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Free Plugin by Jeff Starr v20260827

Simple Ajax Chat

Display an Ajax-powered chat box anywhere. Lightweight, flexible, fast, and secure. Fully customizable with many options.

Simple Ajax Chat

The facts

Rating
4.9★ from 215
Active installs
2k+
Price
Free
Last updated
27 Aug 2026
Added
Nov 2012
Requires WP
4.7
Tested up to
WP 7.1
Requires PHP
5.6.20
Downloads
182,091

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Simple Ajax Chat is a WordPress plugin that allows visitors to chat with each other directly on your website. By adding a shortcode to any post or page, you can create a customizable chat box without the need for any third-party services.

The plugin is fully self-hosted and includes features such as strong anti-spam security, support for custom CSS styles, and options for managing chat messages. It is suitable for website owners looking to enhance community interaction through chat functionality.

Best for: This plugin is best for website owners who want to facilitate user interaction through chat.

What it does well

  • Fully self-hosted, no third-party service required
  • Customizable chat form with various options
  • Supports all browsers and mobile devices
  • Strong anti-spam security features
  • Easy to implement with shortcode

Where it falls short

  • Free version supports only one chat form
  • Limited information on Pro version features

Verdict

Simple Ajax Chat provides a straightforward solution for adding a chat feature to your site. It is a solid choice for those looking for a self-hosted chat option.

From the developer

Jeff Starr's own description of Simple Ajax Chat, lightly tidied.

Simple Ajax Chat makes it easy for your visitors to chat with each other on your website. Simply add a shortcode to any post or page and done! Instant chat forum anywhere. The chat form is fully customizable with many options, so you can create the perfect chat box for your visitors.

Simple Ajax Chat is fully self-hosted with NO 3rd-party service required. Many (if not all) of the other free chat plugins require registration and monthly service from a 3rd-party provider. With Simple Ajax Chat, there is no 3rd-party: WordPress is all that’s required. Own your chats!

Difference between SAC free and SAC Pro

The main difference between SAC free and SAC Pro? Easy:

  • SAC free supports 1 chat form
  • SAC Pro supports unlimited chat forms

Pro can do everything free can do and SO much more. Customize each chat form with unique features. SAC Pro is an all new plugin written with smarter, faster code and all the latest techniques. Get SAC Pro »

SAC Features

  • The simplest possible persistent chat
  • Fully self-hosted: No 3rd-party account required
  • Ajax goodness loads new chats without page refresh
  • Smart chat processing optimizes for performance
  • Works with all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
  • Works with all mobile devices (iPhone, Android, etc.)
  • Display easily via shortcode or template tag
  • Display chat box in multiple locations
  • Regularly updated & “future proof”
  • Supports custom CSS styles
  • Strong anti-spam security
  • Clean HTML markup

More Features

  • Plug-&-play: no configuration required
  • Built-in control panel to edit and delete chats
  • Define your own list of banned words and phrases
  • Display chat messages in ascending or descending order
  • Display custom content before/after the chat form
  • Option to play sound alert for chat messages
  • Option to restrict chat to logged-in users
  • Option to restore default plugin settings
  • Option to enable browser notifications
  • Export all chat messages via CSV file
  • Supports emoticons and emojis 🙂

Customize Everything

  • Limit maximum number of chat messages
  • Limit maximum length of each chat message
  • Advanced customization via filter hooks
  • Option to use textarea for larger input field
  • Option to use logged-in username as the chat name
  • Option to enable/disable URL field for chat names
  • Load JavaScript only when chat box is displayed
  • Customize the update interval for Ajax requests
  • Customize the fade-in colors for new chats
  • Customize the fade-duration for new chats
  • Plus much more!

Exclusive Pro Features

  • Enable Google reCaptcha (invisible) for all chat forms
  • Choose from six form styles, or use custom styles
  • Advanced chat management tools and user statistics
  • Mute any user so they are not allowed to chat
  • Ban any non-admin users from any chat session
  • Enable customizable emoji picker for any chat form
  • Display user avatars next to chat messages
  • Display the user role next to chat messages
  • Define your own Bang (!bang) shortcuts
  • Email notifications for new chat messages
  • Limit number of users for any chat form
  • Create private chat boxes between users
  • Banned phrases in text messages and user names
  • Fine-grain control over allowed chat content
  • Built with vanilla JavaScript (jQuery not required)
  • Optionally display inline images in chat messages
  • Automatically clear chat messages and send email alert
  • Display a “current online users” widget for any form
  • Displays a max-character counter for messages
  • Display a role-based chat box on the WP Dashboard
  • Choose from six sound alerts for new chat messages
  • Option to include your own CSS and JavaScript

Read the full description on the official page →

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