Today, almost everyone is 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 face the same problems with unorganized documents that everyone encounters in ordinary offices.
Running a WordPress website is not a one-person job. Nonetheless, useful plugins can automate many manual processes, like keeping documents organized and publishing them to the website’s front end.
Web administrators understand how much documentation is needed to manage and run an online business. Such specialists must have everything at hand and streamline their work with documents.
Fortunately, there are WordPress plugins ready to offer just such a solution. We have compiled a list of the best plugins very carefully, taking into account 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
The FileBird Document Library plugin is a free and quick solution for publishing a well-aligned document gallery. It works on top of the organized folders from the FileBird core plugin.
It isn’t easy to do without such a plugin if you have a site with many different file types. FileBird is more than just a WordPress document management plugin; it allows you to organize all your files regardless of their kind.
The plugin helps you quickly sort all files and access them quickly. 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. This is ideal for owners of more significant 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 the 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.
They also have an option to mirror document library structure from the backend to the front end. This is an ideal option if you need to display multiple files in an organized way.
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.
- Mirroring document library structure: Recently, they have added a feature that you can use to mirror document library structure from the backend to the front end.
2. CatFolders Document Gallery
Are you overwhelmed by a mountain of WordPress media files and looking for a high-performance plugin to organize and manage them?
Is CatFolders a plugin with 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 finding them in your post editor. 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. This will make it easy 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.
You can also 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 for organizing your media files. The premium version has more cutting-edge features, especially for WordPress admins, 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.
- The smart context menu allows you to bulk-select and arrange files and nest categories.
Creating a post or page of document galleries will be more straightforward when you know how to manage your document files. Let CatFolders Document Gallery help you do it!
3. Embedder For Google Drive
It’s a familiar name, isn’t it? This plugin allows you to access your Google Drive and add all the necessary files directly to the site. Notably, the plugin can work with numerous types of files in addition to those presented in Google Docs. It can work with photos, ZIP files, videos, etc.
Who is this plugin for? 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. The paid version has many more features, from support to free updates.
Key Features
- Access to all Google Drive files through the WP admin dashboard.
- The plugin is easy to use and intuitive.
- You can 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, 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)
- Front-end document submission
- Bulk importing of documents
- Can display custom fields and taxonomies
5. Filr – Secure document library
Filr is a document library management plugin focusing 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, and type. You can also set a 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 will enable you to contain all your documents. So, if you want a simple yet powerful, free tool, 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 to emphasize the WP, making it seem 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, enabling you to understand your users’ reactions.
Key Features
- You can use the plugin for free.
- It is 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 an excellent option for managing files. The product allows you to create unlimited folders and subfolders, thoroughly 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, such as writers, then this plugin is what you need. All of these features will be available for multisite, too.
Key Features
- It has a 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.
- Complete 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. The plugin is easy; you get a custom interface in the WP console. With some advanced features, the plugin makes embedding documents into the site easy. 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.
Additional functions, including the ability to archive, can be found in the plugin. The plugin also allows you to add a social media button for each post and monitor document uploads to assess audience engagement. Therefore, this tool comes with its primary function and offers several exciting functions.
Key Features
- A social media button is present for each article.
- Ability to export and import document libraries.
- Possibility of creating, deleting, and 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 lets you put things in order in the documentation, making interaction with files simple and fast. With this plugin, each user will be comfortable working with documents and not spend too much time creating them. I agree; it sounds like the cherished dream of any web administrator.
The product interface looks like a template, allowing it to adapt to any WordPress theme. Therefore, interaction with the plugin will be as simple and intuitive as possible. The plugin does not make automatic or hidden changes to your documents but only allows you to manage them efficiently. Notably, the plugin will enable you to collect “simple” file types and JavaScript, CSS, HTML, etc.
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, quite a few free products 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 solutions offer various functions; however, the basic ones 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 apparent leader. Test products, especially free ones, and then you can find your workhorse or magic wand.
Up next, check out how to create a document gallery in WordPress.
