Cackle
Cackle: A feature-rich cloud commenting system for CMS sites that need active moderation. Ranked #3 of 18 in Commenting Systems by our editors (9.0/10); pricing: Paid; best for CMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics.
At a glance
- Editor score9.0 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forCMS sites needing moderation and comment analytics
- Moderation toolsAdvanced
- Founded2011
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
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.
Our verdict on Cackle
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 replies. Site owners and moderators can approve, reject, edit, or delete comments, and ban users. That breadth makes it a fit for small and mid-market teams running discussions on CMS-based sites, especially when active moderation and analytics are priorities.
Installation can happen through plugins for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Blogger, Wix, 1C-Bitrix, DLE, and InstantCMS, or through a universal JavaScript widget. The web and API platforms support a cloud deployment, while the documented API allows customization and integrations. Site-user SSO is supported, alongside social sign-in. For moderation work, full-text and fuzzy comment search, moderator activity logs, and analytics complement real-time review actions. Akismet support and Google reCAPTCHA are also listed among its integrations; media options include image uploads and embedded video or presentations.
Cackle is paid, with a free demo; the available pricing information does not establish current plan prices, so buyers should confirm costs with the vendor before choosing. Its feature set leans toward managing and extending a website comment system rather than providing a broader publishing platform. Teams that want CMS integrations, configurable pagination, voting, and tools to track discussion activity may find that scope useful. The trade-offs are a cloud-only deployment and email support, which may not suit organizations that require self-hosting or live assistance. Sites seeking a simple, free commenting option should look elsewhere; teams prepared for a paid cloud service should assess Cackle against their moderation workflow and integration needs.
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Cackle pricing
Cackle fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Moderation tools | Advanced |
| SSO support | Yes |
| Spam filtering | Yes |
| Comment reactions | Yes |
| Email notifications | Yes |
| Site limit | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 10 integrations: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Blogger, Wix, 1C-Bitrix … |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | cackle.me |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Cackle integrations
Cackle lists 10 integrations on its own site.
- WordPress
- Joomla
- Drupal
- Blogger
- Wix
- 1C-Bitrix
- DLE
- InstantCMS
- Akismet
- Google reCAPTCHA
Alternatives to Cackle
- DisqusA broad commenting platform with deep moderation, analytics and traffic-based plans.9.4
- CoralA publisher-focused commenting system with flexible deployment and detailed moderation controls.9.2
- ArtalkA free, configurable commenting system for developers prepared to manage deployment.8.9
Cackle vs the competition
- Cackle vs Disqus
- Cackle vs Coral
- Cackle vs Artalk
- Cackle vs OpenWeb
- Cackle vs Viafoura
- Cackle vs Hyvor Talk
Compare Cackle with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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