Modals are flexible windows that sit on top of a product’s main window, interacting with users without disrupting their ux flows. Modal windows are great for welcome messages, images, and videos. Modals are often designed with a layer of transparency behind them, providing a peek of the main screen, but they can also take over the entire screen and command full attention.

You can build code-free modal windows with Appcues. We can wholeheartedly recommend our own product because it’s seriously a great way to create gorgeous, customizable modals (and more) that improve user onboarding ux and engagement. All without bugging your dev team.

If you want to go the open source route, here are 67 options to check out: 

JBox jQuery Plugin for Modals

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: A powerful and flexible jQuery plugin that features modal windows and tooltips.Link: http://stephanwagner.me/jBox

Modal.js for Bootstrap

Language(s): JavaScriptWhat we like about it: One of the most popular open source tools for creating a modal dialog.Link: http://getbootstrap.com/javascript/

Vex

Language(s): CSS, JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Easy-to-customize modal dialogs with a clean, modern look.Link: http://github.hubspot.com/vex/docs/welcome/

Reveal Modal

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Popular and easy-to-use jQuery modal plugin.Link: http://foundation.zurb.com/sites/docs/v/5.5.3/components/reveal.html

Joyride

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Very popular resource for tooltips and modals.Link: http://foundation.zurb.com/sites/docs/v/5.5.3/components/joyride.html

Website Tour with jQuery

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Give website tours using modals and tooltips.Link: http://tympanus.net/codrops/2010/12/21/website-tour/

jQuery TourBus

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Gives you full control of your web walkthrough with modals and tooltips.Link:  http://ryanfunduk.com/jquery-tourbus/

jQuery Plugin "modalBox"

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: A very simple jQuery dialog.Link:   http://opensource.steffenhollstein.de/templates/modalbox/

Ouibounce

Language(s): JavaScript, CSSWhat we like about it: A small library for creating popup windows upon exit intent.Link: https://github.com/carlsednaoui/ouibounce

Magnific Popup

Language(s): JavaScript, CSSWhat we like about it:  A modal popup that users can only leave based on specific actions.Link: http://dimsemenov.com/plugins/magnific-popup/

CSS Modal

Language(s): CSSWhat we like about it: Customizable modal window with options to add text, photos, and videos.Link: http://drublic.github.io/css-modal/#

Fallr

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple, bare-bones jQuery modal plugin.Link: http://amatyran.com/codecanyon/fallr-js/

SimpleModal

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Lightweight jQuery plugin that allows customizable CSS.Link: http://www.ericmmartin.com/projects/simplemodal/

jQuery Modal

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple jQuery modal that includes styled login forms and unclosable windows.Link: http://jquerymodal.com

DayPilot.Modal Dialog

Language(s): JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Simple modal dialog that can display HTML or standalone page.Link: https://code.daypilot.org/81367/daypilot-modal

jQuery UI

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Basic jQuery dialog for forms, messages, and animations.Link: https://jqueryui.com/dialog/

Nifty Modal Dialog Effects

Language(s): JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Experimental and sleek modal designs.Link: http://tympanus.net/codrops/2013/06/25/nifty-modal-window-effects/

animatedModal.js

Language(s): JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Full screen modals with animated transitions.Link: http://joaopereirawd.github.io/animatedModal.js/

jQuery MessageBox

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Plain and straight-forward modal.Link: http://gasparesganga.com/labs/jquery-message-box/

Remodal

Language(s): JavaScript, CSS What we like about it: Responsive and simple modal plugin with declarative configuration and hash tracking.Link: http://vodkabears.github.io/remodal/#

SweetAlert

Language(s): JavaScript, CSSWhat we like about it: Popular popup modal that replaces Javascript’s “alert” Link: http://t4t5.github.io/sweetalert/

Avgrund Modal

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Nice-looking plugin for jQuery popups and modals.Link: http://labs.voronianski.com/jquery.avgrund.js/

Modal Popups

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple, lightweight modal popup.Link: http://www.jqueryscript.net/lightbox/Super-Simple-Modal-Popups-with-jQuery-CSS3-Transitions.html

Lean Modal

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Super light, bare bones modal dialog window. Link: http://leanmodal.finelysliced.com.au

jQuery Popdown Plugin

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: Clean jQuery modal window that pops down for a change. Link: http://wixel.github.io/jquery-popdown/

Colorbox

Language(s): jQueryWhat we like about it: A jQuery lightbox that’s great for displaying photos. Link: http://www.jacklmoore.com/colorbox/

SSI-modal

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Responsive, mobile-friendly modal Link: http://ssbeefeater.github.io/#ssi-modal

jQuery Modal 1.2.3

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple jQuery modal for alerts, prompts, errors, and animations.Link: https://github.com/CreativeDream/jquery.modal

Custombox

Languages:  JavaScript, jQueryWhat we like about it: Created with native JavaScript, works with jQuery and has a lot of animated transition options. Link: http://dixso.github.io/custombox/ 

BlockUI

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Popup jQuery plugin that prevents users from exiting until they perform certain actions. Link: http://jquery.malsup.com/block/

nyroModal

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Highly customizable modal windows.Link: http://nyromodal.nyrodev.com

fancyBox

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Lightbox alternative, great for images and html content.Link: http://fancybox.net

jqModal

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Super lightweight and flexible modal window.Link: http://jquery.iceburg.net/jqModal/#examples

Zebra Dialog

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Lightweight dialog box with clean-looking default designs. Link: http://stefangabos.ro/jquery/zebra-dialog/

moaModal

Languages:  jQueryWhat we like about it: Small, flexible modals. Link: http://sweefty.com/moaModal/

Login Modal

Languages:  jQuery, CSSWhat we like about it: Login or signin modal dialog window.  Link: http://www.alessioatzeni.com/wp-content/tutorials/jquery/login-box-modal-dialog-window/index.html

Tinybox 2

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Highly customizable JavaScript modal windows. Link: http://sandbox.scriptiny.com/tinybox2/

Rmodal

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Simple modal with plain JavaScript (no dependencies), and less than 1.2 KBLink: http://plnkr.co/edit/XXFKwHHcZD4Ecjh8twaW?p=preview

bPopup

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple, lightweight jQuery modal popup.Link: http://dinbror.dk/bpopup/

ModalPoplite

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Straight-forward modal popup packed with features.Link: http://www.mywebdeveloperblog.com/projects/modalpoplite/demo/

FacyBox

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Facebook-like, jQuery modals that can display images, divs, or remote pages.Link: http://bitbonsai.com/facybox/

ThickBox

Languages: JavaScript, jQuery, CSSWhat we like about it: Shows images, galleries, inline content, and iframed content.Link: http://codylindley.com/thickbox/ 

ngDialog

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Beautiful, clean modals and popups for Angular.js apps.Link: http://likeastore.github.io/ngDialog/#

Bubble Transition

Languages: SwiftWhat we like about it: Gorgeous bubble transition modal for mobile apps.Link: https://github.com/andreamazz/BubbleTransition

Noty

Languages: JQueryWhat we like about it: Pretty and colorful jQuery popup windows that can be easily positioned.Link: http://ned.im/noty/#/about

SimpleDialog

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: A no-frills popup window for jQuery mobile.Link: http://dev.jtsage.com/jQM-SimpleDialog/demos/string.html 

Boxy

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Clean, Facebook-like modal dialog for a variety of functions.Link: http://onehackoranother.com/projects/jquery/boxy/tests.html#

Popup Dialog Windows

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Simple jQuery modal popups that interact with users.Link: http://www.ezzylearning.com/tutorial/creating-popup-dialog-windows-using-jquery 

jQuery Impromptu

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Nice jQuery popups for alerts, prompts, and confirmations, meant to complement modals.Link: http://trentrichardson.com/Impromptu/

Modaal 

Languages: CSS, jQueryWhat we like about it: Accessible and flexible plugin for modal dialog. Link: http://humaan.com/modaal/

Ply

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Customizable popup window with multistep options. Link: http://rubaxa.github.io/Ply/

Flipside

Languages: CSSWhat we like about it: A CTA button that turns into a modal window.Link: http://lab.hakim.se/flipside/

jAlert

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: Responsive and easy-to-use jQuery popup form. Link: http://flwebsites.biz/jAlert/

jQuery confirm

Languages: jQueryWhat we like about it: A jQuery window with plenty of features.Link: https://craftpip.github.io/jquery-confirm/

Modal Box with CSS

Languages: CSS3, HTML5What we like about it: Nice-looking HTML popup. Link: http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2012/10/creating-a-modal-window-with-html5-and-css3/

iZiMODAL

Languages: CSS, jQueryWhat we like about it: Elegant and lightweight jQuery window.Link: http://izimodal.marcelodolce.com

Backbone.Modal

Languages: CSS, JavaScript, HTML What we like about it: Comes with default behaviors and interaction, built for Backbone.JS. Link: http://awkward.github.io/backbone.modal/

Popdevelop

Languages: CSS, JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Sleek full-screen modal with animation, built with Bootstrap.Link: http://popdevelop.com/2014/07/sexy-splash-modal-using-bootstrap-css3-and-angularjs/

Subscribe Better

Languages: CSS, JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Highly customizable modal form for collecting subscribersLink: https://github.com/peachananr/subscribe-better

Angular fancy modal

Languages: CSS, JavaScript, HTMLWhat we like about it: Offers a dozen default options for AngularJSLink: http://vesparny.github.io/angular-fancy-modal/example/

CSS3-Modal

Languages: CSSWhat we like about it: 100% pure CSS modal. Link: https://github.com/cameronbaney/CSS3-Modal

Morphing Modal

Languages: CSSWhat we like about it: Very sleek full-screen modal window that opens from a CTA button. Link: https://github.com/CodyHouse/morphing-modal-window

FModal

Languages: CSS, JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Full-screen modals that popup.Link: https://github.com/abhisack/FModal.js

ZFDragableModalTransition

Languages: Objective-CWhat we like about it: Customizable animated modals for mobile. Link: https://github.com/zoonooz/ZFDragableModalTransition 

QuestionMark

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Modal window pops up when user hits the question mark key. Link: https://www.impressivewebs.com/demo-files/question-mark-js/

Vanilla Modal

Languages: JavaScript, CSSWhat we like about it: Small, no-frills modal window. Link: https://github.com/thephuse/vanilla-modal

Tingle

Languages: JavaScriptWhat we like about it: Pure JavaScript modal that looks minimalistic and clean. Link: http://robinparisi.github.io/tingle/

jsPanel

Languages: jQuery What we like about it: A customizable jQuery plugin for modals and tooltips.Link: http://jspanel.de/v2.6.2/