PDF Embedder displays PDF files inside WordPress posts and pages with a configurable viewer.
- Free version
- Yes
- Price
- From $29.50/year
- Category
- Media & galleries
Not announcedBlack Friday deal for PDF Embedder
PDF Embedder vs Smash Balloon
PDF Embedder wins 2 of the 3 points we can measure. Here's how they compare on price, features, ratings and deals.
At a glance
| Feature | PDF Embedder | Smash Balloon |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.5/10 (better) | 7.4/10 |
| Starts at | $29.50/year (better) | $49/year |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Refund window | 14 days | 14 days |
| Billing | Subscription | Subscription |
| Active installs | 300K+ | 1M+ (better) |
| Last Black Friday | – | 65% off |
| Category | Media & galleries | Media & galleries |
| Vendor | Awesome Motive | Smash Balloon |
| Black Friday 2026 | Not announced | Not announced |
Which should you choose?
Choose PDF Embedder if…
- Sites that publish PDFs such as menus, catalogs or reports
- Teams that need secure or watermarked documents
- You want the lower starting price
Choose Smash Balloon if…
- Sites that show social posts or reviews
- Agencies building sites for clients
Features
PDF Embedder
- Unlimited PDF embeds
- Configurable viewer
- Instant text search
- Secure PDF handling
- Watermarks
- Elementor widget
- View tracking
Smash Balloon
- Instagram feeds
- Facebook feeds
- Reviews feeds
- YouTube feeds
- Layouts and carousels
- Post moderation
- Background caching
Pros and cons
PDF Embedder
- Free WordPress.org version covers basic embedding
- Plans priced by site count
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Viewer search works without a download
- Secure PDF features need the Pro or Elite plan
- Listed prices are yearly licenses only
Smash Balloon
- Free versions of the Instagram, Facebook and Reviews plugins are on WordPress.org
- Caches social data to limit API requests and keep pages fast
- All Access Bundle covers all six Pro plugins for unlimited sites
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Each client site needs its own license unless you buy the bundle
- Renewals are charged at full price after the introductory discount
- Works only with WordPress
Pricing plans
PDF Embedder
BasicStarts here
$29.50/year
1 site
- Unlimited PDF embeds
- Configurable viewer
Plus
$49.50/year
5 sites
- Unlimited PDF embeds
- Watermark text
Pro
$79.50/year
20 sites
- Secure PDF plan features
- Premium support
Smash Balloon
Instagram Feed ProStarts here
$49
- User and hashtag feeds
- Stories and tagged posts
- Shoppable feeds
Facebook Feed ProStarts here
$49
- Page and group feeds
- Photo and video feeds
- Events feeds
All Access Bundle
$299/year
Unlimited sites
- All six Pro plugins
- Priority support
- Future products included
What Reddit says
PDF Embedder
Not enough Reddit discussion yet.
Smash Balloon
Reddit users are mostly negative about Smash Balloon, citing its drop of personal Instagram account support, a long cancellation process and setup problems. A few users found the Custom Facebook Feed plugin decent enough, or noted that themes often recommend it.
PDF Embedder vs Smash Balloon questions
Is PDF Embedder better than Smash Balloon?
On our comparison PDF Embedder comes out ahead on 2 of 3 measurable points. The right pick still depends on what you build.
Which is cheaper, PDF Embedder or Smash Balloon?
PDF Embedder starts at $29.50/year and Smash Balloon starts at $49/year.
Can I get PDF Embedder or Smash Balloon cheaper on Black Friday?
Both are on our Black Friday tracker. Smash Balloon was 65% off last year.
Both products
Smash Balloon: #1 Social Media Feeds Plugin for WordPress
- Free version
- Yes
- Price
- From $49/year
- Category
- Media & galleries
Not announcedBlack Friday deal for Smash Balloon
