Herd Effects vs Widgets for Google Reviews (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Social Proof Plugins top 10: Herd Effects at #9 and Widgets for Google Reviews at #1. Widgets for Google Reviews leads on 5 of the 6 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.
Widgets for Google Reviews
Google Reviews Widget for WordPress. Display Google reviews in 1 minute with 45 professional layouts. Build trust, boost SEO, and increase sales.
Who leads on what
Widgets for Google Reviews leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Widgets for Google Reviews ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
Widgets for Google Reviews has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 900+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Herd Effects has 15, Widgets for Google Reviews has 2,661. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Widgets for Google Reviews has more reviews behind its score: 2,661 against 15.
Widgets for Google Reviews was updated more recently, on September 24, 2026; Herd Effects on August 25, 2026.
Widgets for Google Reviews was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 527,060 times against 288.
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.
Widgets for Google Reviews
Pick Widgets for Google Reviews 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, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
Herd Effects vs Widgets for Google Reviews side by side
| Herd Effects | Widgets for Google Reviews | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Proof Plugins ranking | #9 | #1 |
| Rating | 3.9 | 4.9 |
| Reviews | 15 | 2,661 |
| Active installs | 900+ | 1 million+ |
| Total downloads | 61,354 | 20,831,586 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 288 | 527,060 |
| Last updated | Aug 25, 2026 | Sep 24, 2026 |
| First published | Aug 20, 2016 | Nov 13, 2019 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Herd Effects ratings
Widgets for Google Reviews 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 Widgets for Google Reviews can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Social Proof Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Herd Effects vs Widgets for Google Reviews: common questions
Is Herd Effects better than Widgets for Google Reviews?
Widgets for Google Reviews leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Widgets for Google Reviews ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which has more users, Herd Effects or Widgets for Google Reviews?
Widgets for Google Reviews ranks higher on WordPress.org: #1 against #9 in Social Proof Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Herd Effects or Widgets for Google Reviews?
Widgets for Google Reviews has more users: 1 million+ active installs against 900+.
Are Herd Effects and Widgets for Google Reviews free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Herd Effects may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Widgets for Google Reviews may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
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