Weblink Protected Download Leads
Protect a downloadable file behind a lead capture form. Free version: one published downloadable file at a time.
Solid choice
Weblink Protected Download Leads is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. Was last updated 4 weeks ago, and scores 64/100 on our health check.
- Actively developed — last update 4 weeks ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Small user base (<10 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 Weblink Protected Download… stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| download | >100 |
| form | >100 |
| gated content | >100 |
| lead generation | >100 |
| leads | >100 |
About Weblink Protected Download Leads
From the official readme · v1.0.0Description
Weblink Protected Download Leads lets you protect any file (a PDF guide, a price list, a whitepaper) behind a simple contact form: visitors enter their details and instantly receive a personal, time-limited download link — shown right on the page, no email service required.
- Upload a file (PDF, image, document, archive, anything) and it is copied into a protected, non-public folder — never left in the public uploads directory.
- A simple, GDPR-friendly form collects email (always required) plus optional first name, last name, company and phone — each one independently shown/hidden and required/optional from the plugin settings.
- Every submission gets a unique, unguessable download link, valid for a configurable number of days, and reusable until it expires.
- A privacy-policy checkbox with a configurable link and label, required on every submission.
- A “thank-you” message shown after submission, with an optional override for each individual file.
- Insert the form anywhere with the
[wpdl_form file="123"]shortcode or the “Protected Download Form” Gutenberg block. - A “Leads” screen in wp-admin lists every submission, filterable by file.
- Honeypot spam protection built in, no CAPTCHA configuration needed.
Free vs PRO
This FREE version allows one published downloadable file at a time — publishing a second file saves it as pending instead of live. Everything else (the form, all optional fields, protected time-limited links, per-file thank-you messages) works exactly like the PRO version, with no other artificial restriction.
Lead per Download by Weblink (PRO) additionally offers:
- Unlimited published downloadable files.
- Automatic lead synchronization to Brevo and Mailchimp.
- CSV export of collected leads.
Installation
- Upload the plugin files to the
/wp-content/plugins/weblink-protected-download-leadsdirectory, or install the plugin directly through the WordPress plugins screen. - Activate the plugin through the “Plugins” screen in WordPress.
- Go to “Protected Downloads” → “Settings” to configure form fields, privacy policy link and link validity.
- Go to “Protected Downloads” → “Add New” to upload your first protected file.
- Use the
[wpdl_form file="ID"]shortcode (replace ID with the file’s post ID, shown in the files list) or the “Protected Download Form” block to display the form.
If your site runs on Nginx: the plugin automatically writes an .htaccess file to protect the storage folder from direct access, but .htaccess only works on Apache/LiteSpeed. On Nginx, ask your host or system administrator to add an equivalent rule blocking direct access to the wp-content/uploads/wpdl-protected/ folder.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have more than one downloadable file?
Not published at the same time in the FREE version: only one file can be “Published” at once. Additional files are saved as “Pending” until you unpublish the current one or upgrade to the PRO version, which removes this limit entirely.
Does this plugin send emails?
No. The download link is shown directly on the page after a successful submission (and can also be reused later from the same link), so no outgoing email or SMTP configuration is required.
Can I sync leads to my CRM or email marketing tool?
Not in the FREE version. Lead per Download by Weblink (PRO) adds automatic synchronization to Brevo and Mailchimp.
Can I export the collected leads?
Not in the FREE version. The PRO version adds CSV export from the Leads screen.
Is this compatible with the PRO version on the same site?
Yes. Weblink Protected Download Leads uses its own database table, options, shortcode tag and text domain, so it can be installed alongside Lead per Download by Weblink (PRO) without conflicts — though most sites will only need one or the other.
Screenshots
For developers
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FAQ
Weblink Protected Download Leads: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 9, 2026
Is Weblink Protected Download Leads free?
Yes. Weblink Protected Download Leads is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Weblink Protected Download Leads safe to use in 2026?
Weblink Protected Download Leads is a solid plugin choice in 2026, with a few things worth checking first. Was last updated 4 weeks ago, and scores 64/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Weblink Protected Download Leads?
Weblink Protected Download Leads is active on <10 WordPress websites and has been downloaded 113 times since it launched in September 2026. It was downloaded 113 times in the last 30 days.
Does Weblink Protected Download Leads work with WordPress 7.1?
Yes. The developer has tested Weblink Protected Download Leads up to WordPress 7.1.3, the latest release. It requires WordPress 5.8 or newer.
What PHP version does Weblink Protected Download Leads need?
Weblink Protected Download Leads requires PHP 7.4 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Weblink Protected Download Leads last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.0, was released on September 14, 2026 (4 weeks ago).
Who makes Weblink Protected Download Leads?
Weblink Protected Download Leads is developed and maintained by weblinksrlvarese.
What are the best alternatives to Weblink Protected Download Leads?
The most popular alternatives to Weblink Protected Download Leads are Download Plugin (60K+ installs), Export Media Library (30K+ installs) and Download Plugins and Themes… (30K+ installs).
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