Today, almost everyone is so eager to get away from the crowded offices and transfer all the processes to the online space. But not everyone understands that even in a digital mode, you can meet with the same problems with unorganized documents that everyone encounters in ordinary offices.
Running a WordPress website is not a one-man job. Nonetheless, it can be possible if you take advantage of those useful plugins that can automate many manual processes like keeping your documents organized and publishing them to the website front-end.
Web administrators understand how much documentation is needed to manage and run an online business. It is important for such specialists to have everything at hand and streamline their work with documents.
Fortunately, there are WordPress plugins that are ready to offer just such a solution. We have compiled a list of the best plugins very carefully, taking into account the feedback from real users. This approach allows us to select only the best WordPress document management plugins. Together, let’s explore these free and paid plugins.
1. FileBird Document Library
When it comes to publishing a well-aligned document gallery, FileBird Document Library plugin is a free and quick solution. It works on top of the organized folders from FileBird core plugin.
If you have a site with many different file types, then it is difficult to do without such a plugin. Greater than just a WordPress document management plugin, FileBird allows you to organize all your files regardless of their types.
The plugin helps you easily sort all files and have quick access to them. It is worth noting that the product will not create copies of files, which can slow down the work of both the PC and the site. Instead, it quickens the process of creating badass content.
The tool allows you to spend less time managing various media files. And this is ideal for owners of larger sites with a complex hierarchical structure. The free version has everything you need and at any time you can switch to using the paid version of FileBird plugin. The paid version allows you to browse files via third-party themes and page builders such as Elementor, Divi, WooCommerce, NextGen gallery, FooGallery, etc.
Key Features
- Available free versions: Both FileBird core and FileBird Document Library are sufficient for many users.
- Simple drag and drop interface: Easily categorize documents based on their file types.
- Premade layouts: Display your WordPress documents and other files in grid or table layouts.
- Multi-lingual: It supports WPML, Polylang, other translation plugins and RTL languages.
2. CatFolders Document Gallery
Are you mad with a mountain of WordPress media files? And you’re looking for a high-performance plugin to organize and manage your files?
It definitely is CatFolders, a plugin that has everything you need to organize all media files quickly, flexibly, and professionally.
With CatFolder and its super easy-to-use interface, you can categorize all document file types in WordPress media folders and save time in finding them in your post editor. As you can see, once organized, you can quickly publish a front-end document gallery of DOC, PDF, XLS, and other file types.
This plugin allows you to sort the image and document library as you like. You can use CatFolders to classify images into folders or subfolders for individual blogs or lengthy articles. You can sort by name, date, and author. It will be easy for you to manage and find your document files.
Even if you run it for a couple of years or work with a multi-author WordPress site, CatFolders will respond well with its unlimited folders. Additionally, it helps you quickly filter and search files with the WP media library’s grid and list view.
Plus, it is also very simple for you to import your established folder structure from the WordPress staging environment or existing media library.
This ideal tool is a freemium WordPress plugin. The free version offers basic features that you need to organize your media files. The premium version has more cutting-edge features, especially for WordPress admin, who can control folder access permissions of other user roles.
Key Features
- Simply drag and drop multiple files/folders.
- Folder access permissions: View, add new, and edit folders.
- Remember the recently opened folder.
- Third-party themes and page builders compatible.
- Collapsible folder sidebar.
- Smart context menu allows you to bulk-select, arrange files, and nest categories.
Your process of creating a post or page of document galleries will be easier when you know how to manage your document files. Let CatFolders Document Gallery help you do it!
3. Embedder For Google Drive
Familiar name, isn’t it? This plugin allows you to access your Google Drive and add all the necessary files directly to the site. It is noteworthy that the plugin can work with numerous types of files, in addition to those presented in Google Docs. It is possible to work with photos, ZIP files, videos, and so on.
Who is this plugin for? To all those who manage public Internet sites. Please note that you need Google Apps Login to activate this product. The plugin is available in both free and paid versions. But the paid version has many more features ranging from support to free updates.
Key Features
- Access to all files of Google Drive through the WP admin dashboard.
- The plugin is easy to use and intuitive.
- There is the ability to publish Google Docs files to your site.
- The plugin is available in 10 languages.
4. Document Library Pro by Barn2
Barn2’s Document Library Pro is a plugin that allows users to create and manage document libraries within their WordPress website. It offers a range of features for organizing and sharing documents, including the ability to categorize and tag documents, the option to display documents in a table or grid layout, and track downloads.
It works well with many visibility plugins that allow users to set permissions for viewing and editing. The plugin also includes an instant search function within the library to find specific documents, file names, tags, etc.
It also allows users to embed documents in posts and pages using shortcodes.
Document Library Pro is designed to be user-friendly and easy to set up, with a range of customization options available to suit the needs of different organizations.
Key Features:
- Ajax-powered Filter and search widgets
- Multi document download button
- Option to display documents in folders
- 2 Layout Options (Table and Grid)
- Frontend document submission
- Bulk importing of documents
- Can display custom fields and taxonomies
5. Filr – Secure document library
Filr is a document library management plugin with a focus on protection and sharing features.
The free version of Filr allows you to create multiple document libraries and display them on any page/post using shortcode. In addition to the inline Download/Open Folder button, the document gallery shows the files in tables with multiple columns for sortable details like expiry date, file preview, version, size, type. You can also set password to protect each document.
Becoming a premium user costs you $69.99, but you will have access to advanced features:
- Front-end uploader: your visitor can upload file types upon allowance
- External files supported: you can use external URLs to display those documents in your own Filr library
- Filename encryption: hide display file name
- Password-protected ZIP files
- Enhanced customizability
6. weDocs – Knowledgebase and Documentation Plugin for WordPress
This plugin is free and allows you to manage documents and knowledge bases. Although this tool has nothing supernatural, it allows you to simply manage all your documents. So if you want a simple yet powerful tool that is also free, then this tool might be the perfect solution.
You can easily design documents for products, insert new documents, add tags and organize all the data. The lack of numerous features makes this plugin easy to use even for beginners.
It is worth noting that the plugin was created with an emphasis on the WP, which makes it seem to be part of the functionality. The plugin does not require any code intervention, and the drag-and-drop function allows you to manage everything quickly and easily. Also, the plugin allows you to add a rating system for each document, which will allow you to understand the reaction of your users.
Key Features
- There is the ability to use the plugin for free.
- Ideal for small or beginner blogs.
- You may receive documents from external sites.
- The presence of a drag-and-drop function.
- There is the ability to create and edit documents.
- A quick search for any documentation you need.
7. SP Project and Document Manager
This plugin is a great option for managing files. The product allows you to create an unlimited number of folders and subfolders, completely organizing all your content and files. The advantage is that the plugin supports working with different types of files, from simple documents to complex spreadsheets and video files.
Also, the plugin allows you to open access to files depending on the type of profile on the site. This makes it easy to share documents with clients and authorized users. In addition to accessing files, users can edit and even change documents directly on the site. If you work with third-party specialists, for example, writers, then this plugin is what you need. All of these features will be available for multisite too.
Key Features
- Simple interface that suits even novice site administrators.
- There is the ability to monitor audience engagement.
- Ability to add employees, suppliers, and customers to manage the document.
- Full control over site files.
8. MEMPHIS Document Library
This plugin has several feature sets. The plugin makes it easy to organize and even distribute files. Using the plugin is easy as you get a custom interface in the WP console. The plugin makes it easy to embed documents into the site with some advanced features. The point is that there is the ability to preview the document for formats. These will vary from browser to browser, but you can find a complete list of all formats on the plugin page.
There are also additional functions, including the ability to archive. Using the plugin, you can add a social media button for each post. The ability to monitor document uploads is available to assess audience engagement. Therefore, this tool not only copes with its main function but also offers several interesting functions.
Key Features
- The presence of a social media button for each article.
- Ability to export and import document libraries.
- Possibility of creating, deleting, editing both categories and subcategories.
- Availability of data export and import.
- Preview function for every documentation.
- Ability to track file downloads.
9. Wiki API Docs
This plugin allows you to put things in order in the documentation and make interaction with files simple as well as fast. With this plugin, each user will be comfortable working with documents and not spend a lot of time creating them. Agree, it sounds like the cherished dream of any web administrator.
The product interface looks like a template, which allows it to adapt to absolutely any WordPress theme. Therefore, interaction with the plugin will be as simple and intuitive as possible. The plugin does not make auto or hidden changes to your documents, but only allows you to easily manage them. It is noteworthy that the plugin will enable you to manage not only “simple” file types but also such as JavaScript, CSS, HTML, and so on.
Key Features
- The product should be paid for and has several packages.
- The plugin integrates with any WP themes.
- The product works well with other add-ons.
- It is compatible with the latest version of the WP.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we have curated the best WordPress document management plugins available to all WP site owners. As you can see, there are quite a few free products that are perfect for those who need to keep an order with files and documents but are not ready to pay. There are also tons of decent plugins that offer advanced feature sets but for a fee.
These listed different solutions offer various sets of functions, however, the basic ones that are necessary for document management are still the same or almost the same regardless of the plugin. Which one you should focus on depends only on your needs, but as you can imagine, FileBird is the obvious leader. Test products, especially those that are free, and then you can find your workhorse or magic wand.
Up next, check out how to create a document gallery in WordPress.
