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What The File vs WP-DownloadManager (2026)

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

What The File

What The File

4.9(882)

40K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 month ago
View What The File
VS
WP-DownloadManager

WP-DownloadManager

4(37)

3.0K+ active installs

Free

Updated 1 month ago
View WP-DownloadManager

Quick Verdict

As of April 2026, What The File has a higher user rating (4.9/5 from 882 reviews) and leads in active installations (40K+ vs 3.0K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. What The File has accumulated 589K+ total downloads while WP-DownloadManager has 309K+.

Detailed Comparison

Rating
4.9/5What The File
◄
WP-DownloadManager4/5
Total Reviews
882What The File
◄
WP-DownloadManager37
Active Installs
40K+What The File
◄
WP-DownloadManager3.0K+
Total Downloads
589K+What The File
◄
WP-DownloadManager309K+
Support Resolution
N/AWhat The File
WP-DownloadManagerN/A
Last Updated
1 month agoWhat The File
◄
WP-DownloadManager1 month ago
First Released
2012What The File
WP-DownloadManager2007
Age
14 yearsWhat The File
WP-DownloadManager19 years
WP Requires
3.1+What The File
WP-DownloadManager4.0+
PHP Requires
5.3+What The File
WP-DownloadManagerfalse+
Business Model
FreeWhat The File
WP-DownloadManagerFree
Latest Version
1.6.1What The File
WP-DownloadManager1.69.1

Rating Breakdown

What The File

4.9/5(882 reviews)
5
94%
4
4%
3
1%
2
0%
1
1%

WP-DownloadManager

4/5(37 reviews)
5
68%
4
5%
3
8%
2
0%
1
19%

Recent Reviews

What The File Reviews

by matthiascon

Does everything I need it to!

I got this for one purpose, and it performs that with aplomb.

by iceshade

Very Useful Tool

I’ve been using this plugin for years and find it very useful. Only downside is some of the new themes and plugins don’t allow it to show the exact file, just the main one, which is often just a pa

by gabrieljrubio

Muy útil

Es un plugin muy interesante y muy útil en la fase de desarrollo para ver dónde se están ejecutando realmente las funciones hookd de wordpress.

WP-DownloadManager Reviews

by captkirk1001

WP Download Manager Review

The plugin is way too complex for an average user. The protection for download takes too many steps. I found not ever get the preview option only to display. I ask for a refund within the first 14

by vectogravic

Great

This is what i was looking for. Works great with external file

by p4ssc3

Excellent

Très bon plugin / Very great plugin

Frequently Asked Questions

Is What The File or WP-DownloadManager more popular?
What The File has 40K+ active installations while WP-DownloadManager has 3.0K+. What The File is the more widely-used plugin as of April 2026.
Which has better ratings — What The File or WP-DownloadManager?
What The File has a 4.9/5 rating from 882 reviews, while WP-DownloadManager has a 4/5 rating from 37 reviews.
Are What The File and WP-DownloadManager free?
What The File is free and WP-DownloadManager is free. Both can be downloaded from the WordPress.org plugin directory.
Which plugin has better support — What The File or WP-DownloadManager?
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?
What The File was last updated 1 month ago and WP-DownloadManager was last updated 1 month ago.

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