/ Plugin Category

/ Communication & Messaging

/ Transactional Email

/ Disqus Comment System

Disqus Comment System

By Disqus

Communication & Messaging / Transactional Email

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

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

Disqus Comment System Review - In-Depth Analysis

Disqus is the web's most popular comment system. Use Disqus to increase engagement, retain readers, and grow your audience.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.23/10

User Rating

2.7/5 (based on 219+ reviews)

Active Installations

30,000+

Update Frequency

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

Disqus is the web’s most popular commenting system trusted by millions of publishers to increase reader engagement, grow audience and traffic, and monetize content. Disqus helps publishers of all sizes engage directly with their audiences to build loyalty, retain readers, and foster thriving communities.

The Disqus for WordPress plugin lets site owners and developers easily add Disqus to their sites, replacing the default WordPress comment system. Disqus installs in minutes and automatically imports your existing comments.

In addition to our free-to-use, ad-supported Basic plan, we also offer ad-optional subscription plans that come with more advanced features and access to priority support. Please see our pricing page for more details.

NEW: Disqus Polls – Engage your audiences with interactive polls, and seamlessly install them on your site.

Disqus features simple one-click installation that seamlessly integrates with WordPress without ever needing to edit a single line of code or losing any of your existing comments. It keeps users engaged on your site longer with a commenting experience readers love.

Disqus improves SEO ranking with user generated content and keeps spam out with our best-in-class anti-spam filter powered by Akismet. It offers a single profile for commenting on over 4 million sites including social login support for Facebook, Twitter, and Google accounts.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disqus Comment System is a widely used commenting plugin but faces strong competition from several other plugins offering different features and user experiences.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Long-standing presence with a large user base
Integration with the Disqus commenting platform
Moderation tools included
Easy setup and minimal maintenance as noted by some users

Weaknesses

Frequent complaints about spam ads embedded without consent
Security vulnerabilities reported historically
User interface can be intrusive due to ads
Some users report loss of control over comment content

User Sentiment Analysis

With over half of the ratings being 1 or 2 stars, user sentiment is largely negative, focusing on spam and advertising issues despite some appreciation for functionality and moderation features.

Positive highlights

"Latest updates have helped! Works perfectly with easy setup and good moderation tools." - caper2zxc
"Thank you very much your work developers. I am very grateful for your work and for your helpful plugin." - slavomir12

Common complaints

Plugin inserts spammy ads and links on websites without user consent
Sudden appearance of numerous spam ads labeled 'Sponsored'
No option to opt out of embedded ads
Plugin negatively impacts site appearance with excessive advertising
Users report risk of scamming due to ads

Weaknesses

Historical security vulnerabilities including XSS and RCE
High proportion of negative reviews indicating dissatisfaction
Spam ads diminish trust and user experience

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a widely recognized commenting system integrated with the Disqus platform and are comfortable with its advertising model and moderation tools.

Not ideal for

Users who prioritize ad-free experiences, full control over comment content, or are concerned about past security vulnerabilities and spam issues.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers basic Disqus commenting integration and moderation tools.

Pro version

Premium features typically include advanced moderation, analytics, and customization options beyond the free offering.

Final Verdict

Disqus Comment System offers a familiar and feature-rich commenting platform with moderation tools, but its reputation is marred by frequent complaints about spam ads and historical security vulnerabilities. While some users appreciate its functionality and ease of use, the intrusive advertising and lack of opt-out options significantly impact user trust and site aesthetics.

For those seeking a robust commenting system without ads and with stronger security assurances, alternative plugins may be preferable. However, users who value Disqus's ecosystem and are willing to accept its drawbacks may find it suitable, especially with the pro version's enhanced features.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Disqus Comment System plugin.

Comments

Disqus

Engagement

Screenshots

FAQ

Yes! Disqus is free to use. We also provide subscription plans for larger, commercial sites that want access to more powerful moderation and audience tools and customization.