ReadNinja
Plugin comparison

ReadNinja vs
Reading progressbar

Reading progressbar is one of the most lightweight options on WordPress.org. Here's how it compares to ReadNinja, feature by feature.

See full comparison View ReadNinja Pro

Feature-by-feature comparison

Every row is checked against the current public release of both plugins. Pro features of ReadNinja are clearly marked.

✅ Available❌ Not available🔒 ReadNinja Pro only
Feature
ReadNinja
Reading progressbar
Appearance
Bar color
✅
✅
Background color
✅
✅
Bar height
✅
✅
Position: top / bottom
✅
✅
Custom CSS selector
✅
✅
Opacity control
✅
❌
Z-index control
✅
❌
Track background (optional)
✅
❌
Color gradient
🔒 PRO
❌
Display control
Enable on posts
✅
✅
Enable on pages
✅
✅
Custom Post Types
🔒 PRO
✅
Page template targeting
❌
✅
Hide on homepage
✅
❌
Device targeting (desktop / mobile)
✅
❌
Archives / Search / 404
🔒 PRO
❌
FSE template targeting
🔒 PRO
❌
Per-post override (show / hide)
✅
❌
Per-post style override
✅
❌
Progress indicator (badge)
Show percentage
✅
❌
Show time remaining
✅
❌
Custom prefix & suffix
✅
❌
Pro features
Sequential progress
🔒 PRO
❌
Threshold trigger
🔒 PRO
❌
Read analytics dashboard
🔒 PRO
❌
Pricing
Free version
✅
✅
Pro version
From $19/yr
Free only

Last updated April 2026. Spotted something wrong? Let us know.

Why choose ReadNinja?

Three things readers, content owners and developers love about ReadNinja.

Know exactly where your readers are

Display percentage read, time remaining, or both — with a customizable badge that sits inside the bar, on the left, or on the right. Fully configurable reading speed and custom prefix/suffix.

🔒 PRO

Turn finishers into subscribers

Fire any action the moment a reader hits your chosen percentage — reveal a newsletter signup, scroll back to top, or trigger a custom JavaScript callback. Set it once, works automatically.

🔒 PRO

See what your readers actually read

Track average reading depth and completion rates across your top 50 posts. Anonymous, GDPR-friendly — no cookies, no personal data.

When Reading progressbar is enough

Reading progressbar is one of the most lightweight options available — it uses the native HTML5 <progress> element and barely any JavaScript. If you want the absolute minimum footprint and just need a bar with no extra features, it's a solid, well-maintained choice.

ReadNinja is worth the switch when you need a progress indicator showing percentage or time remaining, device-specific display rules, per-post overrides, or Pro features like analytics and threshold triggers.

Ready to give your readers
a clear sense of progress?

Start with the free version on WordPress.org. Upgrade to Pro the day you need analytics, threshold triggers or advanced targeting.

Download Free

Free version available on WordPress.org · Pro from $19/yr