ReadTrack
Adds a reading progress bar and an estimated reading time above each single post.
Consider an alternative
ReadTrack shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. Was last updated 10 months ago, and scores 36/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where ReadTrack stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| estimated reading time | #84 |
| progress bar | >100 |
| Readability | >100 |
| reading time | >100 |
| ux | >100 |
About ReadTrack
From the official readme · v1.2Description
ReadTrack is a lightweight plugin that improves the user experience by displaying:
– ⏱️ Estimated reading time based on post word count
– 📊 A visual progress bar that fills as the reader scrolls
You can fully customize the text shown before the post using a settings page in the WordPress admin panel. The default template is:
⏱️ Estimated reading time: %minutes% min
Simply place %minutes% in your message to dynamically show the calculated reading time.
New in version 1.2:
– The plugin now uses the WordPress database (via get_option() / update_option()) instead of saving configuration to a file in the plugin folder.
– This ensures full compatibility with WordPress.org guidelines and multisite installations.
License
This plugin is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License v2 or later.
Installation
- Upload the plugin folder to the
/wp-content/plugins/directory, or install it via the WordPress Plugin Directory. - Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” menu in WordPress.
- Go to Settings > ReadTrack to customize the message.
- Make sure your theme supports
the_contentfilter (most do).
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the reading time label?
Yes! Just go to Settings > ReadTrack and enter your custom message. Use %minutes% where you want the number to appear.
Does it work with custom post types?
Currently, it only affects single blog posts (is_single()). You can modify the condition in readtrack_add_elements() if needed.
Is JavaScript required?
Yes, JavaScript is used to update the scroll progress bar in real time.
Changelog
1.2
- Configuration is now saved in the WordPress options table (no more writing to plugin files)
- Improved compatibility with WordPress.org plugin guidelines
1.1
- English translation of plugin code and admin panel
- First public version with settings page and config file
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best ReadTrack alternatives
All estimated reading time plugins →
FAQ
ReadTrack: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 14, 2026
Is ReadTrack free?
Yes. ReadTrack is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is ReadTrack safe to use in 2026?
ReadTrack shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. Was last updated 10 months ago, and scores 36/100 on our health check.
How many websites use ReadTrack?
ReadTrack is active on <10 WordPress websites and has been downloaded 682 times since it launched in July 2025. It was downloaded 62 times in the last 30 days.
Does ReadTrack work with WordPress 7.1?
ReadTrack is officially tested up to WordPress 6.8.11, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does ReadTrack need?
ReadTrack requires PHP 7.2 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was ReadTrack last updated?
The latest version, 1.2, was released on December 13, 2025 (10 months ago).
Who makes ReadTrack?
ReadTrack is developed and maintained by marcinfilipiak.
What are the best alternatives to ReadTrack?
The most popular alternatives to ReadTrack are Worth The Read (3K+ installs), WP Reading Progress (3K+ installs) and Sam Reading Time (70+ installs).
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