Advanced File Manager vs Real Media Library (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org File Manager Plugins top 10: Advanced File Manager at #2 and Real Media Library at #6. Advanced File Manager leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Advanced File Manager
Advanced File Manager – Ultimate File Manager for WordPress And Document Library Solution
Use Advanced File Manager to manage WordPress files, create archives, and build document libraries—all directly from your WordPress dashboard!
Real Media Library
Real Media Library: Media Library Folder & File Manager
Organize uploaded media in folders, collections and galleries: A file manager for WordPress. Media management made easy with Real Media Library! (Alte …
Who leads on what
Advanced File Manager leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track.
Advanced File Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #6 in File Manager Plugins.
Both report 100,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Both are rated 4.8 out of 5 (438 and 290 reviews).
Advanced File Manager has more reviews behind its score: 438 against 290.
Real Media Library was updated more recently, on September 1, 2026; Advanced File Manager on August 13, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Advanced File Manager
Pick Advanced File Manager if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
Real Media Library
Pick Real Media Library if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Advanced File Manager vs Real Media Library side by side
| Advanced File Manager | Real Media Library | |
|---|---|---|
| File Manager Plugins ranking | #2 | #6 |
| Rating | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 438 | 290 |
| Active installs | 100,000+ | 100,000+ |
| Total downloads | 6,195,103 | 4,098,287 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 13, 2026 | Sep 1, 2026 |
| First published | Nov 19, 2017 | Feb 26, 2020 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.0.4 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | 7.0 | 7.4.0 |
| Pricing | Free + paid version | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
Advanced File Manager ratings
Real Media Library ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Advanced File Manager nor Real Media Library can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the File Manager Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Advanced File Manager vs Real Media Library: common questions
Is Advanced File Manager better than Real Media Library?
Advanced File Manager leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Advanced File Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #6 in File Manager Plugins.
Which has more users, Advanced File Manager or Real Media Library?
Advanced File Manager ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #6 in File Manager Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Advanced File Manager or Real Media Library?
Both report 100,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Are Advanced File Manager and Real Media Library free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Advanced File Manager is listed as commercial, so a paid version or add-ons exist. Real Media Library may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Advanced File Manager and Real Media Library
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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