# Simple Download Monitor vs The Library

> Simple Download Monitor vs The Library compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Simple Download Monitor comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against The Library.

**Simple Download Monitor comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against The Library.** Choose Simple Download Monitor if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose The Library if you care most about download trend.

| | Simple Download Monitor | The Library |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 20K+ ✅ | <10 |
| Downloads (30 days) | 6.7K ✅ | 40 |
| Download trend | -63.8% | +42.9% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | — |
| Reviews | 158 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 89/100 ✅ | 30/100 |
| Last updated | 1 month ago ✅ | 1 year ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 ✅ | WP 6.8.11 |
| Support resolved | 100% | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Oct 2009 | Aug 2025 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Simple Download Monitor or The Library?
Simple Download Monitor comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against The Library. Choose Simple Download Monitor if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose The Library if you care most about download trend.

### Is Simple Download Monitor more popular than The Library?
Simple Download Monitor is the more popular of the two with 20K+ active installs, compared with <10 for The Library.

### Can I use Simple Download Monitor and The Library together?
Both plugins cover downloads, 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 Simple Download Monitor and The Library free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


---
Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/simple-download-monitor-vs-the-library/ · Generated 2026-10-20 00:52 UTC by PageForge