. I didn’t notice any slowdown after installing it, which matters for high-traffic sites where every millisecond counts.
Smart targeting means I can control when and where notifications appear. I disabled them on checkout pages to avoid distractions and focused them on product pages where they drive the most impact.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Creates FOMO with real-time activity | Base plan limited to 2,500 sessions/month |
| Lightweight cloud-based script | |
| “On Fire” notifications show activity bursts | |
| Works across WordPress, Shopify, and other platforms | |
| Flexible design customization |
Verdict: TrustPulse works best for eCommerce sites and high-traffic blogs where social proof matters. If you need traditional email popups, pair it with OptinMonster for complete coverage.
See my TrustPulse Review for more details.
3. Popup Maker: Best Free WordPress Popup Plugin
| Pricing | Free (premium extensions $39+/year) |
| Free Plan | Yes (fully featured) |
| Standout Features | • Unlimited popups • 15+ trigger options • Advanced targeting • Cookie-based frequency control • GDPR tools |
| Rating | B+ |
| Best For | Budget-conscious users and developers |
Popup Maker is the most popular free popup plugin in the WordPress repository with over 700,000 active installations. Unlike freemium plugins that lock core features behind paywalls, Popup Maker gives you unlimited popups and solid targeting in the free version.
My Experience
I tested Popup Maker for a project where budget was tight. The free version includes everything you need for basic popups: click triggers, timed delays, exit-intent, and scroll triggers.
Setup takes longer than drag-and-drop builders like OptinMonster. You’re working with WordPress’s default editor, which means more manual work. I spent about 25 minutes creating my first popup compared to 10 minutes with premium tools.
The targeting conditions are surprisingly robust for a free plugin. I could target by page, post type, user role, and device. Cookie controls let me set frequency caps so visitors don’t see the same popup repeatedly.
The developer community is strong. I found detailed documentation and code examples when I needed to customize beyond the default options. If you’re comfortable with CSS, you can make these popups look professional.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free with no popup limits | More technical than drag-and-drop competitors |
| No branding or watermarks | Limited pre-built templates in free version |
| Strong targeting and trigger options | Design customization requires CSS knowledge |
| GDPR-compliant tools included | No built-in A/B testing (needs premium extension) |
| Works with any WordPress theme | Email integrations require manual setup |
| Compatible with Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi |
Verdict: Popup Maker is the best free option if you don’t mind a steeper learning curve. You’re trading ease of use for significant cost savings, which makes sense for developers and agencies managing multiple sites.
4. HubSpot: Best All-in-One Free Popup Solution
| Pricing | Free (paid plans from $45/month) |
| Free Plan | Yes |
| Standout Features | • Drag-and-drop builder • Built-in CRM • Email marketing included • Advanced triggers • Analytics dashboard |
| Rating | B+ |
| Best For | Beginners who want an all-in-one solution |
The HubSpot WordPress plugin includes a popup builder, free CRM, and email marketing in one package. It’s designed for lead generation rather than general popup use.
My Experience
I tested HubSpot for a service business that needed lead capture without juggling multiple tools. The popup builder connects directly to HubSpot’s CRM, so every lead is automatically saved with no third-party integrations.
Setup was straightforward. I created my first popup in about 12 minutes using the drag-and-drop builder. The trigger rules include exit-intent, scroll depth, and time on page, which covers most scenarios.
The free CRM surprised me. It’s genuinely useful for small businesses, not just a teaser for paid plans. You can track leads, send emails, and manage contacts without upgrading.
The main limitation is focus. HubSpot is built for B2B lead generation, not eCommerce or content marketing. If you need discount wheels, product recommendations, or advanced segmentation, you’ll hit walls quickly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Completely free popup builder | Focused on lead generation, not versatile |
| Built-in CRM saves all leads automatically | Free CRM may feel limited for advanced users |
| Email marketing included | |
| Multiple popup types (modal, slide-in, banner) | |
| Page-level and behavioral targeting | |
| No technical knowledge required |
Verdict: HubSpot works best for service businesses and B2B sites that need simple lead capture with CRM included. It eliminates tool complexity but limits flexibility compared to specialized popup builders.
5. Thrive Leads: Best for Advanced Marketers
| Pricing | $99-$299/year |
| Free Plan | No |
| Standout Features | • A/B testing • Advanced analytics • Multiple optin types • Drag-and-drop editor • One-time payment option |
| Rating | B |
| Best For | Marketers who need deep customization and testing |
Thrive Leads is part of the Thrive Suite, built for performance-focused marketers who want complete control over list-building campaigns. It includes A/B testing, advanced analytics, and multiple optin form types.
My Experience
I tested Thrive Leads for a content site that runs heavy optimization. The A/B testing is more detailed than most competitors. You can test different popup types (not just copy variations) and see conversion data broken down by traffic source.
The learning curve is steep. I spent about 45 minutes creating my first popup compared to 10 minutes with OptinMonster. The interface has more options, which means more decisions at every step.
Advanced analytics show exactly which pages, posts, and categories convert best. I could see that exit-intent popups on tutorial posts converted 3x better than timed popups on landing pages. That level of detail helps when you’re optimizing for small percentage gains.
The plugin is feature-rich, which means it’s not lightweight. I noticed slower page loads compared to cloud-based solutions like OptinMonster or TrustPulse.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| A/B testing built in | Steep learning curve for beginners |
| Detailed conversion analytics | Feature-rich plugin impacts page speed |
| One-time payment option available | Setup takes significantly longer than competitors |
| Multiple campaign types | |
| Drag-and-drop editor |
Verdict: Thrive Leads makes sense if you’re already using Thrive Suite or you need advanced testing capabilities. For most users, the complexity outweighs the benefits compared to simpler tools like OptinMonster.
6. UserFeedback: Best for Surveys and Feedback
| Pricing | $49.50/year (free version available) |
| Free Plan | Yes |
| Standout Features | • Pre-made survey templates • Conditional logic • Device targeting • Survey scheduling • Custom branding |
| Rating | B |
| Best For | Collecting user feedback rather than lead generation |
UserFeedback is a survey popup plugin designed specifically for gathering visitor feedback, not capturing emails. It uses popups to ask questions at strategic moments during the user journey.
My Experience
I tested UserFeedback on a SaaS site that needed to understand why visitors weren’t converting. The setup wizard walked me through creating a survey in about 5 minutes.
The pre-made templates cover common scenarios like “Why are you leaving?” and “What brought you here today?” I customized the questions, set a trigger (exit-intent), and started collecting responses immediately.
Conditional logic lets you ask follow-up questions based on previous answers. If someone says they’re “just browsing,” you can ask what they’re looking for. If they say “ready to buy,” you can ask what’s stopping them.
Device targeting means I could show different surveys on mobile vs desktop. Mobile users got shorter surveys (2-3 questions max) while desktop users saw more detailed versions.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free version available | Not designed for lead generation |
| Beginner-friendly interface | Fewer templates than comprehensive form builders |
| Conditional logic for smart follow-ups | |
| Device-specific targeting | |
| Survey scheduling | |
| Custom branding options |
Verdict: UserFeedback fills a specific niche: understanding visitor behavior through surveys. If you need email capture or sales popups, use OptinMonster or HubSpot instead.
7. Bloom: Best for Elegant Themes Users
| Pricing | $89/year or $249 lifetime |
| Free Plan | No |
| Standout Features | • 100+ templates • 6 campaign types • A/B testing • Custom dashboard • Bundled with Elegant Themes |
| Rating | C+ |
| Best For | Existing Elegant Themes customers |
Bloom is a popup plugin from Elegant Themes, included free with Elegant Themes membership. It offers multiple campaign types and A/B testing through your WordPress dashboard.
My Experience
I tested Bloom on a site already using Divi. The integration was seamless since it’s built by the same company. I had access to 100+ templates styled to match Divi’s design language.
The WordPress dashboard integration means everything stays in one place. I could check conversion rates, manage campaigns, and run A/B tests without leaving WordPress. That’s convenient but slower than visual builders.
The main issue is performance. Bloom isn’t optimized for speed the way cloud-based solutions are. I noticed longer page loads compared to OptinMonster or TrustPulse, especially with multiple popups active.
Targeting options are basic. I could target by page and post type but lacked advanced options like geolocation, referrer detection, or behavioral triggers beyond simple timing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Included with Elegant Themes membership | Not speed-optimized |
| 100+ pre-built templates | No visual customizer (preview button required) |
| A/B split testing | Basic targeting compared to OptinMonster |
| Custom WordPress dashboard | Only makes sense if you’re already using Elegant Themes |
| 6 campaign types |
Verdict: Bloom makes sense only if you’re already paying for Elegant Themes. For everyone else, OptinMonster or Popup Maker offer better value and performance.
8. Elementor Pro: Best for Elementor Users
| Pricing | $49/year |
| Free Plan | No |
| Standout Features | • Page builder integration • Pre-built templates • Full design control • Email service integrations |
| Rating | C+ |
| Best For | Existing Elementor Pro users who need basic popups |
Elementor Pro includes a popup builder as part of its page builder package. It’s not a standalone popup solution but an add-on feature for users already using Elementor.
My Experience
I tested Elementor’s popup builder on a site already using Elementor Pro for page design. The popup builder uses the same drag-and-drop interface as the page builder, which means no learning curve if you already know Elementor.
Design flexibility is the main advantage. I could customize every element (fonts, colors, spacing, animations) without leaving the Elementor interface. The pre-built templates gave me starting points that matched my existing design.
The limitations showed up quickly. There’s no A/B testing, no analytics beyond basic impression tracking, and no advanced targeting like geolocation or behavior-based triggers. I could only set basic display rules (page, device, user role).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Included with Elementor Pro | No A/B testing |
| Same interface as Elementor page builder | No popup-specific analytics |
| Pre-built popup templates | Basic targeting only |
| Full design customization | Only makes sense if you’re already using Elementor Pro |
| Integrates with email services |
Verdict: Only use Elementor Pro’s popup builder if you’re already paying for Elementor Pro and need basic popups. For serious list building, OptinMonster offers far more features for similar money.
See my comparison: Elementor vs WPBakery vs SeedProd
9. Sumo: Budget Free Option with Limitations
| Pricing | Free-$39/month |
| Free Plan | Yes (limited features) |
| Standout Features | • Free version available • Pre-designed templates • Heatmaps included • Social share buttons • Multiple tools in one |
| Rating | C |
| Best For | Experimenting with popups before committing to paid tools |
Sumo is a free popup plugin that includes extra tools like heatmaps and social share buttons. The free version gives you basic popup functionality with traffic limits.
My Experience
I tested Sumo’s free version for a hobby site where budget was the primary constraint. Setup was quick, and the pre-designed templates covered basic scenarios like email capture and announcement bars.
The free version limits are restrictive. You can only use basic templates and simple targeting. Advanced features like exit-intent, A/B testing, and analytics require upgrading to paid plans that cost more than better alternatives.
The traffic-based pricing model is problematic. As your site grows, your popup costs increase automatically. At high traffic levels, Sumo becomes more expensive than OptinMonster while offering fewer features.
The extra tools (heatmaps, social sharing) sound appealing but don’t integrate well. I ended up using dedicated tools for each function instead of Sumo’s multi-tool approach.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free version available for basic use | Best features locked in expensive paid tiers |
| Pre-designed templates included | Traffic-based pricing increases with growth |
| Extra tools (heatmaps, social share) | Limited targeting in free version |
| Pop-ups by traffic source | Performance impact higher than cloud solutions |
Verdict: Sumo works for experimenting with popups before you’re ready to invest. For serious list building, Popup Maker offers more features in the free version, and OptinMonster delivers far better results for paid users.
Alternative: Ninja Popups and Icegram are also worth considering.
What Is the Best WordPress Popup Plugin?
OptinMonster is my top choice for most WordPress users. The combination of Exit-Intent® technology, ease of use, and cloud-based performance makes it worth the investment if you’re serious about growing your email list or reducing cart abandonment.
For social proof specifically, TrustPulse delivers better results than traditional email popups. The real-time activity notifications create urgency without being pushy, and the lightweight script keeps your site fast.
And to get you started, here’s how to create an exit popup in WordPress.
WordPress Popup Plugin FAQs
What Is a WordPress Popup Plugin?
A WordPress popup plugin displays a small window overlay on your website with messages, offers, or email signup forms. Modern popup plugins include advanced targeting to show the right message to the right person at the right time without frustrating visitors.
Do popup plugins slow down my WordPress site?
Some popup plugins can slow down your site, especially self-hosted solutions that load heavy scripts. Cloud-based plugins like OptinMonster and TrustPulse have minimal impact because they load from external CDNs. Always test page speed after installing any plugin.
What’s the best free popup plugin for WordPress?
Popup Maker is the best free option with over 700,000 installations and no artificial feature limits. It includes unlimited popups, advanced targeting, and trigger options in the free version. HubSpot is also free but focuses primarily on lead generation rather than general popup use.
Can I use multiple popup plugins on my WordPress site?
You can technically use multiple popup plugins, but it creates conflicts, slows performance, and overwhelms visitors. Choose one versatile solution that handles all your needs. The exception: pairing a lead capture tool like OptinMonster with a social proof tool like TrustPulse works well since they serve different purposes.
How do I create exit-intent popups in WordPress?
OptinMonster offers the most advanced Exit-Intent® technology, detecting when someone moves their mouse toward the browser close button. HubSpot and Popup Maker also include exit-intent triggers in their free versions, though with fewer customization options.
Are WordPress popup plugins GDPR compliant?
Most modern popup plugins include GDPR-compliant features like consent checkboxes and cookie controls. Popup Maker explicitly includes GDPR tools in the free version. When collecting emails, make sure your popup includes clear consent language and links to your privacy policy.
Get Started with the Best WordPress Popup Plugins
The right popup plugin depends on your specific needs and budget. OptinMonster delivers the best results for serious list building, while Popup Maker offers solid value if you’re comfortable with a more technical setup.
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