Looking for an easy way to accept file uploads from your site visitors? A plugin is the best (and easiest) way to get file attachments on your WordPress forms, and stay organized in the process.
So in this article, we’ve listed the very best WordPress file upload plugins on the market today.
Why Use a File Upload Plugin?
If you have a small business website, you already know how important your contact forms are for getting new leads and customers.
But you may want to get even more info from them as well, like file attachments. So here are some cases when a file upload plugin might come in super handy:
- If you want to be able to let visitors upload additional file types than WordPress allows by default
- Quote forms so clients can attach their spreadsheet or project spec document
- Job application forms so applicants can attach their resume files
- Pictures as image files for a contest or a giveaway
- User submitted content forms so users can attach a blog post or image they want to share
- Customer support forms so customers can attach documents to provide additional information
- User-submitted videos on an event registration form so you have content to play at your event (great for weddings, anniversaries, and fundraisers).
- Audio clips for you to play back during your podcast
So now that you know why people chose to use a file upload plugin, let’s jump right in and see what the best ones out there are.
The Best File Upload Plugins for Your WordPress Website
If you’re looking for the top WordPress file upload plugins, we’ve got your back. Here’s our hand-picked list:
1. WPForms
WPForms is the best contact form plugin on the market and lets you easily create a file upload form in WordPress. And it lets you accept one or even multiple file uploads on your forms. Plus, the forms are easy to build, so even non-technical people can use this plugin to get multiple file types, including things like uploaded images.
Features:
- Drag and Drop File Upload — The plugin is easy to use for both you and your visitors, who can simply drag their files (yep, multiple files) into the upload field.
- Easy to Use — The interface is simple, allowing for a great user experience. Just easily drag the file upload field onto your form, save it, and then use a widget to insert your form into your pages, posts, or even sidebars.
- File Size Adjustment — You can adjust the max file size you’ll accept.
- AJAX Forms — Lets you accept file uploads with AJAX and no page reload.
- Multipurpose — You’ll want a contact form plugin on your website to build basic and custom forms, so this can do it all, and more.
- File Type Adjustment — Choose which file types you want your visitors to be able to load into the form.
- Conditional Logic — Show/hide different fields based on previous selections, great if you want to keep your forms clutter-free and automatically hide the file upload field unless someone needs it.
- Links to Files — Email notifications send you a link to the file, instead of the file itself, a great WordPress security practice so you can avoid emails going to spam.
- Organization — Lets you store files in the WordPress Media Library for easy organization.
Click here to start using WPForms Pro now
2. WP Extra File Types
The simple and straightforward WP Extra File Types plugin lets you accept a file type upload that might be outside of the default of what WordPress lets you accept (WordPress does this for security reasons). So if you want to configure your website to accept additional file types, you can install this plugin and do just that.
Features:
- Cost — This is a free, open-source plugin.
- Custom File Types — If you want to include a file format or file type that you want to allow on your upload forms, but it’s not on the preset list, you can add a custom file type and add your own.
- Works with WPForms — This plugin lets you expand the file types you can accept on the WPForms plugin.
Cost: WP Extra File Types is free to download and use.
MIME, which refers to “Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions”, is a form of file identification on the web. For more details on MIME and for a list of MIME types, you can view information on MIME on this site.
3. Ajax Multi Upload
Ajax Multi Upload for WordPress, like WPForms, lets you add file uploads without needing to reload the page. So it provides a smooth user experience. However, you’ll need to know how to implement shortcode because this file upload plugin is based on jQuery and implemented with a shortcode.
Features:
- Low Cost — The cost of this plugin is very low, however it lacks a lot of features and isn’t as easy to use as others are.
- AJAX Support — Will allow files to be uploaded without needing to refresh the page.
- Multiple File Uploads — Lets your users upload just one or even multiple files at the same time.
- Image Editing — Includes an image resizer to change the sizes of the uploaded images.
- Documentation — Can be a little tricky to install, so documentation on how to do things is included.
- Browser Compatibility — The plugin is cross-browser compatible and works on multiple browsers.
- Plugin Installation — If you aren’t very technical, you may want to pay extra for the plugin installation and set up.
- Upload Statistics — View how many files have been uploaded to keep track of things.
Cost: Ajax Multi Upload is $14. You can pay $50 extra to have someone install the plugin since it’s not very beginner friendly.
4. WP User Frontend
WP User Frontend is a good choice if you’re accepting guest posts and want to allow user registration on your site. Then, those users will have the ability to upload files, and do other frontend activities on your site.
Features:
- Upload Attachments — Registered users can upload attachments from the frontend of your website, keeping the backend admin stuff safe.
- Featured Images — Lets users upload featured images for posts, great for accepting guest posts.
- Additional Features — Also lets you allow access to editing of the frontend editor and publishing.
Cost: WP User Frontend has a free version and a premium version that starts at $49/year.
5. Frontend Uploader
Frontend Uploader, similar to WP User Frontend, is more about letting users submit content to your site (good for guest posting). But it does have a file upload feature.
Features:
- Multiple File Types — Will handle multiple kinds of file types.
- Customizable — If you know how to use shortcode, you can customize it and display it in multiple places on your WordPress site.
Cost: Frontend Uploader is free.
6. WordPress File Upload
WordPress File Upload is a straightforward file upload plugin that will allow your website visitors to upload files. It uses shortcode, and you can take that and add it to pages or posts on your website.
Features:
- Shortcode — If you know how to use shortcode, you can place this in different areas of your site.
- Multiple Storage Locations — You can decide where you want to send the uploaded files to, like the WordPress Media Library.
- Email Notifications — Set up WordPress emails to send out when a file is uploaded.
- Page Redirect — Choose to redirect users to another page after their submission.
Cost: WordPress File Upload has a free version and a premium version starting at around $20.
Winner — Best File Upload Plugin
After a lot of research and searching the internet, we’re confident telling you that WPForms is the best file upload plugin for WordPress. Here’s why:
Because it’s also a form builder plugin, you’re going to get a ton of miles out of this tool. And having a good form plugin can help skyrocket your conversions and get you more leads and customers. Then, you’ll be able to put your file upload forms to work.
On top of online surveys, conversational forms, payment fields, and more, WPForms has an awesome looking drag and drop file upload field that accepts multiple file uploads, too.
There aren’t many file upload plugins out there in general. And the ones that do exist, are hard to install and use, plus most exist for other purposes like guest posting and frontend submissions. So they may not be what you’re looking for.
But everyone who runs a website needs easy to use contact forms — they are key to growing your email list and small business from your website.
In Conclusion
And there you have it! Hopefully, this post helped you find the best file upload plugin for your individual needs.
Also, want to have your files automatically upload to Google Drive? You can! Check out our post on how to create a WordPress Google Drive upload form.
So what are you waiting for? Get started with the most powerful WordPress forms plugin today. WPForms Pro includes a free WordPress file upload form template and offers a 14-day money-back guarantee.
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source https://wpforms.com/best-file-upload-plugins/