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Head-to-head · Commenting Systems

Artalk vs Waline

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Artalk #4 in Commenting Systems 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Artalk
Waline #8 in Commenting Systems 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Waline

Artalk leads on 0 checks, Waline on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreArtalk · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth

Artalk scores higher on our rubric for commenting systems: 8.9 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

Artalk is the better fit for solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments. Waline is the better fit for free self-hosters needing rich moderation and notifications.

  • Artalk fits best

    Solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments

  • Waline fits best

    Free self-hosters needing rich moderation and notifications

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Artalk 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Waline 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.5
Ranking #4 in Commenting Systems #8 in Commenting Systems
Best for Solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments Free self-hosters needing rich moderation and notifications
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux Web
Support Docs, Community Docs, Community
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Artalk 4/5 · Waline 4/5
SSO support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Spam filtering ✓ ✓
Comment reactions ✓ ✓
Email notifications ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Moderation tools Advanced Advanced
Site limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Embeddable JavaScript client pairs with Docker-based server deployment.
  • Moderation combines keyword filters, CAPTCHA, and supported safety services.
  • Multi-site management, voting, APIs, and comment migration tools.
  • Advanced filtering, rate limits, duplicate detection, and comment review
  • Markdown, GFM, HTML, math notation, previews, reactions, and uploads
  • HTTP API, multiple databases, and broad email and chat notifications
Cons
  • Self-hosted deployment means managing the server as part of the setup.
  • Support channels are documentation and community.
  • Content-safety integrations depend on external services such as Akismet or cloud APIs.
  • Self-hosted deployment requires managing backend and database infrastructure
  • Support is centered on documentation and community channels
  • Moderation and notification options may require deliberate configuration
Our verdict

Artalk is an open-source commenting system for adding discussions to blogs, websites, and web applications. Its JavaScript client embeds on a site, while a Go server handles the system; deployment options include Docker and other…

Read the review →

Waline is an open-source commenting system that combines a browser client with a deployable backend. It suits solo publishers, small teams, and mid-market sites that want control over deployment and data while still offering reader…

Read the review →
  1. ArtalkCommenting Systems 8.9Free plan
  2. WalineCommenting Systems 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Artalk — where it wins

    • Embeddable JavaScript client pairs with Docker-based server deployment.
    • Moderation combines keyword filters, CAPTCHA, and supported safety services.
    • Multi-site management, voting, APIs, and comment migration tools.

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment means managing the server as part of the setup.
    • Support channels are documentation and community.
    • Content-safety integrations depend on external services such as Akismet or cloud APIs.

  • Waline — where it wins

    • Advanced filtering, rate limits, duplicate detection, and comment review
    • Markdown, GFM, HTML, math notation, previews, reactions, and uploads
    • HTTP API, multiple databases, and broad email and chat notifications

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted deployment requires managing backend and database infrastructure
    • Support is centered on documentation and community channels
    • Moderation and notification options may require deliberate configuration

More comparisons

All commenting systems comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update