Cart abandonment poses a significant challenge for online store owners. After investing time and effort to attract customers, many still leave without finalizing their purchases.
A frequent cause of this issue is that shoppers often find it frustrating to navigate away from the product page just to view their cart contents.
Sliding side carts address this problem by allowing customers to easily view and manage their items without losing focus or disrupting their shopping experience.
In this article, I have evaluated the top WooCommerce sliding side cart plugins to help you choose the best option for increasing your sales. Some of these plugins are specifically designed for sliding carts, while others are comprehensive WooCommerce or funnel builders that include an effective side cart feature as part of their offerings. 📈
Quick Overview: Top 7 WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugins
Before I delve into the specifics, here’s a brief overview of the best plugins and their unique features:
| Product | Free Plan | Starting Price (per year) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| aThemes Merchant | ✅ | $79 | Comprehensive WooCommerce solution featuring a stylish side cart |
| FunnelKit | ✅ | $99.50 | Plugin for optimizing checkout and funnels, equipped with a robust side cart |
| ShopEngine | Available | $53.10 | A powerful WooCommerce builder based on Elementor that offers complete control over side cart functionality |
| Side Cart WooCommerce | Available | $29 | User-friendly side cart solutions |
| Fast Cart for WooCommerce | Available | Free | Quick and efficient Ajax-based side cart options at no cost |
| Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce | Not available | $39 | Offers both popup and slide-out carts with real-time updates to the cart |
| WPC Fly Cart for WooCommerce | Available | $29 | A design-centric WooCommerce cart plugin featuring animated side carts |
Why Should You Add a Sliding Side Cart to WooCommerce?
A sliding side cart allows customers to view their selected items without leaving their current page, enhancing the checkout process and minimizing cart abandonment.
Sliding side carts address a significant pain point in online shopping. They enable customers to quickly review their cart, make adjustments, and continue shopping without leaving product pages, keeping them engaged with your offerings.
Operating an online store means that even minor enhancements in user experience can result in increased completed transactions and greater revenue.
Here are additional key advantages of implementing a sliding side cart:
- ⚡Decreases page load times– Customers can quickly view and modify their cart items.
- 📈Boosts conversion rates– Reducing friction leads to a higher number of completed transactions.
- ⏱️Saves time– Provides quick access to cart features like adjusting quantities and applying coupon codes.
- 👔 Offers a professional appearance– Shoppers expect seamless interactions in contemporary online stores.
As Chris Klosowski, President of Easy Digital Downloads, states:
A lengthy or confusing checkout process can deter customers. The easier it is, the more likely shoppers are to finalize their purchase – or even add additional items to their cart.
Chris Klosowski, President of Easy Digital Downloads
Most side cart plugins provide extensive customization options, allowing you to modify colors, animations, and cart features to align with your brand without any coding. Additionally, you can monitor performance to assess how these enhancements affect your conversion rates.
In conclusion, an effective sliding side cart plugin can be the key to turning a potential sale into a completed transaction. 🛒
My Methodology for Testing and Reviewing WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugins
I evaluated these plugins by installing each one on a live WooCommerce store and simulating real shopping experiences. My goal was to determine which plugins provided a seamless experience, had a professional appearance, and effectively assisted customers in completing their purchases more quickly.
Here’s what I concentrated on during the evaluation:
- Installation and setup:I installed each plugin from the ground up to gauge how quickly I could establish a functional sliding cart.
- User experience:I added items, adjusted quantities, and applied discount codes to assess the overall cart experience. I also conducted test transactions to evaluate how each cart managed the checkout process.
- Customization options:I examined the design features to see how much flexibility each plugin offers regarding the cart’s appearance and layout.
- Performance impact:I monitored page loading speeds before and after the installation of each plugin.
- Mobile responsiveness:I tested each cart on various devices to evaluate its performance on mobile platforms.
This methodology allowed me to pinpoint plugins that not only have an appealing design but also enhance the shopping experience for actual customers.
Why You Can Trust My Recommendations?
At CanadaCreate, we have been supporting WordPress users for over 16 years — which includesnumerousAs a WooCommerce store owner, my aim is to provide honest and practical advice to help you select tools that genuinely enhance your store’s performance.
In this guide, I have personally tested popularWooCommerce pluginson live websites to evaluate their performance in real shopping situations. I assessed their design, speed, user-friendliness, and effectiveness in facilitating quick and easy customer purchases.
All my recommendations are based on hands-on testing rather than marketing claims. I only include plugins that I would confidently use on my own sites or recommend to friends and family.
You can learn more about our methodology in our editorial guidelines.
With that said, here are my top recommendations:
1. aThemes Merchant
🏅The Best WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart for Conversion-Oriented Stores
| Merchant Advantages | ✅ User-friendly and easy to navigate for beginners ✅ Smooth integration with WooCommerce ✅ Enhances user experience with a stylish, customizable sliding cart ✅ Provides tools to increase conversions, including recommendations and timers ✅ Compatible with a wide range of popular WordPress and WooCommerce themes ✅ Features both a sliding side cart and a floating mini cart |
|---|---|
| Merchant Disadvantages | ❌ Some advanced features are only available in the premium version. ❌ It may be too complex for stores that only need basic cart functionality. |
| Pricing | Free version available (Lite) Premium plans start at $79 per year |
| Ideal For | Store owners seeking a comprehensive WooCommerce growth solution that includes a modern sliding side cart along with built-in conversion tools like product recommendations and countdown timers. |
Merchant is more than just a sliding cart plugin; it serves as a complete conversion toolkit. It’s perfect for boosting sales through smart recommendations, countdowns, and other urgency-creating features.
I have personally tested Merchant on multiple WooCommerce stores. The sliding cart is visually appealing and integrates seamlessly with features like countdown timers and product recommendations.
My Experience
Upon installing Merchant, I found the setup process to be very simple. The interface was user-friendly, even for someone who is new to WooCommerce plugins.
The plugin offers both sliding and floating cart options, allowing you to select the design that best fits your store.
During my evaluation, I was able to activate the sliding side cart right away and customize the colors and button text easily, without any technical issues. The plugin also offers more than 10 unique add-to-cart animations, enhancing the customization options.
What stood out the most were the intelligent cross-selling recommendations that appeared in the cart.
Unlike basic plugins that display random products, Merchant suggested items that were genuinely relevant to what customers had already added. This approach felt more like having a helpful shopping assistant rather than aggressive sales tactics.
Another noteworthy feature is the integrated ‘cart reserved’ timer, which helps create a sense of urgency without being intrusive. When customers add products, a countdown timer shows how long their cart will be held.
The only drawback I noticed was that some advanced features, such as product recommendations and comprehensive design options, are only available with the Pro plan.
🧑💻Reasons to Recommend MerchantOverall, Merchant is an excellent choice for stores looking for more than just a basic sliding cart. This plugin merges cart functionality with effective conversion tools to boost sales.
2. FunnelKit
🏅 Ideal for High-Volume, Growth-Oriented Stores
| Advantages of FunnelKit | ✅ Effective one-click and post-purchase upsells to boost order value ✅ Streamlined checkout templates compatible with the side cart ✅ Integrated coupons, discounts, and order bumps ✅ Built to support high-traffic, high-volume stores |
|---|---|
| Drawbacks of FunnelKit | ❌ Setting up funnels and upsells can be time-consuming ❌ May be excessive if you only require a basic cart without funnels |
| Pricing Information | Premium plans start at $99.50 per year |
| Ideal For | High-volume WooCommerce stores seeking optimized sales funnels and streamlined checkout processes, featuring a robust sliding side cart integrated into the system. |
FunnelKit is a comprehensive sales funnel and checkout optimization toolkit for WooCommerce, complete with a modern sliding side cart that integrates effortlessly with its optimized checkout designs and sales funnels.
In addition to the side cart, FunnelKit provides advanced conversion features like order bumps, one-click upsells, A/B testing, and built-in analytics to help you enhance average order values and maximize revenue.
For further information, check out our detailed FunnelKit review.
My Personal Experience
Store owners managing busy WooCommerce sites have reported significant improvements after integrating FunnelKit’s checkout templates with its side cart and upsell features. In this review, I will evaluate those claims.
Setting up the side cart with FunnelKit was efficient, thanks to the pre-designed checkout templates. Instead of creating a layout from scratch, I simply selected a design and customized it to align with my store’s branding.
I also explored FunnelKit’s integrated discount and coupon features, which made it simple to provide incentives that are displayed directly in the cart and during checkout. I could easily add options for free shipping, gifts, and promotional codes without navigating away from the setup interface.
I appreciated the high level of customization available for the side cart drawer.
I was able to adjust slide animations, layout, size, and colors to fit my store’s aesthetic, resulting in a polished and professional appearance.
Additionally, FunnelKit’s one-click upsell feature was particularly impressive. When customers added products to their cart, relevant suggestions appeared alongside convenient ‘Add to Cart’ buttons.
The side cart functioned seamlessly on mobile devices as well. During my tests, it was smooth and responsive across smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
The only drawback was that configuring upsell rules took longer compared to simpler cart plugins, particularly if you aim to include multiple product recommendations.
Reasons to Choose FunnelKit:In conclusion, FunnelKit is an ideal choice for expanding stores that require a sliding side cart seamlessly integrated with advanced upsells, order bumps, optimized checkout processes, and comprehensive sales funnels.
3. ShopEngine WooCommerce Builder for Elementor
🏅 Ideal for Elementor Users
| Advantages of ShopEngine | ✅ Complete integration with the Elementor page builder ✅ Over 40 pre-designed WooCommerce templates included ✅ Full visual customization available without any coding ✅ Modular cart elements that can be activated or deactivated |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of ShopEngine | ❌ Exclusively compatible with Elementor ❌ May feel excessive if you only require a side cart, as it functions as a comprehensive WooCommerce builder module. |
| Pricing | Premium plans start at $53.1 per year |
| Best For | Elementor users seeking complete visual control over their WooCommerce store, including custom side carts created directly within the page builder. |
ShopEngine is an ideal choice for users of Elementor, the popular drag-and-drop page builder, who seek full control over the design of their sliding cart. It offers extensive WooCommerce customization options beyond the basic cart features.
My Experience
During my testing of this plugin, I was immediately impressed by the modular side cart system. It allowed me to easily toggle individual elements, such as cart totals and checkout buttons, with just a few clicks.
Additionally, I found the integration with both Elementor and WooCommerce to be seamless.
All the familiar tools I needed were readily available and functioned as expected. The drag-and-drop cart builder simplified the process of rearranging elements like buttons, text, and spacing.
The inclusion of over 40 pre-designed WooCommerce templates was a significant advantage. These templates provided clean and professional layouts for product pages, carts, and checkout processes right from the start.
I also appreciated the built-in Elementor widgets for flash sale countdowns and cross-sell promotions. They integrated smoothly within the cart, allowing me to create urgency and increase sales without the need for additional plugins.
The only downside? If you’re not using Elementor, you may not fully benefit from this plugin.
Reasons to Recommend ShopEngine:In short, ShopEngine is an ideal choice for Elementor users seeking complete design flexibility. It transforms cart customization into a visual design experience instead of a technical setup.
4. Side Cart WooCommerce
🏅 Best for Simple Projects
| Advantages of Side Cart WooCommerce | ✅ Easy setup in just a few clicks ✅ Compatible with any theme ✅ Real-time cart updates without reloading the page ✅ Lightweight design that keeps site performance fast |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of Side Cart WooCommerce | ❌ Limited to basic cart features only ❌ Lacks built-in upselling and marketing tools in the free version |
| Pricing | Premium plans start at $29 per year |
| Ideal For | Smaller projects that require a simple, sliding side cart set up quickly, without additional marketing or funnel features. |
Side Cart WooCommerce excels at providing a straightforward, functional sliding cart without unnecessary complexity. It’s perfect for smaller stores that need essential cart capabilities up and running swiftly.
I tested this plugin for a smaller project, and I found it to be impressively user-friendly. The setup process was quick, requiring only a few clicks, and it seamlessly integrated a sleek side cart drawer that functions perfectly with any WordPress theme.
My Experience
During my testing, the setup was fast and uncomplicated. I had the option to select from various sliding side cart designs (cards and rows) directly in the settings. Both designs appeared clean and professional without the need for additional adjustments.
Customization was also straightforward. I could easily modify the cart icon, colors, button text, and widget positions in just a few minutes, with settings that were intuitive and user-friendly.
I particularly liked the custom URL feature, which allowed me to redirect customers after checkout. I often use this to direct them to confirmation, thank-you pages, or special promotions, making conversion tracking much simpler.
Real-time cart updates functioned perfectly. Whenever I added or removed items, the cart refreshed immediately without needing to reload the page.
The only drawback is that the free plan lacks advanced features such as product recommendations or built-in marketing tools. It maintains simplicity and focuses solely on essential cart functionality.
Reasons to Recommend Side Cart WooCommerce:In summary, the Side Cart WooCommerce plugin is ideal for basic requirements. Its setup is quick and user-friendly, providing essential features that most stores need without unnecessary complications.
5. Fast Cart for WooCommerce
🏅 Top Free WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugin
| Advantages of Fast Cart for WooCommerce | ✅ Completely free with no premium version available ✅ Ajax-driven cart updates without needing to refresh the page ✅ Options for light and dark mode designs ✅ Fully responsive on all devices |
|---|---|
| Disadvantages of Fast Cart for WooCommerce | ❌ Primarily focused on cart interactions ❌ Lacks advanced marketing features such as upselling ❌ Less comprehensive compared to premium options |
| Pricing | Free |
| Ideal For | Stores seeking a completely free, Ajax-enabled floating or side cart to ensure a fast and seamless checkout process. |
Fast Cart for WooCommerce is excellent for providing a smooth, interactive cart experience without requiring customers to refresh the page. It is particularly suited for stores that desire professional cart functionality at no cost.
My Experience
During my evaluation of Fast Cart for WooCommerce, I was particularly impressed by its sleek, Ajax-powered side cart. The use of Ajax technology enables the cart to refresh instantly without requiring a full page reload, resulting in a much more enjoyable shopping experience.
This feature helps maintain a smooth and uninterrupted shopping journey.
As a free plugin, the design customization options were surprisingly impressive. I could easily toggle between light and dark modes, modify colors, and personalize buttons to match various store themes. Unlike many free tools that limit customization, this one felt exceptionally refined.
The mobile performance was equally impressive. The cart automatically adjusted to fit smartphones and tablets, eliminating the need for separate mobile settings.
In contrast to premium plugins that include additional marketing features, Fast Cart for WooCommerce is dedicated to one primary goal: delivering a clean and dependable cart experience without unnecessary distractions.
Reasons to Recommend Fast Cart for WooCommerce:In summary, Fast Cart for WooCommerce is an excellent choice for stores that value seamless cart interactions. It is completely free, operates flawlessly, and its Ajax capabilities give the shopping experience a contemporary feel.
6. Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce
🏅Ideal for Real-Time Updates
| Advantages of Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce | ✅ Offers both sliding side cart and popup cart options ✅ Provides real-time cart updates to keep customers informed ✅ Simple customization for colors and buttons ✅ Lightweight design ensures fast website performance |
|---|---|
| Drawbacks of the Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce | ❌ Initial setup can be a bit overwhelming ❌ Premium pricing may not align with features offered |
| Pricing Information | Premium plans start at $39 per year |
| Ideal For | Store owners seeking real-time cart updates and the option to use either a popup or a sliding side cart. |
The Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce provides the versatility of both sliding side carts and popup options, making it perfect for stores that want to deliver engaging, real-time updates without compromising site speed.
My Personal Experience
Upon setting up the plugin, I appreciated the availability of both a sliding side cart and a popup cart option.
This flexibility allowed me to select the layout that best suited my store’s aesthetic.
Real-time cart updates functioned seamlessly. When customers added or removed items, the cart refreshed instantly without needing to reload the page.
The customization process was simple and user-friendly. I was able to modify colors, button text, and widget positions to align with my store’s branding, all without any coding required.
I valued the ability to hide the cart on specific pages. This feature helped maintain a clean and focused design for landing pages and checkout processes, eliminating unnecessary distractions.
The option for custom redirect URLs was an added advantage. After a purchase, I could direct customers to thank-you pages or special promotions, enhancing the overall customer journey.
However, the extensive range of features and customization options can be a bit daunting during the initial setup, particularly if you’re only looking for basic cart functionality.
Reasons to Choose Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce:In summary, Side Popup Cart for WooCommerce is an excellent choice for stores that prioritize performance and customer engagement. It offers modern cart features while ensuring your website remains fast and responsive.
7. WPC Fly Cart for WooCommerce
🏅Ideal for Visual Appeal and Fluid Animations
| Advantages of WPC Fly Cart for WooCommerce | ✅ Features smooth animations and an Ajax-powered experience ✅ Offers over 16 different bubble icon styles ✅ Provides more than 5 predefined cart skins with color customization options ✅ Easily integrates with most store layouts |
|---|---|
| Drawbacks of WPC Fly Cart for WooCommerce | ❌ Key features such as instant checkout, shipping calculations, and coupon integration are only available in the premium version. ❌ The one-time fee may seem high for smaller businesses. |
| Pricing Details | Premium plans start at $29. |
| Ideal For | Businesses that prioritize visual aesthetics and seamless, animated side carts, with extensive customization options to align with their brand identity. |
WPC Fly Cart focuses on visual aesthetics and smooth user experiences above all else. It is tailored for store owners seeking a cart that feels refined and engaging, offering numerous design options to complement any brand style.
My Personal Experience
Upon installation, the smooth sliding animations instantly impressed me. Unlike basic carts that abruptly appear and disappear, the WPC Fly Cart showcased fluid transitions that felt sophisticated.
The visual quality reminded me of high-end eCommerce websites rather than typical smaller WordPress stores.
The design versatility was another significant advantage. I had the option to select from over 16 bubble icons, various cart skins, and multiple display styles — ranging from solid colors to image backgrounds. This made it simple to align the cart with my store’s overall aesthetic.
I appreciated the level of customization available for the cart’s details. It allowed me to choose what information to display, such as totals, subtotals, buttons, or product details, ensuring customers only see what is necessary.
You can also activate suggested products for upselling and cross-selling. If you wish to incorporate comparison or wishlist features, those options are available as well.
Moreover, this plugin is fully compatible with all types of WooCommerce products, including simple, variable, and grouped items.
One significant limitation is that WPC Fly Cart limits certain eCommerce features, such as instant checkout, the shipping calculator, and coupon functionality, to the premium version.
Reasons to Choose WPC Fly Cart for WooCommerce:WPC Fly Cart is ideal for stores that prioritize design quality and user experience. However, please note that features like instant checkout, a cart total calculator, and coupon options are exclusively available in the premium version.
Alternatives: Additional WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugins I Explored
Here are a few more plugins I evaluated for this review.
Caddy
| 🟢 Pros:A clean slide-out cart that includes upselling options and a ‘save for later’ feature. The free version supports product recommendations and basic styling. 🔴 Cons:Advanced features such as saved lists and analytics are available only with the premium plan. ⭐ Ideal For:Stores seeking a straightforward cart with basic sales-enhancing tools. |
XT Floating Cart for WooCommerce
| 🟢 Pros:Offers smooth animations, real-time updates, and complete design customization. Comes with a free shipping bar and a coupon input field. 🔴 Cons:The Pro plan may be expensive for smaller stores, and some users have reported CSS compatibility issues with custom themes. ⭐ Ideal For:Stores looking for a contemporary shopping experience featuring slide-out effects. |
Addonify Floating Cart for WooCommerce
| 🟢 Pros:Free, responsive, and lightweight. Offers live updates and an Undo feature for items that were removed. 🔴 Cons:Lacks advanced marketing tools and pre-designed templates. ⭐ Ideal For:Beginners needing a straightforward and dependable slide-out cart. |
CartPops
| 🟢 Pros:Features a stylish fly-out cart with product recommendations and a free shipping progress indicator. Excellent for upselling. 🔴 Cons:Advanced triggers and analytics are only available with the Pro plan. Slightly heavier on page load times. ⭐ Ideal For:Stores focused on increasing order value through upselling and a gamified checkout experience. |
All-in-One Cart Solution
| 🟢 Pros:Comprehensive sidebar cart featuring one-click checkout, coupon support, and Ajax updates. Highly customizable. 🔴 Cons:May appear cluttered with excessive options; limited support for translations. ⭐ Ideal For:Stores seeking an all-in-one solution for cart management, checkout, and sticky add-to-cart functionality. |
Mini Floating Cart for WooCommerce
| 🟢 Pros:Customizable mini cart with various layout options and smooth animations. Compatible with all devices. 🔴 Cons:Limited integration options and marketing tools. ⭐ Ideal For:Small businesses looking for a minimalist, distraction-free cart that complements any website theme. |
What is the Best WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugin?
For the majority of online stores, Merchant stands out as the top choice. It features a sleek, modern design and useful functionalities such as cross-sell suggestions and countdown timers, enhancing both the shopping experience and sales performance.
For larger stores aiming to increase average order value, FunnelKit is an excellent option. Its sliding side cart integrates seamlessly with effective funnels, order bumps, and one-click upsells, facilitating a smoother and more profitable checkout experience.
If you’re using Elementor, ShopEngine offers complete design flexibility with its intuitive visual builder.
Looking for the best way to start? I suggest trying Merchant’s free version to experience how a sliding side cart can enhance your store. As your business expands, you can upgrade or explore other options.
Frequently Asked Questions About WooCommerce Sliding Side Cart Plugins
Have questions about implementing a sliding side cart in your WooCommerce store? Here are some quick answers to assist you.
Why isn’t my side cart updating automatically when I add items?
This issue often arises due to conflicts between your theme or another plugin and the side cart script. To troubleshoot, try clearing your site cache or disabling plugins one at a time to identify the culprit. Additionally, check if AJAX is enabled in your cart settings, as it manages automatic updates.
Do sliding side carts significantly reduce cart abandonment rates?
Sliding side carts can greatly impact cart abandonment by allowing customers to review their cart without navigating away from the page. When shoppers remain engaged with what they’re browsing, they are less likely to abandon their purchase before checkout.
Are free sliding cart plugins sufficient for most online stores?
Yes, the free versions of plugins such as Merchant, FunnelKit, and Fast Cart include all the essential features that most small to medium-sized stores require. A paid plan is only necessary if you want additional features like upselling, advanced customization, or tools for handling high order volumes or traffic.
Can I use sliding carts on mobile devices?
Yes, all the plugins I mentioned are fully responsive on mobile devices. Some even allow you to adjust mobile settings, such as disabling the side cart if you prefer the traditional mobile checkout experience.
Which sliding side cart plugin provides the best upselling features?
FunnelKit offers the most sophisticated upselling features, thanks to its funnels, order bumps, and one-click upsells that integrate seamlessly with the cart and checkout process.
Additional Resources to Enhance Your WooCommerce Store
I hope this guide has assisted you in selecting the ideal WooCommerce sliding side cart plugin for your online store.
Looking to enhance your WooCommerce store beyond the cart functionality? These additional resources will help you build a comprehensive, conversion-oriented online store:
- How to Implement Weight-Based Shipping in WooCommerce
- How to Offer a First Purchase Discount in WooCommerce
- How to Establish a Successful WooCommerce Rewards Program
- Sending WooCommerce Order Notifications Directly to WhatsApp
- Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up WooCommerce Conversion Tracking
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