If you want to build trust and boost conversions on your website, installing a free WordPress plugin for reviews is one of the smartest steps you can take. Reviews add credibility, improve user engagement, and even help your site rank higher in search results.
Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a blog, or a service-based website, having a reliable review system makes a big difference. The best part is, you don’t need to spend a dime—there are powerful free plugins that can handle the job perfectly.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top options and help you choose the right review plugin for your WordPress site.
Why You Need a Review Plugin in WordPress
Adding reviews is more than just a cosmetic feature—it has measurable impact on SEO, conversions, and credibility.
1. Social Proof for Trust
Studies show that over 90% of customers read reviews before making a purchase. Reviews act as digital word-of-mouth and reassure visitors that your product or service is reliable.
2. Improved Conversions
E-commerce platforms like Amazon thrive on reviews. A single star increase in ratings can boost conversions by up to 30%, making reviews a critical sales driver.
3. SEO Benefits with Rich Snippets
Review plugins that support schema markup let Google display star ratings in search results, improving CTR (click-through rate).
4. Community Engagement
Allowing users to leave reviews creates a sense of community, encouraging repeat visits.
5. Professional Website Appearance
Customizable review boxes, comparison charts, and testimonial sliders make your website look polished and user-friendly.
1. WP Review Lite
WP Review Lite is one of the most trusted review plugins, particularly for affiliate marketers and bloggers.
Key Features:
- Rating systems: stars, percentages, points, and circles.
- 14 pre-designed templates (premium has more).
- Built-in Google Rich Snippets.
- Compatible with caching and SEO plugins.
Pros:
✔ Schema-rich for SEO.
✔ Attractive review layouts.
✔ Lightweight and optimized.
Cons:
✘ Free version lacks advanced templates.
✘ No front-end user reviews.
Setup (Step-by-Step):
- Install WP Review Lite from WordPress plugins repository.
- Go to a post → scroll to the WP Review box in the editor.
- Select review type (stars, points, etc.).
- Add pros/cons and a summary.
- Publish and watch your review box appear.
Best For: Affiliate bloggers, gadget reviewers, product roundups.
2. Site Reviews
This plugin is perfect if you want users to submit their own reviews (similar to Yelp or Google Reviews).
Key Features:
- Star ratings from 1–5.
- Pin your favorite review on top.
- Widgets and shortcodes.
- Built-in spam control.
Pros:
✔ Fully functional free version.
✔ Allows user-submitted reviews.
✔ Great moderation tools.
Cons:
✘ Requires styling for design flexibility.
✘ Limited advanced layouts.
Setup (Quick Guide):
- Install and activate Site Reviews.
- Go to Site Reviews → Settings and configure default stars.
- Add
[site_reviews]shortcode to any page or post. - Collect and display reviews instantly.
Best For: Service providers, local businesses, WooCommerce stores.
3. Taqyeem Lite
Taqyeem Lite is perfect for magazine and blog websites that need stylish review boxes.
Features:
- Multiple rating systems.
- Stylish layouts (modern, clean).
- Easy integration with posts and pages.
Pros:
✔ Beautiful pre-designed review boxes.
✔ Lightweight plugin.
✔ Easy setup.
Cons:
✘ No front-end review submissions.
✘ Free version lacks customization.
Best For: Tech blogs, news sites, publishers.
4. WP Customer Reviews
Focused on customer testimonials, this plugin lets you create dedicated review pages.
Features:
- Product or business review formats.
- Spam filtering.
- Schema support.
- Admin moderation.
Pros:
✔ Perfect for testimonials.
✔ SEO-friendly.
✔ Works with caching plugins.
Cons:
✘ Interface feels dated.
✘ Not as modern as newer plugins.
Best For: Small businesses, freelancers, service providers.
5. Stars Testimonials
This plugin is best for personal branding and service websites.
Features:
- Sliders and grids for testimonials.
- Star ratings with customer feedback.
- Lightweight design.
Pros:
✔ Easy to set up.
✔ Perfect for homepages.
✔ Mobile-friendly layouts.
Cons:
✘ Limited SEO features.
✘ Not great for product reviews.
Best For: Freelancers, consultants, agencies.
6. Reviewer WordPress Plugin (Lite)
Known for comparison tables, this plugin is ideal for affiliate marketers.
Features:
- Detailed review tables.
- Star/point/percentage rating.
- Good for product roundups.
Pros:
✔ Great for affiliate comparisons.
✔ Looks professional.
✔ Easy rating breakdown.
Cons:
✘ Free version lacks features.
✘ Requires manual setup.
Best For: Affiliate blogs, gadget reviewers, tech sites.
7. Ultimate Reviews
This plugin integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce.
Features:
- Custom review forms.
- User-generated reviews.
- WooCommerce integration.
Pros:
✔ Great for online shops.
✔ Flexible customization.
✔ Shortcodes for reviews anywhere.
Cons:
✘ Heavy plugin.
✘ Some features require premium add-ons.
Best For: WooCommerce store owners.
8. WP Google Review Slider
Focused on pulling Google Business reviews directly into WordPress.
Features:
- Syncs with Google My Business.
- Review sliders and grids.
- Multiple display styles.
Pros:
✔ Shows verified reviews.
✔ Excellent for credibility.
✔ Easy to set up.
Cons:
✘ Limited to Google reviews.
✘ Pro needed for more features.
Best For: Local businesses.
9. Rich Reviews
Lightweight plugin with a focus on SEO snippets.
Features:
- Simple star ratings.
- Schema markup built-in.
- Shortcodes for display.
Pros:
✔ Great for SEO.
✔ Lightweight.
✔ Easy to use.
Cons:
✘ Outdated design.
✘ Requires CSS tweaks.
Best For: SEO blogs, product reviewers.
10. WP Product Review Lite
Designed for affiliate marketing, with pros/cons and rating breakdowns.
Features:
- Product boxes with ratings.
- Pros/cons section.
- Affiliate links integration.
- Schema support.
Pros:
✔ Affiliate-focused.
✔ SEO-optimized.
✔ Easy to add product details.
Cons:
✘ Limited templates.
✘ Pro version has advanced features.
Best For: Affiliate bloggers, niche sites.
Comparison Table: Best Free Review Plugins
| Plugin | Best For | Rating System | Schema Support | User Reviews | WooCommerce Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP Review Lite | Affiliate Blogs | Stars, Points | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Site Reviews | Businesses | Stars | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Taqyeem Lite | Blogs | Stars, % | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| WP Customer Reviews | Testimonials | Stars | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Stars Testimonials | Freelancers | Stars | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Reviewer Lite | Affiliate Comparisons | Stars, % | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Ultimate Reviews | WooCommerce | Stars | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| WP Google Review Slider | Local Businesses | Stars | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ |
| Rich Reviews | SEO | Stars | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ |
| WP Product Review Lite | Affiliate Blogs | Stars | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
How to Choose the Best Free WordPress Plugin for Reviews
For Bloggers & Affiliates
- Choose WP Product Review Lite or WP Review Lite.
- They provide pros/cons boxes and SEO-ready review snippets.
For Local Businesses
- Pick WP Customer Reviews or WP Google Review Slider.
- Show testimonials and verified Google reviews.
For WooCommerce Stores
- Ultimate Reviews integrates directly with WooCommerce.
For SEO-Driven Sites
- Rich Reviews ensures Google rich snippets for better ranking.
Advanced FAQs
1. Can review plugins integrate with WooCommerce?
Yes, plugins like Ultimate Reviews and Site Reviews work seamlessly with WooCommerce.
2. Do review plugins support multiple rating styles?
Most support stars, while some (like WP Review Lite) support points, percentages, and circles.
3. What’s the best free review plugin for affiliate marketers?
WP Product Review Lite—it includes pros/cons lists and affiliate link support.
4. Can I display reviews from third-party sites?
Yes, WP Google Review Slider fetches reviews from Google.
5. Do free plugins support schema markup?
Yes, plugins like WP Review Lite, Rich Reviews, and WP Product Review Lite include schema.
6. Are free review plugins enough, or should I buy premium?
Free versions cover basics, but for comparison tables, advanced templates, or styling, a premium upgrade may be worthwhile.
7. Do review plugins affect website speed?
Lightweight ones like WP Review Lite don’t, but avoid running multiple review plugins at the same time.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right free WordPress plugin for reviews depends on your goals:
- For affiliates: WP Product Review Lite, WP Review Lite.
- For businesses: WP Customer Reviews, WP Google Review Slider.
- For WooCommerce stores: Ultimate Reviews.
- For SEO: Rich Reviews.
All the plugins listed here are GPL-compatible, free to use, and beginner-friendly. Start with one, test how it performs, and then consider premium upgrades if needed.
By adding reviews, you’ll not only gain user trust but also improve SEO visibility and conversions, making it a no-brainer for any WordPress site.
