---
title: Widget types
slug: widget-types
description: Compare Personizely's 4 widget types (popup, bar, callout, embedded): placement, backdrop, teaser, close options, animations, mobile behavior and typical uses.
image: https://archbee-image-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/1y1Fr-DMGy_apx7FwibyA/ORDTWfNKMXiY3ZRv0QSgP_personizely-docs-og.png
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-10-17T09:41:47.330Z
---

Personizely has four widget types: **popups**, **bars**, **callouts** and **embedded widgets**. They share the same builder, elements, triggers, rules, automations and A/B testing. What differs is where the widget appears, whether it covers the page, and which display options it has. You choose the type when you create a widget. The app has no setting to change it later; to switch, create a new widget.

## Comparison

|                                | Popup                                                     | Bar                                         | Callout                                      | Embedded                                   |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| Placement                      | Centered on the screen                                    | Full width, top or bottom                   | One of 8 positions: corners and edge centers | Inside your page, in an element you choose |
| Covers the page                | Yes, with a backdrop                                      | No (Top bars can push the page down)        | No                                           | No, it's part of the page                  |
| Backdrop                       | Yes (can be turned off)                                   | No                                          | No                                           | No                                         |
| Close button                   | Yes                                                       | Yes                                         | Yes                                          | No                                         |
| Close on Esc                   | Yes (default on)                                          | Yes (default on)                            | Yes (default on)                             | No                                         |
| Teaser                         | Yes                                                       | No                                          | Yes                                          | No                                         |
| Open animations                | Fade, slide (4 directions), bounce (2), zoom in, zoom out | Fade, slide down (top) or slide up (bottom) | Same as popup                                | None                                       |
| Default width                  | 600 px                                                    | Full width                                  | 390 px                                       | Width of the host element                  |
| Mobile (≤ 480 px wide)         | Can dock to the bottom of the screen (**Ergonomic**)      | Full width                                  | Shrinks to fit the screen                    | Follows your layout                        |
| Keyboard focus                 | Kept inside the popup                                     | Not trapped                                 | Moves into the callout                       | Not moved                                  |
| "Powered by" badge, if enabled | Yes                                                       | Logo only                                   | Yes                                          | No                                         |

Every type needs a [trigger](https://docs.personizely.net/triggers) to appear, including embedded widgets (usually **Landing**).

## Choosing a type

- **Popup** when the message deserves the visitor's full attention for a moment: an exit-intent discount, an email capture with an incentive, a spin-to-win wheel, an age gate.
- **Bar** for persistent, low-friction messages: free-shipping thresholds, sitewide sales, shipping cut-offs, store announcements.
- **Callout** for nudges that shouldn't interrupt browsing: a newsletter prompt in the corner, a "complete the look" product suggestion, a support or survey prompt.
- **Embedded** when the content belongs in the page itself: an inline sign-up form at the end of a blog post, a banner on product pages, a product recommendation block in the cart.

## Type-specific pages

- [Popups](https://docs.personizely.net/popup-widgets): backdrop, ergonomic mobile mode, animations.
- [Bars (top and bottom banners)](https://docs.personizely.net/bar-widgets): top and bottom bars, Fixed, Static and Fixed and on top behaviors.
- [Callouts (slide-in widgets)](https://docs.personizely.net/callout-widgets): the 8 positions.
- [Embedded widgets and placeholders](https://docs.personizely.net/embedded-widgets): embed code, placeholders, Shopify app blocks and WordPress shortcodes.

## Behavior details and limitations

- **One type per widget.** Experiments compare variations of the same widget, so all variations share its type. To test a popup against a bar, run two widgets and compare their reports.
- **Widget interaction rules use the type.** A rule such as "Don't show if a popup is already open" checks other widgets of the chosen type at the moment the trigger fires.
- **Bars and embedded widgets have no teaser.** If you need a minimized state, use a popup or a callout.

## Related

- [Widgets](https://docs.personizely.net/widgets)
- [Widget display options](https://docs.personizely.net/widget-display-options)
- [Widgets on mobile](https://docs.personizely.net/widgets-mobile)
- [Teaser (minimized widget)](https://docs.personizely.net/widget-teaser)
- [How widgets load and display](https://docs.personizely.net/widgets-how-they-work)