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AJAX Hits Counter + Popular Posts Widget

By kutsy

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Health & Diagnostics

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

AJAX Hits Counter + Popular Posts Widget Review - In-Depth Analysis

AJAX Hits Counter counts post views using an external AJAX script. It includes a Popular Posts widget to display top posts based on hits.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.75/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 17+ reviews)

Active Installations

900+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

The AJAX Hits Counter plugin counts the number of views for each post by utilizing an external AJAX-based counter script. This method is ideal for caching entire pages or when using other caching plugins.

In addition to counting hits, the plugin features a Popular Posts widget that displays the most popular posts based on hit counts. Users can customize visibility settings and use predefined placeholders to show various post attributes.

To display hit counts in posts or pages, you can easily add the provided PHP code or use the shortcode. The plugin also supports JavaScript callbacks to handle success and failure responses during hit incrementation.

Comparing to Alternatives

AJAX Hits Counter + Popular Posts Widget stands out in the visitor counter category with its unique AJAX-based counting and popular posts widget, offering a distinct approach compared to other plugins.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Uses AJAX for real-time hit counting without page reloads
Includes a popular posts widget for enhanced site engagement
Allows custom HTML and CSS for flexible design
Highly rated with positive user feedback
Lightweight and easy to configure

Weaknesses

Has a medium security risk due to a missing authorization vulnerability
Limited user interface options for configuring hits
No pro version with advanced features
No recent security fix available for known vulnerability

User Sentiment Analysis

With a near-perfect 4.9 rating from 17 reviews and no low-star ratings, users overwhelmingly appreciate the plugin's functionality and ease of use.

Positive highlights

'This is a good ! Thank you!' — Alex-Ti
'Прекрасный плагин для подсчёта количества просмотров страницы! Спасибо автору!' — campusboy
'Worked great for as long as I used.' — CHROMEIS
'Este plugin é o melhor de todos. Parabéns, eu continuarei usando e recomendo.' — Anonymous User 17676736
'I absolutely love that approach.' — John Webber

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Limited configuration options in the user interface
Known medium-level security vulnerability without a fix
No advanced features due to lack of a pro version

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a simple, AJAX-based hit counter with a popular posts widget and customizable design who prioritize ease of use and lightweight functionality.

Not ideal for

Sites requiring robust security assurances or advanced configuration options, or those needing premium features not available in this free-only plugin.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers AJAX-based hit counting, a popular posts widget, and the ability to customize HTML and CSS, providing solid value for basic needs.

Final Verdict

AJAX Hits Counter + Popular Posts Widget delivers excellent functionality with a highly positive user reception, especially for those wanting a simple and customizable visitor counter with a popular posts feature. Its AJAX implementation and design flexibility are notable strengths.

However, the plugin carries a medium security risk due to an unresolved vulnerability and lacks advanced features or a pro version. Users should weigh these factors against their security needs and feature expectations before choosing this plugin.