These 4 apps lead WordPress Plugin Directory's Instant messaging category as of September 2026 — ranked by user rating, review count, and audit score, refreshed every 24 hours from the canonical WordPress marketplace listing.
Discover the top-rated instant messaging apps available on WordPress Plugin Directory. Rankings based on user ratings, review count, and market performance.
This is the curated shortlist — the top-ranked instant messaging apps. To browse every instant messaging app on WordPress Plugin Directory, see the full Instant messaging category.
This list ranks the top 4 WordPress apps classified under Instant messaging by the source marketplace's own taxonomy — apps appear here only because WordPress Plugin Directory itself tags them in this category, not because of any AppRanks editorial decision. Within the category set, ranking uses a Bayesian-ish blend of average rating × natural log of review count: the formula is rating × ln(reviewCount + 1), so a high-rating-low-review app doesn't leapfrog an established listing on a single 5-star outlier. The blend favors apps that are both well-reviewed AND have an established user base.
AppRanks does not invent a proprietary score for public surfaces — the rank shown mirrors the marketplace's published category position exactly, scraped on a 12-24 hour refresh cycle from the canonical WordPress Plugin Directory listing. The category lookup happens at request time and the page is cached at the edge for 1 hour to absorb traffic spikes; the underlying ranking data refreshes daily so the list stays accurate within one day of any source change. AppRanks does not editorially promote or demote apps based on advertiser or partnership status — the same blend formula applies uniformly across every app on this platform.
Ranks #1 in the WordPress Plugin Directory instant messaging category as a mixed-rating listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (6 reviews, 2.7★ avg). Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you want an emerging instant messaging option — FCChat Widget ranks #1 on WordPress Plugin Directory and is still building review depth.
Same data as the ranked cards, condensed into a sortable-by-eye grid: rating × review depth × pricing tier across the top 4 instant messaging apps on WordPress Plugin Directory.
| # | App | Rating | Reviews | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FCChat Widget | 2.7★ | 6 | — |
| 2 | Paldesk – Live Chat & Helpdesk | 5.0★ | 1 | — |
| 3 | Email Chat Contact Button Sidebar | 1.0★ | 1 | — |
| 4 | Contact Me Widget | 0.0★ | 0 | — |
Want to compare any two apps in detail (features, ratings trend, pricing plans side-by-side)? Open the head-to-head page from the "Compare to #N" link on each card above. Custom multi-app comparisons, historical rank trajectory, and CSV export are available on a paid plan.
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Paldesk – Live Chat & Helpdesk
Ranks #2 in the WordPress Plugin Directory instant messaging category as a category-leading listing. An early-stage review volume (1 reviews) with a 5.0-star average. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Paldesk – Live Chat & Helpdesk holds a 5.0-star average across 1 reviews in the instant messaging category.
Email Chat Contact Button Sidebar
Ranks #3 in the WordPress Plugin Directory instant messaging category as a mixed-rating listing. Tracks at 1.0★ across 1 reviews — early-stage review volume. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you want an emerging instant messaging option — Email Chat Contact Button Sidebar ranks #3 on WordPress Plugin Directory and is still building review depth.
Holds position #4 in the WordPress Plugin Directory instant messaging category as a mixed-rating listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (0 reviews). Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Methodology details: /glossary/audit-score · /about.