Best private message plugins for WordPress
The most popular private message plugins for WordPress in November 2026, in WordPress.org’s own popular order, which follows active installs. Better Messages leads with 10K+ active installs, ahead of Front End PM (4K+) and Front End PM (100+). All 8 plugins tagged “private message” are below, with figures from WordPress.org that update every day.
Installs aren’t everything: a recent release, a “Tested up to” that matches the current WordPress, and support threads that get resolved show a plugin is looked after. Open any plugin for its downloads, rank history and alternatives.
Research this niche or see all plugins.
Top 7 private message plugins
- 1.
Better MessagesThe most installed private message plugin, with 10K+ active installs. Rated 4.8 from 142 reviews, updated 2 days ago.
- 2.
Front End PM4K+ active installs. Rated 4.8 from 220 reviews, updated 3 weeks ago.
- 3.
Front End PM100+ active installs. Only 4 reviews so far, last updated 7 years ago. Tested only up to WordPress 5.2.30.
- 4.
BuddyPress Messaging Control60+ active installs. Only 2 reviews so far, last updated 2 years ago. Tested only up to WordPress 6.6.11.
- 5.
BuddyPress Restrict Messages60+ active installs. Rated 5.0 from 7 reviews, last updated 2 years ago. Tested only up to WordPress 6.6.11.
- 6.
BuddyPress Private Messages for Friends Only30+ active installs. Only 3 reviews so far, last updated 16 years ago.
- 7.
BuddyPress Private Messages for Followers Only10+ active installs. Only 1 review so far, last updated 16 years ago.
All 8 plugins tagged “private message”
Better Messages
Down in the last 7 days:9#1,962by wordplus2 days ago
Real-time messaging and chat rooms for WordPress ecosystem: private conversations, public and private chat rooms, video & audio calls, and more.
- Installs
- 10K+
- Rating
- 4.8(142)
- Downloads
- 625/day
Front End PM
Down in the last 7 days:7#3,352by Shamim Hasan27 days ago
Front End PM is a Private Messaging system and a secure contact form to your WordPress site.This is full functioning messaging system from front end.
- Installs
- 4K+
- Rating
- 4.8(220)
- Downloads
- 56/day
Front End PM
Down in the last 7 days:97#13,969by Shamim Hasan7 years ago
Front End PM extension to integrate with Ultimate Member
- Installs
- 100+
- Rating
- 4.8(4)
- Downloads
- 0/day
BuddyPress Messaging Control
Down in the last 7 days:159#19,614by Venutius2 years ago
This plugin is a Swiss Army Knife for messaging, It allows the site admin to place restrictions on public and private messages including general rules …
- Installs
- 60+
- Rating
- 5.0(2)
- Downloads
- 0/day
BuddyPress Restrict Messages
Down in the last 7 days:184#19,955by Venutius2 years ago
This plugin allows the site admin to restrict who can send private messages or to enable the users to choose themselves.
- Installs
- 60+
- Rating
- 5.0(7)
- Downloads
- 0/day
BuddyPress Private Messages for Friends Only
Down in the last 7 days:54#25,046by r-a-y16 years ago
This plugin only allows friends and site administrators to send private messages on your BuddyPress site.
- Installs
- 30+
- Rating
- 5.0(3)
- Downloads
- 3/day
BuddyPress Private Messages for Followers Only
Down in the last 7 days:104#48,212by r-a-y16 years ago
Allow members to send private messages only if the recipient is following them. Requires the BuddyPress Followers plugin.
- Installs
- 10+
- Rating
- 5.0(1)
- Downloads
- 0/day