Simple Download Monitor vs Email Before Download (2026)

Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.

Simple Download Monitor

Simple Download Monitor

4.6(151)

20K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 week ago
View Simple Download Monitor
VS
Email Before Download

Email Before Download

4.3(44)

6.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 year ago
View Email Before Download

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, Simple Download Monitor has a higher user rating (4.6/5 from 151 reviews) and leads in active installations (20K+ vs 6.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Simple Download Monitor has accumulated 1.3M+ total downloads while Email Before Download has 368K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.6/5Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download4.3/5
Total Reviews
151Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download44
Active Installs
20K+Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download6.0K+
Total Downloads
1.3M+Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download368K+
Support Resolution
67%Simple Download Monitor
Email Before DownloadN/A
Last Updated
1 week agoSimple Download Monitor
Email Before Download1 year ago
First Released
2009Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download2011
Age
17 yearsSimple Download Monitor
Email Before Download15 years
WP Requires
6.0+Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Downloadfalse+
PHP Requires
false+Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Downloadfalse+
Business Model
FreeSimple Download Monitor
Email Before DownloadFree
Latest Version
4.0.6Simple Download Monitor
Email Before Download6.9.8

Rating Breakdown

Simple Download Monitor

4.6/5(151 reviews)
5
83%
4
8%
3
5%
2
1%
1
4%

Email Before Download

4.3/5(44 reviews)
5
70%
4
7%
3
11%
2
2%
1
9%

Recent Reviews

Simple Download Monitor Reviews

by bud8ie

Love it

Been using it for years and it does the job perfectly. Plenty of features but simple enough to use.

by goerage

Great Plug-in

Lifesaver, if in need for a simple and reliable download app. Thanks!!!

by Nico Visagie

Clean, Simple and it just works!

I have been using this plugin for a few years now on two of the websites I manage and I cannot imagine using another plugin like this. I tried to, but I always come back to this one! Setup is fairly e

Email Before Download Reviews

by wiseupmarketing

fatal error message

Unfortunately like some of the other recent reviews, we too are now getting ‘plugin could not be activated because it triggered a fatal error‘ message. Its a shame as it worked well when it was workin

by royaldeer

Could not install

Getting Plugin could not be activated because it triggered a fatal error

by rjfnz

Works just fine, and support excellent

I had a few problems setting up, but Support quickly answered my requests for help and got me up and running. Recommended for what it promises and what it does. Takes a little effort to get familiar w

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Simple Download Monitor or Email Before Download more popular?
Simple Download Monitor has 20K+ active installations while Email Before Download has 6.0K+. Simple Download Monitor is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — Simple Download Monitor or Email Before Download?
Simple Download Monitor has a 4.6/5 rating from 151 reviews, while Email Before Download has a 4.3/5 rating from 44 reviews.
Are Simple Download Monitor and Email Before Download free?
Simple Download Monitor is free and Email Before Download is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — Simple Download Monitor or Email Before Download?
Support resolution data is not available for all plugins. Check each plugin's WordPress.org support forum for current response quality.
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Simple Download Monitor was last updated 1 week ago and Email Before Download was last updated 1 year ago.

Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.