6 Best File Upload Plugins for WordPress (Free & Paid)

Do you want to allow users to easily upload files on your WordPress site?

Whether it‘s for contact forms, user profiles, or even ecommerce, file uploads can greatly improve your visitors‘ experience.

But here‘s the catch…

WordPress doesn‘t allow front-end file uploading by default. Users have to log into the admin dashboard to upload files.

Creating accounts for all your users is time-consuming and a potential security risk.

Thankfully, there‘s an easy fix.

In this post, we‘ll share the top 6 WordPress plugins that add front-end file upload forms to your site.

Why You Need a File Upload Plugin

Let‘s first look at why a file upload plugin is so important.

According to Statista, WordPress powers over 41% of all websites on the internet. That‘s a whopping 488 million sites!

With WordPress being so widely used, powerful plugins are needed to extend functionality beyond the core software.

Here are some common examples of when you‘d want visitors to upload files:

• Contact forms – Allow file attachments so users can send documents, images, etc. along with their message.

• User profiles – Let users upload a custom avatar image or other personal files.

• Guest posting – Allow guest writers to submit post drafts, images, and author headshots.

• Digital stores – Sell digital downloads like ebooks, music, videos, graphics, etc.

• Communities – Let members upload images, documents, etc. to share with other users.

Without a file upload plugin, your users will be blocked by WordPress when trying to upload files from the front-end.

They would have to login to the admin dashboard which is inconvenient for your visitors who just want to quickly submit a file.

That‘s why a file upload plugin is a must-have for any WordPress site accepting user-generated content.

Next, let‘s take a look at the top options…

1. WPForms – Best for Contact Forms

WPForms is the most beginner-friendly drag and drop WordPress form builder. It makes it really easy to add file upload fields to your forms.

Over 3 million websites use WPForms to create contact forms, surveys, registration forms, and more.

Pros

• Intuitive drag and drop form builder
• Pre-made form templates
• Accept single or multiple files
• Save files to media library or external storage
• Limit allowed file types and maximum upload size
• Spam protection and instant form notifications

Cons

• Only allows basic upload fields
• Advanced custom fields require the Pro version

For contact forms, WPForms is my top pick for easy file uploads.

It takes just a few clicks to add a simple file upload field without writing any code. You can also drag and drop multiple files for bulk uploading.

WPForms lets you upload documents, images, videos, PDFs, and other media seamlessly to your WordPress site.

2. File Upload Types – Extend WordPress File Uploads

This handy free plugin from WPForms allows you to accept more file types beyond the default WordPress allowed list.

For security reasons, WordPress restricts certain file extensions like .exe, .ini, .js, etc. This prevents some malicious files from being uploaded.

But sometimes you need to allow less common file types like .psd, .svg, .zip, .rar, etc.

That‘s where the File Upload Types plugin comes in…

It lets you easily add or remove allowed file types from your WordPress dashboard. No coding needed!

Simply check or uncheck the boxes of the file extensions you want to allow/block.

Over 70,000 WordPress sites use this plugin to enhance file upload functionality.

While it doesn‘t add upload forms itself, the File Upload Types plugin is perfect for use alongside any form builder.

This way you can accept all the unique file formats your users will submit.

3. Formidable Forms – Most Powerful Form Builder

Formidable Forms is a premium WordPress form builder plugin trusted by over 400,000 websites.

It‘s one of the most powerful and customizable form builders for WordPress.

Pros

• Drag and drop form builder
• Accept single or multiple file uploads
• Set filters for allowed file types and max size
• Save uploads to media library
• Collect entry details like name, email, date, etc
• Calculate values, run logic, accept payments, and more

Cons

• Steeper learning curve than simple form plugins
• Lots of features could be overwhelming for some users

Formidable Forms is perfect if you need advanced custom forms with uploads.

It allows your users to easily drag and drop files into the upload fields. The files get saved to your media library for easy management.

You have complete control over which file types and maximum upload size to allow.

Formidable Forms can handle everything from basic contact forms to complex calculators and payment forms.

It‘s the Swiss Army knife of WordPress form plugins!

4. WordPress File Upload – Most Flexibility

This plugin does exactly what the name suggests – it adds WordPress file uploading to any page or post on your site.

It allows front-end uploads via shortcodes, widgets, and Gutenberg blocks.

Pros

• Works with any theme
• Customizable upload form
• Set user permissions
• Restrict file types and sizes
• Organizes uploads in dashboard

Cons

• More complex setup and use
• Only creates basic upload forms

WordPress File Upload is great if you want flexibility in where you add upload forms. Most other plugins limit you to embedding forms on posts and pages.

The plugin gives you fine-grained control over user roles that can upload files. You can allow/block specific user roles from uploading.

It also lets you customize filters for allowed file types and maximum upload size.

Uploaded files are neatly organized within the plugin dashboard, making it easy to manage user uploads.

However, this plugin is better suited for developers since it requires a bit more technical know-how to configure compared to others.

5. MemberPress – Best for Membership Sites

MemberPress is the most powerful WordPress membership plugin, with over 30,000 active installs.

It allows you to accept user-submitted files and control access permissions on them.

For example, you may want to allow only logged-in Gold members to view or download certain files.

Pros

• Set access permissions on uploaded files
• Restrict uploading by user role
• One-clickprotection for downloads
• Integrate with page builders
• Sell digital downloads

Cons

• Made for membership sites primarily
• Steep learning curve for beginners

MemberPress makes it easy to sell restricted-access content like digital downloads.

You can upload things like ebooks, videos, audio, PDFs, images, and software. Then customers who purchase a membership plan can access the downloads.

The permissions settings are very powerful for controlling access on both uploads and downloads.

For membership sites selling any digital content, MemberPress is hands-down the best choice.

6. Easy Digital Downloads – Best for eCommerce

Easy Digital Downloads is a complete WordPress eCommerce solution for selling digital products.

It provides full digital download functionality for over 300,000 sites.

Pros

• Upload and sell any digital file
• Recurring payments
• Powerful purchase access controls and licensing
• Single or multi-vendor stores
• Detailed sales and earnings reporting

Cons

• Only for digital downloads
• Requires more setup as an eCommerce platform

Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) offers unbeatable digital download features.

You can upload and sell ebooks, music, videos, software, and any other digital file. Customers can instantly access their downloads after purchase.

The plugin has robust purchase access controls. For example, you can give customers a download link that expires after X number of clicks or days.

If you need full eCommerce for digital downloads, EDD is the best plugin for the job.

Summary – Choosing the Best File Upload Plugin

Adding front-end file uploading can take your WordPress site to the next level.

The right plugin makes it easy for users to submit files without needing their own login.

Here are some key points when choosing your plugin:

• For simple contact forms, WPForms is the easiest option.
• Extend allowed file types with the File Upload Types plugin.
• Formidable Forms is great for advanced, custom uploads.
• WordPress File Upload offers maximum flexibility.
• For membership sites, MemberPress handles restricted access on uploads.
• Easy Digital Downloads is best for stores selling downloads.

Your needs will vary based on your site, but this guide gives you the top options.

Implementing user-uploaded files in WordPress has never been easier. Give one of these plugins a try today!