Disqus vs WordPress Comment System: Which Is Best To Use?

Disqus Comments is a feature-rich alternative solution to the default WordPress comment system. In this post, I will highlight both some pros and cons of using either platforms for your blog. I'll also share with you another awesome alternative to both of these plugins!

Around about 5 years ago, I made the decision to stop using the native WordPress comment system and switch over to Disqus.

I'll briefly explain the reasons why I made the change shortly, however, I should also highlight that at the time of updating this post, I'm no longer using Disqus.

For a while, I used another comment plugin called Thrive Comments which I'll talk more about shortly.

Read this before you change over to Disqus!

If you’re thinking about upgrading your blog comment system from the default to Disqus, first let me share with you some of the pros and cons of using either of the two commenting platforms.

Now, I am well aware of the downfalls of using a third-party commenting system plugin in WordPress.

Yes, Disqus may throw up some challenges for new users. And, it takes a bit of time to get used to, especially from a usability point of view.

And, yes, page response and loading time might increase ever so slightly, but I discovered that the benefits of using a plugin like Disqus immensely outweighed the downfalls.

Here are some of those benefits -

1. Better engagement

One of the things that I immediately noticed within a few weeks of adding Disqus on my blog was the level and depth of engagement.

As you know, engagement is often a critical component for the success of a blog, and I was so pleased to see the increased engagement.

Fewer spam comments

I can honestly say that immediately after installing Disqus, my spam problem came to an end.

Once again, I'm well aware that spam comments were probably still trying to get through somehow and somewhere. However, Disqus simply wasn't picking any of it up.

A few did slip through the net now and again, but this was nothing compared to before.

As I continued to moderate comments, whitelisting the ham, and blacklisting the spam, the platform started to recognize the pattern of what I considered to be fair comments and nasty comments.

Using Disqus over time improved the spam filtering, and eventually, I was able to let the plugin take care of the rest.

OK, so I've shared with you a few of the reasons why I subjectively loved using Disqus. All based, of course, on my personal experiences.

Now I want to share with you a list of other pros and cons of using either Disqus or the native WordPress comment system on your blog.

Pros of using the native WP comment system

Let's start with the default comment in WordPress and we'll kick off with the pros.

1. A basic and simple layout that is easy to use.
2. Encourages more people to comment with their email address and website URL. Getting a backlink from comments still seems to be important for some folks.
3. Features can be extended with the use of various third-party plugins (i.e. CommentLuv (outdated), GrowMap anti-spam (outdated), TwitterLink (outdated), and Akismet)
4. Comments are indexed by search engines.
5. Comments are responsive (mobile-friendly).
6. Comments are saved inside your WP database.

The cons of using native WP comment system

1. Invites a ton of spammy, poor quality comments, bots, and shameless link droppers.
2. Need to use various other additional plugins to add features that Disqus already has built-in. More plugins mean more burden on page load times and not to mention half those plugins are completely out of date!
3. No social media integration.
4. No comment highlight feature.
5. No conversion tools.
6. No customization options.
7. No comment rating feature.

Pros of using Disqus comment system

OK, so now let's dive into the pros and cons of using Disqus comments. Let's start with the good old pros.

1. Compatible with most web platforms.
2. Clean and professional looking.
3. Smart at detecting spam, no need for additional plugins (Since integrating Disqus on my blogs, spam has been almost non-existent.)
4. Integrates social media engagement into your blog, a very big plus point.
5. Built-in ‘reply to comment’ email notification.
6. Google indexing of comments.
7. Mobile responsive.
8. Comments are backed up to your WP database.
9. Users don't need to have a Gravatar account to use a Gravatar image! (I'm not entirely sure where it pulls your image from).
10. Other awesome built-in engagement features such as share comments, vote for comments, make a comment featured.
11. Related articles widget at bottom of comments to allow users to explore more of your content or should you prefer, other content from around the web.
12. Ability to monetize (Make money).
13. Have I missed anything out?
14. Oh, I almost forgot... Ability to upload and share images directly in the comments!
15. And the biggest plus point... it's so Free!!!

Cons of using Disqus Comment System

1. Very occasionally slows page loading, however, check out this amazing tutorial I found on TechGlimpse.
2. The fact that you have to register to leave a comment might frustrate and discourage some users, however, users can register with their social media profiles. (Disqus supports Twitter, Facebook or Google+)
3. Known errors with loading from time to time, this admittedly has frustrated me at the best of times on the rarest occasions.

Disqus vs WordPress Comment System, the verdict!

Changing from native WordPress comments to Disqus, or anything else, is a big decision to make, mostly if you’ve built up a large community on your blog where your audience is used to what you already have in place.

In an ideal situation, you might want to get their thoughts first before making such a drastic change.

You could send out an email asking for their thoughts on whether a change over to Disqus would benefit them at all.

Your readers will appreciate that a lot, and it will make them feel special that you include them in the decision making process.

Sure there are pros and cons of using a third-party comment system like Disqus, but recently, a lot of bloggers and website owners have been making the switch.

Of course, I'm not saying just because everyone else is switching over so should you, I'm saying that Disqus could work for you if you're considering it.

It’s a complete solution, but probably not the best alternative solution...

A great alternative to using either Disqus or the Native WordPress comments?

Now, I want to talk about a plugin that I started using a few years back called Thrive Comments (Affiliate link). Note that I'm no longer using Thrive Comments, and that is because, at the moment, I am not able to make it compatible with the theme builder plugin that I'm using for Magnet4Blogging, sadly.

In my opinion, Thrive Comments is the perfect alternative to both comment systems mentioned above.

Why do I think it's perfect?

Because Thrive Comments is a conversion-focused plugin, and you know how mad I and about conversion optimization! Plus, using it is a fabulous way to reward your readers for actually commenting on your blog.

Check out the short video below to learn more about Thrive Comments.

So, what are your thoughts?

Do let me know what's on your mind.

Are you currently using the default comment setup in WordPress? And, are you looking to switch to something like Disqus or anything else?

Maybe to a more conversion-focused comment system like Thrive Comments (Affiliate link)?

Perhaps you're already using Disqus right now! If you are, do let me know here how you're finding it and whether it has improved the engagement on your blog in any way!

The best of luck.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links to products or services that I use in my business and therefore recommend. This means if you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase of a product or service, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.