WordPress is an excellent platform for blogging or hosting a website. However, it has evolved into much more than that. It’s a powerful content management system that powers over 37% of the web, and thanks to a few WordPress download manager plugins, it can handle a variety of different file download needs.
The native WordPress user interface does have the ability to manage file downloads, although this is not the easiest nor most efficient way to manage files. Plus, the native function doesn’t have half the features of many of the new and popular WordPress download manager plugins now available to help you handle files.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the best download manager plugins to help you enhance WordPress‘ built-in file management features.
These download manager plugins are the superheroes of any #WordPress site.
WordPress Download Manager Plugins Index
Depending on your specific goals and needs, there are a variety of both free and premium WordPress plugins that can handle any file download management needs.
WordPress Download Manager plugin
The free version of WordPress Download Manager includes password protection, limited viewing, and multiple domain support. The password protection package allows users to protect a full package of files or each specific file in a package by using passwords. It’s a simple, easy-to-use download manager. It is also one of the most actively updated WordPress download manager plugins.
The WordPress Download Manager plugin has both free and paid versions. The premium solution adds value by incorporating more features and giving you better customer support. It starts at $59 but goes up for developers who need more licenses.
There are also dozens of add-ons to consider. These come in handy if you’re planning on expanding on the core plugin. You can also pick and choose the features you’d like to utilize instead of going for the entire premium package. For instance, some of the addons include download limits, linked products, and private messaging. Some of the addons are free, but others are anywhere from $49 to $100.
4.1 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
100,000+
Not listed
The Advanced File Manager plugin eliminates the need for FTP and cPanel work, providing a user-friendly and powerful solution for editing and adding your own site files. The root directory path is fully editable. In addition, the plugin lets you add a shortcode to your site for giving access to some users for full file management capabilities.
Files are accessible through the root directory and other files throughout your site. You can complete many actions such as uploading, creating files, renaming, and archiving. PDF previews are also available so that you don’t have to open all of the files individually.
Advanced File Manager WordPress plugin
The light and elegant user interface comes in handy for beginners, and the video and audio previews help out for rapidly checking files in your directory. The file search functionality also plays a huge role in speeding up your productivity. From keyboard shortcuts to multiselection tools, the Advanced File Manager plugin has a solid infrastructure for those who want an efficient way to take care of file movements, uploads, and deletions.
4.8 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
30,000+
5.0.0 or higher
Shared Files for WordPress is a free plugin for listing and managing files on a WordPress site. All files shared on your site can be downloaded and used by anyone you give access to. It works by adding files to your WordPress admin, then placing a shortcode somewhere on your site for people to download that file.
What’s more, is that you can organize your files that people are going to download. Create a list or group files into categories to make things easier for users. The premium version sells for $19.99, and it offers additional features such as bandwidth usage limits, file sorting, and layout options.
Shared Files for WordPress plugin
It’s also worth mentioning that the premium plugin gives you priority customer support and password protection. This way, you always know your files are safe, and you have someone to talk to if something doesn’t seem right.
Overall, the plugin provides a clean and simple interface for all users, and most of the settings are configured right out of the box, meaning that you typically don’t have to change anything for it to start working.
5 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
100+
Not listed
File Manager is an efficient, flexible, and versatile integrated platform that can help simplify your workflow by enabling features like editing, deleting, copying, pasting, uploading, downloading, and zipping versions of your files and folders directly from the WordPress backend.
This plugin will save you time so you no longer have to fuss with SFTP.
File Manager WordPress plugin
File Manager WordPress plugin has a core version that’s completely free. You can also opt to upgrade to the premium version for $25. This opens up all sorts of features for user permissions, max file upload sizes, and shortcode generating.
What’s great about this plugin is that the free version is ideal for most businesses, seeing as how it allows for archives, file moving, and copying. There’s even a code editor and syntax checker for those interested in working with more advanced tools. Along with PDF previews and automated file resizing, the File Manager plugin does the trick for a rather low cost.
4.8 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
600,000+
5.2.4 or higher
Download Monitor is an easy-to-use digital download manager plugin for WordPress intended to help you grow your audience, track download performance, and convert traffic into sales.
Download Monitor is a freely available plugin that works great with all WordPress themes and gives you everything you need to start selling and distributing digital files on your WordPress site.
Download Monitor
Plus, Download Monitor comes with advanced report functionality. With it, you can view your downloads over any period, see in an instant your top downloads (including your store’s most popular download), analyze your daily average download count, and more.
You can unlock all of the features below and more by purchasing all of its premium extensions as part of the Complete bundle for a great discounted price.
4.4 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
100,000+
5.6 or higher
Easy Digital Downloads WordPress plugin
Easy Digital Downloads is primarily an ecommerce solution for any type of digital download, but it can also manage multiple file downloads per downloaded product.
This makes it a great option if you have different prices for products or have bundled products. It comes with PayPal and Manual Payments as the default payment options, but others can be added for a fee. If you want to learn more about Easy Digital Downloads here is the comprehensive guide.
The core plugin integrates tools into WordPress for selling digital items to anyone who decides to come to your site. In short, you can upload these files to your site, list them as an ecommerce product, then automatically send out download links in emails as people decide to purchase. You’re able to upload a wide variety of file types such as software, documents, and graphics.
Payment gateways integrate with the plugin, with support for PayPal Standard and Amazon Payments right out of the box. The free version is just enough to start selling your digital goods and organizing them so that people can find the right files.
After that, you must either upgrade to the premium version or opt for one of the many paid addons. For instance, the majority of the payment gateways require a premium extension.
4.7 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
60,000+
5.3 or higher
WooCommerce plugin
WooCommerce is a free ecommerce plugin that allows you to sell anything through your WordPress site. Built to integrate seamlessly with WordPress, WooCommerce is one of the world’s favorite ecommerce solutions that gives both store owners and developers complete control.
Make sure to check out our in-depth WooCommerce tutorial.
How does it serve as a download manager plugin? It’s similar to Easy Digital Downloads, where you’re able to upload all of your digital files and organize them for selling online. There’s no reason to consider WooCommerce if you have no intention of selling the items.
WooCommerce serves as both a file manager and an ecommerce platform. Therefore, it makes the most sense if you need the functionality for both of those.
As for the file download management, WooCommerce includes support for digital goods, like for when you’d like to sell your ebook or music tracks. The plugin supports most major file types, so it typically depends on what you can upload to WordPress. After that, WooCommerce gives you options to provide instant downloads to customers and send out emails with download links.
Link this to your payment gateways, and find a good WooCommerce theme, and you’ll be all set for organizing and selling your digital files.
4.6 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
5+ million
7.0 or higher
Multiverso does the trick for frontend file management and encrypted downloads. It’s one of the top solutions if you’d like to add some security to your download manager and potentially block downloads for some users.
This is a premium plugin that sells for $30 on CodeCanyon. You also have the option to extend the amount of time you have premium support for a price.
In addition to the low cost, the Multiverso plugin has many other benefits such as advanced theme compatibility, localization, and shortcode support. For instance, this allows you to upload files directly to your site, drop a shortcode on a page, then let your customers download those files to their own computers.
Multiverso WordPress plugin
You also gain access to six widgets. These are great for adding Download buttons in places like sidebars and footers.
Some other features to look forward to include the frontend upload feature. With this, you can pass control over to your users, revealing upload buttons on the frontend and even some file management tools. The remote upload option is also useful if you aren’t on a computer.
Another reason to consider the Multiverso plugin is because it has options for limiting file upload sizes and access management. Encryption is a big part of the plugin as well.
To give an example, you may want to ensure that downloads are protected while being downloaded by your customers. Or, maybe you’d like to completely block downloads for certain files. Regardless, it’s usually possible to hack into the transfer of those files. The encryption adds a certain level of security to minimize your worries.
4 out of 5 stars (CodeCanyon.net)
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1,200+
Not listed
The Lana Downloads Manager plugin is super simple and free. It allows the management of local files via WP upload and remote files. If you are looking for something basic and lightweight, this works great.
Some of the basic functionality includes a counter system and a log system. These pair well for counting the number of downloads and files in your system. It also comes in handy for measuring file sizing, just in case you begin reaching your server limits.
Lana Downloads Manager plugin
The plugin is ready to go right after you install it on your WordPress site. It works by asking you to upload digital content to your admin. You may choose from the long list of supported files, from audio clips to video and images.
After you upload the files it’s all organized on one page. You can name the files and specify whether or not you’d like for users to download them.
All files uploaded to the Lana Downloads Manager plugin get a URL and shortcode assigned to them. This way, you can either share a link to the download directly to customers or insert that shortcode into any page or post of your choice. There’s even a download counter next to each of the files for you to check on the popularity of each item.
5 out of 5 stars (WordPress.org)
2,000+
Not listed
File Manager has a generic name, but it packs quite a few features into such a small plugin. To begin, File Manager sells for $20 on CodeCanyon, making it an affordable option for those interested in a powerful download management solution.
The plugin includes a widget for managing your files from multiple locations. There’s also a direct login tool to give users access to downloads. Public and private folders are options, as well as support for files that aren’t typically allowed on WordPress.
The download counter is worth looking into, and the protected download URL security is sure to ease worries about whether or not digital downloads are fully secure.
File Manager WordPress plugin
In addition to that, the File Manager plugin provides a drag and drop file uploader, turning the process into a simple drag and click movement. You can also control who has access to the files being downloaded. To give you an idea of how that works, imagine your organization wants internal employees to download media files for clients. You obviously don’t want any random person to do this, so it makes sense to set user restrictions.
Some of the other elements to look for include custom icon image links and file type icon support. This adds a more visual experience to your long list of files. Along with that, you have access to a searching and sorting option where you would type in a keyword to locate a file within seconds.
4 out of 5 stars (CodeCanyon.net)
870+
Not listed
WooCommerce Attach Me! isn’t for everyone, but it does serve as a complete file download manager for WooCommerce sites. Not only does it provide a system for sending download links to customers who purchase items, but it has unique tools for organizing those files and categorizing them into sections prior to download.
A good example of this would be adding a PDF file download to a receipt when someone purchases software from your company. This could be a manual, video, or additional photos to give people an idea of how to use the software.
The file downloads are possible for digital and physical products, and your customers even have access to their own file upload button.
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