Schnack
Schnack: A focused, self-hosted commenting system with practical moderation and migration tools. Ranked #17 of 18 in Commenting Systems by our editors (7.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small self-hosted sites needing basic moderation.
At a glance
- Editor score7.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall self-hosted sites needing basic moderation
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Moderation toolsBasic
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Embed a lightweight JavaScript client on website pages
- Approve or reject comments and trust or block users
- Import WordPress and Disqus comment exports
Where it doesn't
- Operators must run the Node.js server themselves
- Moderation is basic rather than advanced
- No listed reactions, email notifications, or API access
Our verdict on Schnack
Schnack is an open-source commenting system for static websites and blogs, aimed at solo operators and small sites that want to manage comments on their own infrastructure. Operators run its Node.js server and embed a JavaScript client on their pages; visitors authenticate using configured third-party providers such as GitHub, Google, Twitter, or Facebook. Its focus is the core commenting and moderation workflow rather than a broad community-engagement suite.
Moderation covers approving or rejecting individual comments and marking users as trusted or blocked for automatic handling. Schnack can send notifications about comments awaiting moderation through web push, Slack, Pushover, or RSS. These options give site operators several ways to keep up with a queue without relying on email notifications. The product is positioned around basic moderation, so sites needing more advanced moderation controls should compare alternatives before choosing it.
Schnack also documents importing comment exports from WordPress and Disqus, which may help when moving an existing discussion archive. The interface wording can be customized and localized. The published details describe it as open-source and self-hosted, with web and self-hosted platforms listed; operators should be comfortable running the server themselves. Choose Schnack if you want an embeddable system, control over hosting, and a straightforward approval workflow, especially for a small site. Look elsewhere if reactions, email notifications, API access, or deeper moderation capabilities are requirements.
Your product? Our editors can test Schnack in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Schnack pricing
Schnack fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Moderation tools | Basic |
| SSO support | Not verified |
| Spam filtering | Yes |
| Comment reactions | Not verified |
| Email notifications | Not verified |
| Site limit | Not verified |
| API access | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 9 integrations: GitHub, Twitter, Google, Facebook, Mastodon, Slack … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | schnack.cool |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Schnack integrations
Schnack lists 9 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub
- Mastodon
- Slack
- Pushover
- WordPress
- Disqus
Alternatives to Schnack
- 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
- CackleA feature-rich cloud commenting system for CMS sites that need active moderation.9.0
See all Schnack alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
Schnack is listed in our Commenting Systems directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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