10 Best WordPress Photo Gallery Plugins (Free & Paid) Compared

10Oct 2022 by Moonthemes 141 Comments

What makes any site especially attractive? Images!

Today they are on every web resource—various WordPress plugins help place images and videos on the site and do it beautifully. You can create a gallery using the built-in WordPress functionality, but often it is not enough. Today there are a lot of them, so it can be challenging to decide which is better to use.

In this article, we have collected 10 of the best plugins and talked about their features and capabilities. We hope that now it will be much easier for you to choose.

Table of Contents

Before the Start

Before comparing plugins, consider what you should pay attention to when choosing.

  1. Functionality. What exactly can you do with this plugin? How many options for placing images does the plugin provide (slider, just a photo, a mosaic, etc.)? Is it just a photo gallery, or will it do for a product gallery?
  2. Additional functions. Can I comment on images or share them on social networks? Is there media protection?
  3. Support for both photos and videos. Can I use the plugin to post videos on YouTube or Vimeo?
  4. Ease of use. Does the plugin allow you to post photos and videos with a simple drag and drop, or does it look more complicated?
  5. Style settings. Can you create any style on your site using built-in functions (change the font/background color)?

You should pay attention to these main parameters when choosing a plugin. But, of course, you may not care about the ability to share media files on social networks or the ability to create a product gallery. Therefore, always focus on your needs when designing a site.

The Best WordPress Gallery Plugins

Envira Gallery

🏆 Best for creating a media gallery quickly

Envira Gallery plugin homepage

The flexible, customizable Envira Gallery plugin is viral among developers. However, it is a freemium plugin. That is, some of the functions are available for free, and for some, you have to pay.

It works on the principle of drag and drop. Therefore, its use is simple. The plugin has some free templates and a large number of paid ones. The paid version gives you access to image security, social media sharing, WooCommerce integration, and more.

Key features:

  • ease of use;
  • video support;
  • data protection;
  • support for WooCommerce;
  • the ability to share photos on social networks.

Pricing:

There are free and premium versions. The premium version has four packages:

  • Basic – $26 per year for one site;
  • Plus – $62 per year for three websites;
  • Pro – $89 per year for five websites;
  • Lifetime – $269 for unlimited sites.

Advantages:

  • the ability to create galleries with a simple drag and drop;
  • video support;
  • galleries created with the plugin are supported in mobile format;
  • the ability to create tags and categories for images;
  • the paid version contains the functions of content protection, WooCommerce product gallery creation, integration with Stripe;
  • style settings.

Disadvantages:

  • many necessary functions are available only in the paid version;
  • a high price.

Modula

🏆 Best for creating grid galleries

Modula plugin homepage

Another freemium plugin. Its main task is to help you create a grid gallery. Modula allows you to make any design of the gallery without programming skills.

You can resize images, style elements, and create something unique.

In the paid version of the plugin, other gallery formats are available – sliders, slideshows, videos, etc. It is also possible to use lightboxes, speed optimization, and filters.

Key features:

  • the ability to easily create a grid gallery;
  • additional animation when loading images;
  • the premium version allows you to add video and lightboxes;
  • the ability to change the appearance of the gallery according to your desires;
  • support for GIF files;
  • filters for easy navigation.

Pricing:

There are free and premium versions. The premium version has three packages:

  • Starter – $39 per year for one site;
  • Trio – $69 per year for three websites;
  • Business – $99 per year for five websites.

Advantages:

  • easy customization of the gallery to fit your needs;
  • support for video and GIF files;
  • the possibility of protecting information;
  • filter settings.

Disadvantages:

  • most features are only available in the paid version;
  • the process of styling is complicated.

JetGridBuilder by Crocoblock

🏆 Best for creating post and terms grids on Elementor and Gutenberg

JetGridBuilder plugin homepage

Our free JetGridBuilder plugin lets you build your gallery the way you want with drag and drop. The plugin can create a gallery of products, posts, users, photos, or videos. It is compatible with most plugins, so installing it does not slow down the site.

The plugin allows you to place media files in the form of a slider, carousel, grid, list, etc.

Key features:

  • the ability to create a gallery with posts, videos, pictures, products, users, and CPT;
  • easy creation of the necessary gallery type and its design;
  • categories and subcategories for easy content navigation;
  • galleries adapt to mobile devices;
  • possibility of a unique gallery design creation;
  • download box.

Pricing:

Completely free.

Advantages:

  • easy creation and design of the gallery;
  • the ability to place media files, CPT, posts, and users in the gallery;
  • adaptability to mobile devices;
  • compatibility with the most popular plugins;
  • the ability to create a gallery in the form of a slider, grid, carousel, etc.

Disadvantages:

There is no way to share content on social networks.

JetProductGallery

🏆 Best for creating product galleries on WordPress website

JetProductGallery plugin homepage

The JetProductGallery plugin was specifically developed to create beautiful, functional galleries, showcase products, and make a website attractive. You can manage media files on the site interface and backend. Our plugin allows you to scale the product so that users can see it better and add a video, which will enable them to buy. For better navigation, you can add pagination features and dynamic tags. They are also available to plugin users.

JetProductGallery allows you to share images on social networks and fully control the process of viewing content by users.

Key features:

  • the ability to create a gallery in the form of a slider or grid;
  • the function of scaling media files;
  • pagination and dynamic tags for easy navigation;
  • the capability to add a video;
  • lightboxes for easy content management;
  • the ability to share content on social networks.

Pricing:

  • $23 per year for one site;
  • $127 per year for unlimited sites.

Advantages:

  • adaptation of content to different types of screens;
  • the ability to create any custom design;
  • availability of zoom in/out options, pagination, and lightboxes.

Disadvantages:

There is no free version.

NextGEN Gallery

🏆 Best for creating websites for photographers and designers

NextGen Gallery plugin homepage

This plugin is viral among photographers and designers because it provides ample opportunities for posting pictures. They can be placed in the form of tables, slideshows, tiles, mosaics, added animation, and effects.

Unfortunately, most features are only available in the plugin’s premium version.

Key features:

  • the ability to place photos in the form of a grid, mosaics, slideshows, etc.;
  • the ability to add an animation effect to images;
  • lightboxes;
  • tools for managing size, design, and transitions;
  • eCommerce functions for selling images;
  • image protection.

Pricing:

There is a free version and four paid ones:

  • Starter – $49 per year for one site;
  • Plus – $79 per year for three websites;
  • Pro – $109 per year for five websites;
  • Lifetime – $279 for unlimited sites.

Advantages:

  • easy media content management and the ability to add effects;
  • animation;
  • image protection;
  • the ability to create albums;
  • eCommerce functions for selling images;
  • lightboxes.

Disadvantages:

Most of the features are only available for the paid version.

Gmedia

🏆 Best for posting gallery on many sites

Gmedia plugin homepage

The Gmedia plugin is designed for those who like to be in control. It allows you to create galleries and place content in the right way, thanks to a large number of settings. Supports creating blocks for galleries, tags, categories, and albums.

Key features:

  • a large number of settings so you can create any gallery;
  • the ability to share media files on social networks and by e-mail;
  • create galleries using drag and drop;
  • the plugin has four Gutenberg blocks for quickly adding galleries to the site;
  • the capability to comment on images.

Pricing:

There is a free and premium version that starts at $29.99.

Advantages:

  • the ability to control the creation of the gallery to the smallest detail;
  • sharing media files in social networks;
  • commenting on images;
  • the capability to play music and video in the gallery;
  • drag and drop plugin management.

Disadvantages:

  • it is difficult for beginners to manage the plugin;
  • before creating a gallery, you need to create an album.

Photo Gallery by 10Web

🏆 Best for beginner web developers

photo gallery by 10web plugin homepage

The Photo Gallery plugin from 10Web is one of the most popular. Because it allows you to post photos on the site, the gallery settings are intuitive, so even a beginner can handle it.

The plugin allows you to create a gallery in the slideshow or grid format, add thumbnails and share images on social networks.

Key features:

  • it is possible to post images and videos;
  • easy setup;
  • a large selection of gallery types, especially in the paid version;
  • there is an option to display Facebook albums and sell digital content;
  • lightbox function;
  • image protecting option.

Pricing:

There is a free and premium version. Premium costs $30 for one site, $60 for five websites, and $100 for 30.

Advantages:

  • simple setup;
  • a large selection of gallery types;
  • the ability to protect images;
  • adding videos and photos to the gallery.

Disadvantages:

Not many tools for creating a unique gallery design.

Jetpack

🏆 Best for creating feature-rich galleries

Jetpack plugin homepage

The Jetpack plugin is not just a WordPress gallery plugin. It performs many functions – security, design, and performance. At the same time, it allows you to create attractive galleries and place images in such a way as you wish.

Of course, gallery features lag a little behind the plugins we’ve written about above, but if you are also looking for plugins for website performance or security, choosing Jetpack can be very convenient.

Key features:

  • all gallery creation functions are available in the free version of the plugin;
  • the ability to create a custom gallery design;
  • the gallery can be in the form of tiles, columns, mosaics, or a circular grid.

Pricing:

There is a free version that includes all the gallery features.

Advantages:

  • all gallery features are in the free version of the plugin;
  • the ability to set up a simple, concise gallery;
  • easy gallery customization.

Disadvantages:

No advanced gallery settings.

Photo Gallery by Supsystic

🏆 Best for easy and quick gallery customization

photo gallery by supsystic plugin homepage

Photo Gallery by Supsystic is another freemium WordPress plugin. It gives access to eight different gallery layouts and flexible settings. In addition, the paid version allows you to add videos, tags, and albums.

The galleries adapt perfectly to different screen sizes and are easy to manage.

Key features:

  • ease of control interactions with galleries;
  • eight gallery layouts for quick customization;
  • the ability to add tags, videos, and albums;
  • setting margins, shadows, paddings, etc.;
  • the ability to add images to the gallery via FTP.

Pricing:

There is a free and premium version starting at $46 per year.

Advantages:

  • the ability to add images to the gallery via FTP;
  • import images from social networks and videos from YouTube;
  • galleries are optimized for SEO;
  • there are quick download tools;
  • layouts, animations, and filters are available.

Disadvantages:

  • complex interface;
  • most of the features are only available in the paid version.

Justified Image Grid

🏆 Best for importing social media files

Justified Image Grid plugin homepage

This plugin does not have a free version. The main feature of the plugin is that it allows you to import content from Facebook, YouTube, RSS, etc.

Even though the plugin does not have a free version, you can see what your future gallery will look like with the plugin’s demo.

Key features:

  • the gallery grid preserves the proportions of the images;
  • the ability to upload pictures from social networks;
  • display WooCommerce products in the gallery;
  • video support;
  • adaptation of the created gallery to different types of screens.

Pricing:

The license cost starts from $27 for one site.

Advantages:

  • the gallery grid preserves the proportions of the images;
  • it is possible to share pictures on social networks;
  • uploading content to the gallery from various sources;
  • the ability to add effects to images in the gallery;
  • easy plugin setup.

Disadvantages:

There is no free version.

FAQ

How to make a photo gallery on a WordPress site?

You can do this with WordPress built-in functions, but they are constrained. Therefore, it is better to use plugins with advanced features.

How to use the WordPress gallery plugin?

To do this, you must select a plugin, download it, and activate it.

How to create gallery navigation on a WordPress website?

To do this, use plugins that can customize navigation, for example, Modula, JetGridBuilder, and JetProductGallery.

Sum Up

So, there are a lot of different plugins for creating a gallery. Some of them are paid, and some are free. When choosing, it is essential to pay attention to their functions and what you want to see at the end of the work. So here is a short list of plugins you can use:

  • Modula is the best for creating grid galleries;
  • Envira Gallery is great for creating a media gallery quickly;
  • Gmedia is ideal for posting galleries on many sites;
  • JetGridBuilder is the best for creating post and terms grids on Elementor and Gutenberg;
  • NextGEN Gallery is suitable for photo submission;
  • JetProductGallery is excellent for creating product galleries on WordPress websites;
  • Photo Gallery by 10Web is superior for beginner web developers;
  • Jetpack is fine for creating feature-rich galleries;
  • Photo Gallery by Supsystic is the best for easy and quick gallery customization;
  • Justified Image Grid is the finest for importing social media files.

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