6 Best KingSumo Alternatives: Boost Your Giveaways in 2026

· · 14 min read ·
Written By: author avatar Stacey Corrin
author avatar Stacey Corrin
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.
·
Reviewed By: reviewer avatar John Turner
reviewer avatar John Turner
John Turner is the co-founder of RafflePress. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.
Best KingSumo Alternatives

Are you looking for the best KingSumo alternatives for your small business?

KingSumo is a popular giveaway tool that can help grow your email list, generate leads, and boost engagement. But, as with any software solution, it may not be the perfect fit for your type of business.

In this article, I’ll explore what KingSumo is and why you may need a KingSumo alternative. I will also provide an in-depth comparison of the top KingSumo alternatives to power your business growth.

RankingAlternativeBest ForPricing
🥇 1RafflePressWordPress usersStarts from $299 one-time
🥈 2GleamComprehensive marketingStarts from $19/month
🥉 3UpViralReferral-focused campaignsStarts from $99/month
4VyperStylish and referral marketingStarts from $149/month
5WooboxDiverse campaign needsStarts from $37/month
6ShortStackAdvanced customizationStarts from $29/month

The best KingSumo alternatives are RafflePress (best for WordPress users), Gleam (best all-in-one marketing platform), UpViral (best for referral-heavy campaigns), Vyper (best for stylish referral programs), Woobox (best for multi-format campaign needs), and ShortStack (best for advanced customization). All support multiple entry methods, email marketing integrations, and viral sharing.

What Is KingSumo?

kingsumo alternatives

KingSumo is a giveaway app from the team behind AppSumo. It’s a software as a service (SaaS) that helps entrepreneurs, startups, freelancers, and businesses grow their audience with viral giveaways and sweepstakes.

You can use this tool to set up and promote your giveaways, drive traffic, increase social media followers, and build an email list. KingSumo giveaway also offers various features, including email marketing integration, social media sharing, and bonus entries, making it a popular choice for many marketers.

You can learn more by reading this KingSumo review.

Why Do You Need KingSumo Alternatives?

While KingSumo has several benefits for online marketing, it may not be the right solution for everyone. Some users may prefer a different interface, additional features, or pricing options. For example, KingSumo has no giveaway templates, so when I was trying to create a unique look and feel for my online contest it took more work.

This is where KingSumo alternatives come in. By looking at the alternatives, you can find a giveaway tool that best fits your business needs and preferences.

How I Chose KingSumo Alternatives to Test

When I started looking for KingSumo alternatives, I wanted to make sure I was comparing tools that would actually help you run successful giveaways. I focused on specific criteria that matter most for small businesses:

  • Ease of Use – I looked for tools that don’t require technical skills to set up and run. You should be able to create a giveaway quickly without needing to write code or hire a developer.
  • Feature Set – Each tool needed to have essential features like multiple entry methods, social sharing options, and winner selection. I also checked for email marketing integration since that’s crucial for following up with participants.
  • Customization Options – I made sure these alternatives let you customize your giveaway to match your brand. This includes changing colors, adding your logo, and adjusting the layout.
  • Price vs Value – I compared pricing plans to ensure they offer good value for small businesses. Some cheaper options might lack important features, while more expensive ones might offer features you’ll never use.
  • Customer Support – Running a giveaway can be stressful if something goes wrong, so I checked each platform’s support options and response times.

Best KingSumo Alternatives

When deciding on a KingSumo alternative, keep in mind its ease of use, features, customization options, customer support, and pricing. I’ll cover many of these factors below when digging into the best alternatives for KingSumo.

1. RafflePress

best WordPress giveaway plugin RafflePress
Starting price$299 one-time (Single Site)
Free planNo
Best forWordPress users running viral giveaways
WordPress pluginYes (native integration)

First, let’s look at RafflePress, one of the best WordPress giveaway plugins. If you’re a WordPress site owner, this user-friendly tool makes it easy to create viral giveaways right from your website without code.

This means you won’t have to go back and forth between multiple platforms to manage your contest or giveaway. It’s also an excellent way to drive direct traffic to your business site.

In my experience, managing everything on WordPress was a huge time-saver. I used to waste so much time switching between platforms for giveaways, but RafflePress streamlined the entire process.

RafflePress comes with a powerful drag-and-drop builder and various editable giveaway templates, making it quick and easy to get started. You can also customize your giveaway widget with prize images, custom colors, and unique background images.

I found the pre-built templates especially helpful when I was starting out. They gave me a great framework to build on and saved me a lot of design time. I was also impressed with how easy it was to customize the look and feel of the widget to match my brand.

RafflePress giveaway builder with background image

However, this plugin’s stand-out feature is its viral sharing options. Entrants can participate by referring a friend, sharing your contest on social media, signing up for your email newsletter, and following you on multiple social networks.

Other 1-click entries include:

  • Leave a comment
  • Submit an image
  • Write a blog post
  • Subscribe to a podcast
  • Follow on Twitch
  • Visit a page
  • Polls & Surveys
RafflePress giveaway actions

When publishing your giveaway, you can do so with RafflePress’s WordPress block, which works natively with the WordPress block editor. You can also use a shortcode or publish your contest on a distraction-free giveaway landing page.

RafflePress giveaway landing page example

Personally, I preferred using the WordPress block, as it integrated perfectly with my existing workflow.

Contest management is just as easy. You can see participant information inside your WordPress dashboard, including the actions they took to enter. From there, you can choose random winners with just a few clicks.

Pick a random giveaway winner

RafflePress also offers the following functionality:

  • Email verification for fraud detection
  • GDPR compliance checkbox
  • Giveaway rules generator
  • Integration with email marketing tools
  • Retargeting and redirection
  • Social logins
  • Zapier and webhooks for other marketing automation platforms
  • SEO-friendly WordPress plugin
  • Lightweight code
ProsCons
One-time pricing, no monthly feesWordPress only, no standalone version
Native WordPress dashboard integrationRequires an existing WordPress site
Wide range of viral entry methodsNo free plan
Drag-and-drop builder with ready-made templates
Email verification and fraud detection built in

RafflePress vs KingSumo: Key Differences

KingSumo is a standalone SaaS app hosted on their servers. RafflePress is a WordPress plugin that runs on your site. KingSumo uses a subscription model. RafflePress is a one-time purchase with no recurring fees.

RafflePress also offers a wider range of viral entry methods and keeps all participant data inside your WordPress dashboard, so you’re not dependent on a third-party platform.

One thing worth knowing: RafflePress is WordPress-only. If you’re not on WordPress or need a standalone SaaS platform, Gleam or ShortStack are worth a closer look.

For a side-by-side breakdown, see our full RafflePress vs KingSumo comparison.

Get started with RafflePress today!

2. Gleam

Gleam giveaways, KingSumo alternative
Starting price$19/month (Competitions)
Free planNo (free trial only)
Best forMarketers who need more than giveaways
WordPress pluginVia embed code or WordPress plugin

Gleam is an all-in-one marketing platform that offers giveaways, rewards, galleries, and other engagement-boosting tools. With Gleam, you can create highly engaging campaigns that encourage social sharing and lead generation.

Similar to RafflePress, it lets you build a giveaway widget with multiple social sharing incentives. However, Gleam is a standalone platform, so any giveaway you create is hosted on their servers.

That said, you can embed your contests on any website with an embed code. For WordPress, you can use the Gleam WordPress plugin.

Some of Gleam’s other features include:

  • Integration with popular CRM, ecommerce, and marketing platforms.
  • Multiple 1-click entry methods
  • Viral referral options
  • Customizable templates
  • Random winner picker
  • Coupon incentives
  • Webhooks API

When I tested Gleam, the campaign builder has more settings to work through than simpler tools. It takes longer to get your first campaign live, especially if you’re new to embedded widgets. Once you’re past the setup, the range of campaign types is impressive.

ProsCons
All-in-one platform (giveaways, rewards, galleries)More complex setup than simpler tools
Works on any website, not just WordPressMonthly subscription required
Strong integrations with CRM and marketing platformsCampaigns hosted on Gleam’s servers, not your site
Multiple 1-click entry methodsCan feel like overkill for basic giveaways

Verdict: Gleam is the right pick if you need more than a giveaway tool and want rewards programs, galleries, and deeper integrations in one place. Skip it if you’re on a tight budget or mainly need simple contest entry forms.

Looking for more options? See our roundup of free Gleam alternatives for WordPress.

3. UpViral

UpVIral KingSumo alternatives

   
Starting price $99/month
Free plan No
Best for Referral-heavy viral campaigns
WordPress plugin No (embed code only)

UpViral is another popular KingSumo alternative for creating viral giveaway marketing campaigns. It’s a cloud-based referral marketing platform that encourages users to share your giveaway with their friends to increase your reach. 

You can use this platform to run sweepstakes to signup new subscribers, launch new products, promote events, and more. Plus, its drag-and-drop builder and premade templates make it easy if you have no technical knowledge.

UpViral’s features focus heavily on referral marketing, with leaderboards, unlockable incentives, and gamification to build hype.

Some of its other features include:

    • Multiple entry methods

    • Fraud detection

    • Campaign scheduling

    • Automatic winner selection

    • A/B testing

    • Retargeting & tracking

    • Custom domains

UpViral’s referral mechanics are more developed than most giveaway tools. The leaderboard and unlockable incentive features can drive a lot of sharing, but setup takes more time than a basic contest builder. It’s designed for campaigns where referral volume is the main goal.

Pros Cons
Strong referral marketing focus with leaderboards Starts at $79/month, no free plan
A/B testing built in No native WordPress plugin
Gamification features that drive sharing Higher price for smaller budgets
Fraud detection included  

Verdict: UpViral is worth it if referral volume is your main campaign goal and you’re willing to invest in the tools that support it. For simpler contests without a heavy referral focus, you’ll get more value from a cheaper option.

Here’s an UpViral review you may find helpful.

4. Vyper

Vyper KingSumo Alternatives

   
Starting price $149/month
Free plan Yes (build for free, pay to publish)
Best for Referral programs with stylish branding
WordPress plugin No (embed code only)

Vyper is a versatile marketing platform offering both giveaways and referral programs. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, you can use it to increase engagement, generate referrals, and incentivize your paid media campaigns.

The platform has 3 different display modes: a dashboard, landing page, embed form, and widget. This helps you encourage participation both on and off your website.

You can also choose from several premade templates and integrate Vyper with email marketing tools like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and Sendy.

Other key features include:

    • Mobile responsive design

    • Custom sub-domains (on Enterprise plans)

    • Google Analytics support

    • Countdown timer feature

    • Leaderboards

The free-to-build model is a good way to try Vyper before committing. The interface is clean and templates are well-designed, though the $149/month starting price is on the higher end compared to other tools on this list.

Pros Cons
Free to build, pay only to publish Starts at $149/month
Multiple display modes (widget, landing page, embed) No native WordPress plugin
Clean, stylish campaign interface Fewer entry method options than RafflePress
Countdown timer and leaderboard features  

Verdict: Vyper is a good fit if you want a polished, referral-focused campaign and can justify the higher monthly cost. If budget is a concern, UpViral offers similar referral features at a lower starting price.

Need more options at a lower price point? Explore our list of best Vyper alternatives.

5. Woobox

Woobox KingSumo alternative

   
Starting price $37/month (up to 1,000 participants)
Free plan Yes (up to 100 participants)
Best for Diverse campaign types beyond giveaways
WordPress plugin No (embed code only)

Woobox is a popular marketing platform offering giveaways, contests, quizzes, and more. It’s designed to help you drive engagement, increase leads, and build your online presence.

With Woobox, you can create a wide range of campaigns. For example, with its premade templates, you can run campaigns on social media, landing pages, popups, and with embed codes.

These campaigns range from social media contests and giveaways to discount coupons, email signup forms, and surveys. It’s also easy to customize each campaign with the visual editor to get the perfect look and feel for your business.

Woobox also includes the following features:

    • Customizable templates

    • Email marketing integrations

    • Multiple entry methods

    • Social sharing options

    • In-depth analytics

    • Responsive design

    • Built-in winner picker

Woobox stands out for campaign variety. If you need to run a survey, a coupon campaign, and a giveaway across the same quarter, this platform handles all three from one account. The tradeoff is that no single campaign type goes as deep as dedicated tools.

Pros Cons
Wide range of campaign types in one platform Participant-based pricing can add up
Free plan available No native WordPress plugin
Visual editor for customization Less referral marketing depth than UpViral or Vyper
Built-in winner picker and analytics  

Verdict: Woobox makes sense if you run varied marketing campaigns and want them under one roof. For pure giveaway focus with strong viral mechanics, RafflePress or UpViral will serve you better.

For more information, here’s a handy Woobox review.

6. ShortStack

ShortStack kingsumo alterantives

   
Starting price $29/month
Free plan Yes (limited)
Best for Advanced customization and team workflows
WordPress plugin No (embed code only)

ShortStack is a marketing platform that helps you create contests, giveaways, quizzes, and landing pages. It’s a flexible solution with advanced customization options, making it ideal for those who want complete control over their campaigns.

The platform offers various premade templates with point-and-click customization options, including instant wins, quizzes, coupon distribution, and more. You can publish your ShortStack campaign via popups, landing pages, custom domains, and with an embed code.

This tool also offers easy contest management and winner selection options, with coupon and prize codes.

More ShortStack features are as follows:

    • Refer-a-friend contests

    • Voting gallery

    • Social login

    • Campaign analytics

    • Team collaboration

ShortStack offers the most customization flexibility of any tool on this list. The tradeoff is complexity and a higher price point. If you need to hand campaigns off to a team or run highly branded experiences, it earns its cost.

Pros Cons
Highest customization level on this list Starts at $29/month; most capable plans from $119/month
Team collaboration features built in Steeper learning curve than simpler tools
Supports complex campaign types No native WordPress plugin
Custom domains on all plans Can be overkill for simple giveaways

Verdict: ShortStack is the right choice if you need maximum control over your campaign design and have a team managing it. For straightforward giveaways, the complexity and price aren’t justified.

You can see our ShortStack review here for more details.

Which KingSumo Alternatives Are Best?

The right KingSumo alternative comes down to your platform and goals. If you’re on WordPress, RafflePress is the strongest option. You get native integration, one-time pricing, and viral entry methods that work directly from your dashboard.

For standalone platforms, Gleam covers the most ground, UpViral focuses on referrals, and ShortStack gives you the most customization control. Use the comparison table above to match each tool to your specific campaign type. For even more options, see our best social media contest tools roundup.

Get started with RafflePress today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which KingSumo alternative is best for WordPress?
RafflePress is the best KingSumo alternative for WordPress users. It installs as a plugin, runs giveaways directly from your WordPress dashboard, and uses one-time pricing, unlike KingSumo’s monthly subscription model.
How does RafflePress compare to KingSumo?
RafflePress is a WordPress plugin while KingSumo is a standalone SaaS app. RafflePress uses one-time pricing starting from $299. KingSumo uses a subscription model. RafflePress offers more viral entry methods and runs directly from your WordPress dashboard, keeping all participant data on your site. KingSumo works without WordPress, making it a better fit for non-WordPress users who want quick setup.
Is KingSumo still available in 2026?
Yes, KingSumo is still available in 2026. It’s a giveaway tool from the AppSumo team and remains a legitimate option for running viral sweepstakes. However, KingSumo has fewer features than most alternatives on this list, particularly in viral entry methods and template customization. The tools above offer more flexibility for most small business use cases.

author avatar
Stacey Corrin Writer
Stacey has been writing about WordPress and digital marketing for over 10 years and on other topics for much longer. Alongside this, she's fascinated with web design, user experience, and SEO.

Want a Free Giveaway Playbook?

Get our step-by-step guide with proven templates, prize ideas, and promotion strategies that have helped businesses grow to 10,000+ subscribers.

Already know you need a giveaway plugin? See RafflePress pricing →