The strongest WP-PageNavi alternative for most sites is WP-Paginate, which delivers the same clean numbered pagination with simpler styling controls and steady upkeep. For a modern load-more or infinite-scroll experience, Ajax Load More is the standout, while WP Page Numbers and Alphabetic Pagination cover lighter and alphabetical needs. We ranked these from our index of 55,000+ WordPress plugins.

Why people switch from WP-PageNavi

• People wanting simple numbered pagination that is actively maintained move to WP-Paginate.
• Sites wanting infinite scroll or a load-more button instead of page links move to Ajax Load More.
• Those wanting a minimal numeric pager move to WP Page Numbers.
• Directories and glossaries wanting A to Z navigation move to Alphabetic Pagination.

WP-Paginate – Numbered pagination

WP-Paginate is a straightforward plugin that adds accessible numbered pagination to posts and comments, with settings for labels and styling. Against WP-PageNavi, it offers similar page-number output with a slightly simpler options screen. What it does not do: like the subject it is a classic single-purpose plugin, so its styling often still needs custom CSS to match a modern theme.

Choose WP-Paginate if you want simple, accessible numbered pagination.

Ajax Load More – Infinite scroll

Ajax Load More replaces traditional page links with infinite scroll or a load-more button, fetching posts without a full reload. Against WP-PageNavi, it modernizes the browsing experience and can boost engagement on blogs and archives. What it does not do: infinite scroll can hurt SEO and make footer content hard to reach, and its more advanced query features live in paid add-ons.

Choose Ajax Load More if you want infinite scroll or a load-more button instead of page links.

wp-page-numbers – Minimal pager

WP Page Numbers is a lightweight plugin that outputs a compact numeric pager for archives and search results. Against WP-PageNavi, it aims to be even simpler and lighter for sites that just need basic page numbers. What it does not do: it is older and infrequently updated, so it may need styling tweaks and testing against current WordPress versions.

Choose wp-page-numbers if you want the most minimal numeric pager.

alphabetic-pagination – A to Z navigation

Alphabetic Pagination adds an A to Z navigation bar so visitors can jump to entries by first letter, which is useful for directories and glossaries. Against WP-PageNavi, it solves a different browsing problem, alphabetical rather than numeric paging. What it does not do: it is a niche tool for alphabetical listings and is not a general-purpose replacement for numbered pagination.

Choose alphabetic-pagination if you need alphabetical A to Z navigation rather than page numbers.

When to stay on WP-PageNavi

Stay on WP-PageNavi if it already gives you the numbered pagination you want and integrates with your theme. It is a proven, lightweight plugin, and because many themes and page builders call it in their templates, replacing it can mean editing template code for little practical benefit.

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 alternative to WP-PageNavi?

WP-Paginate is the closest alternative, offering similar numbered pagination with a simple options screen. If you would rather move away from page links entirely, Ajax Load More adds infinite scroll or a load-more button instead.

Is numbered pagination better than infinite scroll for SEO?

Numbered pagination is generally friendlier for SEO because search engines can crawl each page through clear links. Infinite scroll, as offered by Ajax Load More, can improve engagement but may hide content from crawlers unless you add paginated fallbacks.

Does WP-PageNavi still work with modern themes?

Yes, WP-PageNavi still functions, but its default styling may need custom CSS to match a modern theme. Some themes and page builders now include their own pagination, in which case an extra plugin may be unnecessary.

The verdict

The best all-round WP-PageNavi alternative is WP-Paginate for the same clean numbered pagination, while Ajax Load More is the pick if you want infinite scroll and Alphabetic Pagination for A to Z directories. If WP-PageNavi already fits your theme and does the job, staying put is a perfectly valid choice.