ShowTrust costs $4.99/mo.
These cost $0.
3 free alternatives to ShowTrust, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
ShowTrust vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $4.99/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Testimonials | free | GPL-2.0+ | Self-host | ★ $0 forever | ShowTrust vs Real Testimonials → |
| Shosay | free | proprietary, free | Hosted | ★ $0 forever | ShowTrust vs Shosay → |
| Strong Testimonials | free | GPL-2.0+ | Self-host | ★ $0 forever | ShowTrust vs Strong Testimonials → |
The picks
3 free to use · ranked by fit
- 01
Real Testimonials
freeGPL-2.0+Self-hostAnother WordPress route: forms, moderation, grids and sliders are free; video and the clever automation live upstairs.
The catch vs ShowTrustIt only becomes simple after you already run WordPress, and it lacks ShowTrust's hosted share link and agent-assisted installation on an arbitrary site.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Install and activate the plugin from WordPress Plugins → Add New
- setup
- It only works inside a self-hosted WordPress site, so a non-WordPress site first needs an entire WordPress installation
- your data
- Testimonials, form submissions and display settings live in the site's WordPress database; reviewer images and other uploaded media live in the WordPress media library
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 02
Shosay
freeproprietary, freeHostedUnlimited text, video and audio proof, imports, walls and 25-plus widgets; the bill is zero, the tiny Powered by pill is not.
The catch vs ShowTrustIt provides a generous hosted collector and widgets, but the free badge remains visible and installation, styling and site placement are still your responsibility.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webthey host it
- install
- Hosted signup, then paste an iframe/widget embed into the site
- setup
- You need permission to paste Shosay's embed code into the site, and every free widget carries a small Powered by Shosay pill
- your data
- Testimonials and account data live in Shosay's hosted PostgreSQL service, while uploaded images/media use Cloudflare R2; users can export their testimonials
- checked
- 2026-08-11
- 03
Strong Testimonials
freeGPL-2.0+Self-hostA WordPress-only form, moderation queue, grid, slider and widget; simple enough once you already own the WordPress problem.
The catch vs ShowTrustIt requires a self-hosted WordPress site and lacks ShowTrust's universal hosted collection link and done-for-you widget installation.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hostedself-host, real ops
- install
- Install and activate from WordPress Plugins → Add New
- setup
- It requires a self-hosted WordPress site; the free edition has one collection form and lacks built-in captcha, so public forms may need another anti-spam layer
- your data
- Testimonials and front-end form submissions live in the site's WordPress database; images use the site's WordPress media storage, and optional notification emails can contain submitted fields
- checked
- 2026-08-11
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · ShowTrust open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to ShowTrust?+
The top free alternative to ShowTrust is Real Testimonials (free). Another WordPress route: forms, moderation, grids and sliders are free; video and the clever automation live upstairs. Other popular ShowTrust replacements include Shosay, Strong Testimonials.
Can I self-host a free replacement for ShowTrust?+
Yes. Of the 3 free alternatives to ShowTrust, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Real Testimonials (GPL-2.0+), Strong Testimonials (GPL-2.0+).
How much does switching from ShowTrust to a free alternative save?+
ShowTrust starts at $4.99/month per seat ($60/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Real Testimonials saves $299 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own ShowTrust clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for ShowTrust is YES (the core loop fits in a weekend). A submission form, an approval queue, and a grid of cards you can embed elsewhere. There is no algorithm here and no network effect · an agent will produce a working version in one sitting, same as it will for the $25 and $29 tools in this category. The catch is the same one Eloqra has: the hosted version is free for a single site, with no cap on testimonials, so you'd be spending a weekend and a hosting bill to replace zero dollars. Worth building if you want the data on your own box or you enjoy the exercise. Not worth building to save money, because there isn't any to save.
What is the catch when switching from ShowTrust to Real Testimonials?+
It only becomes simple after you already run WordPress, and it lacks ShowTrust's hosted share link and agent-assisted installation on an arbitrary site.
