The strongest alternative to Filester for most sites is File Manager, the most widely installed file manager on WordPress, giving you edit, upload and archive tools straight from the dashboard. FileOrganizer is a well-maintained free pick with a modern interface, and Advanced File Manager adds a document library on top of the basics. We ranked these from our index of 55,000+ WordPress plugins.

Why people switch from Filester

• People want the most proven, widely used option and move to File Manager.
• Sites wanting a cleaner, more modern admin move to FileOrganizer.
• Users who need front-end file sharing or a document library move to Advanced File Manager or File Manager Advanced.
• Security-conscious admins want clearer role restrictions, which the leading managers expose more directly.

File Manager – Overall replacement

File Manager, from mndpsingh287, lets you browse, edit, upload, zip and restore files inside wp-admin without FTP. Against Filester, it is the most battle-tested option here with the widest user base to draw support from. Drawback: because it exposes server files directly, a misconfiguration or unpatched version can become a serious security risk, so it needs careful settings.

Choose File Manager if you want the most proven file manager and will lock down its permissions.

FileOrganizer – Modern interface

FileOrganizer is a modern file manager with a clean interface, code editor and role-based access. Against Filester, it feels more current and is actively developed. Drawback: it is newer and less established, so its ecosystem and track record are smaller than File Manager’s.

Choose FileOrganizer if you want a clean, actively maintained manager.

Advanced File Manager – Document library and sharing

Advanced File Manager, from ProDevs, combines a dashboard file manager with a front-end document library and shortcode-based file sharing. Against Filester, it goes beyond admin editing into public file downloads. Drawback: the front-end sharing, private folders and cloud features are largely Pro upgrades.

Choose Advanced File Manager if you also need front-end file downloads for visitors.

advanced-file-manager – Basic file access

File Manager Advanced is a lightweight dashboard manager for the common upload, edit and delete tasks. Against Filester, it keeps things simple for admins who only need basic file access. Drawback: it is a smaller, less frequently updated plugin, so check its compatibility before relying on it.

Choose advanced-file-manager if you want a no-frills manager for occasional edits.

When to stay on Filester

Stay on Filester if it already handles your uploads and edits cleanly and you like its interface. It is a capable manager, and since every dashboard file manager carries the same underlying security exposure, swapping to another one gains you little unless you specifically need features Filester lacks. Keep it updated and access-restricted either way.

How we ranked these

Every plugin here is scored by the WPS Score, a single 0 to 10 rating built from 21 signals covering maintenance, support responsiveness, compatibility, performance, and ratings quality across our index of 55,000+ plugins. Rankings are derived from that data, not editorial preference, and no plugin author can pay to change a score. How the WPS Score works.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free file manager plugin for WordPress?

File Manager by mndpsingh287 is the most widely used free option and covers editing, uploading and archiving from the dashboard. FileOrganizer is a strong newer alternative with a cleaner interface. Both do the core job without a paid plan.

Are WordPress file manager plugins safe to use?

File manager plugins expose your server files inside wp-admin, so a weak password, outdated version or loose permissions can be dangerous. Whether you use Filester, File Manager or FileOrganizer, restrict access to trusted admins, keep the plugin updated, and consider removing it when you are done.

Do I still need FTP if I install a file manager plugin?

For everyday edits, a plugin like Filester or File Manager can replace FTP entirely. FTP or SFTP is still useful as a fallback when your site will not load, since a broken plugin or theme can lock you out of the dashboard where the file manager lives.

The verdict

The best all-round Filester alternative is File Manager for its track record, with FileOrganizer the pick for a cleaner modern interface and Advanced File Manager for front-end document sharing. All of these carry the same security responsibilities, so if Filester already works for you, keeping it locked down and updated is a valid choice.