Theme & Extension Downloader
Download any installed plugin or theme as a ZIP file directly from your WordPress dashboard.
Solid choice
Theme & Extension Downloader is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 80+ sites and was last updated 2 weeks ago, and scores 68/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 2 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (80+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
How does it stack up?
Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where Theme & Extension Downloader stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| backup | >100 |
| download | >100 |
| export | >100 |
| theme | >100 |
| zip | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About Theme & Extension Downloader
From the official readme · v1.0.1Description
Theme & Extension Downloader is a simple utility plugin that allows WordPress administrators to download any installed plugin or theme as a ZIP file. Perfect for creating backups, migrating extensions between sites, or sharing custom plugins/themes.
Key Features:
- Download any installed plugin as a ZIP file
- Download any installed theme as a ZIP file
- Bulk download multiple items in a single ZIP bundle
- See active/inactive status at a glance
- Seamless admin integration under Plugins and Appearance menus
- Secure – admin-only with nonce verification
Use Cases:
- Create quick backups before updating plugins
- Migrate custom plugins to staging sites
- Share custom-developed themes with clients
- Archive plugins you want to keep for later
Simple & Lightweight:
This plugin does one thing and does it well. No bloat, no upsells, no tracking. Just a clean, simple interface for downloading your extensions.
Installation
- Upload the plugin files to
/wp-content/plugins/theme-extension-downloader - Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ screen in WordPress
- Go to Plugins → Download Plugins or Appearance → Download Themes
Frequently asked questions
Can I download inactive plugins/themes?
Yes! You can download any installed plugin or theme, whether it’s active or inactive.
Where are downloaded files saved?
Downloads are served directly to your browser and saved to your default downloads folder.
How do I download multiple items at once?
Use the checkboxes to select multiple plugins or themes, then click “Download Selected”. They’ll be bundled into a single ZIP file.
Is this plugin secure?
Yes. The plugin requires administrator privileges and uses WordPress nonces for all download requests. It also validates that requested items are actually installed.
Does it work with multisite?
The plugin works on individual sites within a multisite network.
What about mu-plugins?
Currently only regular plugins and themes are supported.
Changelog
Initial release.
1.0.1
- Uninstall cleanup now uses WP_Filesystem to remove the temporary download directory.
- Tested with WordPress 7.1.
1.0.0
- Initial release
- Download individual plugins and themes
- Bulk download multiple items
- Admin menu integration
- Active/inactive status display
Screenshots
For developers
Is this your plugin? Show off the numbers.
Add a live badge to your site, docs or GitHub README. It updates on its own — no account needed.
Best Theme & Extension Downloader alternatives
All backup plugins →
FAQ
Theme & Extension Downloader: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 5, 2026
Is Theme & Extension Downloader free?
Yes. Theme & Extension Downloader is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Theme & Extension Downloader safe to use in 2026?
Theme & Extension Downloader is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. It runs on 80+ sites and was last updated 2 weeks ago, and scores 68/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Theme & Extension Downloader?
Theme & Extension Downloader is active on 80+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 918 times since it launched in February 2026. It was downloaded 269 times in the last 30 days.
Does Theme & Extension Downloader work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Theme & Extension Downloader up to WordPress 7.1.2, the latest release. It requires WordPress 5.0 or newer.
What PHP version does Theme & Extension Downloader need?
Theme & Extension Downloader requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Theme & Extension Downloader last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.1, was released on September 18, 2026 (2 weeks ago).
Who makes Theme & Extension Downloader?
Theme & Extension Downloader is developed and maintained by CHRS Interactive.
What are the best alternatives to Theme & Extension Downloader?
The most popular alternatives to Theme & Extension Downloader are All-in-One WP Migration and… (5M+ installs), UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Mi… (4M+ installs) and Jetpack (3M+ installs).
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