Your Instagram account is packed with amazing content, but it’s trapped on a single platform where only Instagram users can see it. That’s a problem if you want to leverage your visual content to drive traffic, build trust, and convert website visitors into customers.
Both Spotlight and WPZOOM Social Feed Widget promise to solve this by bringing your Instagram content to your WordPress site, but they take completely different approaches. WPZOOM focuses on basic display functionality, while Spotlight positions itself as a complete Instagram marketing toolkit with features like shoppable feeds and hashtag integration.
The wrong choice could leave you frustrated with limited customization options or missing out on features that could actually grow your business. In this comparison, we’ll break down everything from features and pricing to ease of use and customer support. Let’s get to it!
Quick Jump to the Plugins
- Spotlight: Best for businesses that want to use Instagram as a marketing tool with shoppable feeds, hashtag integration, and advanced customization options.
- WPZOOM: Best for simple websites that just need basic Instagram display in sidebars or widgets without advanced marketing features.
Spotlight vs WPZOOM: Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Spotlight | WPZOOM Social Feed Widget |
|---|---|---|
| Free Version Accounts | Unlimited | 1 Account Only |
| Free Version Features | Multiple layouts, lightbox, load more | Basic grid, 12 photos max |
| Starting Price | $59/year | $69/year |
| Hashtag Feeds | PRO and higher plans | Not available |
| Shoppable Feeds | PRO and higher plans | Not available |
| Tagged Posts | PRO and higher plans | Not available |
| Live Preview Editor | Yes | No |
| WordPress Rating | 4.7/5 stars | 4.2/5 stars |
| Active Installs | 60,000+ | 70,000+ |
| Page Builder Support | Elementor, Gutenberg, shortcodes | Basic widgets, shortcodes |
Key Features
Spotlight
Spotlight isn’t just another Instagram display plugin – it’s built specifically for businesses that want to turn their Instagram content into a marketing powerhouse. The plugin combines beautiful design with powerful features that can actually drive conversions, whether you’re showcasing products, building social proof, or directing traffic to specific pages.
What sets Spotlight apart is its focus on helping you do more with your Instagram content beyond just showing pretty pictures. You get tools for creating shoppable feeds, filtering content by hashtags, and even building link-in-bio pages that replace services like Linktree.
Free Version Features:
- Connect unlimited Instagram accounts
- Create unlimited feeds per website
- Multiple layout options with responsive design
- Built-in lightbox for photos and videos
- Load more button for infinite scrolling
- Custom headers with Instagram bio information
- SEO-friendly Instagram feeds with alt tags
Premium Features:
- Hashtag feeds to display posts by specific hashtags
- Tagged post feeds showing content where you’re mentioned
- Shoppable Instagram feeds linking to product pages
- Advanced filtering and moderation tools
- Built-in analytics and performance tracking
- Link-in-bio pages for Instagram traffic
WPZOOM
WPZOOM Social Feed Widget keeps things simple and focused on one thing: displaying your Instagram content without any fuss. If you’re the type of person who wants to add an Instagram feed to your sidebar or footer and call it a day, WPZOOM’s approach might appeal to you.
The plugin has been around for years and has built a solid reputation for reliability. It won’t overwhelm you with dozens of settings or advanced features, but it covers the basics well. Think of it as the “no-frills” option that gets the job done without trying to be everything to everyone.
Free Version Features:
- Connect one Instagram account
- Display your photos in a grid layout
- Choose between 1, 2, or 3 column layouts
- Full-width banner display option
- Basic lightbox functionality
- Simple widget and block integration
Premium Features:
- Connect multiple Instagram accounts
- Load more button for additional posts
- Masonry and carousel layouts
- Responsive column controls
- Custom colors and header customization
- Follower count display
The key difference is that WPZOOM doesn’t offer hashtag feeds, shoppable functionality, or advanced marketing features even in its premium version.
Pricing
Spotlight
Spotlight uses a freemium model with three paid tiers:
- Free: Unlimited accounts and feeds with core features
- Essentials ($59/year): All design features and layouts
- PRO ($99/year): Adds hashtag feeds, shoppable feeds, and moderation
- Agency ($199/year): 20-site licensing and advanced analytics
The free version is surprisingly robust, offering features that many competitors reserve for paid plans.
WPZOOM
WPZOOM’s pricing structure is simpler but more expensive:
- Free: Basic functionality with significant limitations
- Professional ($69/year): Unlocks all features for 3 sites
- Business ($99/year): Covers 10 sites with same feature set
While WPZOOM’s entry price is higher than Spotlight’s, you get fewer advanced features for your money.
Ease of Use
Spotlight
Here’s where Spotlight really shines – the user experience is fantastic. You get this live preview customizer that shows you exactly how your changes will look in real-time. Want to adjust the spacing between images? You’ll see it happen instantly. Need to change colors to match your brand? Watch it update right before your eyes.
The setup process walks you through everything step-by-step: connect your Instagram account (which takes about 30 seconds), pick from pre-designed templates, tweak the appearance to your liking, and drop it anywhere on your site. Even if you’ve never touched a plugin before, you’ll have a professional-looking Instagram feed running in minutes.
WPZOOM
WPZOOM definitely wins points for simplicity. The plugin doesn’t try to do too much, which means there are fewer things that can confuse you. Install it, connect your Instagram account, and you’re basically done.
The downside? You don’t get that instant feedback that makes Spotlight so user-friendly and feed previews aren’t as detailed as with Spotlight. t’s not a deal-breaker, but it can slow down the customization process when you’re trying to get everything just right.
Integrations
Spotlight
Spotlight offers comprehensive integration options:
- Dedicated Block Editor block for the WordPress editor
- Native Elementor widget for visual page builders
- Shortcodes for use with any theme or builder
- WooCommerce integration for shoppable feeds
- Compatibility with Beaver Builder, Divi, and other page builders
WPZOOM
WPZOOM provides basic but functional integration:
- The Block Editor for modern WordPress sites
- Classic widget for sidebar and footer placement
- Shortcode generation for custom placement
- Works with most page builders through shortcode insertion
While WPZOOM covers the essentials, it doesn’t offer the specialized integrations that Spotlight provides.
Customer Support
Spotlight
Spotlight has built a solid reputation for responsive support. The team actively monitors the WordPress.org forums and provides email support for Pro users, with most questions getting helpful responses rather than generic replies.
The plugin gets regular updates to stay compatible with Instagram’s API changes, which is crucial since Instagram frequently adjusts how third-party plugins can access their data. That consistent maintenance shows in the 4.7-star rating and positive user feedback about reliability.
WPZOOM
WPZOOM is an established company with experience supporting WordPress plugins. Their support team is knowledgeable and the plugin works reliably for basic Instagram display needs.
The plugin receives periodic updates and maintains compatibility with current WordPress versions. While support response times can vary, users generally find their questions answered adequately for the plugin’s feature set.
Market Presence
Spotlight
Despite being newer (launched in 2020), Spotlight has rapidly gained market share with over 60,000 active installations. It’s frequently recommended in “best Instagram plugin” roundups and is often positioned as a modern alternative to older solutions.
The plugin’s growth reflects its ability to meet current user expectations for Instagram integration features.
WPZOOM
WPZOOM Social Feed Widget has been around longer and has a larger user base with 70,000+ installations. However, its growth has plateaued as users increasingly look for more advanced features.
The plugin is often mentioned for basic Instagram integration needs but rarely tops recommendation lists for comprehensive Instagram marketing.
User Reviews
Spotlight
Spotlight maintains a 4.7-star average rating on WordPress.org. Users consistently praise its feature set, design flexibility, and ease of use. Common positive feedback includes:
- “Finally, a social plugin that simply works”
- “Easy to install with no issues linking to Instagram feeds”
- “The live preview makes customization so much easier”
Negative reviews are rare and typically focus on edge cases or specific feature requests rather than fundamental problems.
WPZOOM
WPZOOM averages 4.2 stars with more mixed feedback. Positive reviews appreciate its simplicity and reliability, while negative reviews often cite limitations:
- Users wanting multiple accounts in the free version
- Requests for features that require Pro upgrades
- Occasional compatibility issues with updates
The lower rating suggests that user expectations often exceed what WPZOOM delivers.
Ideal Audience Fit
Spotlight
Spotlight works best for:
- Businesses using Instagram as a marketing tool
- E-commerce sites wanting shoppable Instagram feeds
- Content creators needing hashtag and tagged post feeds
- Users who value design flexibility and customization
- Anyone looking for comprehensive Instagram integration
WPZOOM
WPZOOM suits:
- Users needing simple Instagram display functionality
- Sites requiring basic sidebar or footer Instagram widgets
- Those prioritizing lightweight, minimal-impact plugins
- Bloggers wanting straightforward Instagram integration without advanced features
Strengths and Weaknesses
Spotlight Strengths:
- Comprehensive feature set even in free version
- Modern, user-friendly interface with live preview
- Advanced marketing features like shoppable feeds
- Strong ongoing support and regular updates
- Competitive pricing for the features offered
Spotlight Weaknesses:
- Some advanced features require premium plans
WPZOOM Strengths:
- Extremely simple setup and configuration
- Lightweight impact on website performance
- Long-established plugin with proven reliability
- Good for basic Instagram display needs
WPZOOM Weaknesses:
- Limited free version
- No hashtag or shoppable feed options
- Higher entry price for fewer features
- Less active development and support
Best Practices
No matter which plugin you choose, here’s how to get the most out of your Instagram feeds:
- Put your feeds where they’ll actually get seen. Your homepage, product pages, and high-traffic blog posts are prime real estate. Don’t waste a great Instagram feed by burying it in your footer where nobody will notice it.
- Keep your content fresh and engaging. Both plugins automatically pull new content from Instagram, but that only works if you’re actually posting regularly. Aim for at least 3-4 posts per week to keep your website feeds looking active and current.
- Make it match your brand. Nothing screams “amateur” like an Instagram feed that clashes with your website design. Spotlight’s live preview makes this easy, while WPZOOM users might need to do more trial and error to get it right.
- Include clear calls-to-action. Don’t just show your Instagram content – tell people what to do with it. Add “Follow us on Instagram” buttons, or better yet, use Spotlight’s shoppable feeds to turn browsers into buyers.
- Track what’s working. Pay attention to which Instagram posts get the most engagement on your website. If you’re using Spotlight PRO, the built-in analytics will show you exactly which content drives the most clicks and conversions.
Following these guidelines will help you create Instagram feeds that actually contribute to your business goals rather than just looking pretty on your website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Spotlight offer more advanced features than WPZOOM?
Yes, Spotlight provides hashtag feeds, shoppable Instagram integration, moderation tools, and built-in analytics that WPZOOM doesn’t offer.
Which plugin offers better value for money?
Spotlight offers better value at $59/year (Essentials) with unlimited accounts and professional templates, while WPZOOM costs $69/year for basic features only.
Can you switch easily from WPZOOM to Spotlight?
Yes, both plugins use similar Instagram connections, so switching is straightforward. You’ll need to recreate your feed designs using Spotlight’s live preview customizer.
Conclusion and CTA
WPZOOM Social Feed Widget does exactly what it promises. It lets you set up basic Instagram displays for sidebars and simple layouts. It’s reliable for showing your latest posts without any complications. However, at $69/year for limited functionality, you’re paying premium prices for a basic solution.
Spotlight wins this comparison for most WordPress users. For $59/year (Essentials), you get more features, better customization options, and a user experience that actually makes setup enjoyable. The free version alone offers more capabilities than WPZOOM’s paid plan.
If your businesses is serious about leveraging Instagram content strategically, whether for e-commerce, lead generation, or brand building, Spotlight’s advanced features like shoppable feeds and hashtag integration provide real marketing value. You’re not just paying for the ability to add Instagram feeds to WordPress.
Are you ready to turn your Instagram content into a marketing asset? Download Spotlight today and start creating Instagram feeds that actually work for your website, not just on it.
