Need an OptinMonster Alternative? Comparing Features, Pricing & More

So, I’ve been using OptinMonster for about 6 months for my e-comm brand (Shopify-based). Overall, it worked decently, but as we scaled past 100K monthly pageviews, the pricing’s started to feel… heavy. :grimacing: I’m now paying $49/month for the Growth plan, but the lack of native email automation and the slightly dated UX are giving me second thoughts.

Looking for:

  • A better deal as traffic scales

  • Strong targeting rules (exit intent, geo, behavior)

  • Gamification popups (like spin-to-win)

  • Shopify-friendly

What’s your experience with Popupsmart, OptiMonk, Wisepops, or others? Would really appreciate honest pros and cons!

itsfonseca Totally get your frustration. I’m a UX designer, so usability is my jam—and I’ve tested a bunch of popup builders lately.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Popupsmart:

:white_check_mark: Super clean UI — doesn’t feel bloated
:white_check_mark: Has gamification (even on mid-tier plans!)
:white_check_mark: Free plan up to 5K pageviews, scales predictably
:white_check_mark: Built-in email automation for Shopify
:cross_mark: Fewer popup types than OptinMonster

OptiMonk:

:white_check_mark: Free plan up to 10K/month
:white_check_mark: Very strong on behavioral targeting
:white_check_mark: Good UI but a bit more click-heavy
:cross_mark: Branding on free version, pricing jumps big time after 100K views

Wisepops:

:white_check_mark: Enterprise-level targeting, personalization, and analytics
:white_check_mark: Great Shopify integrations
:cross_mark: Starts at $79/month and scales quickly

If you’re looking for budget + performance, Popupsmart wins IMO.

Just chiming in from a dev angle: I tested Popupsmart’s Shopify app integration for a client. Installation was smooth, no code needed, and we had a Lightbox popup running in under 20 mins.

Also worth noting: Popupsmart’s Teaser Popups are great UX-wise—they’re mini versions of a popup that sit quietly until clicked. Doesn’t interrupt the user but keeps engagement high.

I work with smaller Shopify stores in Germany, and testing budget-friendly tools is part of my job.

OptiMonk’s UI is smoother than OptinMonster’s, especially with exit-intent triggers. If you’re at 100K+ views, you’re better off with a tool that scales better.

For my clients, Popupsmart has been golden. Their $32.5 plan covers 50K views, supports 3 domains, and includes 1,000 emails. Compare that to OptinMonster where $49 only gets you 100K views on one domain. :exploding_head:

Great thread everyone!

If anyone’s wondering about real-life outcomes, I switched from OptinMonster to Popupsmart 3 months ago and saw:

  • +28% lift in conversions (thanks to better targeting)

  • Time-on-site improved (probably the teaser popups?)

  • Lower bounce rates on landing pages

I’m running an automotive ecomm store and targeting mobile traffic in the US, so I needed something lightweight. Popupsmart has been super fast-loading compared to others.

Ease of use matters A LOT.

I tried Claspo too — simple interface but lacks depth in targeting. So I ended up with OptiMonk, which was great at first, but once my traffic passed 10K/month, the pricing doubled. :weary_face:

Hey everyone :waving_hand: Just jumping in to clarify a few things as part of the Popupsmart team:

  • We do offer Spin-to-Win popups starting from the Basic plan. Here’s more on that: Gamification Features

  • Our pricing is based on pageviews, not just visits, and we never charge hidden fees for additional integrations.

  • Yes, you can manage multiple websites depending on your plan. E.g., 3 sites on Basic, up to 7 on Expert.

If anyone has setup questions or is wondering about how to transition from OptinMonster, feel free to tag me or check out our migration guide.