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WordPress Guide → Plugins → Sticky Menu
Best free sticky menu plugins for WordPress
Want your menu to stay visible as users scroll down your site? A sticky menu does exactly that—keeping key navigation links pinned to the top (or side) of the screen so users can easily explore your content. Whether you’re building a blog, portfolio, or online store, a sticky menu can improve user experience and help boost engagement.
Let’s look at the best free sticky menu plugins that work seamlessly with popular themes and builders, no coding required.
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Why use a sticky menu in WordPress?
Sticky menus improve usability by keeping navigation accessible at all times. Instead of scrolling back up, users can stay focused and click through key links on the fly.
- Great for mobile and long-scroll pages.
- Helps highlight CTAs or important navigation.
- Increases time on site and reduces bounce rates.
- Adds a modern, interactive feel to your layout.
Features to look for in a sticky menu plugin
Not every sticky menu plugin works the same. These are the features that make the best ones stand out:
- Responsive design so it works well on mobile and desktop.
- Visibility controls to show or hide the menu on certain pages.
- Sticky position options (top, bottom, or side).
- Animation and transition effects for a smooth user experience.
- Lightweight code that won’t slow down your site.
4. Sticky Menu & Sticky Header by WebFactory Ltd
Previously known as “Sticky Menu (or Anything!) on Scroll,” this plugin lets you apply sticky behavior to any element—not just your menu. You can choose the sticky position, enable or disable it based on scroll position, and add optional effects like fade-ins or slide-ins.
Its standout feature is flexibility: it’s not limited to navigation elements and works on any class or ID in your HTML.
Key features:
- Make any element sticky with ease.
- Custom scroll point offset.
- Simple class/ID targeting.
- Lightweight and theme-compatible.
5. WP Sticky Sidebar
Although WP Sticky Sidebar is primarily used to keep sidebars visible, you can also apply it to menu widgets or vertical navigation areas. It adapts dynamically to scrolling, ensuring your sticky element doesn’t overlap or hide content.
This is a good choice for bloggers and content-heavy sites using side navigation or menus in widgetized areas.
Key features:
- Supports sticky sidebar and widget areas.
- Smart height and spacing adjustments.
- Mobile-compatible sticky behavior.
- Works with most modern themes.
6. Elementor (Sticky Scrolling)
If you’re already using Elementor, you don’t need an extra plugin. The page builder includes sticky scrolling settings that let you fix any section—including menus—to the top of the screen. You can adjust when it becomes sticky, set offsets, and apply entrance animations.
This is ideal for custom headers or floating CTA menus built directly in the Elementor interface.
Key features:
- Built-in sticky behavior for any section.
- No additional plugin required.
- Entrance animations and offsets.
- Great for custom header layouts.
How to make a sticky menu without a plugin
Don’t want to install another plugin? You can create a sticky menu using just CSS.
Here’s a sample code snippet:
.site-header {
position: sticky;
top: 0;
z-index: 999;
background: white;
}This works well for themes that already assign a .site-header class to the main navigation bar. Just add it to your Customizer’s “Additional CSS” panel. Keep in mind that browser support and header height can impact performance.
Getting started with sticky menu plugins for WordPress
Sticky menus are one of the easiest ways to improve site navigation and user experience. With the right plugin, you can set it up in minutes—no coding required.
If you’re a beginner, go with myStickymenu or Catch Sticky Menu—they work out of the box and don’t require customization. Want more layout control? Try WP Floating Menu or F12 Floating Menu.
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Additional resources
What is a WordPress plugin? →
A complete beginner’s guide to WordPress plugins and how to manage them
Easy SEO for WordPress →
7 SEO tasks anyone can do, to set your WordPress site up for success in organic search.
How to check if a plugin is safe →
Simple steps to evaluating a plugin before you install and activate it
Leslie Bowman is an Organic SEO Manager at Liquid Web and expert wordsmith. She specializes in driving revenue through organic and paid channels with SEO and CRO. When she’s not bending search algorithms to her will, she’s most likely spending time with animals, reading nonfiction, or marveling at nature’s beauty.