# Better Messages vs Buddypress Sidebar

> Better Messages vs Buddypress Sidebar compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Better Messages comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Buddypress Sidebar.

**Better Messages comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Buddypress Sidebar.** Choose Better Messages if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Buddypress Sidebar if you care most about download trend.

| | Better Messages – Chat Rooms, Group Chat, Private Messages & AI Chat Bots | Buddypress Sidebar |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10K+ ✅ | 20+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 46.9K ✅ | 60 |
| Download trend | +33% | +57.9% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | — |
| Reviews | 142 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 93/100 ✅ | 24/100 |
| Last updated | 1 week ago ✅ | 16 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 ✅ | WP 3.1.4 |
| Support resolved | 100% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | Any |
| First released | Jan 2017 | Aug 2010 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Better Messages or Buddypress Sidebar?
Better Messages comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Buddypress Sidebar. Choose Better Messages if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Buddypress Sidebar if you care most about download trend.

### Is Better Messages more popular than Buddypress Sidebar?
Better Messages is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 20+ for Buddypress Sidebar.

### Can I use Better Messages and Buddypress Sidebar together?
Both plugins cover buddypress, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.

### Are Better Messages and Buddypress Sidebar free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/bp-better-messages-vs-buddypress-sidebar/ · Generated 2026-10-15 13:05 UTC by PageForge