# LobbyChat

> LobbyChat has 20+ active installs and 129 downloads in the last 30 days. Health score 56/100, keyword rankings, version adoption and the best alternatives.

**Verdict: Use with caution.** LobbyChat works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 3 months ago, and scores 56/100 on our health check.

**A live, casual shoutbox for your community. Real-time messages, emoji reactions, link previews, moderator tools, optional AI bot.**

## Key facts

- **Overall rank:** —
- **Active installs:** 20+
- **Total downloads:** 515
- **Downloads (30 days):** 129 (+95.5% vs previous 30 days)
- **Rating:** No ratings yet
- **Health score:** 56/100 (Fair)
- **Version:** 1.2.2
- **Last updated:** Jun 26, 2026
- **Tested up to:** WordPress 7.0.6
- **Requires:** WordPress 5.8+, PHP 7.2+
- **Support resolved:** 1 of 1 threads (last 2 months)
- **Developer:** Asad Khalil (https://pageforge.pro/directory/authors/jauntymellifluous/)
- **WordPress.org:** https://wordpress.org/plugins/lobbychat/

## Category rankings

| Category | Rank | Plugins |
|---|---|---|
| [chat](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/chat/) | >100 | 638 |
| [comments](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/comments/) | >100 | 1,014 |
| [community](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/community/) | #44 | 127 |
| [live chat](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/live-chat/) | >100 | 632 |
| [shoutbox](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tag/shoutbox/) | #2 | 7 |

## WordPress.org search positions

| Keyword | Position | Results |
|---|---|---|
| chat | >100 | 4,051 |
| comments | >100 | 8,907 |
| community | >100 | 3,552 |
| live chat | >100 | 2,405 |
| shoutbox | #4 | 11 |

## Version adoption

- 1.2: 100%

## Alternatives

| # | Name | Active installs | Rating | Updated | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Joinchat – Enhanced "click to chat"](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/creame-whatsapp-me/) | 700K+ | 4.7/5 (189) | Sep 22, 2026 | 97/100 |
| 2 | [Floating Chat Widget: Contact Chat Icons, Telegram Chat, Line Messenger, WeChat, Email, SMS, Call Button – Chaty](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/chaty/) | 300K+ | 5/5 (1,242) | Sep 29, 2026 | 97/100 |
| 3 | [Tidio – Live Chat & AI Chatbots](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/tidio-live-chat/) | 70K+ | 4.8/5 (395) | Sep 1, 2026 | 90/100 |
| 4 | [Facebook Chat Plugin – Live Chat Plugin for WordPress](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/facebook-messenger-customer-chat/) | 70K+ | 3.5/5 (302) | Jul 5, 2022 | 41/100 |
| 5 | [Buttonizer – Live Chat, AI Chatbot, Call, Chat, Contact Button](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/button-contact-vr/) | 50K+ | 5/5 (23) | Sep 21, 2026 | 91/100 |
| 6 | [Simple Chat Button](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/simple-chat-button/) | 40K+ | 4.8/5 (15) | Aug 21, 2026 | 81/100 |
| 7 | [Chatway Live Chat – AI Chatbot, Customer Support, FAQ & Helpdesk Customer Service & Chat Buttons](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/chatway-live-chat/) | 30K+ | 5/5 (762) | Sep 29, 2026 | 95/100 |
| 8 | [Echo Knowledge Base – Documentation, FAQs, Chat & Smart Search](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/echo-knowledge-base/) | 10K+ | 4.9/5 (123) | Oct 4, 2026 | 94/100 |
| 9 | [Word Balloon](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/word-balloon/) | 10K+ | 5/5 (8) | Aug 22, 2026 | 81/100 |
| 10 | [Zendesk Chat](https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/zopim-live-chat/) | 10K+ | 4/5 (27) | Aug 20, 2020 | 42/100 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is LobbyChat free?
Yes. LobbyChat is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.

### Is LobbyChat safe to use in 2026?
LobbyChat works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 20+ sites and was last updated 3 months ago, and scores 56/100 on our health check.

### How many websites use LobbyChat?
LobbyChat is active on 20+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 515 times since it launched in May 2026. It was downloaded 129 times in the last 30 days.

### Does LobbyChat work with WordPress 7.1?
LobbyChat is officially tested up to WordPress 7.0.6, while the latest release is 7.1.2. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.

### What PHP version does LobbyChat need?
LobbyChat requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.

### When was LobbyChat last updated?
The latest version, 1.2.2, was released on June 26, 2026 (3 months ago).

### Who makes LobbyChat?
LobbyChat is developed and maintained by Asad Khalil.

### What are the best alternatives to LobbyChat?
The most popular alternatives to LobbyChat are Joinchat (700K+ installs), Floating Chat Widget: Conta… (300K+ installs) and Tidio (70K+ installs).


---
Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/plugins/lobbychat/ · Generated 2026-10-06 05:55 UTC by PageForge