With over 2 billion users, WhatsApp is the go-to channel for customer engagement—so the question isn't if you should add it to your site, but which plugin will work best.
I tested the options and narrowed it down to 7 standout plugins worth your attention.
How I picked these plugins: I tested each plugin for ease of setup, real-world use cases, feature set, mobile experience, and pricing.
| Plugin | Best For | Monthly Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boei | Growing businesses | €8/month | 50+ channels + AI automation + analytics |
| Click to Chat | Budget-conscious | Free | WhatsApp only, basic features |
| WP Chat App | WooCommerce | $25 once ($2/mo if used 1yr) | WhatsApp only, multi-agent |
| Chaty | Multi-channel | €4.92/month (billed yearly) | 25 channels, no AI |
| Social Chat | Designers | Free | WhatsApp only, high customization |
| WPForms | Form users | Varies | WhatsApp notifications only |
| Simple Chat | Minimalists | Free | WhatsApp only, ultra-basic |
The best free options are:
Click to Chat - Most feature-complete free option
Simple Chat Button - Lightweight and simple
Social Chat (free version) - Good customization
Click to Chat offers the best free features including analytics, office hours, and mobile optimization—making it the top free choice for most WordPress sites.
The top WhatsApp plugins for WooCommerce are:
WP Chat App - Designed specifically for WooCommerce with product-specific chat buttons ($25 one-time)
Boei - Best for multi-channel support with WooCommerce product page integration (€8/month)
Chaty Pro - Great for stores needing multiple channels beyond WhatsApp (€59/year)
All three plugins support WooCommerce product variables in WhatsApp messages, letting customers ask about specific products they're viewing.
Looking for AI-powered chat solutions? Check out our comprehensive guide on the best AI chatbot WordPress plugins for automated customer support.
Best Comprehensive Solution
Boei is a WhatsApp solution for WordPress trusted by 10,000+ businesses with 160+ positive reviews. Unlike single-purpose plugins, it offers 50+ communication channels and AI-powered automation in one platform.
Key features:
5-minute, no-code setup that gets you live instantly
Multiple WhatsApp agents with smart round-robin distribution
AI Agent integration starting at €6/month to handle FAQs automatically
Quick-reply buttons and QR code generation for offline marketing
Office hours automation with smart display rules
50+ supported channels (WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, SMS, callbacks, contact forms)
Conversion tracking with Google Analytics and Google Ads integration
White-label options and agency pricing for managing multiple clients
Auto-translation to 95+ languages
What sets it apart: The AI capabilities handle 70-85% of routine inquiries automatically, freeing your team for complex questions. The multi-channel approach means customers can start on your website and continue via WhatsApp—all tracked in one dashboard.
Best for: Growing businesses needing more than just WhatsApp, e-commerce stores wanting AI automation, agencies managing multiple client websites.
Pricing: Free trial | Paid plans from €8/month | AI Agent from €6/month | Agency pricing available
Best Free Option
Click to Chat is the most feature-complete free WordPress WhatsApp plugin available. It includes analytics, customizable popups, and office hours functionality—all without paying a cent.
Key features:
WhatsApp popup that mimics the actual WhatsApp interface
Personalized messages using merge tags (page title, URL, product name)
GDPR compliant with consent management
Mobile and desktop specific settings
Pre-filled message templates
Best for: Budget-conscious WordPress users who want solid WhatsApp functionality without paying for premium features.
Pricing: Completely free
Best for WooCommerce Stores
WP Chat App was built specifically for e-commerce, offering product-specific chat buttons and multi-agent support designed for online stores.
Key features:
Product-specific chat buttons on WooCommerce pages
Multiple agent support with names, titles, and avatars
Real-time availability with countdown timers
Cache plugin compatibility for site speed
Dynamic shortcodes for pre-filled messages
Best for: WooCommerce store owners with dedicated customer service teams who need product-level WhatsApp integration.
Pricing: Free version | Pro version from $25 (one-time payment)
Best Multi-Channel Widget
Chaty supports 25+ different communication channels including Facebook Messenger, Telegram, TikTok, and Instagram. It's a comprehensive communication hub widget.
Key features:
25+ supported channels in one widget
Different channels for mobile vs desktop
Agent support for team-based customer service
Analytics tracking to measure performance
GDPR compliant
Best for: Agencies and larger businesses that need to offer customers multiple contact options beyond just WhatsApp.
Pricing: Free (limited) | Pro at €59/year
Most Customizable Interface
Social Chat (formerly "WhatsApp Chat") offers extensive customization through WordPress's live customizer. It's ideal when you need complete control over appearance.
Key features:
14+ icon styles to choose from
Full WordPress Customizer integration
Variable support for dynamic messages
WooCommerce product page integration
Multiple contact box layouts
Best for: Designers and developers who want granular control over the chat button's appearance and behavior.
Pricing: Free | Premium addons pricing varies
Best for Form-Based Communication
WPForms integrates with Uncanny Automator to send WhatsApp notifications when forms are submitted. This isn't live chat—it's notification automation.
Key features:
Instant WhatsApp notifications for form submissions
Works with existing WPForms setup
Integrates via Twilio addon
Good for lead qualification workflows
Best for: Websites that rely heavily on contact forms but want faster notification of new leads via WhatsApp.
Pricing: Depends on WPForms plan and Twilio costs
Best Budget Option
Simple Chat Button delivers exactly what its name promises—a basic WhatsApp button with no complexity.
Key features:
Lightweight code that won't slow your site
Basic customization options
Mobile and desktop support
Pre-filled message capability
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs and simple business websites that just need basic WhatsApp connectivity.
Pricing: Completely free
Install a WhatsApp plugin - Download from WordPress.org or install via your WordPress dashboard
Add your WhatsApp number - Use international format (+31 for Netherlands, +1 for US, etc.)
Customize your chat button - Choose icon style, position, and pre-filled message
Most plugins (like Boei and Click to Chat) take under 5 minutes to set up with no coding required.
Yes. WPForms integrates with WhatsApp through Uncanny Automator and the Twilio addon. When someone submits a form, you receive an instant WhatsApp notification.
This setup costs extra (WPForms Pro + Twilio fees) but works well for businesses that prefer form submissions over live chat.
Alternative approach: Most businesses find a direct WhatsApp chat button (like Boei or Click to Chat) converts better than forms + notifications, because visitors get instant responses.
Choose free plugins if:
You only need WhatsApp
You don't need analytics or conversion tracking
You're comfortable with no support
You don't need AI automation
You'll never have multiple team members
Choose Boei (€8/month) if:
You want AI to handle FAQs automatically (saves 10+ hours/week)
You need analytics to track which conversations convert
You have multiple team members handling support
You want professional support when you need it
You might add email, Messenger, or other channels later
Reality check: Most businesses outgrow free plugins within 3-6 months. Starting with Boei means you won't need to migrate and retrain later.
Free WhatsApp plugins give you a button. That's it.
Boei (and premium plugins) give you:
AI automation - Handles 70% of repetitive questions automatically
Analytics - See which conversations convert to sales
Multi-agent - Your whole team can respond, with conversation history
Office hours - Widget only shows when you're available
Support - Actual humans help when something breaks
For small hobby sites: Free plugins work fine.
For real businesses: The time saved and conversions gained pay for €8/month in the first week.
| Feature | Boei | Click to Chat | Chaty | WP Chat App | Social Chat | WPForms Integration | Simple Chat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 10 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 20 minutes | 30 minutes | 5 minutes |
| Multiple Agents | Yes | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Pro) | Yes | Yes (Pro) | No | No |
| AI Support | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Channels Supported | 50+ | WhatsApp only | 25+ | WhatsApp only | WhatsApp only | WhatsApp via forms | WhatsApp only |
| Analytics/Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes (Pro) | No | No | Yes | No |
| WooCommerce Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Office Hours | Yes | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Pro) | Yes (Pro) | No | No | No |
| Quick Reply Buttons | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| QR Code Generation | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| White Label | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Free Version | Trial only | Yes | Limited | Limited | Yes | Depends | Yes |
| Starting Price | €8/month | Free | €59/year | $25 one-time | Free | Varies | Free |
For most WordPress sites: Start with Click to Chat (free) to test WhatsApp engagement, then upgrade to Boei if you need more channels or AI features.
For WooCommerce stores: Use WP Chat App for product-specific integration, or Boei if you want multi-channel support.
For agencies: Choose Boei for white-label options and multi-client management.
For tight budgets: Click to Chat or Simple Chat Button will get the job done.
The best WordPress WhatsApp plugin isn't the one with the most features—it's the one that matches your specific needs and budget. Start with a free option, test it with real traffic, and upgrade only when you hit limitations.
Article by
Ruben, the founder of Boei, leverages over a decade of consultancy experience at Ernst & Young to optimize lead generation. Boei specializes in converting website visitors into qualified leads. Outside of work, Ruben is passionate about crossfit and enjoys gaming occasionally.
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