Simple Local Avatars
Adds an avatar upload field to user profiles. Generates requested sizes on demand just like Gravatar!
4.6(89 reviews)
·100K+ active installs·Updated 1 month agoAs of April 2026, Simple Local Avatars is a WordPress users plugin with 100K+ active installations and a 4.6/5 rating from 89 reviews. It has been downloaded 2.4M+ times in total. Requires WordPress 6.6+ and PHP 7.4+. Available on WordPress.org since 2011. Recently updated within the last 3 months. Downloads are down 23% this week. Top alternative: User Switching.
4.6/589 reviews
100K+active installs
2.4M+total downloads
15 yearssince 2011
Overview
Adds an avatar upload field to user profiles if the current user has media permissions. Generates requested sizes on demand just like Gravatar! Simple and lightweight.
Just edit a user profile, and scroll down to the new “Avatar” field. The plug-in will take care of cropping and sizing!
- Stores avatars in the “uploads” folder where all of your other media is kept.
- Has a simple, native interface.
- Fully supports Gravatar and default avatars if no local avatar is set for the user – but also allows you turn off Gravatar.
- Generates the requested avatar size on demand (and stores the new size for efficiency), so it looks great, just like Gravatar!
- Lets you decide whether lower privilege users (subscribers, contributors) can upload their own avatar.
- Enables rating o…
Screenshots
Ratings & Reviews
4.689 reviews
5 ★
71
4 ★
8
3 ★
4
2 ★
1
1 ★
5
Recent Reviews
Simple and Effective for Managing Local Avatars
by MCD Diseño Web·1 year ago·1 reply
Simple Local Avatars has been the perfect solution for managing avatars on my WordPress site. I love how easy it is to let users upload their own images without relying on external services. The installation process is quick, and the integration with my site has been seamless.
What I appreciate the most is how easy it is to customize avatars, all managed directly from the user panel, with no hassle. Plus, it doesn’t rely on external platforms, giving me more control over avatar privacy and load times.
If you’re looking for a simple, fast, and reliable solution to manage local avatars, this plugin is perfect. Highly recommended!
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Spanish
Simple Local Avatars ha sido la solución perfecta para gestionar los avatares en mi sitio de WordPress. Me encanta lo sencillo que es permitir que los usuarios suban sus propias imágenes sin necesidad de servicios externos. El proceso de instalación es rápido y la integración con mi sitio ha sido perfecta.
Lo que más me gusta es lo fácil que es personalizar los avatares, todo se maneja directamente desde el panel de usuario, sin complicaciones. Además, no depende de plataformas externas, lo cual me da más control sobre la privacidad y la carga de los avatares.
Si estás buscando una solución simple, rápida y confiable para administrar avatares locales, este plugin es ideal. ¡Altamente recomendado!
Идеально!
by oshurkov·1 year ago·1 reply
Все работает как надо, css обволакивается и пользователи становятся довольными! Спасибо!
So good!
by MTC·1 year ago·1 reply
SIMPLE solution to the GDPR issue with WordPress Gravatars. I usually set up a default avatar for guests and allow users to use their own. Keep it up!
Ok
by Foxskav·1 year ago·1 reply
ok
Works as Needed
by hozayrayz·1 year ago·1 reply
No issues here. Works fine, just make sure to have Avatars on in the Setting > Discussion.
Download Trends
Today: 745Yesterday: 947This week: 6KPeriod total: 394K
Compatibility
| WordPress | 6.6+ requiredTested up to 6.9.4 |
| PHP | 7.4+ required |
Version Adoption
v2.8
80.5%
v2.7
10.0%
Other
9.6%
Top Alternatives to Simple Local Avatars
Frequently Asked Questions
Changelog
2.8.6 – 2026-02-17
- Changed: Bump WordPress “tested up to” version 6.9 (props @peterwilsoncc, @dkotter via #352).
- Changed: Consider
get_avatar()wrapper functionget_simple_local_avatar()escaped (props @peterwilsoncc, @dkotter via #358). - Changed: Consider
wp_verify_nonce()as auto-sanitized (props @peterwilsoncc, @dkotter via #358). - Fixed: Ensure form data is unslashed as required (props @peterwilsoncc, @dkotter via #358).
- Security: (Hardening) Ensure user has
manage_optioncap before saving default avatar (props @peterwilsoncc, @dkotter via #358).
Contributors
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Analysis and metrics by PluginSift.