Key highlights
- WordPress popup plugins help capture leads, showcase promotions and recover abandoned carts with targeted popups.
- Many plugins feature drag-and-drop builders and pre-designed templates, ensuring ease of use for beginners.
- Test different designs, messages and triggers to optimize popups for maximum conversions.
- Reduce bounce rates by triggering popups when users are about to leave your site.
- Ensure compatibility with popular WordPress themes, page builders and plugins such as WooCommerce.
Introduction
Ever landed on a website and been instantly drawn to an eye-catching offer or a perfectly timed signup form? That’s the magic of the best WordPress popup plugin! Whether it’s capturing leads, showcasing promotions or guiding visitors toward important actions, popups are a game-changer for website engagement.
However, a single popup is not enough. The right popup WordPress plugin gives you full control over when, where and how your messages appear. This ensures they enhance the website visitor’s experience rather than disrupt it.
With so many options available, choosing the right WordPress popup plugin can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve rounded up the best WordPress popup plugins, highlighting their key features and benefits to help you make an informed choice. Let’s dive to understand why you need a popup WordPress plugin.
Why do you need a WordPress popup plugin
A WordPress popup plugin allows you to:
Boost conversions
Popups can encourage visitors to take action, whether it’s signing up for a newsletter, downloading a freebie or making a purchase. When combined with reliable WordPress hosting, these popups work smoothly without slowing down your site.
At Bluehost, we’ve got your back. Our WordPress hosting makes it effortless for you to install and manage popup plugins. With an intuitive interface, you can build an attractive website, grow your business and reach more customers seamlessly.
Grow your email list
Opt-in popups help you capture visitor information and grow your email list effortlessly. By offering lead magnets like discounts, free guides or exclusive content, you can encourage sign-ups. Advanced targeting ensures popups reach the right audience at the right time, improving conversion rates. Integrating with email marketing tools streamlines automated follow-ups, keeping your subscribers engaged.
Enhance user engagement
Promote blog posts, discount codes or announcements without disrupting the user experience. Hosting your website with Bluehost ensures fast performance, so popups load quickly and create a seamless user experience.
Recover abandoned carts
Exit-intent popups help prevent potential customers from leaving your site without completing a purchase. If you’re running an eCommerce store on Bluehost, you can use WooCommerce popups for effective cart recovery strategies.
Personalize offers
Target users based on behavior, location, device type or past interactions to deliver relevant messages.
The right popup plugin helps convert passive visitors into active customers while ensuring a seamless user experience Now, let’s explore the range of features to look for before choosing the best WordPress popup plugin.
Also read: 12 Best WordPress Plugins To Improve Your Website or Blog
How to choose the best WordPress Popup plugin
Good popup plugins have four notable features that you need them to increase a website’s conversion optimization rate. These are triggers, targeting capabilities, analytics and integrations with other WordPress plugins or tools. The primary difference among popup plugins lies in how they implement these features.
Here are brief instructions on how to understand what you need from a popup feature for your website, including some advanced features you might want to consider.
- Ease of use – A simple user interface, drag-and-drop editor and clear documentation
- Security – Select a reputable plugin to minimize security risks
- Popup triggers – Options like exit-intent, scroll-based and time-delay popups
- Targeting options – Personalize popups based on user behavior or location
- Built-in analytics – Track performance and improve conversion rates
- Integration – Ensure compatibility with email marketing, CRM and eCommerce platforms
- Support and updates – Regular updates and active support ensure reliability
Also read: WordPress: Installing Plugins
7 best WordPress popup plugins – Top picks and recommendations
Popups are an effective way to engage website visitors, capture leads and increase conversions. Choosing the right WordPress popup plugin can make a big difference in your marketing efforts.
Here is a comparison table to help you choose the best WordPress popup plugin based on your needs:
WordPress Popup plugin comparison table
Plugin | Best For | Triggers | Targeting options | Integration | Analytics | Support |
OptinMonster | Conversion optimization and lead generation | Auto open, Exit intent, Click-based, Scroll open, Inactivity | Cart contents, User behavior, Device type, Geo-targeting | Email marketing services, CRM tools, WooCommerce | A/B testing, revenue attribution tracking | Live support, tutorials, Facebook group |
Popup Maker | Beginners and budget-conscious users | Auto open, Click open, Form submission, Exit intent, Scroll open | User roles, Specific pages, Device specifications, Geo-targeting | WPForms, Mailchimp, BuddyPress, WooCommerce | Open rates, conversion tracking | Support tickets |
Icegram | Marketers and bloggers for email marketing campaigns | Auto open, Click open, Exit intent, Scroll open | User behavior, Cart contents, Device type, Geo-targeting | Built-in email tools, WooCommerce | A/B testing, conversion tracking | Email support (premium) |
Popup Builder | Advanced targeting and trigger options | Auto open, Hover open, Click open, Exit intent, Scroll open | Cart contents, User roles, Geo-targeting, AdBlock detection | WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Ninja Forms | Trigger-based analytics, conversion tracking | Live chat, email support |
Elementor Popup Builder | Elementor users looking for built-in popup solutions | On page load, Scroll, Exit intent, Click-based | Page-level, Logged-in status, Device type, Referring URL | Elementor Pro, WooCommerce, Email marketing tools | Basic conversion tracking, A/B testing with add-ons | Elementor Pro support |
Hustle | Lead generation, email opt-ins, social sharing | Time delay, Scroll-based, Exit intent, Click-based | Geolocation, Logged-in user, Device type | Mailchimp, AWeber, HubSpot, Social media buttons | Built-in analytics, A/B testing | WPMU DEV support |
BDOW | Affordable marketing features beyond email collection | Auto open, Click detection, Exit intent, Scroll open | Cart contents, Referring website, Specific pages | Email marketing tools, WooCommerce | Impressions, email collection, A/B testing (paid) | Email support |
Each WordPress popup plugin offers unique features catering to different needs. Consider your website goals, budget and required integrations before selecting the best plugin. Now, let’s dive into each plugin in more detail.
1. OptinMonster
OptinMonster is one of the most popular WordPress page builder plugins for a good reason. It balances powerful features with good pricing. It also includes lead verification options and blocks risky email addresses based on various criteria. These include IP addresses, temporary email addresses, role-based emails, characters, strings and patterns in an address and free email addresses.
Additionally, OptinMonster is recognized as the best popup plugin for enhancing conversions. OptinMonster also avoids damaging website performance and speed.
Key features
Triggers:
- Auto open
- Click-based
- Exit intent
- Scroll open
- Inactivity sensor
- Specific dates and times
Targeting options based on:
- The user’s cart contents, order value and cart abandonment
- Specific pages
- User behavior
- Referring website
- Device type, such as tablet, desktop or mobile
- Countries, regions and postal codes
- AdBlock detection
Customization:
Drag-and-drop popup builder to customize popup templates
Integration:
- Leading email marketing services and CRM tools, such as Mailchimp, ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign
- Popular eCommerce platforms and form builders like WPForms Popup, WooCommerce Popups and more
Analytics:
Tracks conversion rates and revenue attribution. Includes tracking for A/B testing.
Support:
Via multiple channels, including a private Facebook group, knowledge base with tutorials and live support
Best for:
Website owners needing strong support and help getting campaigns set up.
2. Popup Maker
Popup Maker is a popular free popup plugin used on over 600,000 websites. It is a good option for experimenting with popups as a lead generation tool. Popup Maker has great features, such as a visual theme builder, image and video integration and the premium version doesn’t require coding.
Key features
Triggers:
- Auto open with time delay
- Click open
- Form submission
- Exit intent
- Scroll open
Targeting options based on:
- The user’s cart contents (WooCommerce Popup)
- Specific pages
- User roles
- Referring website
- Device specifications, such as manufacturer, browser, screen size and OS
- Countries, regions and postal codes
Customization options:
- Customization to match your website colors, fonts and images
- Size
- Positioning
- Animation effects
- Video popups
Integration:
Form plugins such as WPForms or Mailchimp for WordPress and others like BuddyPress, Aweber and more.
Analytics:
Track popup performance on each page, including open rates and conversion rates.
Support:
Via support tickets
Best for:
Beginners and those who have a limited budget.
3. Icegram
Icegram is an all-in-one email marketing solution that helps you personalize campaigns at scale. It is a family of three powerful plugins: Express, Engage and Collect. Together, Icegram allows you to create and manage popups for newsletters, call-to-action popups and contact forms to help create a smooth workflow within one connected family of WordPress plugins.
However, each plugin is sold separately, so you can opt for a free plan on the plugin you use least and pay for an upgrade on the plugin you need most to customize your experience.
Triggers:
Key features
- Auto open
- Click open
- Exit intent
- Scroll open
Targeting options based on:
- Referring website
- The user’s cart contents
- Specific pages
- User behavior, for example- special offers for returning visitors
- Device type, such as tablet, desktop or mobile
- Countries, regions, postal codes
Customization options:
- Customization to match your website colors, fonts and images
- Positioning
- Animation effects for messages, sidebars, ribbons and buttons
Integration:
- Integrates with popular email marketing services besides its own email marketing tools
Analytics:
Dashboard to check impressions, number of conversions and conversion rate. Possible to run A/B testing campaigns.
Support:
Via email for premium plan members
Best for:
Marketers and bloggers needing to create a polished email marketing experience at scale.
4. Popup Builder
Popup Builder is a super user-friendly WordPress popup builder plugin with various options to help increase your sales. Popup Builder helps with gamification popups, social proof notifications, advanced closing control and random popup options.
Key features
Triggers:
- Auto open
- Hover open
- Click open
- Exit intent
- Scroll open
- User inactivity
- Adding products to the cart
Targeting options based on:
- Specific pages
- A selected number of page visits
- Referring website
- The user’s cart contents
- Specific user roles
- Device types, such as tablet, desktop or mobile
- Countries and regions
- AdBlock detection
Customization options:
- Customize to match your website colors, fonts and images
- Video content
Integration:
Most other popular plugins and tools, including WooCommerce, MailChimp, Ninja Forms, WP Google Maps and more.
Analytics:
Track popup performance based on trigger types and the most popular popups over a specified period of time.
Support:
Via live chat and email
Best for:
Website owners who need advanced targeting and trigger options.
5. Elementor Popup Builder
Integrated with Elementor Pro, the Elementor Popup Builder is a powerful popup solution. It allows users to design and customize popups using Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor, eliminating the need for additional popup plugins. With advanced display conditions, triggers and seamless WordPress integration, it’s a great choice for users already using Elementor for page building.
Key features
Triggers:
- On page load
- Scroll trigger
- Exit intent
- Click-based triggers
- After inactivity
Targeting options based on:
- Page-level targeting
- Logged-in status
- Device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)
- Referring URL
- Custom user roles
Customization:
- Fully customizable with Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor
- Pre-designed popup templates
- Ability to create modals, slide-ins, full-screen overlays and more
Integration:
- Works seamlessly with Elementor Pro and WordPress
- Compatible with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit and ActiveCampaign
- Supports WooCommerce for cart abandonment popups
Analytics:
- Basic conversion tracking within Elementor
- A/B testing available with third-party add-ons
Support:
Available through Elementor Pro’s support system
Best for:
Website owners using Elementor Pro who want a fully customizable, code-free popup solution without installing a separate WordPress plugin.
Read more: What is the Elementor WordPress Page Builder?
6. Hustle
Hustle is a feature-rich WordPress popup plugin designed for lead generation, email opt-ins and social sharing. Hustle offers stylish popups, slide-ins and banners, making it a great option for marketers and bloggers looking to grow their email lists.
Key features
Triggers:
- Time delay
- Scroll-based triggers
- Exit intent
- Click-based popups
- Inactivity detection
Targeting options based on:
- Geolocation-based targeting to reach the right users at the right time.
- Logged-in user targeting
- Device type (desktop, tablet, mobile)
- Geolocation-based targeting to reach the right users at the right time.
Customization:
- Customizable templates and layouts
- Built-in animations for better engagement
- Ability to design popups, slide-ins and floating bars
Integration:
- Compatible with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, AWeber, Constant Contact and HubSpot
- Supports social media sharing buttons
- Works well with WooCommerce and membership sites
Analytics:
- Built-in analytics dashboard to track conversions
- A/B testing to compare different popups
Support:
Available via WPMU DEV’s support system
Best for:
Marketers and bloggers looking for an easy-to-use popup plugin with built-in lead generation and social sharing features.
7. BDOW
BDOW, formerly Sumo, is a WordPress popup plugin that focuses on broader marketing rather than just collecting email lists. BDOW has several marketing apps within one WordPress popup plugin, such as social media share buttons and one-off marketing emails.
Key features
Triggers:
- Auto open
- Click detection
- Exit intent
- Scroll open
Targeting options based on:
- Referring website
- The user’s cart contents
- Specific pages
- Cart abandonment
Customization options:
Drag-and-drop popup builder to customize popup templates
Integration:
- Most popular email service providers including Klaviyo, GetResponse, ActiveCampaign, Drip, MailChimp and more.
Analytics:
Dashboard to review impressions, number of emails collected and click conversion rate. Paid plans include an A/B testing module.
Support:
Via email
Best for: Website owners who need an affordable WordPress popup plugin with marketing features beyond collecting email lists.
Final thoughts
Using a popup plugin that is reliable and easy to use helps you manage your WordPress website. You can choose a plugin based on factors like budget, integration requirements, trigger and targeting options and analytics features.
But if you need help with customizing the setup of a WordPress popup plugin, try our Pro Design Live support for expert assistance. Our team of experts will help you through the process. You can also expect well-rounded service on backup, account access issues and many other challenges you might face on your way to creating a well-performing website.
Get expert assistance today and take your website to the next level with Bluehost.
FAQs
No, most WordPress popup plugins are designed to be user-friendly, with drag-and-drop builders and pre-made templates. Even beginners can create and customize popups without writing a single line of code. However, some advanced plugins offer custom CSS and JavaScript options for those who want more control over design and functionality.
Technically, yes, but it’s not recommended. Running multiple popup plugins can lead to conflicts, slow down your website and create a poor user experience. Instead, choose a single feature-rich popup plugin that meets all your needs to ensure smooth performance and seamless functionality.
Yes, some popup plugins can impact site speed, especially if they are poorly coded or load too many external scripts. To minimize this, choose a lightweight plugin that is optimized for performance. Look for options with asynchronous script loading, caching compatibility and minimal resource usage to keep your site running smoothly.
If you want to allow popups on your WordPress site, you’ll need to add and activate a pop-up plugin from your WordPress dashboard. Once installed, refer to the plugin’s documentation or guidelines to create custom pop-up forms, set display triggers and configure targeting options. The pop-ups will appear on your website based on the settings you configure within the plugin.
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