The 13 Best WordPress Directory Plugins: Free + Premium Options

In the modern world of the internet, having an organized and appealing website is essential for every company or group. WordPress has emerged as the most popular content management system for this purpose, with a diverse set of plugins available to extend its usefulness.  

One such plugin category is the WordPress directory plugin, which is essential for organizing listings and improving the user experience. 

However, choosing the best WordPress directory plugin for your website can be challenging, given the various alternatives available.  

That’s where we come in: our guide provides detailed insights into the top directory plugins, helping you find the one that perfectly meets your needs. 

What to look for in a great WordPress directory plugin? 

When searching for the best WordPress directory plugin, it’s crucial to consider several key factors to ensure you choose the most suitable one for your website. These considerations will help you sift through the numerous options available, including the best free WordPress directory plugin. 

• First, consider the WordPress directory plugin’s ease of use and user-friendliness. A simple and easy interface allows you to effectively manage your listings without having to spend time learning sophisticated features. 
• Next, evaluate the plugin’s customization and design choices. A solid WordPress directory plugin should include a variety of template and style options, allowing you to create a visually appealing directory that complements the overall design of your website. 
• Check the plugin’s compatibility with other plugins and themes. A seamless integration with your existing website configuration is critical for a positive user experience. Knowing the storage location of the WordPress plugin directory can also simplify access and maintenance. 
• Look for plugins with advanced functionalities, such as search capabilities, location-based listings, and user-generated content. These features can significantly improve your directory and enhance user engagement. 
• Finally, review the plugin’s customer support and user feedback. A dependable plugin should have a dedicated support team ready to address your concerns and provide timely assistance. User reviews can also provide vital information about the plugin’s performance and real-world applicability. 

Top 13 WordPress directory plugins 

1. HivePress 

HivePress is a versatile and free WordPress directory plugin, ideal for various applications such as job listings, real estate, and marketplaces. 

The complimentary core plugin allows you to create basic listings with titles, descriptions, and images. However, extensions are necessary to add custom fields or information. 

Several free extensions are available that provide features like geolocation, reviews, and paid listing options. However, more advanced extensions like tags, opening hours, and SEO tools are priced between $29 and $39. You can also opt for the $199 bundle to access all extensions. 

The plugin also offers blocks that can be used to add listings, user registration forms, or vendor search forms to any post or page. Additionally, it supports a multi-vendor system for public online directories. 

HivePress offers a dedicated free WordPress theme, ListingHive, which is fully compatible with the plugin and its extensions. This theme serves as an excellent foundation for creating an attractive online directory website. 

Premium themes from HivePress are also available, priced between $69 and $89. Each premium theme is tailored for specific use cases, such as job listings, property rentals, and service directory websites. 

Ratings: 4.9/5 

Best for: Several types of websites. 

2. Directorist 

Directorist is a widely used WordPress directory plugin that caters to various websites, including business directories, property listings, classified ads, and job portals. 

This directory builder offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface that simplifies directory management. Its listing form builder lets you organize form fields, incorporate different custom field types, and tailor the listing layouts and search form. 

Directorist also enables you to sort listings by categories and locations. It integrates with OpenStreetMap and Google Maps to accurately pinpoint listings and deliver comprehensive location information. 

Utilize its 16 blocks to seamlessly integrate and customize the directory on your WordPress site. This plugin also supports guest submission, allowing visitors to add listings without logging in. 

The free version accommodates bank transfer payments for monetization purposes.  For additional features like Stripe and PayPal payment gateways, consider the premium plan starting at $119 per year. 

Ratings: 4.7/5 

Best for: Several types of websites. 

3. Business Directory Plugin 

The WordPress Business Directory Plugin is a feature-rich solution ideal for building business directories, with the ability to create nested categorization for complex listing structures. 

This versatile plugin allows front-end listing submissions and comes with a pre-configured form containing 10 fields. You can customize the form or incorporate additional fields on the plugin’s directory content page, using the 14 field types available. 

To protect your directory from spam submissions, enable reCAPTCHA and login requirements. If you prefer managing your directory exclusively from the back-end, you can opt to disable front-end submissions. 

With its monetization functionality, you can create pricing plans for your website directories. The free version is compatible with the Authorize.net payment gateway. For additional options like PayPal, Stripe, or Payfast, upgrading to the premium version is necessary. 

Ratings: 4.6/5 

Best for: Business websites. 

4. Connections Business Directory 

The Connections Business Directory plugin makes it easy to establish a business or personal directory. It offers pre-designed templates and WordPress blocks to simplify the embedding of your listings. 

This versatile directory plugin allows you to create directories for individuals, organizations, or families, with the option to set them as public, private, or unlisted. Numerous default fields are provided, such as address, phone number, and social media IDs. 

On the settings page, you have comprehensive control over field configurations. Here, you can activate or deactivate specific fields, assign default values to certain fields, and restrict directory access to logged-in users only. 

The plugin incorporates four WordPress blocks for adding the directory to any post or page – carousel, directory, team, and upcoming. Each block type features unique customization settings, offering greater flexibility in displaying the directory. 

Connections Business Directory is developer-friendly, with source code available on GitHub. Its detailed template engine allows you to override the CSS code for a personalized appearance. Importantly, it is update-safe, ensuring your customizations remain intact after any updates. 

Ratings: 4.9/5 

Best for: Business websites. 

5. Directories Pro 

Directories Pro is a top-tier premium WordPress directory plugin that enables you to develop multiple directories on your website. Its adaptability makes it a preferred choice for a wide range of listing types. 

This plugin allows you to create directories with distinct categorization options and offers three layout alternatives – list, grid, and masonry. Additionally, a photo slider is included to showcase listing images. 

With its front-end dashboard, Directories Pro allows users to submit listings, write reviews, and rate others’ listings. The plugin also supports guest posting, enabling participation without requiring users to register. 

The forms are fully customizable and include conditional field functionality, which lets you show or hide fields based on the input of other fields or user roles. With over 20 custom fields, you can tailor the listing form to meet specific needs. 

Directories Pro also supports monetization through integration with WooCommerce, facilitating charges for submissions or claims of listings. You can set up membership plans and manage listing features using WooCommerce Subscriptions. 

Lastly, Directories Pro includes a built-in cache for both desktop and mobile devices, enhancing website loading times and overall user experience. 

Ratings: 4.8/5 

Best for: Several types of websites. 

6. GeoDirectory 

GeoDirectory is an excellent WordPress directory plugin designed for creating location-based business directories. 

The free version of GeoDirectory limits users to a single city and local directory. To unlock multi-location or global business directory capabilities, consider acquiring the Location Manager add-on or a premium membership plan. 

Users can submit new listings through a front-end form. This form is customizable via the WordPress panel and offers over 40 custom fields including options like property bathrooms, bedrooms, and features, making it perfect for hotel or property rental listings. 

GeoDirectory works well with the WordPress block editor and other popular page builders. It integrates smoothly with the native WordPress search function, enabling searches by location or zip code. 

A downside of GeoDirectory is its monetization aspect, as it necessitates the Pricing Manager premium extension. Furthermore, this extension does not incorporate any payment gateway. To accept online payments, you will need to install GetPaid or WooCommerce. 

Ratings: 4.7/5 

Best for: Business websites. 

7. Formidable Forms 

Formidable Forms is a WordPress contact form plugin capable of generating listings and facilitating front-end submissions. 

The plugin’s drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the process of creating submission forms. Additionally, it offers a range of templates for various purposes, such as real estate, event planning, and contact forms, expediting the setup process. 

With the Views feature, you can showcase submitted data in different formats, such as single listings, calendar views, and all entries. You can also customize the data displayed and modify the appearance of each view from the plugin’s dashboard.  

Formidable Forms is compatible with various payment platforms, including WooCommerce, PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net, allowing you to collect online payments. These payment solutions can be used to establish paid listings. 

The free version includes 14 custom field types, while the premium version offers over 20 advanced field types. 

To utilize this plugin for directory listings, you must purchase the Plus plan at $199 per year. This plan includes the Formidable Views feature, enabling you to display submitted data on your site’s front end. 

Ratings: 4.7/5 

Best for: Several types of websites. 

8. Classified Listing 

Classified Listing is a top-tier WordPress directory plugin designed specifically for building classified advertisement websites. It boasts exceptional back end and front-end listing management, streamlining the process for you and your visitors to post listings with ease. 

This versatile plugin enables you to include an unlimited number of custom fields, offering seven field type options. Furthermore, you can create a field group and assign it to any category. 

You can customize the directory’s appearance through the admin settings page, where it’s possible to modify various directory elements, such as link and button colors. 

Image settings are also available, allowing you to incorporate image placeholders and determine the size of gallery sliders and thumbnails. 

For those just beginning their directory website journey, the plugin’s developer provides four premium classified directory themes starting at $39. These themes are fully compatible with the plugin and facilitate a swift completion of your directory website. 

Ratings: 4.9/5 

Best for: Classified advertisements and business directories. 

9. Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro 

Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro (ACADP) empowers you to generate diverse listings with highly tailored categorization and custom fields. 

The category functionality enables you to establish unlimited custom categories, subcategories, and category levels. This proves beneficial for websites with an extensive range of listings, as it allows for the orderly organization of intricate nested structures. 

Additionally, the plugin supports unlimited custom fields. Instead of offering pre-defined custom fields, users can create their own with various property options. You can also select from eight field types, including radio button, checkbox, URL, and date. 

The plugin also features a shortcode builder within its admin panel. This too enables you to embed content using customized properties such as custom column numbers, listings per page, and listing order.   

The premium version includes monetization capabilities, allowing you to charge users for submitting featured listings that appear above regular ones. With WooCommerce integration, online payments can be processed through Stripe and PayPal gateways. 

Ratings: 4.8/5 

Best for: Several types of directories. 

10. AWP Classified 

AWP Classifieds is a user-friendly classified ad directory plugin that enables users and visitors to create listings on your website effortlessly. 

The plugin automatically incorporates the necessary pages – the directory, user dashboard, and ad placement – to facilitate a seamless website setup. These pages can be customized according to your preferences. 

The free version includes pre-defined form fields, which you can organize as per your requirements. The premium extra fields module allows the addition of custom fields using input elements such as text, drop-down menus, checkboxes, and radio buttons. 

AWP Classifieds allows non-registered users to post ads and offers the option to require email verification for non-registered users before displaying their ads. 

Monetization can be achieved through charging listing fees and creating subscription plans. The free version is compatible with PayPal and 2Checkout payment systems, while the premium version extends support to PayPal Pro and Stripe. 

Ratings: 4.6/5 

Best for: Classified ads directories. 

11. Name Directory 

Name Directory is a free WordPress plugin designed for crafting index glossaries, as well as listing employee details such as their position and contact information. 

When creating a new directory, it features an option to display letters on the index, allowing visitors to filter entries by selecting a letter. This functionality is particularly beneficial for directories with numerous entries. 

Additionally, the plugin offers a front-end form submission feature, allowing visitors to contribute entries to the directory. 

The bulk import functionality enables directory importing from a CSV file. Although specific formatting is required, the plugin provides a sample file to guide the setup process. 

However, there are no customization options for the directory’s appearance, as it inherits the styles from the active WordPress theme. As a result, this plugin is better suited for straightforward glossaries or information listings. 

Ratings: 4.9/5 

Best for: Glossary, business index, or company contact information. 

12. Simple Link Directory 

Simple Link Directory is a unique plugin that focuses on creating link directories, setting it apart from other directory plugins on this list. 

Adding links to the directory via the admin panel is effortless. All you need to do is input the item link, title, and image. Additionally, you can enable the no-follow option to prevent search engines from crawling the link. 

The plugin features a default shortcode for embedding the directory. Alternatively, the shortcode generator block allows you to create shortcodes within the page or post, with customizable typography, list order, and template style. 

There are four responsive template options available through the shortcode generator. For further customization, you can add custom CSS and JavaScript, or opt for the premium version, which offers 18 templates. 

A variety of premium add-ons are also available for this plugin. For instance, the broken link checker identifies any non-functioning links in your directory, while the link exchange feature enables you to exchange links with users.   

To generate revenue from your directories, you can accept paid or free listings and establish subscription plans. 

With the premium version, users can add links directly from the front-end dashboard. 

Ratings: 4.8/5 

Best for: Link directory. 

13. Toolset 

Toolset is a powerful WordPress plugin that offers a comprehensive set of tools designed to streamline the creation of sophisticated websites. It is suitable for a variety of purposes, including custom eCommerce, real estate, membership, and directory sites. Although Toolset is not the most beginner-friendly option due to its ecosystem of interconnected tools, it serves as an invaluable resource for developers looking to construct a directory website from scratch. 

Ratings: 5/5 

Best for: Custom directory, e-commerce, real estate, and membership websites. 

Final thoughts: Best WordPress Directory Plugins

Choosing the correct WordPress directory plugin is essential for enhancing your listings and elevating your internet profile. This allows you to streamline website maintenance, improve user experience, and remain competitive in the digital market.   

We’ve covered a variety of WordPress directory plugins, each suited for specific purposes such as business directories, property listings, classified ads, and job portals. By assessing each plugin’s functionality and compliance with your website’s needs, you can construct a strong, visually beautiful directory that draws visitors and stimulates user engagement.

WordPress directory plugins FAQ