AI Summary
You set up the sale and the discount is live, but nothing on the page tells visitors the offer has a deadline.
Of the seven WordPress countdown timer plugins below, OptinMonster is the best pick for urgency campaigns because it builds the timer into popups and floating bars with exit-intent targeting.
SeedProd is the easiest way to put a countdown on a coming soon or landing page, and HurryTimer is the strongest free option when you want a dedicated timer with evergreen countdowns.
WooCommerce stores should look at Countix, which follows the sale dates you already set on each product. My Sticky Bar fits a sitewide banner that stays on screen as visitors scroll.
Here’s how they compare at a glance, and then a closer look at each one, along with other options.
| Plugin | Best For | Timer Types | WooCommerce | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OptinMonster | All-around urgency campaigns | Static + Evergreen | Yes (with display rules) | From $37/mo (billed annually) |
| SeedProd | Landing and coming soon pages | Static + Evergreen | No | From $39.50/yr (all plans) |
| HurryTimer | Free evergreen and WooCommerce timers | Static + Evergreen | Yes | Free (Lite), Pro from $39/yr |
| Countdown Builder | Flip clock and circle timer styles | Static | Yes | Free, paid upgrades available |
| Countix Sales Countdown Timer | WooCommerce product pages | Static (free), Evergreen (pro) | Yes | Free, Premium from $29 |
| My Sticky Bar (myStickymenu) | Sticky bar countdown banners | Static | No | Free, paid from $49/yr |
| LightStart | Maintenance and coming soon pages | Static (free), Evergreen (paid) | No | Free, paid upgrades available |
Best WordPress Countdown Timer Plugins (2026)
1. OptinMonster
You might know OptinMonster as one of the best lead generation tools for WordPress, but its countdown timer feature is one of the strongest in the space.
If you want a timer that does more than just count down, one that actually plugs into a full conversion campaign with popup plugins, floating bars, slide-ins, and exit-intent triggers, OptinMonster is the answer.
You get two timer types. Static timers count down to a fixed date and time that every visitor sees (think end-of-sale deadlines).
Evergreen timers are visitor-specific, so each person gets their own countdown from the moment they land on the page, which is perfect for “this offer expires in 30 minutes” urgency.
What sets OptinMonster apart is the campaign layer around the timer. You can target timers by page, referral source, scroll depth, or exit intent, and pair them with lead capture forms, discount wheel popup plugins, and custom CTAs.
The drag-and-drop builder makes setup fast, and the A/B testing feature lets you test different timer placements against each other.
Key Features
- Timer types: Static and evergreen countdown timers with cookie and IP detection
- Display options: Floating bars, popups, inline widgets, slide-ins, fullscreen welcome mats
- Targeting rules: Page-level, device, referral source, scroll depth, exit-intent, and more
- A/B testing: Built-in split testing for timer campaigns
- Integrations: Connects with all major email marketing platforms and CRMs
Pricing
You can start OptinMonster free with Basic features and 500 impression credits, but countdown timers require the Pro plan or higher. Pro is $37/month billed annually ($444 for the first year), then renews at $870/year.
2. SeedProd
SeedProd is a drag-and-drop WordPress page builder, and its countdown timer block is one of the cleanest on this list.
If you are building a coming soon page, a maintenance page, or any landing page that needs a visible deadline, SeedProd handles it well.
The setup is genuinely quick. Pick a template (or start from scratch), drag the countdown block onto the page, set your date and time, and customize the colors and typography to match your brand.
We had a working countdown on a coming soon page in under five minutes, including the time to style it.
SeedProd supports both static and evergreen timers, and the builder gives you full control over how the timer looks.
Beyond timers, you get a full page builder with theme design capabilities, a dedicated maintenance mode feature, and distraction-free form landing pages that pair well with timer-driven offers.
If you already use SeedProd for landing pages, the timer block is a natural add. But if all you need is a countdown widget and you don’t need a page builder, SeedProd is more tool than the job requires.
Key Features
- Timer types: Static and evergreen countdowns
- Builder: Full drag-and-drop page builder with 350+ templates
- Coming soon mode: Dedicated coming soon and maintenance mode pages
- Styling: Complete control over typography, colors, and layout
- Page types: Landing pages, 404 pages, login pages, and full theme design
Pricing
The countdown block is included on every SeedProd plan, so you don’t need a top tier to use it.
Pricing starts at $39.50/year for the Basic license, with Plus, Pro, and Elite tiers ($99.50, $199.50, and $239.60/year) adding more sites and page-building features.
These are introductory prices, and renewals are at full price.
3. HurryTimer
HurryTimer is a purpose-built urgency and scarcity countdown plugin, and that focus shows.
Where OptinMonster and SeedProd are broader tools with timer features built in, HurryTimer is a countdown timer plugin in its own right, and it does that one job really well.
The free Lite version is surprisingly capable, giving you evergreen timers that track each visitor by cookie or IP plus fixed-date timers that run between a start and end date.
Expiry actions and a CTA button are free too, and eight ready-made themes mean you don’t have to style the timer from scratch.
The builder is intuitive, and the emphasis on urgency techniques like deadline messaging gives you options that general-purpose tools skip.
For WooCommerce store owners running time-limited sales, HurryTimer is especially strong because the timer sits right on the product page. When it hits zero, HurryTimer can hide the Add to Cart button so the deal actually ends.
Key Features
- Timer types: Static and evergreen with cookie and IP detection
- WooCommerce integration: Product-page timers that can hide the Add to Cart button at zero
- Expiry actions: Hide the timer, show a custom message, or redirect to a URL
- Recurring timers (Pro): Daily, weekly, or monthly deals that reset on schedule
- CTAs: Add call-to-action buttons directly on any timer
Pricing
Most features are included in HurryTimer Lite (free), and Pro starts at $39/year for one site if you need recurring timers or a sticky countdown bar. Pro also unlocks Black Friday and Cyber Monday timer themes.
4. Countdown Builder
Countdown Builder is a straightforward timer plugin that gives you a decent range of options without much complexity. There is a slight learning curve compared to the drag-and-drop builders higher on this list, but it doesn’t take long to get comfortable.
You can set display rules to control where timers appear, schedule timers to start at a future date, configure expiry behavior, and connect with WooCommerce for product-level countdowns.
Styling starts from built-in timer types like flip clock and circle countdowns, and custom CSS and JS fields cover anything the presets don’t.
You can add text before and after the timer, which is useful for framing the urgency (“Sale ends in” above the digits, “Don’t miss out” below).
If you want to compare options, Countdown Timer Ultimate and Evergreen Countdown Timer are separate free plugins that take a similar approach.
Key Features
- Timer types: Static countdowns (evergreen requires upgrade)
- Display rules: Control where and when timers appear
- Scheduling: Set timers to start at a future date
- WooCommerce support: Basic product-page countdown integration
- Timer styles: Circle, flip clock, digital, and sticky countdowns, plus custom CSS and JS
Pricing
Countdown Builder is free on WordPress.org (4.7/5 stars, 183 reviews). Paid upgrades are available for additional features.
5. WooCommerce Sales Countdown Timer (Now Countix)
WooCommerce Sales Countdown Timer (now called Countix Sales Countdown Timer) is built specifically for WooCommerce shop and product pages. It’s designed for countdowns tied to product sales, limited-time offers, or stock-level urgency on a store.
The free version includes a shortcodes countdown timer that works outside of WooCommerce too, which gives you basic timer functionality on any page.
But the real value is in the WooCommerce integration, where you can show customers when sales begin and end, display remaining stock quantities, and create urgency campaigns designed to move product.
Creating evergreen countdowns requires the pro version, so the free tier is limited to static (fixed-date) timers.
The paid version also adds a checkout countdown, which can offer free shipping or a discount until the timer hits zero. At $29 for six months, it’s still a modest upgrade next to the tools higher on this list.
Key Features
- WooCommerce-native: Built specifically for shop and product pages
- Sale timers: Show when sales or campaigns begin and end
- Stock urgency: Display remaining quantities to create scarcity
- Shortcode timer: Basic countdown available outside WooCommerce (free)
- Evergreen (Pro): Visitor-specific countdowns available in the premium version
Pricing
The free version covers the shortcode timer and the WooCommerce product and shop page timers. Premium costs $29 for a six-month license or $49 for a year on one site, and it adds the checkout countdown.
6. myStickymenu (Now My Sticky Bar)
myStickymenu (now called My Sticky Bar) is primarily a sticky header and announcement bar plugin, but it includes a countdown timer feature that works well for site-wide sale banners.
If you specifically want a countdown that lives in a sticky bar at the top or bottom of the screen (the kind that follows visitors as they scroll), My Sticky Bar handles that pattern cleanly.
The styling options are solid. You get modern designs, color controls, and layout options that let you match the sticky bar to your site’s branding. The focus is on creating visible, ever-present urgency rather than page-specific timer widgets.
The trade-off is that countdown timers are only available on paid plans, not the free version. And since the plugin’s primary purpose is sticky menus and announcement bars, the timer functionality is one feature inside a broader tool rather than the main event.
Key Features
- Sticky bar format: Countdown timers in a fixed-position bar that follows the visitor
- Design options: Modern templates with color, font, and layout controls
- Announcement bars: Combine countdown timers with promotional messages and CTAs
- Visibility rules: Control which pages show the bar
- Mobile responsive: Sticky bars and timers adapt to mobile screens
Pricing
Free version available for sticky menu features. Countdown timers require a paid plan starting at $49/year (with 2-year and lifetime licenses also available).
7. LightStart
LightStart is a drag-and-drop page builder that focuses on splash, maintenance, coming soon, and landing pages. If you need a countdown timer for a coming soon page, LightStart gives you the page and the timer in one plugin.
Setup is quick, and the templates make it even faster. LightStart is powered by Otter Blocks, so you can also add countdown blocks directly in the WordPress block editor without using LightStart’s builder at all. Static countdown timers are included in the free plan, which makes this a solid zero-cost option for a basic launch countdown.
The free version handles the basics, but styling options are limited. Evergreen and interval countdowns require an upgrade, so the free tier is really just for fixed-date timers on maintenance or coming soon pages. For a broader countdown timer solution, you will want one of the higher-ranked picks.
Key Features
- Page types: Maintenance mode, coming soon, splash pages, and landing pages
- Block editor support: Add countdown blocks via Otter Blocks in the Gutenberg editor
- Templates: Pre-built page templates for quick setup
- Static timers: Free countdown timer for fixed-date countdowns
- Evergreen (paid): Visitor-specific and interval timers available on paid plans
Pricing
The countdown block is available in the free version of LightStart (4.3/5 stars, 874 reviews on WordPress.org). Paid plans available for evergreen timers and advanced styling.
FAQs About WordPress Countdown Timer Plugins
WordPress countdown timers bring up a lot of the same questions. Here are the ones I see most often.
What is a countdown timer plugin in WordPress?
A countdown timer plugin adds a visible timer to your WordPress site that counts down to a specific date, time, or visitor-triggered deadline.
Most plugins let you display timers as inline widgets, floating bars, popups, or directly on product pages.
Can I add a countdown timer to WordPress for free?
Yes. HurryTimer Lite, Countdown Builder, and LightStart all offer free countdown timer functionality.
The free versions typically support static (fixed-date) timers, while evergreen (per-visitor) timers and advanced styling often require a paid upgrade.
What’s the difference between a static and an evergreen countdown timer?
A static timer counts down to the same fixed deadline for every visitor. Everyone sees the same time remaining.
An evergreen timer starts fresh for each visitor based on when they arrive, so the countdown is unique to each person.
Evergreen timers are commonly used for limited-time offers where the deadline is personal rather than calendar-based.
What is the best free WordPress countdown timer plugin?
For a free, dedicated countdown timer, HurryTimer Lite is the strongest pick. It gives you static and evergreen timers, WooCommerce support, and expiry actions without paying.
If you only need a fixed-date timer on a coming soon or maintenance page, LightStart and Countdown Builder are also free.
Does WordPress have a built-in countdown timer?
No. WordPress core doesn’t include a countdown timer, so you’ll need a plugin or a page builder that ships a countdown block.
SeedProd includes one in its own page builder, and LightStart adds one to the WordPress block editor through Otter Blocks. Dedicated plugins like HurryTimer give you timers with more urgency and scheduling controls.
How do I add a countdown timer to WordPress?
Install a countdown timer plugin, set a fixed end date or an evergreen duration, then place the timer where visitors will see it.
Page builders like SeedProd add a countdown block to your landing or coming soon page.
A dedicated plugin like HurryTimer gives you a shortcode or block you can drop into any post, page, or product.
OptinMonster shows the timer inside a floating bar or popup instead. Before you publish, choose what happens at zero, such as hiding the timer, showing a message, or redirecting visitors.
Can I add a countdown timer to WooCommerce product pages?
Yes. HurryTimer and Countix Sales Countdown Timer (formerly WooCommerce Sales Countdown Timer) can both show timers on WooCommerce product pages for free.
Countix follows the sale dates you set in WooCommerce and adds a stock progress bar, while HurryTimer can hide the Add to Cart button when time runs out. This is a common way to add urgency to limited-time offers and move inventory before a deadline.
Do countdown timers actually increase conversions?
They often do, because a visible deadline gives people a reason to act now instead of later.
Pairing a timer with a clear offer and a strong call to action tends to work better than a timer on its own.
Test placement and messaging on your own audience, since results vary by offer and traffic source.
Will a countdown timer slow down my WordPress site?
A countdown timer on its own adds very little weight, since it’s a small script that updates a few numbers once a second.
The bigger cost is what loads alongside it, like a page builder’s assets or a plugin that loads its files on every page instead of only where the timer appears.
Run the page through Google PageSpeed Insights before and after you add the timer to see the difference on your own site.
Next, Create Urgency With a Coming Soon Page
Now that you have a countdown timer plugin picked out, pair it with a coming soon page to build anticipation before your next launch.
Our guide on how to create a coming soon page in WordPress walks through the full setup, including how to collect email subscribers while your site is still under construction.
If the offer runs through a form, WPForms Pro’s Form Locker addon can close that form at the date and time your countdown ends. The Coupons addon gives each discount code its own end date, too.
You might also want to check out these related resources.
- BFCM checklist for mixing timers with other conversion elements during sales
- Form design best practices for making sure your forms convert alongside your countdown timers
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