Widgets Pricing Tutorials Blog Log In Start Free

Alternatives / Smash Balloon

The best Smash Balloon alternatives for any website

Smash Balloon's Instagram plugin runs on WordPress only. If you are leaving WordPress, or want to pay by the month, these tools use embed code that works on any site.

Create your free widget See the comparison

Prices and limits checked on each vendor's own website on 13 October 2026. SnapWidget makes this page, and we list SnapWidget first.

What is the best Smash Balloon alternative?

SnapWidget is the best Smash Balloon alternative if you are leaving WordPress or want monthly billing: our code works on any site from $8/mo, with Shoppable Images on every paid plan and hashtag widgets on Pro ($14/mo). Elfsight starts at $6/mo, and Juicer and Curator.io offer a WordPress plugin too. Keep Smash Balloon if your site stays on WordPress.

The best Smash Balloon alternatives in 2026, ranked

  1. 1

    SnapWidget

    Best for moving off WordPress with monthly billing

    SnapWidget works on any site that accepts embed code, including WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Shopify and Webflow, so a site move does not mean a new tool. Our paid plans bill monthly from $8/mo, with hashtag and tagged-post widgets on Pro ($14/mo). Facebook, TikTok and YouTube widgets come in the same plans, with no separate product to buy.

    Free plan
    Yes. Instagram and Facebook widgets, no view limit
    Paid plans
    Lite $8/mo, Pro $14/mo, Developer $99/mo. 14-day free trial
    Works on
    Any website that accepts embed code (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Webflow and more)
    • Monthly billing from $8/mo
    • Works on any site, not only WordPress
    • Shoppable Images on every paid plan
    • No WordPress plugin; you paste embed code into a block
    • Lite includes 1 pro widget
    Try SnapWidget free
  2. 2

    Elfsight

    Best for the lowest monthly price

    Elfsight's Instagram Feed works on any site through embed code and names WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace and Webflow among others. Basic costs $6/mo billed monthly for 3 widgets and 5,000 views. Accounts and hashtags both count as sources, so hashtag feeds are on every plan.

    Free plan
    Yes. 1 widget, 200 views/mo, Elfsight branding
    Paid plans
    From $6/mo (Basic, 5,000 views/mo). $5/mo billed yearly
    Works on
    Embed code on any website
    • $6/mo billed monthly, or $5/mo billed yearly
    • Hashtag feeds on every plan, free included
    • The widget hides when the monthly view limit is reached
    • The feed refreshes every 48 hours
  3. 3

    Juicer

    Best for a WordPress plugin plus embed code for other sites

    Juicer has an official WordPress plugin and embed code for other sites, including Shopify, Squarespace, Wix and Webflow. Lite costs $15/mo billed monthly for 3 sources and 5,000 views, with a 60-minute refresh. It mixes Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and other sources in one feed.

    Free plan
    Yes. 1 source, 300 views/mo, Juicer branding
    Paid plans
    From $15/mo (Lite, 5,000 views/mo). $13.50/mo billed yearly
    Works on
    Embed code on any website, plus a WordPress plugin
    • Official WordPress plugin and embed code
    • $13.50/mo when billed yearly by card
    • The free plan allows 300 views a month
    • Instagram mentions need Pro ($99/mo)
  4. 4

    Curator.io

    Best for WordPress users who want a free plan with 3 sources

    Curator.io offers a WordPress plugin and HTML embed code for other sites. The free plan includes 3 sources and 2,000 views a month. Pro costs $25/mo billed monthly for 5 sources, 15,000 views and updates every 60 minutes.

    Free plan
    Yes. 3 sources, 2,000 views/mo, "Powered by Curator" link
    Paid plans
    From $25/mo (Pro, 15,000 views/mo). $23/mo billed yearly
    Works on
    Embed code on any website, plus a WordPress plugin
    • WordPress plugin and embed code
    • Lists Instagram mentions and tagged collab posts as sources
    • The free plan shows a "Powered by Curator" link
    • Shoppable Posts is a paid add-on with no listed price
  5. 5

    Behold

    Best for developers and Klaviyo email feeds

    Behold works on any site through an embed widget, and also gives you a JSON feed for your own code and, on Pro, Klaviyo email feeds. On WordPress, you paste its code into a Custom HTML block. Starter costs $12/mo billed monthly; the pricing page shows the yearly price ($10/mo) by default.

    Free plan
    Yes. 1 feed, 6 posts, 1,200 views/mo, logo on hover
    Paid plans
    From $12/mo (Starter, 15,000 views/mo). $10/mo billed yearly
    Works on
    Embed code on any website, a JSON feed and Klaviyo emails
    • JSON feed for your own code
    • Pro and Business update every 5 minutes
    • The free plan shows 6 posts and pauses at 1,200 views until the next month
    • Hashtag feeds need an advanced source
  6. 6

    LightWidget

    Best for paying once, not every year

    LightWidget is an Instagram widget you embed with an iframe, with install guides for WordPress, Shopify and Drupal. The Upgraded add-on is a $15 one-time payment per widget, with 30-minute updates and HTTPS support. No option has a view limit or a LightWidget logo.

    Free plan
    Yes. Unlimited views, no logo, does not work on HTTPS sites
    Paid plans
    $15 one-time per widget (Upgraded add-on)
    Works on
    Embed code (iframe) on any site that supports iframes
    • $15 one time per widget
    • No view limit and no logo
    • The free widget does not work on HTTPS websites
    • Instagram only; hashtags work only as a filter

How does SnapWidget compare with Smash Balloon?

Feature SnapWidget Smash Balloon
Free plan Yes. Hosted Instagram and Facebook widgets Yes. Free WordPress plugin, no hashtag feeds
Cheapest paid plan Lite, $8/mo billed monthly (1 pro widget) Basic, $49 for the first year, then $98/yr (1 website)
Billing Monthly Yearly only
Works on Any website that accepts embed code WordPress only
Networks Instagram and Facebook. TikTok and YouTube on paid plans Instagram. Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X are separate plugins
Hashtag feeds Pro ($14/mo) and Developer ($99/mo) Plus and up ($99 for the first year, then $198/yr)
Tagged posts Pro and Developer Elite and up ($149 for the first year, then $298/yr)
Shoppable posts Shoppable Images on every paid plan Elite and up, with a link from the Instagram caption
Refresh rate Free every 15 minutes, paid every 5 minutes You set the cache interval in the plugin
Trial or refund 14-day free trial on every paid plan Money-back guarantee: 14 days on the pricing page, 30 days on the product page

Bottom line: Smash Balloon fits a site that stays on WordPress, and its free plugin runs on your own site. SnapWidget works on any website and bills monthly from $8/mo, while Smash Balloon bills yearly and starts hashtag feeds at $99 for the first year, then $198 a year.

Checked on 13 October 2026. Prices are in US dollars, billed monthly. See the sources at the end of the page.

Why do people switch from Smash Balloon?

People switch from Smash Balloon because it works on WordPress only and bills once a year, with renewals at full price. Hashtag and shoppable feeds on higher plans, and a separate plugin for each network, are the other reasons.

It works on WordPress only
Smash Balloon's FAQ says its plugins are built for WordPress and do not work on other platforms. A move to Wix, Squarespace, Shopify or Webflow means a new feed tool.
Yearly billing, full price after year one
Plans bill once a year. The prices shown are 50% off for the first year, and Smash Balloon says all renewals are at full price, so Basic goes from $49 to $98 a year.
Hashtag and shoppable feeds are on higher plans
Hashtag feeds start at Plus ($99 for the first year). Tagged and shoppable feeds start at Elite ($149 for the first year). Basic covers user feeds on 1 website.
One plugin per network
The Instagram plugin covers Instagram. Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and X feeds are separate Pro plugins, sold together in the All Access Bundle ($299 for the first year).

How do I switch from Smash Balloon to SnapWidget?

Create a SnapWidget widget, paste our embed code into a Custom HTML block where the Smash Balloon feed was, then deactivate the plugin.

  1. 1

    Create your SnapWidget widget

    Sign up, choose a layout and connect your Instagram account. For hashtag or tagged-post widgets, connect through Facebook with an Instagram Business account linked to a Facebook Page.

  2. 2

    Copy the embed code

    Click Get Widget and copy the whole code. It has a stylesheet line, a script and an iframe.

  3. 3

    Replace the feed in WordPress

    Edit the page, remove the Smash Balloon feed block or shortcode, and paste the SnapWidget code into a Custom HTML block. In the classic editor, paste it in the Text tab. Update the page.

  4. 4

    Deactivate the plugin

    When the new feed shows on the live page, deactivate and delete the Smash Balloon plugin under Plugins. If you move the site off WordPress later, paste the same code into the new site.

Frequently asked questions

SnapWidget and Curator.io are the best free Smash Balloon alternatives, because both free plans work on any website, not only WordPress. Our free widgets show Instagram or Facebook posts, refresh every 15 minutes and have no view limit, but their photos open a SnapWidget page. Curator.io's free plan includes 3 sources and 2,000 views a month, with a "Powered by Curator" link. Smash Balloon's own free plugin works on WordPress only and has no hashtag feeds.

Smash Balloon is better if your site will stay on WordPress and you want a plugin; SnapWidget is better if you want monthly billing or may move off WordPress. Smash Balloon runs inside WordPress, with a free plugin and paid plans billed yearly from $49 for the first year. We have no plugin: you paste our embed code into a Custom HTML block, and the same code works if you move to Wix, Squarespace or Shopify. Our hashtag widgets are on Pro at $14/mo, and Smash Balloon hashtag feeds start at $99 for the first year.

No. Smash Balloon's FAQ says its plugins are built for WordPress and do not work on other platforms. SnapWidget, Elfsight, Juicer, Curator.io, Behold and LightWidget all use embed code that works outside WordPress.

With SnapWidget, yes: every plan bills monthly, from $8/mo for Lite. Smash Balloon sells yearly plans only. Elfsight, Juicer, Curator.io and Behold also list monthly prices.

Hashtag feeds start at the Plus plan: $99 for the first year, then $198 a year, for up to 5 websites. SnapWidget hashtag widgets are on Pro, at $14/mo billed monthly.

Yes. Shoppable Images are on every paid plan, from $8/mo. On Smash Balloon, shoppable feeds start at Elite ($149 for the first year) and link from a URL in the Instagram caption.

No. SnapWidget has no plugin. You paste the embed code into a Custom HTML block, or into the Text tab of the classic editor. If your widget uses the lightbox, our WordPress guide shows the CSS to add so it keeps working.

More comparisons

Sources (checked 13 October 2026)

Ready to grow your Instagram audience? Get your widget today.

Create your widget