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Head-to-head · Commenting Systems

Cackle vs Artalk

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Cackle #3 in Commenting Systems 9.0/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Cackle
Artalk #4 in Commenting Systems 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Artalk

Cackle leads on 0 checks, Artalk on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCackle · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Artalk
  • Most featuresCackle · 5 of 5

Cackle scores higher on our rubric for commenting systems: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Cackle is the better fit for CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics. Artalk is the better fit for solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments.

  • Cackle fits best

    CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics

  • Artalk fits best

    Solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments

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 Cackle 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Artalk 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #3 in Commenting Systems #4 in Commenting Systems
Best for CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics Solo developers who want free, self-hosted comments
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms Web Web, Linux
Support Email Docs, Community
Integrations 10 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Cackle 5/5 · Artalk 4/5
SSO support ✓ (best) 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
  • Moderation supports approving, editing, deleting, rejecting, and banning.
  • Plugins cover WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Blogger, and Wix.
  • Search, analytics, activity logs, and spam protection aid moderators.
  • 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.
Cons
  • It is a paid product, so it is not a free commenting option.
  • Cloud-only deployment may not suit teams requiring self-hosting.
  • Email is the listed support channel, which may not fit teams needing live help.
  • 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.
Our verdict

For websites that need more than a basic comment box, Cackle combines an embeddable widget with tools for both commenters and moderators. Visitors can post nested replies, vote, report spam, and subscribe to email updates for comments and…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. CackleCommenting Systems 9.0Paid
  2. ArtalkCommenting Systems 8.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cackle — where it wins

    • Moderation supports approving, editing, deleting, rejecting, and banning.
    • Plugins cover WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Blogger, and Wix.
    • Search, analytics, activity logs, and spam protection aid moderators.

    Where it doesn't

    • It is a paid product, so it is not a free commenting option.
    • Cloud-only deployment may not suit teams requiring self-hosting.
    • Email is the listed support channel, which may not fit teams needing live help.

  • 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.

More comparisons

All commenting systems comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update