WordPress strips <iframe> tags directly in the editor. This is default behavior and can't be changed without a plugin or code. If you've tried embedding a calculator, notary map, or PDF contract on your site, you've already encountered this.

Gutenberg handles YouTube, Vimeo, and about 30 approved services by default natively. Everything else requires an <iframe>. And <iframe> in the editor requires a plugin.

We tested the available options and selected five that actually work in 2026. From a simple shortcode with no settings to a full-featured solution with CSS modification inside the frame.

💡 Quick overview:

• Need the simplest option with no settings: iframe (webvitaly) installs in three minutes, shortcode <span data-sds-iframe-placeholder="1"></span> and you're done.
• Working in Elementor: Element Pack covers iframe and 40 other tasks with one plugin, no separate extension needed.
• Want to hide the header of another site or show only the form: Advanced iFrame does this through CSS and attributes, but will require time to learn.

Comparison table

1. Advanced iFrame

The most powerful iframe plugin for WordPress that we tested. It can do what a standard <iframe> can't: hide and modify elements inside the frame, pass parameters through the URL, lazy load pages only on scroll.

In practice, this means a specific capability: embed another site and remove its header, footer, and ad sidebar. The visitor sees only the form or table. Version 2026.2, released in June 2026, improved resize support on mobile devices. The plugin has 40,000+ active installations on WordPress.org.

Pros:

• CSS modification and hiding areas inside iframe: on your own domain without restrictions, on others through one line of JS
• Auto-height with tracking of dynamic changes, including hidden tabs and accordions
• Lazy loading: frame renders only when scrolled to
• Built-in availability monitoring of all iframe addresses once per day

Cons:

• Over a hundred settings: difficult for a beginner without basic HTML and CSS to figure out
• Cross-domain auto-height and work with different domains available only in Pro

Price: Lite free, Pro one-time $24 on CodeCanyon.

🔗 Advanced iFrame on WordPress.org

🔗 Advanced iFrame Pro on CodeCanyon

2. iframe (webvitaly)

Maximally simple plugin: one shortcode <span data-sds-iframe-placeholder="2"></span>, and the external page is in place. No UI, no setup wizards. Essentially it's a literal analog of the HTML <iframe> tag as a shortcode: all standard attributes are available directly in it.

Works with YouTube, Vimeo, Google Maps, and any external URLs. Version 6.0 (May 2026) added an option to hide content until fully loaded, without JavaScript flickering. The plugin has 70,000+ active installations on WordPress.org.

Pros:

• No extras: no jQuery, no frameworks, only native WordPress shortcode
• All standard <iframe> attributes available directly in the shortcode
• Multiple iframes on one page work without conflicts
• Completely free, no Pro restrictions

Cons:

• Shortcode only: no visual tools
• Can't do auto-height, resize, and CSS modification inside the frame
• Not optimized for Elementor

Price: Free.

🔗 iframe on WordPress.org

3. Custom iFrame

Fresh plugin with emphasis on visual setup without code. Works in both Gutenberg and Elementor: add a block or widget, insert the URL, and configure dimensions, scroll, and border directly in the editor sidebar. Not a single line of shortcode.

Supports PDF, audio player, Google Maps, and any third-party URLs by address, without additional settings. Version 2.0.3 was released on June 15, 2026. The plugin has 3,000+ active installations and a 5.0 rating on WordPress.org.

Pros:

• Gutenberg block and Elementor widget in one plugin
• PDF and audio player out of the box, embed by URL without third-party services
• Visual setup in the editor, no need to remember attributes

Cons:

• No auto-height and resize to content, only fixed dimensions
• 3,000+ installations: young plugin with a small community
• Can't modify CSS inside the frame

Price: Free.

🔗 Custom iFrame on WordPress.org

4. Auto iFrame

Plugin with one superpower: auto-height. The frame adjusts to the height of the external page content by itself, without manual pixel picking. Add the shortcode [auto-iframe link="URL"], and it calculates the content height itself.

Settings are flexible: you can set a fixed width with auto-height, adjust the fudge factor (height correction in pixels), enable or disable scroll and border. Works with multisite and HTTP and HTTPS protocols. The plugin has 4,000+ active installations, last updated: December 2024.

Pros:

• Auto-height without additional JS on the source page
• Fudge factor: manual height correction when auto-calculation misses
• Support for WordPress Multisite

Cons:

• Last update: December 2024, development pace is low
• No Gutenberg block and Elementor widget, only shortcode
• Can't modify CSS

Price: Free.

🔗 Auto iFrame on WordPress.org

5. Element Pack

Not a separate iframe plugin, but a set of 300+ widgets for Elementor in which iframe is one of the tools. If you're already working in Elementor, a separate plugin isn't needed: Element Pack covers this task and forty others.

The widget supports audio, video, Google Maps, lazy loading, scroll bars, and 360 view. The plugin has 100,000+ active installations and a 4.7 rating on WordPress.org. Version 8.7.4 was released on June 16, 2026. This is the largest package from our list.

Pros:

• iframe with audio, video, maps, and 360 view in one Elementor widget
• 300+ widgets in Pro: Advanced Counter, Mega Menu, Theme Builder, Dynamic Content
• Regular updates and large active community

Cons:

• Requires Elementor, useless without it
• Pro priced from $49 per year: expensive if you only need iframe
• Can't modify CSS inside the frame and auto-height

Price: Lite free, Pro from $49/year (1 site).

🔗 Element Pack Lite on WordPress.org

🔗 Element Pack Pro

See how Advanced iFrame installs and configures in a real WordPress, from installation to width and scroll settings, in the video below in three minutes.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can I embed an iframe in WordPress at all without a plugin?

Yes, but with caveats. Gutenberg passes embed blocks for YouTube, Vimeo, and about 30 services from the official oEmbed whitelist. For everything else (third-party forms, calculators, PDFs, and maps not on the list) you need a plugin or custom code in functions.php. A plugin is simpler and safer.

Which plugin should I choose for embedding YouTube videos?

None. YouTube, Vimeo, and all oEmbed providers are embedded natively by WordPress: paste the URL on a separate line in the editor and you'll get a player. An iframe plugin is only needed for sources not on the oEmbed whitelist: third-party forms, calculators, PDFs, 3D models.

How does the Pro version of Advanced iFrame differ from the free one?

The free version works at full capacity when your site and the embedded page are on the same domain. Pro removes this limitation: shows and hides specific iframe areas from any domains, supports auto-zoom and load on click. One-time payment: $24 on CodeCanyon.

Auto iFrame hasn't been updated since December 2024. Can I trust it?

Yes. The plugin is active in the WordPress.org repository, passes compatibility checks, and is not marked as closed or outdated. For basic auto-height its capabilities are sufficient. If you need an actively developing analog with auto-height, look at Advanced iFrame (v2026.2).

Do I need a separate iframe plugin when using Elementor?

Depends on the task. Elementor embeds YouTube, Vimeo, and HTML code through a widget out of the box. For auto-height, lazy loading, and 360 view inside iframe, get Element Pack: adds these capabilities to the familiar interface without extra plugins.

Which iframe plugin to install in 2026

For most sites, free options are enough. It's worth paying only for cross-domain work in Advanced iFrame or the full widget set in Element Pack. Other scenarios are covered for free.

• If you need a simple shortcode with no settings: get iframe (webvitaly). 70,000+ installations, everything out of the box.
• If working in Elementor: Element Pack covers iframe and 40 other tasks with one plugin.
• If you need full control (hide header, show only form, cross-domain work): Advanced iFrame, you'll have to figure out the settings.
• If embedding PDF or maps through Gutenberg without code: Custom iFrame with visual interface.
• If auto-height is important without extras: Auto iFrame will handle it.

Write in the comments what you're embedding on your site: we'll help you choose the optimal option.