Herd Effects vs Real Testimonials (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Social Proof Plugins top 10: Herd Effects at #8 and Real Testimonials at #4. Real Testimonials leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Herd Effects
Social Proof Popups & Real-Time Notifications – Herd Effects
Boost conversions with real-time social proof popups and user activity notifications, encouraging visitor actions on your WordPress site.
Real Testimonials
Real Testimonials – Testimonial Slider, Collect Customer Reviews and Video Testimonials
A Customizable Testimonial plugin to Automate Collecting, Filtering, and Publishing Customer Reviews. Testimonial Slider, Grid & More to Grow Sales
Who leads on what
Real Testimonials leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track.
Real Testimonials ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #8 in Social Proof Plugins.
Real Testimonials has more users: 40,000+ active installs against 1,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Herd Effects has 15, Real Testimonials has 226. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Real Testimonials has more reviews behind its score: 226 against 15.
Real Testimonials was updated more recently, on September 4, 2026; Herd Effects on August 25, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Herd Effects
Herd Effects does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
Real Testimonials
Pick Real Testimonials if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews or you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Herd Effects vs Real Testimonials side by side
| Herd Effects | Real Testimonials | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Proof Plugins ranking | #8 | #4 |
| Rating | 3.9 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 15 | 226 |
| Active installs | 1,000+ | 40,000+ |
| Total downloads | 60,906 | 1,391,381 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 25, 2026 | Sep 4, 2026 |
| First published | Aug 20, 2016 | Jun 21, 2016 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free + paid version |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Herd Effects ratings
Real Testimonials ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Herd Effects nor Real Testimonials can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Social Proof Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Herd Effects vs Real Testimonials: common questions
Is Herd Effects better than Real Testimonials?
Real Testimonials leads on 4 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Real Testimonials ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #8 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which has more users, Herd Effects or Real Testimonials?
Real Testimonials ranks higher on WordPress.org: #4 against #8 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Herd Effects or Real Testimonials?
Real Testimonials has more users: 40,000+ active installs against 1,000+.
Are Herd Effects and Real Testimonials free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Herd Effects may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Real Testimonials is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist.
Alternatives to Herd Effects and Real Testimonials
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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