WordPress is ideal for sharing content and files with your audience. The content management system has a default tool to upload downloadable files and make them available to web users.
However, that feature offers limited ways to embed the downloads on a website and lacks file management functionality.
WordPress download manager plugins are a great alternative as they offer more advanced features like a download counter, access restrictions, and file management. This article will list the top 10 WordPress download manager plugins and share some helpful tips on choosing one for your site.
How to choose a download manager plugin for WordPress
These days it can be difficult to determine which are the best download manager plugins for WordPress, as there are so many options available. However, the following criteria will help you narrow down the download manager plugins on this list:
- Download blocking – Whether it’s a membership, form subscription, or social sharing, having an option to control and limit file downloads is important.
- file organization – A good WordPress download manager plugin should have an intuitive interface for creating and organizing files, including the option to use tags and categories.
- download history – a download counter for each file helps site owners see how many downloads a specific file has, while logs and statistics show how many file downloads occur over time.
- Ease of embedding – the plugin must have a shortcode or Gutenberg block that makes it easy to insert downloadable files into a post or page.
To make our choice, we compiled the best potential based on these criteria, and then tested them by installing them on a WordPress test site. We use the plugins to upload downloadable files and insert them into a post to test their performance and usability.
You can perform similar tests to choose the most suitable download management plugin for you, starting from the list that we have created for you. Most of the plugins on this list are free either freemiumwhich means you can install them on a WordPress site at no cost.
Top 10 WordPress Download Manager Plugins
We’ve picked the 10 that offer the core functionality of a download manager, but vary in other features, making them suitable for different types of websites. We also include and premium that have download management functionality.
1.
Plugin Statistics:
- Downloads: 100,000+
- Assessment: 4.5/5
- The best for: create digital downloads with an e-commerce option
- Price: freemium (as of $39 a month)
DownloadMonitor It uses the same WordPress interface and file uploader, so it’s easy to use without any in-depth knowledge.
This plugin allows you to add multiple files and specify their versions, making it ideal for software downloads. Users can choose to upload a new file from their computer or choose one from the media library. There are also options to restrict file access to members only and make a featured download.
The download button block allows you to easily embed the downloadable files in any post or page. It includes a block configuration tool so that users can select the download and version of the file. Various template options are also available to customize the appearance of the link.
Users can see the download count in the download list of the plugin. Alternatively, the built-in download report provides extensive information, including most popular download, average downloads per day, and total downloads over time.
The premium version allows you to embed and to host the downloaded files. This integration also allows you to create auto-expiring download links.
Despite not being an eCommerce plugin, Download Monitor offers online store functionality as a payment gateway.
main features
- Sell digital products with a single click.
- Built-in download tracking.
- Option to restrict access to members only.
- Google Drive and Amazon S3 integrations allow you to easily host files on these cloud platforms and link them to your WordPress site.
Cons
- Setting up a digital download store can be a bit tricky.
two.
Plugin Statistics:
- Downloads: 100,000+
- Assessment: 4.1/5
- The best for: manage downloadable files with content blocking options
- Price: freemium (as of 59 dollars)
WordPress DownloadManager is a very popular plugin that does more than just create download links on your website.
This plugin uses the classic WordPress editor interface to add downloadable files with a drag and drop uploader that accepts most different file types.
Download package settings allow users to specify information such as file version, package size, and link tag. It also allows you to set access permissions with three lock options: password lock, terms agreement, and CAPTCHA.
There are other tools to control access. Download link masking prevents public access to the download, while an IP blocklist allows you to specify IP addresses that are not allowed to download files from your site.
Use the shortcode or abbreviated code to embed the downloads in a page or post. Alternatively, download and install specific plugins like Gutenberg Blocks or WordPress Download Manager.
Additionally, the plugin’s asset manager provides a file browser interface to manage digital files. Although it’s still a beta feature, it makes it easy to upload, download, and organize your files.
Upgrading to WordPress Download Manager Pro provides more options for blocking content, sending email addresses, and social sharing, priced at 59 dollars for a single site license.
main features
- A drag and drop file uploader.
- Download reports for each downloadable package.
- Three content blocking options: terms of agreement, password and CAPTCHA.
- Masking of download links and IP blocking feature prevent unauthorized downloads.
- An asset manager to manage uploaded files.
Cons
- Requires separate plugins for Gutenberg blocks and Elementor extensions.
3.
Plugin Statistics:
- Downloads: 50,000+
- Assessment: 4.7/5
- The best for: sell digital downloads
- Price: freemium (the premium plan is part of $99.50 per yearwhile premium extensions start from $29)
Easy Digital Downloads is a WordPress eCommerce plugin for selling downloadable assets.
The plugin has full ecommerce functionality, including checkout and payment processes. Site owners can simply list digital downloads as products, and buyers will receive a download link after completing the checkout process.
There are many options when it comes to listing and uploading digital downloads. For example, you can add multiple files with different prices to one download. This is useful for selling the same product in different versions.
Once the download is embedded in the post, visitors can choose which version of the file they want to purchase.
Easy Digital Downloads is compatible with PayPal and . More payment options are available with Easy Digital Downloads premium extensions.
The built-in analytics report is easily accessible from the plugin dashboard. Use the dropdown menu to display earnings by category, downloads, and payment methods.
Although the free version includes many basic eCommerce tools for digital products, you can extend the functionality of the plugin with the premium version or plugin extensions.
main features
- File download limits.
- Integrated support for PayPal and Stripe.
- Comprehensive reports with the option to export to a CSV file.
- Extensions are available for a complete eCommerce environment.
Cons
- Requires a premium extension that costs $49 to create free downloads without going through the box.
Four.
Plugin Statistics:
- The best for: manage many downloadable files with complex categorization
- Price: premium (from 49 dollars a year)
the plugin WP File Download is a premium WordPress download manager that integrates a file manager into your dashboard.
Instead of uploading downloadable files individually, the plugin offers an intuitive file management interface that allows you to upload and manage files based on category folders. A drag and drop uploader also allows users to add multiple files at once.
Since WP File Download is compatible with several page builders, such as , and , placing download links is easy. Users get widgets or blocks to add download categories and individual file downloads.
There are four themes available to customize the appearance of your downloads. Also, if you have many files within a download category, use the file search shortcode to add a search function so users can find specific files easily.
This plugin also allows you to define authorized actions for each user role. Additionally, you can change the visibility of the category or file to public or private.
There is also a statistics panel that shows a graph of your download history. Choose whether you want to see analytics based on category, files, or total downloads.
The price of this plugin is from $49 a year. However, the most expensive plan, from 69 dollars a yearhas cloud extensions that can integrate Google Drive, and into your WordPress website.
main features
- A file manager built into the WordPress dashboard.
- Four themes to customize the appearance of downloads.
- Customizable statistical report graphs.
- Integration of cloud services.
Cons
- Premium subscription cost.
- Sorting files with the file manager can be tricky.
5.
Plugin Statistics:
- Downloads: 900,000+
- Assessment: 4.6/5
- The best for: manage website files
- Price: freemium (as of 25 dollars)
FileManager is different from other download management plugins, as it is…
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