Simple Download Counter for WordPress
Create permanent tracked links for plugins, PDFs, documents and other downloadable files
- Permanent tracked download links
- Download counts stored in WordPress
- Shortcodes for displaying totals
- Unlimited downloads
- Free to use
Start tracking downloads in three simple steps
01
Add a download
02
Use the tracked URL
03
Count downloads automatically
Everything you need to manage downloads inside WordPress
Tracked download links
Create clean permanent links such as /plugin-download/your-slug/ for files hosted on your website.
Download counts
Count each click on the tracked URL and manage the total from one simple admin screen.
Unlimited downloads
Add as many plugin, PDF, document or resource downloads as you need.
Shortcodes
Display totals anywhere on your site with a shortcode for each download.
Simple settings page
Manage names, slugs, file URLs and download counts from Tools → Download Counter.
Easy file updates
Replace a file later by changing only the current file URL while keeping the tracked link the same.
Simple to manage inside WordPress
- Manage downloads
- Create and edit download records from one screen.
- Shortcode support
- Built-in instructions
- See exactly how to add and use tracked links.
Track downloads without using a bulky download manager
Without Simple Download Counter
- Link directly to ZIP or PDF files
- No central count of downloads
- Buttons need updating everywhere if URLs change
- No simple shortcode display for totals
With Simple Download Counter
- Use a clean permanent tracked URL
- See and edit download totals in WordPress
- Update only the current file URL when a file changes
- Display totals anywhere with shortcodes
What you need to use the plugin
Requirements
- WordPress website
- A direct URL to a downloadable file
- Permalinks enabled in WordPress
- A button, link or page where you want to use the tracked URL
Important to know
- Direct visits to the original file URL are not counted
- Changing a slug changes its tracked URL
- Counts are stored in the WordPress database
- Data can be deleted on uninstall if chosen
Track plugins, PDFs, guides and more
Plugin download pages
Count how many people download your free WordPress plugins.
User guides and PDFs
Track downloads of manuals, brochures and support documents.
Marketing resources
Use it for price lists, presentations and other lead-generation downloads.
Built-in setup guidance
Follow the step-by-step guide below to install the plugin, create tracked download links, monitor download counts and update files without changing your public links.
Upload the plugin ZIP through Plugins → Add Plugin → Upload Plugin in WordPress, then activate it. Once activated, a Settings link appears on the Plugins page and the main settings screen is available under Tools → Download Counter.
Go to Tools → Download Counter and click Add New Download. Enter a clear name for the file, choose a short slug, and paste in the direct URL of the file you want visitors to download.
For example:
- Name:
My Free Plugin - Slug:
my-free-plugin - Current file URL: the direct ZIP or PDF URL
Then click Save Changes.
After saving, the plugin creates a permanent tracked URL for that download. Use this tracked URL on your WordPress button or link instead of linking directly to the file.
For example:
https://yourwebsite.com/plugin-download/my-free-plugin/
Each visit to this tracked URL increases the download count and then sends the visitor to the current file.
Edit the page in Elementor, select your download button and paste the tracked download URL into the Link field.
You do not need to change the Elementor button again when you release a new version of the file. Simply update the Current file URL in Download Counter and keep the tracked URL unchanged.
The Downloads column shows how many times each tracked URL has been used. You can also edit the figure manually if you need to set a starting count or correct a total.
Direct visits to the original ZIP, PDF or document URL are not counted.
Each download has its own shortcode. Copy the shortcode shown in the settings screen and place it in a WordPress Shortcode widget, text area or compatible page builder element.
For example:
This displays the current download total wherever the shortcode is placed.
When you release a new version of a plugin, PDF or document, upload the new file to WordPress and copy its direct URL.
Then go to Tools → Download Counter, replace the Current file URL and click Save Changes.
The tracked download URL remains the same, so existing buttons and links continue to work.
Click Add New Download whenever you need another tracked file. You can manage multiple plugins, PDFs, user guides, brochures and other resources from the same settings screen.
Each download needs its own unique slug.
Tick Delete beside the download you want to remove and save the changes.
Only remove a download when you are sure the tracked URL is no longer being used anywhere on your website.
If a tracked URL gives a 404 Page Not Found error, go to Settings → Permalinks and click Save Changes without changing anything. This refreshes the WordPress rewrite rules.
If the file does not download, check that the Current file URL is correct and opens directly when pasted into your browser.
If the counter does not increase, make sure your website button links to the tracked download URL, not directly to the ZIP, PDF or other file.