(Top 8) Best WordPress Popup Plugins (2025 Edition)

Why Popups Are Your Secret Weapon

Imagine you own a shop. Customers walk in, look around, and some leave without buying anything. Now, what if you had a friendly helper who could offer them a special discount right before they leave? That’s exactly what popup plugins do for your website!

Popups are like little windows that appear on your screen. They can show special offers, ask people to join your email list, or share important news. When used correctly, they can help you get more email subscribers, sell more products, and keep visitors on your website longer.

But here’s the problem: WordPress has hundreds of popup plugins. Which one should you choose? Don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll explore the 8 best WordPress popup plugins that actually work. We’ll explain each one in simple words, just like we’re chatting over coffee.

Ready? Let’s dive in!

What Makes a Great Popup Plugin?

Before we jump into our list, let’s quickly understand what makes a popup plugin worth your time and money.

Easy to Use: You shouldn’t need to be a computer genius to create a popup. The best plugins let you drag and drop elements, just like playing with building blocks.

Beautiful Templates: Good plugins come with ready-made designs. You can pick one, change the colors and text, and you’re done!

Smart Triggers: Your popup should appear at the right time. Maybe when someone is about to leave, or after they’ve read half your article, or when they click a button.

Mobile-Friendly: More people browse websites on phones than computers now. Your popups must look great on small screens too.

Fast Loading: Nobody likes slow websites. Your popup plugin shouldn’t slow down your site.

Good Support: When you’re stuck, you need help. The best plugins have helpful teams ready to answer your questions.

Now, let’s meet our eight champions!

1. OptinMonster – The King of Popups

Price: Starting at $9 per month
Best For: Serious business owners and marketers

Why OptinMonster Rocks

Think of OptinMonster as the superhero of popup plugins. It’s powerful, smart, and incredibly popular. Over 1 million websites use it, and there’s a good reason why.

What Makes It Special?

OptinMonster is like having a marketing expert sitting next to you. It helps you create popups that actually work. The best part? You don’t need any coding skills. Everything works with a simple drag-and-drop builder.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Exit-Intent Technology: This is like magic! OptinMonster can tell when someone is about to leave your website. Right at that moment, it shows them a popup with a special offer. It’s like saying, “Wait! Don’t go yet!”

Tons of Templates: You get over 100 beautiful popup designs. Want to grow your email list? There’s a template for that. Selling products? There’s a template for that too. Just pick one, customize it, and you’re ready to go.

Smart Targeting: You can show different popups to different people. For example, show a “Welcome Back!” popup to returning visitors, and a “First Time Here?” popup to new visitors. It’s like having a personal greeter for each guest.

A/B Testing: This fancy term simply means testing two versions of your popup to see which one works better. It’s like trying two different ice cream flavors to find your favorite!

Mobile-Specific Campaigns: OptinMonster knows that phone screens are smaller. It lets you create special popups just for mobile users, so they always look perfect.

The Not-So-Great Parts

While OptinMonster is amazing, it’s not perfect. It’s one of the more expensive options on our list. If you’re just starting out, the price might feel a bit high. Also, because it has so many features, it might feel overwhelming at first.

Who Should Use OptinMonster?

If you’re serious about growing your email list or selling products online, OptinMonster is worth every penny. It’s perfect for online stores, bloggers who want to build their audience, and small businesses looking to capture more leads.

2. Popup Maker – The Free Powerhouse

Price: Free (with a paid version available)
Best For: Beginners and budget-conscious website owners

Why Popup Maker Is Awesome

Imagine getting a powerful tool without spending a single dollar. That’s Popup Maker! It’s one of the most popular free popup plugins, with over 600,000 active users.

What Makes It Special?

Popup Maker believes that everyone deserves great popup tools, regardless of their budget. The free version is packed with features that many paid plugins charge for.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Completely Free Core Features: You can create unlimited popups without paying anything. That’s right – UNLIMITED! Want to make 10 popups? Go ahead. Need 100? No problem.

Multiple Trigger Options: Your popups can appear when someone clicks a button, scrolls down the page, spends a certain amount of time on your site, or tries to leave. You’re in complete control.

Cookie Controls: This prevents annoying your visitors. If someone closes your popup, you can set it to not show again for a certain number of days. Nobody likes seeing the same popup over and over!

Responsive Design: Your popups automatically adjust to look great on phones, tablets, and computers. No extra work needed.

Theme Integration: Popup Maker works beautifully with your WordPress theme. Your popups will match your website’s style automatically.

The Not-So-Great Parts

The free version doesn’t include fancy templates. You’ll need to design your popups yourself or keep them simple. The advanced targeting features require the paid version. But honestly, for most beginners, the free version is more than enough.

Who Should Use Popup Maker?

Perfect for beginners who want to test popups without spending money. It’s also great for small bloggers, hobby websites, and anyone who wants solid popup functionality without the bells and whistles.

3. Thrive Leads – The Conversion Expert

Price: $299 per year (includes other tools)
Best For: Marketers focused on building email lists

Why Thrive Leads Stands Out

Thrive Leads is not just a popup plugin – it’s a complete lead generation system. It’s like having a entire marketing team in one plugin.

What Makes It Special?

Thrive Leads was built by marketers for marketers. Every feature is designed with one goal: get more email subscribers. And boy, does it deliver!

Cool Features You’ll Love

Multiple Opt-in Types: Beyond popups, you get sticky ribbons (those bars at the top of your page), slide-ins, and more. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for collecting emails.

Advanced A/B Testing: Test everything! Test colors, headlines, images, and timing. Thrive Leads makes it super easy to see what works best.

SmartLinks: This clever feature lets you show different content to subscribers versus non-subscribers. If someone already joined your list, why keep asking them to sign up again?

Smart Targeting: Show different popups based on categories, tags, or specific posts. Writing about dogs? Show a popup about dog care tips. Writing about cats? Show a different popup.

Drag-and-Drop Editor: Building popups is as easy as moving blocks around. Change colors, add images, resize elements – all without touching code.

Detailed Reports: See exactly how many people saw your popup, how many clicked, and how many signed up. Knowledge is power!

The Not-So-Great Parts

Thrive Leads comes as part of Thrive Suite, which means you’re paying for other tools too (even if you don’t need them all). It’s also a bit pricier than some alternatives. The learning curve is steeper because there are so many features to explore.

Who Should Use Thrive Leads?

If building a huge email list is your main goal, Thrive Leads is perfect. It’s ideal for bloggers, course creators, coaches, and anyone who knows that email subscribers are gold.

4. Bloom by Elegant Themes – The Beautiful Choice

Price: $89 per year (includes Divi theme and other plugins)
Best For: Divi users and design-focused creators

Why Bloom Is Beautiful

Bloom is created by Elegant Themes, the same company behind the popular Divi theme. If Divi is the pretty face of WordPress themes, Bloom is the pretty face of popup plugins.

What Makes It Special?

Bloom focuses on making gorgeous popups that feel like a natural part of your website. Everything is designed to look professional and polished.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Beautiful Templates: Over 100 stunning pre-made designs that look like a professional designer created them. Fashion blog? There’s a template. Tech site? Got you covered.

Six Display Types: Popups, fly-ins, below content forms, inline forms, locked content, and widget areas. Mix and match to find what works for your site.

Trigger Control: Show popups based on time delay, scrolling, clicking, or inactivity. You decide the perfect moment.

Email Service Integration: Connects with all major email services like MailChimp, AWeber, and ConvertKit. Set it up once and forget about it.

Detailed Analytics: Track views, conversions, and conversion rates right from your WordPress dashboard. No need to log into multiple tools.

Perfect Integration with Divi: If you use the Divi theme, Bloom fits in like it was always meant to be there. Everything matches perfectly.

The Not-So-Great Parts

You can’t buy Bloom alone – it comes with Elegant Themes membership. If you don’t use Divi, you’re paying for things you might not need. The targeting options, while good, aren’t as advanced as OptinMonster.

Who Should Use Bloom?

Perfect for Divi users – it’s a no-brainer. Also great for designers and creative professionals who want their popups to look absolutely stunning.

5. Sumo – The All-in-One Free Solution

Price: Free (with Pro version at $39/month)
Best For: Small businesses wanting an all-in-one solution

Why Sumo Is Super

Sumo started as a set of free tools to help websites grow. It’s become one of the most popular options because it offers amazing features without charging a penny.

What Makes It Special?

Sumo is more than just popups. It includes email collection, social sharing buttons, analytics, and more. It’s like getting a complete marketing toolkit in one package.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Forever Free Plan: Get popups, email collection, and basic features completely free. No time limits, no hidden charges.

Multiple Popup Types: Welcome mats (full-screen popups), scroll boxes, smart bars, and click triggers. Variety keeps things interesting!

List Builder: Automatically adds collected emails to your list. Watch your email list grow on autopilot.

Easy Integration: Works with all major email marketing platforms. Connect once and you’re done.

Analytics Dashboard: See how your popups perform with easy-to-understand charts and graphs.

Social Sharing: Beyond popups, get social sharing buttons to help your content spread across social media.

The Not-So-Great Parts

The free version limits you to 200 subscribers on your email list. After that, you need to upgrade. Some advanced features like welcome mats are Pro-only. The design options are more limited compared to premium plugins.

Who Should Use Sumo?

Great for new bloggers and small businesses just starting with popups. If you want to try popups before investing money, Sumo is perfect. It’s also ideal if you want email collection and social sharing in one tool.

6. Hustle – The Free WPMU DEV Gem

Price: Free (Premium support available with WPMU DEV membership)
Best For: WordPress.com users and WPMU DEV customers

Why Hustle Hustles

Hustle is WPMU DEV’s gift to the WordPress community. It’s completely free, packed with features, and updated regularly. It’s proof that free doesn’t mean cheap!

What Makes It Special?

Hustle gives you everything you need for effective popups without complicated settings or confusing options. It’s straightforward and effective.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Completely Free Forever: No premium version tricks. All features are free for everyone.

Four Display Methods: Popups, slide-ins, embeds, and social sharing. Choose what fits your website best.

Visual Builder: Design your popups visually. What you see is what your visitors get.

Smart Triggers and Conditions: Show popups based on specific pages, user roles, devices, and more. Target exactly who you want.

Built-in Analytics: Track performance without connecting external tools. Everything you need is right in WordPress.

Email Integration: Connects with popular email services plus supports custom integrations. No subscriber left behind!

GDPR Compliant: All features respect privacy laws. Collect emails legally and ethically.

The Not-So-Great Parts

Template selection is smaller than premium options. Advanced A/B testing isn’t included. Support is community-based unless you’re a WPMU DEV member.

Who Should Use Hustle?

Perfect for WordPress.com users and anyone already using WPMU DEV services. Excellent for budget-conscious site owners who want professional features without the price tag.

7. ConvertPro – The Lightweight Champion

Price: Starting at $99 per year
Best For: Speed-conscious site owners using Astra theme

Why ConvertPro Converts

ConvertPro is built by the same team behind the Astra theme (one of the fastest WordPress themes). Speed is in their DNA, so ConvertPro is super fast while being powerful.

What Makes It Special?

If your website speed is important to you (and it should be!), ConvertPro won’t slow you down. It’s optimized to load lightning-fast while offering all the features you need.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Blazing Fast: Seriously, this plugin is FAST. Your website speed won’t suffer, which means Google will love you too.

Behavior-Based Targeting: Show popups based on what visitors do. Scrolled 50%? Show a popup. Spent 30 seconds? Show another. You’re in control.

150+ Templates: Tons of beautiful designs for every type of website. E-commerce, blogs, corporate sites – all covered.

Inline Forms: Beyond popups, create beautiful forms within your content. Variety keeps things fresh.

A/B Testing: Test different versions to see what works best. Make decisions based on data, not guesses.

All Integrations: Connects with every major email service and CRM. Your tools will play nicely together.

The Not-So-Great Parts

Fewer advanced targeting options than OptinMonster. The user interface could be more intuitive. Best value comes when you’re already using other Brainstorm Force products (like Astra).

Who Should Use ConvertPro?

Perfect for Astra theme users – it integrates beautifully. Great for anyone who values website speed but still wants powerful popup features. Ideal for growing businesses ready to invest in quality tools.

8. Popup Builder – The Versatile All-Rounder

Price: Free (Premium starting at $39.95)
Best For: Users wanting specific popup types

Why Popup Builder Builds Well

Popup Builder takes a modular approach. Want video popups? Add that module. Need social popups? Add that module. Pay only for features you actually use.

What Makes It Special?

Popup Builder offers something unique: complete customization through add-ons. It’s like building your own perfect popup plugin, piece by piece.

Cool Features You’ll Love

Modular System: Free core plugin with optional add-ons. Buy only what you need, saving money.

Multiple Popup Types: Standard popups, countdown popups, video popups, social media popups, age restriction popups, and more.

Custom Design: Full control over how your popups look. Colors, fonts, sizes – customize everything.

Advanced Targeting: Show popups to specific users, on specific pages, at specific times. Precision targeting at its best.

Exit-Intent Technology: Catch visitors before they leave (premium feature). Give them one more reason to stay.

Powerful Analytics: Understand your popup performance with detailed statistics and reports.

The Not-So-Great Parts

Getting all features requires buying multiple add-ons, which adds up. The interface feels a bit technical compared to newer plugins. Some add-ons haven’t been updated as frequently as the core plugin.

Who Should Use Popup Builder?

Great for users who want specific features without paying for everything. Perfect for developers who like modular systems. Good for growing websites that want to add features over time.

How to Choose the Right Popup Plugin for YOU

Now you know about 8 amazing popup plugins. But which one should YOU choose? Let’s make this decision easy!

If You’re Just Starting Out

Choose: Popup Maker or Hustle
Why: Both are completely free with all essential features. Perfect for learning without spending money.

If You’re Serious About Email Marketing

Choose: OptinMonster or Thrive Leads
Why: These offer the most powerful targeting and conversion tools. Yes, they cost money, but they’ll grow your list faster.

If You Use Divi Theme

Choose: Bloom
Why: You probably already have access to it through Elegant Themes membership. It integrates perfectly with Divi.

If Website Speed Is Critical

Choose: ConvertPro
Why: It’s built for speed while offering powerful features. Your site won’t slow down.

If You Want to Try Before Buying

Choose: Sumo
Why: Great free plan that lets you test popups without commitment. Upgrade when you’re ready.

If You Like Flexibility

Choose: Popup Builder
Why: Pay only for features you need through add-ons. Customize your perfect solution.

Tips for Creating Popups That Work

Having a great plugin is just the start. Here’s how to create popups that actually help your website:

1. Don’t Be Annoying

Show your popup at the right time. Not immediately when someone visits – give them time to explore! Show it after they’ve scrolled 50% of your page or after 30 seconds.

2. Make It Easy to Close

Always include a clear, visible close button. Trapping people makes them hate your site.

3. Offer Something Valuable

Don’t just say “Subscribe to my newsletter.” That’s boring! Offer a free guide, discount code, checklist, or exclusive tips. Give people a reason to share their email.

4. Keep It Simple

Your popup should have one clear purpose. Don’t ask for email, phone, address, and birthday all at once. Just email and maybe first name. That’s it!

5. Use Eye-Catching Design

Your popup should look good but not overwhelming. Use your brand colors, clear text, and relevant images. Make it feel like part of your website, not an annoying ad.

6. Test Different Versions

What works for one website might not work for another. Test different headlines, colors, and offers. See what your audience responds to best.

7. Mobile Is King

More people browse on phones. Make sure your popups look amazing on small screens. Test them yourself on your phone before launching.

8. Follow the Law

Add a privacy policy link. Be clear about how you’ll use their email. Follow GDPR rules if you have European visitors. Being legal is non-negotiable.

Common Popup Mistakes to Avoid

Learn from others’ mistakes! Here’s what NOT to do:

Showing Too Many Popups: One popup per visit is enough. Don’t bombard visitors with multiple popups. It’s overwhelming and annoying.

Hiding the Close Button: Making it hard to close your popup is evil. Don’t do it. You’ll just make people hate your website.

Using Clickbait: Don’t promise something you’re not delivering. If you say “FREE BOOK,” actually give them a free book. Trust is everything.

Making Forms Too Long: Every additional field you add reduces conversions. Keep it minimal.

Forgetting About Mobile: Your popup might look great on your computer but horrible on phones. Always test on mobile devices.

Not Testing: Launching a popup and forgetting about it is a waste. Test different versions, track results, and keep improving.

Ignoring Load Time: Heavy images and complex designs slow down your site. Optimize everything for speed.

Conclusion: Your Next Steps

Congratulations! You now know about the 8 best WordPress popup plugins. You understand what makes each one special, and you have tips for creating popups that actually work.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Choose one plugin from this list based on your needs and budget.
2. Install it on your WordPress site (it’s easy – just search in the plugin directory).
3. Create your first popup using one of the templates.
4. Test it on different devices to make sure it looks good everywhere.
5. Launch it and watch your email list grow!

Remember, the best popup plugin is the one you’ll actually use. Don’t overthink it. Start with a free option if you’re unsure. You can always upgrade later.

Popups, when done right, are incredibly powerful. They can help you:

• Build your email list
• Reduce cart abandonment
• Promote special offers
• Share important announcements
• Get more social media followers
• Increase sales and conversions

The key is being helpful, not annoying. Give your visitors value, respect their experience, and your popups will become a valuable asset for your website.

Now go create some amazing popups! Your future subscribers are waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are popups bad for SEO?
A: Not if done correctly! Google only penalizes intrusive popups that cover the main content immediately when someone visits from search results. Use exit-intent or timed delays, and you’re fine.

Q: How many popups should I have on my site?
A: One per visit is the golden rule. You can have different popups for different pages, but don’t show multiple popups in a single session.

Q: Do popups work on mobile?
A: Yes! In fact, mobile popups can be very effective. Just make sure they’re easy to close and don’t cover important content.

Q: What’s a good conversion rate for popups?
A: Anything above 3% is decent, 5% is good, and 10%+ is excellent. But this varies by industry and offer quality.

Q: Can I use multiple popup plugins together?
A: Technically yes, but it’s not recommended. It can slow down your site and confuse your visitors. Choose one plugin and master it.

Q: How do I avoid annoying visitors?
A: Use exit-intent technology, add delays before showing popups, make close buttons obvious, and don’t show the same popup repeatedly.

Q: Are free popup plugins good enough?
A: Absolutely! Plugins like Popup Maker and Hustle are powerful and perfect for most websites. Upgrade only when you need advanced features.

Q: Will popups slow down my website?
A: Good popup plugins are optimized for speed. Choose well-coded plugins like those on this list, and the impact will be minimal.

Final Thought: Popups are tools, not magic wands. The best plugin in the world won’t help if you don’t offer value to your visitors. Focus on creating helpful, well-timed popups with great offers, and you’ll see amazing results.

Happy popup building!