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Simple Download Counter

By Jeff Starr

Site Administration & Utilities / Site Migration & Cloning

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Simple Download Counter Review - In-Depth Analysis

Simple Download Counter counts the number of times files are downloaded. It supports various file types and displays download counts using shortcodes.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.73/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 19+ reviews)

Active Installations

2,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

Simple Download Counter (SDC) provides a simple yet powerful way to count file downloads. It works with any file type that is supported by WordPress, such as JPG, PNG, ZIP, MP4, and TXT.

This plugin allows Admin-level users to add download files from any location on the server or from remote public locations. Only Administrators can add download files, so please use this feature responsibly.

To use the plugin, visit the settings to add a download file. You can then use the shortcode to display a download link on any post or page. The plugin counts every download and displays it in the settings, and you can also show the download count on the front end using a shortcode.

SDC is lightweight, with an entire plugin size of less than 160 KB, and is built for optimal performance with clean code that integrates tightly with WordPress. It does not require Apache or .htaccess files.

This plugin does not collect or store any user data and is privacy-friendly, as it only counts the number of times files are downloaded.

Comparing to Alternatives

Simple Download Counter stands out in the download counting niche with several direct alternatives available, each offering different features and approaches.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Lightweight and simple to use without unnecessary bloat
Accurate and customizable download counting
Responsive developer support and community engagement
Includes shortcode options for easy integration
High user satisfaction with minimal complaints

Weaknesses

Medium security risk history with several past vulnerabilities
Requires updates to patch security issues
Limited advanced features compared to some competitors
Pro version details are less prominently marketed

User Sentiment Analysis

User reviews are overwhelmingly positive with a 4.9 average rating and no low-star complaints, reflecting strong satisfaction and reliability.

Positive highlights

"Simply Awesome!" - Julian Song
"Great Simple Plugin, Great Developer" - garrettm30
"Simply a great Plugin" - Hans-Gerd Gerhards
"Super cool and easy-to-use" - mitrakov
"Fabulous!!" - ginajackson

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Past security vulnerabilities requiring prompt updates
Limited visibility of premium features
May lack some advanced functionalities found in other plugins

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users seeking a straightforward, lightweight download counter plugin with reliable performance and excellent developer support.

Not ideal for

Those requiring advanced download management features or who prioritize plugins with a spotless security history might consider alternatives.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version offers essential download counting features with shortcode support and customization options, sufficient for most users.

Pro version

Offers additional premium features, though specifics are not prominently detailed; users primarily rely on the robust free version.

Final Verdict

Simple Download Counter is a highly rated, user-friendly plugin that effectively meets the needs of those wanting a basic yet customizable download counter. Its lightweight design and responsive developer support enhance its appeal.

However, users should be aware of its history of medium-level security vulnerabilities, which have been addressed in updates. Those needing advanced features or a flawless security record might explore alternatives, but for most, this plugin offers excellent value and performance.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Simple Download Counter plugin.

Download Counter

Download Manager

File Manager

Screenshots

FAQ

By default, download button forms are styled with inline-block. To disable and display as block-level, add the following code snippet via theme functions or simple plugin:

function simple_download_counter_button_style($style) { return ''; } add_filter('simple_download_counter_button_style', 'simple_download_counter_button_style');

No changes necessary, save and done.

By default, the plugin uses download URLs with the following structure:

https://example.com/sdc_download/19890/?key=1234567890abc

In the Admin Area, the plugin displays these download URLs/links in various places, like the “Edit” screen. On the front end, the plugin does not add any download URLs/links. So by default, there is no way that any bots will know about any of your download links. As soon as you add a download link anywhere on the front end, bots will be able to find and crawl, etc. To prevent good/obedient bots from crawling your download links, add the following to your site’s robots.txt file:

User-agent: * Disallow: /sdc_download

Then to verify, use a free online robots.txt validator to make sure the new rules mesh well with any existing rules. Adding the above rules to robots.txt will prevent good bots (who obey robots.txt) from following the links.