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/ Simple Ajax Chat – Add a Fast, Secure Chat Box

Simple Ajax Chat – Add a Fast, Secure Chat Box

By Jeff Starr

Communication & Messaging / Live Chat & Instant Messaging

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Simple Ajax Chat – Add a Fast, Secure Chat Box Review - In-Depth Analysis

Add a fast, secure chat box to your website with Simple Ajax Chat. Fully customizable and self-hosted, it allows for instant messaging without third-party services.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.72/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 215+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

6.07 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Simple Ajax Chat is a lightweight and fast chat solution that allows visitors to communicate on your website. It is fully self-hosted, meaning no third-party account is required. This plugin enables you to add a chat box anywhere on your site using a simple shortcode.

The chat form is highly customizable, allowing you to create a unique experience for your visitors. You can manage chat settings easily and ensure a secure environment with strong anti-spam features. The plugin supports various browsers and mobile devices, making it accessible to all users.

With the Pro version, you can unlock unlimited chat forms and additional features such as advanced chat management tools, user statistics, and more customization options. Simple Ajax Chat is designed to enhance user interaction while keeping your data private and secure.

Comparing to Alternatives

Simple Ajax Chat stands out in the WordPress chat plugin space with several viable alternatives offering different features and approaches.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Fast and real-time chat functionality with minimal setup
Seamless integration into WordPress sites
High user satisfaction and positive feedback
Offers a pro version with additional features
Supports secure chat environments with regular updates

Weaknesses

Has had multiple security vulnerabilities in the past requiring prompt fixes
Security risk score is moderately high despite fixes
May not have as many advanced features as some competitors
User interface could be more modern

User Sentiment Analysis

With a near-perfect rating of 4.9 out of 5 from 215 users, the plugin enjoys overwhelmingly positive feedback and very few complaints.

Positive highlights

'Simple Ajax Chat is a fantastic plugin that brings real-time chat functionality to any WordPress site with minimal setup.' — César Ramos
'Works good.' — Thomas
'Super simple' — mobone
'Excelente herramienta! Lo estoy usando en la web de la Iglesia.' — todoporjesus
'Great plugin with many features. Thanks.' — dollyforsue

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Past security vulnerabilities have been significant though fixed
Some users may desire a more modern UI experience
Limited complaints suggest minor feature requests or enhancements

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a straightforward, fast, and reliable real-time chat solution for their WordPress site with minimal configuration.

Not ideal for

Those requiring cutting-edge UI design or who prioritize plugins with a spotless security history without any past vulnerabilities.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential real-time chat functionality suitable for most community and website chat needs.

Pro version

The pro version includes additional premium features enhancing chat capabilities, customization options, and support.

Final Verdict

Simple Ajax Chat is a highly rated and user-friendly plugin that delivers efficient real-time chat functionality with minimal setup. Its strong user satisfaction and active maintenance make it a solid choice for WordPress site owners wanting to add chat features.

However, the plugin has had a history of security vulnerabilities, which have been addressed in updates. Users should ensure they keep the plugin updated and consider their security needs when choosing this plugin over alternatives.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Simple Ajax Chat – Add a Fast, Secure Chat Box plugin.

Ajax

Chat

Chat Box

Forum

Instant Message

Screenshots

FAQ

Open the directory /resources/audio/ and replace the files msg.mp3 and msg.ogg with your desired audio files. You will notice lots of alternate sound files included in that same directory. Simply rename any pair of files to replace the defaults.

Add this CSS:

#sac-latest-message { display: none; }

You can add that to the plugin setting, “Custom CSS styles” or your theme styles, wherever. If adding via the plugin setting, make sure that the associated setting, “Enable custom styles” also is enabled.

Add this CSS:

#sac-form label { display: none; }

You can hide the “say it” submit button, so the user must press enter to submit chats. Add this CSS:

#sac-user-submit { display: none; }

If the form inputs like “Submit” button are not showing translation. You can work around by adding the following jQuery snippet:

<script>jQuery(function() { jQuery('#submitchat').val('Whatever'); });</script>

That needs to be included in your theme after jQuery is loaded. Then change #submitchat to the ID of the form input. Change Whatever to whatever you want to display for the text.

Add the following CSS to the plugin setting, “Custom CSS styles”:

ul#sac-messages li.sac-chat-message::before { content: "[ 'attr(data-time)' ]"; color: #777; }

After saving changes, that CSS will display the chat date/time next to each message, for example:

[ 2021-08-30,08:35:57 ] Chat User: Hello this is a chat message left in August of 2021.

Add this CSS:

#sac-latest-message { display: none; }

You can hide the “say it” submit button, so the user must press enter to submit chats. Add this CSS:

#sac-user-submit { display: none; }

Contributors and developers

“Simple Ajax Chat – Add a Fast, Secure Chat Box” is open source software. The following people have contributed to this plugin.

Jeff Starr

Pro version Free Version Live Demo

WPS

6.72

Average

Pro version

Ratings

4.9 out of 5 | 215

Version

20260827

Last updated

1 month ago

Active installations

2,000+

WordPress version

7.1.3 or higher

PHP version

5.6.20 or higher

Languages

Other plugins you might like

Simple Chat Button

By seramo

WPS

6.85

Average

4.8/5

14+reviews

40k+

active installation

Tested with

7.1.3

Performance Overview

What It Does

Comparing to Alternatives

User Sentiment Analysis

Who Should Use This?

Pricing & Value

Final Verdict

Other Notable Features

Screenshots

FAQ

Contributors and developers

Ratings

Reviews (215)

Sort by:

Contributors & Developers

Interested in development?

Security Status

Secure

No Unpatched Vulnerabilities

Known Vulnerabilities (9)

Previous Versions

WPS

6.72

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