ShowTrust alternatives: 3 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
Another WordPress route: forms, moderation, grids and sliders are free; video and the clever automation live upstairs.
licenseGPL-2.0+
runsyour server
installInstall and activate the plugin from WordPress Plugins → Add New
dataTestimonials, form submissions and display settings live in the site's WordPress database; reviewer images and other uploaded media live in the WordPress media library
the catch vs ShowTrustIt only becomes simple after you already run WordPress, and it lacks ShowTrust's hosted share link and agent-assisted installation on an arbitrary site.
setupIt only works inside a self-hosted WordPress site, so a non-WordPress site first needs an entire WordPress installation
facts verified 2026-08-11
Unlimited text, video and audio proof, imports, walls and 25-plus widgets; the bill is zero, the tiny Powered by pill is not.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup, then paste an iframe/widget embed into the site
dataTestimonials and account data live in Shosay's hosted PostgreSQL service, while uploaded images/media use Cloudflare R2; users can export their testimonials
the catch vs ShowTrustIt provides a generous hosted collector and widgets, but the free badge remains visible and installation, styling and site placement are still your responsibility.
setupYou need permission to paste Shosay's embed code into the site, and every free widget carries a small Powered by Shosay pill
facts verified 2026-08-11
A WordPress-only form, moderation queue, grid, slider and widget; simple enough once you already own the WordPress problem.
licenseGPL-2.0+
runsyour server
installInstall and activate from WordPress Plugins → Add New
dataTestimonials and front-end form submissions live in the site's WordPress database; images use the site's WordPress media storage, and optional notification emails can contain submitted fields
the catch vs ShowTrustIt requires a self-hosted WordPress site and lacks ShowTrust's universal hosted collection link and done-for-you widget installation.
setupIt requires a self-hosted WordPress site; the free edition has one collection form and lacks built-in captcha, so public forms may need another anti-spam layer
facts verified 2026-08-11
latest recorded source check 2026-08-11 · check current terms at the source
ReviewskitsA young headless stack with 52 stars, no releases, and an SDK-shaped hole where the no-code widget should be.
SenjaPolished and genuinely free, right up to testimonial number sixteen; the core collection job then becomes paid.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Testimonials | GPL-2.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | — | — |
| Shosay | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
| Strong Testimonials | GPL-2.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | — | — |
For one site, they don't · it's free, uncapped, and nothing is feature-gated, so the paid tier only exists to add a second project. What you actually trade away by self-hosting is smaller and more boring than money: the layout and styling controls are a real chunk of fiddly frontend work, and the impression tracking tells you whether the wall is doing anything at all, which a hand-rolled version silently won't. One honest mark against the hosted option · the collection page carries a 'Powered by ShowTrustTo' line on every tier, paid included, and there's no switch to remove it. If that badge on a page you send to customers bothers you, that alone is a legitimate reason to build your own. The recorded subscription totals $59.88 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to ShowTrust?
Yes: Real Testimonials, Shosay, Strong Testimonials. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own ShowTrust?
Our verdict is YES. A submission form, an approval queue, and a grid of cards you can embed elsewhere. There is no algorithm here and no network effect · an agent will produce a working version in one sitting, same as it will for the $25 and $29 tools in this category. The catch is the same one Eloqra has: the hosted version is free for a single site, with no cap on testimonials, so you'd be spending a weekend and a hosting bill to replace zero dollars. Worth building if you want the data on your own box or you enjoy the exercise. Not worth building to save money, because there isn't any to save. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the ShowTrust build guide.
