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/ Open in New Window Plugin

Open in New Window Plugin

By Keith P. Graham

Site Administration & Utilities / URL Redirects & 301 Management

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Open in New Window Plugin Review - In-Depth Analysis

The Open in New Window Plugin opens external links in a new browser window. This keeps your blog page intact, preventing loss of visitors to other sites.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.97/10

User Rating

4.8/5 (based on 16+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The Open in New Window Plugin uses JavaScript to target external links to a new browser window, leaving your blog page open. Since it uses JavaScript, it targets more links than using a plugin that filters pages and rewrites the link. The plugin will find many links generated in scripts or pasted into posts and comments.

Due to the limitations of JavaScript, it will not be able to target links in iframes such as Adsense and some other affiliate links.

This plugin is free and I expect nothing in return. If you wish to support my programming, buy my books.

Comparing to Alternatives

Open in New Window Plugin is a straightforward solution for opening external links in new tabs or windows, with several alternatives available that offer similar functionalities.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Extremely simple and easy to use with minimal setup.
Reliable performance across different themes including multisite installs.
No conflicts reported with custom themes.
No recorded security vulnerabilities.
High user satisfaction with consistent functionality.

Weaknesses

Lacks advanced customization options found in some alternatives.
No pro version available for extended features.
Limited to opening links in new windows or tabs without additional link management features.

User Sentiment Analysis

With a high rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 16 reviews, users overwhelmingly praise the plugin for its simplicity and reliability. Negative feedback is minimal and does not highlight any significant issues.

Positive highlights

'It just works!' - mavery76266
'Happy with the way the plugin works' - O_Breda
'Works like a charm!' - peteto2006
'Works with No Fuss' - CyberCobre
'It worked as advertised' - Craig

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Limited feature set compared to some alternatives
No premium version to unlock additional capabilities

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a no-fuss, reliable plugin to ensure external links open in new tabs or windows without complex configuration.

Not ideal for

Users seeking advanced link management features or customizable options beyond opening links in new windows, or those wanting premium support and add-ons.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers all core functionalities needed to open external links in new windows or tabs effectively.

Final Verdict

Open in New Window Plugin excels in delivering a simple, effective solution for opening external links in new tabs or windows, backed by excellent user reviews and no known security issues. Its ease of use and reliability make it a strong choice for users who need this specific functionality without extra complexity.

However, the lack of advanced features and a pro version may limit its appeal for users seeking more comprehensive link management tools. Overall, it is a solid, trustworthy plugin for straightforward use cases.