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Head-to-head · Commenting Systems

Cackle vs Waline

  • 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
Waline #8 in Commenting Systems 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Waline

Cackle leads on 0 checks, Waline 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 Waline
  • Most featuresCackle · 5 of 5

Cackle scores higher on our rubric for commenting systems: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Cackle is the better fit for CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics. Waline is the better fit for free self-hosters needing rich moderation and notifications.

  • Cackle fits best

    CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics

  • 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 Cackle 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Waline 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #3 in Commenting Systems #8 in Commenting Systems
Best for CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics Free self-hosters needing rich moderation and notifications
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free plan
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email Docs, Community
Built for Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Cackle 5/5 · Waline 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.
  • 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
  • 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 requires managing backend and database infrastructure
  • Support is centered on documentation and community channels
  • Moderation and notification options may require deliberate configuration
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 →

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. CackleCommenting Systems 9.0Paid
  2. WalineCommenting Systems 8.5Free 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.

  • 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