Z-Downloads
Convenient download manager and automatic ZIP archive creator
Use with caution
Z-Downloads works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 70+ sites, is rated 4.6/5 and was last updated 11 months ago, and scores 50/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (70+ active installs)
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
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 Z-Downloads stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| download button | >100 |
| download manager | >100 |
| statistics | >100 |
| zip | >100 |
| zip archive | #53 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
Rating breakdown
★★★★★★★★★★ 4.6 from 7 reviews
About Z-Downloads
From the official readme · v1.12.1Description
The convenient download manager for WordPress.
Z-Downloads makes file delivery simple: upload, place a shortcode, done. It automatically builds ZIP archives, keeps them updated when files change, and gives you clear stats and a clean UI.
Example use case: A single file is present in multiple ZIP archives (e.g., press kits). Update the file once—every affected ZIP is rebuilt automatically.
Benefits
- User-friendly interface with inline help
- Time-saving automation (auto-rebuild of ZIP archives)
- Reliable performance with smart caching
Top features
- GDPR compliant: IP address anonymization by default
- Built-in security: direct file paths remain hidden
- Download statistics + dashboard widget
- Shortcodes for files, ZIPs, lists, audio, and video
- Download button (with optional icons)
- Display info like file size or download count
- Generate file lists
- Embed an audio player
- Embed a video player
- Show MD5 and SHA1 hashes in the frontend (Premium)
- Option to activate direct URL paths for PDF files
- Centralized file management
- Automatic ZIP archive creation
- Drag-and-drop file upload
- Log page to trace actions and troubleshoot
- Safe uninstall option to remove all plugin data on request
- PHP 8 compatible
- Ready for internationalization (English & German included)
- Multilingual
- And more…
Effortlessly embed download buttons with shortcodes
Upload your file, then add this shortcode to a post or page:
[zdownload file="123"]
Embed automatically generated ZIP archives with shortcodes
Create a ZIP entry in the backend, link your files, then use:
[zdownload zip="123"]
Embed external files with shortcodes
Link to a file hosted elsewhere and render a download button:
[zdownload url="https://example.com/file.zip"]
Output a list of files linked to a ZIP archive
Display all files attached to an archive as a neat list:
[zdownload_list zip="123"]
Output audio files as an audio player
Turn an audio file (MP3, WAV, OGG, …) into a player:
[zdownload_audio file="123"]
Output video files as a video player
Render a video file directly as a player:
[zdownload_video file="123"]
Languages
Z-Downloads can be translated into multiple languages. Currently supported:
- English
- German
Installation
In the WordPress plugin directory
Search for “Z-Downloads” in your WordPress plugin directory, install, and activate.
Frequently asked questions
Is Z-Downloads free?
Yes. All basic functions are free. For advanced features there is Z-Downloads Premium — e.g., MD5/SHA1 hash output or unlimited files per ZIP archive.
Who is this plugin for?
Site owners who want an easy, fast way to offer downloads and ZIP packages without manual maintenance.
Is this plugin GDPR (DSGVO) compliant?
Yes. No personal visitor data is stored. IP addresses are anonymized by default (can be changed in the settings).
What language is the plugin in?
The plugin ships in English and is fully translated into German. Other languages can be added easily.
Changelog
- You can find the versions here: Z-Downloads release notes
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 Z-Downloads alternatives
All download button plugins →
FAQ
Z-Downloads: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 12, 2026
Is Z-Downloads free?
Yes. Z-Downloads is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is Z-Downloads safe to use in 2026?
Z-Downloads works, but test it on a staging site before relying on it in 2026. It runs on 70+ sites, is rated 4.6/5 and was last updated 11 months ago, and scores 50/100 on our health check.
How many websites use Z-Downloads?
Z-Downloads is active on 70+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 8,176 times since it launched in March 2019. It was downloaded 169 times in the last 30 days.
Does Z-Downloads work with WordPress 7.1?
Z-Downloads is officially tested up to WordPress 6.8.11, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
What PHP version does Z-Downloads need?
Z-Downloads requires PHP 5.6 or higher. Most hosts run PHP 8.x today, so it works on any modern WordPress hosting.
When was Z-Downloads last updated?
The latest version, 1.12.1, was released on November 4, 2025 (11 months ago).
Who makes Z-Downloads?
Z-Downloads is developed and maintained by URBAN BASE.
What are the best alternatives to Z-Downloads?
The most popular alternatives to Z-Downloads are Button Block (5K+ installs), Quick Download Button (2K+ installs) and DKOATED CTA Buttons (100+ installs).
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
