Head-to-head · October 2026
Download Plugin vs Flex Explorer
Download Plugin comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Flex Explorer.
Download Plugin
Download Plugin can easily download plugins, themes, users, blog posts, pages, comments, attachments, and…
Flex Explorer
Flex Explorer adds a single-page file manager to wp-admin. Every operation runs through a sandboxed REST…
| Metric | Download Plugin | Flex Explorer |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 60K+ | <10 |
| Downloads (30 days) | 15.5K | 170 |
| Download trend | -17.4% | +39.3% |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | — |
| Reviews | 26 | 0 |
| Health score | 84/100 | 64/100 |
| Last updated | 3 months ago | 4 days ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.0.7 | WP 7.1.3 |
| Support resolved | 100% | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 8.0+ |
| First released | Mar 2016 | Jun 2026 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Download PluginFlex Explorer
Choose Download Plugin if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 60K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.5/5 from 26 reviews
Choose Flex Explorer if…
You care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
- Actively developed — last update 4 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (<10 active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
Both compete in: download
FAQ
Download Plugin vs Flex Explorer: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 10, 2026
Which is better, Download Plugin or Flex Explorer?
Download Plugin comes out ahead, winning 4 of 7 head-to-head checks against Flex Explorer. Choose Download Plugin if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Flex Explorer if you care most about download trend, last updated and tested up to.
Is Download Plugin more popular than Flex Explorer?
Download Plugin is the more popular of the two with 60K+ active installs, compared with <10 for Flex Explorer.
Can I use Download Plugin and Flex Explorer together?
Both plugins cover download, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Download Plugin and Flex Explorer free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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