The Best Secure WordPress File and Download Manager
The WordPress File Manager Plugin is a superb solution to build a file sharing directory or document management similar to Google Drive or Dropbox on your site.
Securely upload different file types, give file access based on user permissions, create payment plans to access file downloads, and much more! Users can upload multiple files with no size limit and easily find them via search.
Security System
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When it comes to files and documents uploaded via FTP or Internal WordPress Upload, safety and privacy are top priority. Our online document management plugin integrates an unbreakable password security system that is vital for trustworthiness with your customers. Your customers' files are safe and secured. |
Password Prompt |
WP File Sharing Dashboard
Create a document management directory where users can upload and download files or documents to and from your site.
Back-end Admin Dashboard |
Feature-rich, with download notifications, option to search your digital downloads, modern file management... The download monitor allows you to dive into the analytics of your download stats. |
Unique File Download Page
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Every file uploaded will create a unique landing page with single file preview, support forum, download links, and the ability to monitor the download activity. Downloads can be files, documents, shortcodes or an URL, meaning you can use Google Drive or Dropbox links. |
Password-Protected File Download Page |
Searchable Database
The plugin creates an index page listing all downloads by category, allowing multi-level browsing and easy filtering by topic.
Index Page Showing All Available Downloads | File downloads can be located by searching by keyword or tag, letting your users quickly find what they need. Users can search files, preview and download documents, compressing multiple files associated with one download in a zip file. |
User Dashboard
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Each user receives their user dashboard, from which they can manage their downloads. This unique panel displays user downloads ID number, titles, status (either published or pending approval) and download count. It's also easy to publish and unpublish each uploaded file. |
User Dashboard |
Protecting Documents and File Password Protection
All documents can be password protected or made accessible to specific user groups or by using WordPress users roles, letting you easily control who has access to which file.
Password Prompt |
This helps protect your documents and only allow specific user to access those documents. The document access control functionality support group access as well as single user document access control. The document access control functionality is separate from the specific password protection each document can have |
Downloads Access Settings
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This document management plugin lets you choose whether a file will be password-protected, restricted to specific users, or user groups. This is thanks to a highly detailed access permissions infrastructure. |
Global Plugin Access Settings |
Easy Localization
Example of Translated Interface |
Labels can be easily changed to any language via the plugin settings. Easily translate all front-end text so you connect better with your users. Additionally, we have PO/MO files for many languages covering all plugin frontend interaction. Supported languages include Polish, German, French, Italian, Russian, Dutch, and Portuguese. We will be happy to assist with building other PO/MO files upon user request. Learn more. |
Secure Client Zone Integration
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Build a secure interface to send and receive files from your customers. Check our guided tutorial on installing and configuring Secure Client Download Zone. |
Complete download zone |
Allow Anonymous Uploads
Anonymous user solving reCAPTCHA to upload file |
Allow anonymous users to upload files via the CM Anonymous Posting Addon. This add-on supports moderation of each file and reCAPTCHA to prevent spammers from uploading. |
Monetize Your Download Library
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The CM File Download Manager plugin is integrated with other CreativeMinds plugins, so you can easily add other major features. Charge users for downloading or uploading files by using the CM Payments Addon. It supports PayPal, credit card and other payment methods via EDD and WooCommerce integration. Create a digital wallet and charge users with points by integrating the CM Micropayments Plugin. |
Payments Integration |
CM Download Manager Plugin Use Case Examples
- Intranet Download Center – Allow only employee access to uploading and downloading files. Boost company internal file sharing and enhance productivity.
- Community Database – Restrict access for file sharing only to your community members, give them exclusive access and boost engagement
- Sell Online Courses – Give your subscribers the option to download course files.
CM Download Manager Plugin Related Use Cases
Using The WordPress Download Manager Plugin
- Configure – Define which file types can be uploaded, who can see and upload files and customize the visual
- Upload – Create your first download – it can be a file, a URL or even a shortcode!
- Share – Invite your users to upload files, view their dashboard and discuss in each file’s discussion board
CM Download Manager Plugin Additional Resources
WordPress Download Manager Plugin Related Blog Posts
CM Download Manager Edition and Pricing
| Feature | Pro | Client Zone | Ultimate |
| $39 | $69 | $119 | |
| Unlimited Downloads |  | | |
| Downloads Categories | | | |
| Voting | |  | |
| View Download Count | | | |
| Support Forum | | | |
| Internal Ajax Search | | | |
| User Notifications | | | |
| User Groups Permissions | | | |
| Downloads can be Password Protected | | | |
| Admin can define Upload Restriction | | | |
| Admin can define View Restrictions | | | |
| Shortcodes for downloads list | | | |
| Moderation Support | | | |
| File Preview Option | | | |
| Audio & Video Player Option | | | |
| Customize Plugin Permalink | | | |
| User Profile with all Downloads | | | |
| Extended internal Search | | | |
| Multiple index page view | | | |
| Log & Statistics | | | |
| Second Level Navigation | | | |
| Download Shortcodes in Post/Pages | | | |
| Multiple File Upload | | | |
| Automatic Zip Compression | | | |
| Social Media Integration | | | |
| Multisite Support | | | |
| Customize labels | | | |
| Restricted Customer Zone | | | |
| Send and receive files from admin | | | |
| Widgets | | | |
| Disclaimer Support | | | |
| Gravatar Support | | | |
| Customize Download Page | | | |
| Integration with Store plugins | | | |
| Integration with Micropayments | | | |
| Payment Support | | | |
| Registration support | | | |
| Anonymous Uploads | | | |
| Integration with PeepSo | | | |
| Download visual widgets | | | |
| $39 | $69 | $119 |
CM Download Management Plugin Demos
Watch the video clips below to see each File Download Manager Plugin feature in action, or try them out yourself on our demo site!
For more in-depth descriptions, visit our Video Tutorial Library or plugin User Guide.
DOWNLOAD MANAGEMENT
FILE ACCESS
EXAMPLES OF SITES USING THE FILE DOWNLOAD MANAGER
CM Download Manager Plugin Image Gallery
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- Index page in the CM Download Manager plugin for WordPress
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- Music preview on the downloads page CM Download Manager WordPress Plugin
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- Downloads page of the CM Download Manager WordPress Plugin
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- Shortcode of the CM Download Manager WordPress Pl
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- A normal looking downloads page
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- Index Page (Flat Design Style)
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- Download Page – Audio Player (Flat Design Style)
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- Download Page – File Preview (Flat Design Style)
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- Download Page – Password Protected (Flat Design Style)
Back-end Gallery
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- General Settings – Navigation: permalinks, menus, searching
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- General Settings – Appearance general settings
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- General Settings – Login Widget
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- General Settings – SEO
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- General Settings – Disclaimer
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- General Settings – Referrals
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- Index Page – General settings
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- Index Page – Layout
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- Index Page – Appearance
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- Index Page – Files list appearance settings
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- Download Page – Layout
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- Download Page – Download sections
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- Download Page – Appearance
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- Download Page – Frontend media/Screenshots
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- Download Page – Preview and player
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- Download Page – Custom fields
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- Download Page – Support forum
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- Download Page – Sidebar
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- Download Page – Logs
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- Download Page – Limits
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- Download Page – Miscellaneous: downloading, counting
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- Upload Page – Appearance
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- Upload Page – Features
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- Upload Page – Categories
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- Upload Page – Limits
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- Upload Page – Fields arrangement
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- Upload Page – Other
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- Access and moderation – Access
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- Access and moderation – Downloads moderation
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- Access and moderation – Support forum moderation
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- Notifications – Moderation
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- Notifications – New download
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- Notifications – Support forum
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- Notifications – Other
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- Labels
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- Social Login
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- Custom CSS
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- Download and File Manager – Categories
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- Download and File Manager – Import_Export
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- Download and File Manager – User Groups
CM Download Manager Additional Add-ons and Modules
The following list is additional modules and addons which can be installed together with the Download Manager plugin and provide additional functionality
The Download Manager Ultimate + 7 AddOns includes the base plugin and all add-ons.
Plugins Integrated With CM Download Manager
CM Download Manager Frequently Asked Questions
Please check the user guide to learn more about this plugin.
Pre-Sales
Is this plugin free?
No. It’s available in the Pro, Client Zone and Ultimate versions. All come with lifetime access and one year of support and updates.
It has a lite version with limited features – the best free Download Manager plugin. You can download it here.
How do I upgrade CM Download Manager from free to pro?
For the plugin to work you need to activate the license. Here is a video explaining this
Do I pay only once or is there a monthly fee?
You only pay once. All products come with a license. You can continue to use the product after the license expires, but you won’t be able to receive new updates and customer support after this time.
The license lasts for one year starting from the moment of purchase.
If you choose to renew your license, you will receive a 40% discount off the original product price. You can read more about our license policy.
How to use this WordPress Download Manager Plugin?
You should start by doing basics technical setups. Then, you can configure the allowed file types, who has access to the downloads and then adding the first file.
For more information, read the Quick Start Guide.
Features
Which file extensions can users upload? Can I limit that?
You can control the file extensions users can upload. For instance, jpg, pdf, bmp and so on.
The plugin places no restriction on this, so you can enable any file extension you wish.
Learn more: CM Download (CMDM) – Downloads – File Extensions and Download / Upload Types.
What is included in the download page?
Some of the elements:
- Description, author, tags, changelog
- Thumbnail, screenshots and slideshow
- Dedicated discussion forum
- View and download count
- Social share buttons
- Media preview
- Up to two custom fields
Learn more: CM Download (CMDM) – Theme – Download Page Customization.
Does each download page include a dedicated forum?
Yes. Every download page can have a space for question and answers. They are added automatically.
The support forum sends notifications for new messages to the user who posted the downloads and also let users who posted a message to follow any answers posted.
You can also integrate it with the CM Answers plugin and instead of the built-in support forum use the CM Answer forum which is much more advanced. To read more about the integration with the CM Answers forum click here.
Learn more: CM Download (CMDM) – Extras – Support Forum.
Is there a way that users can download files without logging in?
You can define access permission for each download or for all downloads in the plugin settings. Access permissions can limit which download is visible for which user.
How do I restrict downloads access to specific user groups?
Next, when creating a new file for download, you can assign each file to a specific user group. Users in that group will be able to view and download the file, while all other users will be denied access.
Is it possible to upload zip folders to the downloads directory?
Absolutely! If you want to allow users to upload multiple files to your downloads directory, for example a bunch of software files or musical tracks, zip folders will provide the ultimate solution. They will save you and your users both time and storage space.
Zip folders can easily be created on your computer and then uploaded and downloaded either individually or in bulk.
Which file extensions can users preview?
- Documents (using Google Docs) – doc, docx, xls, xlsx, ppt, pptx, pdf, pages, ai, psd, tiff, dxf.
- Audio and Video (using embedded players) – mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, wma, web, flv, rtmp.
Interface Questions
Can I add screenshots and thumbnails to my downloads?
Yes to both. You can add them from your computer or from a URL.
Learn more: CM Download (CMDM) – Downloads – Setting Images as Thumbnails.
Can I add custom CSS to my downloads landing pages?
You can also rewrite css in your theme css using the same classes and making sure it loads after the plugin css.
The last option is to edit the plugin css located in /view/resources but this is not recommended since each time we update the plugin you will need to review your changes.
Integration With Other Plugins/Services
How does the BuddyPress integration work?
This is recommended for site that use the BuddyPress forum system and want to add a file sharing option.
How does the integration with CM MicroPayments work?
It allows users to pay or receive points, with real or virtual value, by uploading or downloading files.
For example, when a user comes to purchase a digital good on your stores – such as a music file or a software zip – they will be charged with points that in turn will be taken off their digital wallet.
Learn more: CM Download (CMDM) – Add-ons – Micropayments.
Technical Questions
Where does the WordPress Download Manager Plugin stores files?
Our plugins take advantage of the existing WordPress features to provide the plugins’ functionality.
- The text, metadata and settings are stored in the WordPress database.
- Static files like images, JS, CSS used by the plugin are stored in the plugins directory.
- The users’ files uploaded when working with the plugin are stored in the plugin-specific folder inside the wp-content/uploads directory.
With Download Manager you can also add links as files. That means you can add the URL of a file hosted by Google Drive or Box as a download.
Data isn’t lost after removing the plugin. However moving the plugin’s data between two different websites can be very difficult because of the IDs associated with each other as the foreign keys.
Learn more: General Support – WordPress – Where the plugin data is being stored – CreativeMinds Products Documentation.
What is the maximum file size in the WordPress Download Manager plugin?
The plugin doesn’t set any limit, so that depends on your server settings. Please refer to your web admin to learn more.
Is it possible to localize the Download Manager for languages that don't appear on the list?
Language files are located under the /lang directory in the plugin. You can take any existing .po file and change the non English description to your custom language. You can then use a po to mo converter like in here http://po2mo.net/ to create the mo file.
Here is an example of how the original English text and the translation look in the po file
forum localization with CM Download Manager can easily be done using the /lang directory in the plugin.
After creating these two files, copy them to the language directory. You are also welcome to send them to us so we can include them in the plugin pack.
What our Customers Say about the Download Manager
Customer Reviews for the CM Download Manager Plugin
- High Quality
I'm very grateful for everything, very high quality relation with users. keep it up.
- Very Good Customer Support
Premium support is very good. They helped me solve my issue within one day. The plugin works well and does what it is supposed to. intext:”Plugin: CM Download Manager”
- GREAT GREAT Support!
I can’t say enough how rare it is and THANKFUL I am to be able to work DIRECTLY with the plug-in developers when issues arise! The plug-in interface isn’t an artful masterpiece, but the functionality is good and the support for issues is outstanding. Worth every cent!
- Very good product and support
Really useful plugin. Plus, both technical support questions about my multisite licence were resolved quickly and in a friendly way. Nice work.
- Recommended!
the knowing and friendly creative minds team supply fast programming, professional work and best service ! I really can recommand creative minds to everyone who needs and searches reliable partner for wp and magento works.
- the best support ever !
I want to start off with a quote to an email I wrote the publisher on May.31 2 days after purchasing the pro version of this plugin.
“OMG PERFECT !!!!!!!!! Your team goes above and beyond. So glad I found and purchased from you guys…”
Besides the fact this is the most amazing file manager plugin the creative mind teams goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy.
The plugin is flawless and creative minds thought of everything.
If you need a file download manager don’t waste your time looking elsewhere as I did. This is the only one you will ever need.
Lewis Wolk Owner AtoZfitness.com distributing free fitness e-books since 1996
- Awesome!
I found this plugin and loved the fact that you can divide downloads into categories and the simple design. It was all i needed actually. Sadly the original design was over the whole page. And because i have a sidebar on my site the download section wasnt visible. But! I contacted the creators via the support forum and explained my problem. A tiny bit later they had the option to choose yourself where the download button will appear. So my problem was solved and now i can use the plugin!
Amazing! 😀
- Downloads made easy
Loaded with features that really makes one feel that a lot of thinking has gone into this quality product. Excellent response times from support
- Wonderful Plugin!
I purchased the Pro version and have it customized with some “Customized Hours” from Creative Mind (to have a tailor-made design that fit perfectly with my client’s request), and I’ve been delighted with the result!
The website is now online (I prefer post a review when the website is finish to avoid getting a first, wrong impression; as it’s too often the case) and counts now 133 documents (and still growing).
Both my client and I are very satisfied with the result: no glitch, fast loading, effective query,responsive design… The support team and the sell team happened to be very reactive and effective as well (and on time!).
Some may say that some functions are confusing (e.g. the menu, the interface) but I believe that each plugin has its own very way of working, and when you get to understand this one, it will just do all what you expect it to!
I surely recommend this plugin for anyone who wish to have a Searchable Database, or an Online Library (you name it as you want); the balance price/quality is more than fair.
PS: I am a web-designer, not a web-developer, so the simplicity and the effectiveness of a plugin is crucial for me (please, spare me the coding!). I have this plugin customized, but I believe the Pro version would work just as well out of the box.
- Good multifunctional plugin and good support
This plugin is multifunctional and very good.
I wanted to…
1.get download items list 2.view graph of download items(I wanted day and month) 3.get csv file of download data
This plugin satisfied that. (And it has more functions.)
And when it work not good, I mail to the dev team. It has been supported so kindly and quickly 🙂
- Feature-rich, great support
Tried several download management plugins, this one had all my required features and then some. Support was quick (above and beyond) to assist with install and enhancement request.
- Great shortcode & super fast support help
I was really impressed how quickly the support team gave me a hand to fix stuff. I am a designer, so sometime my requests are very fussy. However the support team made all of my requests done so quickly. The end result looks amazing. Not only visually, but the plugin’s functionality works so smooth and user friendly. I’m a very happy customer. If anyone looking for download plugin, I recommend CM download manager!
- Useful plugin and great support
I have tried several file manager plugins for WordPress. CM Download Manager is by far the best plugin that I have tried, and the pro version does have a lot of options.
And, importantly, great and fast support
- Useful product – great support
I’ve purchased my fair share of plugins for WordPress over the years and have often come up against the brick-wall of plugin support – but not so with this group. Even after 11 months, this group is just as interested in helping me as they were day-one. This is certainly a pleasant surprise.
So far, they have also been very helpful in listening to feedback and feature requests. I’ve been very pleased with their support. If my clients have need for any of their products, I wouldn’t hesitate to order again.
- good product & service
Love the pro version of cmdownloads. Easy to use and good support.
- Fantastic plugin – Easy to set up and use
What a great plug in cmdownloads is and what fantastic support. I needed to create an online document archive, viewable by the public but which members could upload to without logging into the WordPress backend – this plugin does all that and looks great. I have been running the pro version for the past six months and any issues or question I have had have been answered quickly by support and they have not hesitated to go into my admin area and sort out the problem.
The plugin is easy to set up with lots of configurable options and widgets and shortcodes.
- Great plugin!
This is a very good and useful plugin! I have used the Pro-version for a while and it is really good. I have also received very good support from the developers.
- Easy to use/setup plugin – and developer support is AWESOME!
This was the perfect solution for what we needed in a file management plugin for WordPress. Not only is it easy for the web designer to setup but also easy enough that the end user/client can upload their own files after 30 minutes of training by me. What really was a pleasant surprise was how quickly the developer Creative Minds answered my questions and are open to suggestions for improvements to the plugin. To me that is worth the price of the plugin!
I’m only using half of the features this plugin has so there is plenty of room to grow if the client wishes. I would (and have) highly recommend this plugin to anyone looking for a simple yet robust file management system for WordPress.
- Easy to use
I have a WordPress website and needed a way to easily manage downloads and allow other people to access different documents and CM Download Manager does that. It is quick and easy to download and getting it set up and started didn’t take much time. I love that it gives me the downloads in a directory listing so it is easy to manage. I am able to see who downloads documents and how many times documents have been downloaded. CM Download Manager has helped my site become more organized and has made it easier for me to run a website.
- Just what I was looking for
Upgraded to the pro edition for the shortcodes, formats and the BuddyPress integration.
The customization is pretty cool as well as the file preview feature. Great experience so far. Very simple and efficient.
I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a download manager plugin.
- Great Experience!
I have had an amazing experience so far with CM Download Manager. I have a blog on WordPress and it was getting exhausting running it by myself. CM Download Manager allows me to have the ability to be able to have multiple users log in and they are able to access all of the different sets of documents that I have laid out to each one of them. It’s nice that I can set up individual files for each one and they are each able to access their own specific files.
On my blog, I post a lot of files that users are downloading. This plugin has made the process that much easier. It’s so easy to use and it’s working great for me so far.
CM Download Manager has kept me organized. The support team has been great in aiding me with any questions that I have. Great plugin that does what it’s supposed to!
- Plugin provides a lot of use cases
and also good support.
- Probably the best WordPress file manager
This is a very solid plugin, does what it states and it’s well supported. Who’d need more?
- Really Helps to Keep me Organized!
I have had a WordPress site for a few months now, but what I was lacking was a good Download Manager plugin. My site was very unorganized as a result, and I knew I needed to do something to fix my issues. I came across the CM Downloads Manager, and really liked what it had to offer.
Downloading and installing the plugin was extremely quick and stress free. Very easy to intergrate onto WordPress; you don’t have to be a computer tech to do it. I noticed quite a few things that I really liked right away; first of all, you have the ability to upload, manage, and track files in a directory listing format, allowing others to be able to easily use and comment on. You can specify which users have the ability to use these features as well, which is a huge plus. You also have the ability to preview music you want before downloading it – love this feature! You also have the ability to customize the look and feel of it, which I have already done.
Since downloading the CM Downloads Manager and using it for awhile on my WordPress, I have to say that I’m extremely pleased. It really helps to keep everything in order, and It’s not buggy at all (unlike some other plugins I’ve tried). I would highly recommend this one!
- Excellent Plug in
I manage a website using WordPress, and I needed an efficient way to upload files. I wanted a plugin that would allow other website admins to upload documents, and to manage what users are able to download these files. In the past, I did not have an acceptable solution for this, and since I had control of all of the files to be uploaded, it became solely my job; the other admins had to ask me to upload files. I felt like I was doing everything to manage a website that I was already paying others to assist with.
I currently have the free version of the CM Download Manager Plug In, and I am very happy with it. I am pleased that there is no limitation on downloads, since I have chosen to make most of my uploaded files public. I have the ability to see how many views each file is getting, as well as votes for each user download.
The index where I manage my downloads has lots of useful features that allow me to sort my downloads based upon the particular stats I am looking for, such as by upload date, popularity of the download, and more. This helps me to evaluate my site’s success better.
I am definitely happy with how this plugin has helped to increase my productivity and has changed the way upload files on my website. I am definitely considering purchasing the paid version; with all of the extra features, I’m certain that my website could benefit greatly.
- Its very helpful
My WordPress website was driving me crazy. I am not a computer tech and had difficult time to manage my website. I was introduced to use CM Download Manager by my website builder. I have loved it since then. It has simple and user friendly interface, which allows multiple users to login and I am able to assign different accessibilities to each of them. Now I am no longer the only one doing the work. At the same time, it helps us work even closer together and more efficiency. I am also amazed by their customer support, whenever we have questions, they are there to help and answer. Cm Download Manager does help us running the website a lot. I recommend it highly.
- Download plugin that is reliable and easy to use!
I have been using CM Download Manager for a couple of months now. I needed a plug in that would allow me to have multiple users, each with access to a different set of documents. CM Downloads allows me to do just that!
Not only am I happy with the product, but the support is amazing. When ever I have a questions, or can’t figure something out, the support team gets back to me in a very timely fashion. They are also understanding and patient. I’m new to website building, and I’m sure I ask many silly questions. The support team has always treated me with respect, no matter how confused I am :).
Over all, if your website will have users downloading files, this is the plugin you need. Looks great, easy to use user interface. Quick to load, and keeps you up to date on file downloads. Very happy, thanks CMPlugins!
| Download Manager Review by WP Explorer
I got my hands on CM Download Manager Pro and two things impressed me straight away: It’s intuitive and it’s compatible with the other CM plugins I’ve tested. |