Variation swatches are kind of a no-brainer. While this type of plugin is not typically classified as essential, I would argue that it is if you’re trying to build a world-class online store.
I am assuming, of course, that you don’t want to go through the work that these developers have gone through smoothing out the folds and wrinkles that inevitably arise when building even the most innocuous extension to WooCommerce.
The fact of the matter is that colors and images are a lot more compelling than text on a screen, so – whether it’s your own store or a client’s – why pass up the chance to increase the likelihood of a conversion?
All of these plugins let you get started briskly, easily, and freely; are available in premium and free versions; and, trust me when I say, there is a good reason for each and every one of them to appear on this list, whether it’s because of the feature base, price, or aesthetic preferences.
So without further ado, drum roll please…
1. Variation Swatches for WooCommerce (GetWooPlugins)
The public have spoken and they have chosen this plugin to wear the swatch crown. This baby has the biggest user-base by far, clocking in at an impressive 200,000 active installations.
I think we can safely chalk it up to the breadth of features this plugin offers, even with its free version. This plugin lets you:
- automatically convert variation dropdown options to button swatches
- enable color, image, label/text/button swatches for variable product attribute variations
- convert globally created attribute variations into swatches
- globally select rounded and squared attribute variation swatches
- choose from a number of visuals for out-of-stock variation swatches
- control the size of product page swatches
- show selected variation name besides labels
- show extra information with the tooltip and display settings
and more.
Integrations and compatibility with other plugins and themes are also a selling point. Whether you’re using Elementor, Printful, Dokan Multivendor, AliDropship, or any number of the most popular WooCommerce plugins or themes, rest assured this plugin will work like a charm alongside them.
The premium plugin offers even more features in addition to the ones described above and, unlike the free version, lets you choose out-of-stock swatch visuals for unlimited variations.
Most importantly, it lets you add swatch options to the shop page. The premium version also gives you some of the best customer support in the market (just see the glowing reviews on the developer’s site).
But even if you don’t end up getting the premium version and customer support that comes along with it, there is no shortage of video tutorials, live demos, and documentation for you to peruse.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium annual subscription offer:
- $49 for 1 site
- $149 for 5 sites
- $249 for unlimited sites
Premium lifetime offer:
- $149 for 1 site
- $449 for 5 sites
2. Variation Swatches for WooCommerce (Woosuite)
Just shy of 80,000 active installations, this is the only other plugin to come close to the last one in terms of user-base size.
This plugin also lets you convert variation dropdown options to button swatches with the mere click of a button and, on top of that, lets you automatically convert options into image swatches and dual color variation swatches.
In addition, you can show swatches on the shop archive, choose between three shape presets, and customize your swatches with advanced styling options.
Other than that, it’s also got out-of-stock variation swatch options as well as label/text/button swatches. It’s clear that the developers behind this plugin are working hard to achieve parity with the last plugin and, given enough time, may succeed in giving it a run for its money.
Lastly, this swatch plugin claims to be fully integrated with the WooCommerce plugin and compatible with every WordPress theme out there.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium annual subscription offer:
- $79 for 1 site + variation swatches pro + MORE
- $119 for 1 site + additional variation gallery pro + show variations on shop page + MORE
Premium lifetime offer:
- $149 for 1 site + variation swatches pro + MORE
- $357 for 1 site + additional variation gallery pro + show variations on shop page + MORE
3. Product Variations Swatches for WooCommerce (VillaTheme)
This plugin offers many of the same features as the last two, and it’s got a unique look and feel to it. Additionally, it is very well-reviewed, which indicates that you can look forward to excellent customer support if you pay for the premium version, which gets you 6-12 months of coverage.
Not to mention, the company behind this plugin is prolific, meaning it would be worth browsing its other products (many of which are free) as you can expect them all to play well together.
All things taken into consideration, with this plugin, aesthetic preferences and low-priced customer support make all the difference.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium subscription offer:
- $22 for 6 months support
- $28.38 for 12 months support
4. Variation Swatches for WooCommerce (RadiusTheme)
Despite not being as positively reviewed as the last plugin, this one manages to keep pace in terms of feature set. I particularly like the fact that each major feature is extensively and clearly documented, complete with labeled images.
The premium version is also competitive on price. If you’re a developer, you’ll want to make use of the lifetime unlimited site offer, which only one other plugin on this list offers. You have to admit – it’s a bold move.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium annual subscription offer:
- $29 for 1 site
- $119 for 5 sites
- $199 for unlimited sites [!]
Premium lifetime offer:
- $149 for 1 site
- $349 for 5 sites
- $549 for unlimited sites [!]
5. Variation Swatches for WooCommerce (ThemeHigh)
Like with the last couple of plugins, the decision may come down to aesthetic preferences with this one, which is perfectly reasonable.
But equally importantly, this plugin is brought to you by ThemeHigh, which is behind the immensely popular Checkout Field Editor plugin. Therefore, you can expect this plugin to play well with relevant offerings. It’s also price optimized for developers buying licenses in bulk (5-25 sites).
Pricing: free and premium
Premium annual subscription offer:
- $39 for 1 site
- $69 for 5 sites [!]
- $129 for 25 sites [!]
6. Color and Image Swatches for Variable Product Attributes (Phoeniixx Designs)
This plugin gets the job done, plain and simple. Given that the company behind this plugin is a creative agency, you can also expect decent support. It’s got the exact same pricing model as the last plugin.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium annual subscription offer:
- $39 for 1 site
- $69 for 5 sites [!]
- $129 for 25 sites [!]
7. TH Variation Swatches (ThemeHunk)
Delivering the same base functionality as the other plugins on this list, this plugin has been able to claim a share of the market primarily because of its incredibly competitive premium pricing.
Pricing: free and premium
Premium lifetime offer:
- $29 for 1 site (12-month support) [!]
- $49 for 5 sites (24-month support) [!]
- $129 for unlimited sites [!]
Conclusion
All of these variation swatches plugins are justifiable choices depending on your use case, preferences, and budgetary constraints.
All of them come in free and premium forms. If you don’t intend to pay a cent for any paywalled features or customer support, you’re generally best served going with GetWooPlugins or Woosuite’s plugin (#1 and #2, respectively).
However, you may have an aesthetic preference for the swatches you can create with one of the other free plugins in this list.
On the other hand, if you’re considering a premium purchase, then GetWooPlugins and WooSuite’s premium plugins, while obviously more expensive than the others, let you go very far with customization and extendibility, meaning the aesthetic argument collapses.
But the other premium plugins make up for this through price optimizations, especially geared toward developers. The license deals for 5 sites, 25 sites, and unlimited sites are too good to pass up for the developer frequently running into clients clamoring for a premium swatch feature – clients who don’t especially require highly customized or extendable swatch functionality.
Finally, it should be noted that, besides customer support, the main premium feature you are generally paying for is adding swatches to the shop/gallery page.
WooCommerce: Top 7 Variation Swatches Plugins .