9 Best WordPress Directory Plugins to Improve Listings (2025)

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Creating a WordPress directory website is a great way to provide easily accessible information for visitors. WordPress offers many plugins that make the process simple. However, choosing the right directory plugin can be challenging because each plugin is designed for a specific directory type.

If you’re struggling to find the best plugin, you’re not alone. Poor listings can impact user experience and limit your site’s potential. With numerous options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when selecting a plugin that enhances functionality without slowing down your site.

In this article, we’ll introduce the 9 best WordPress Directory Plugins for 2025. These plugins are carefully chosen to help you improve listings, enhance performance, and provide a better user experience.

It is estimated that 75% of new business is generated through review websites and directories

Key Features to Consider in a WordPress Directory Plugin

Before choosing a WordPress directory plugin, start by identifying the purpose of your website and the type of listings you’ll need. For instance, if you’re offering paid listings, you’ll need a plugin that supports online payments and subscription plans. If your directory includes business locations, then map integration will be essential.

76% of consumers use their smartphones to search for nearby businesses

Most directory plugins offer features to help you manage listings easily. Here are some key features to look for:

• Listing categorization: A good plugin lets you organize listings into categories, making it easier for users to find what they need.
• Media support: The plugin should support photos and videos to make listings more visually appealing.
• Front-end submission: A front-end submission system is helpful if visitors want to add their listings without accessing the back-end.
• Customizable form fields: You may need to display specific information, so look for plugins with customizable form fields.
• Monetization options: If you plan to make money from your directory, choose a plugin that supports online payments and other monetization features.

These features will ensure your directory runs smoothly and serves your visitors well.

Top 9 WordPress Directory Plugins

We’ve selected the 9 best WordPress directory plugins available today. These plugins cover a variety of uses, from multipurpose solutions to ad-specific directories.

1. Directorist

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 10,000+
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Best for: Various types of directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $199/year)

Directorist is a popular WordPress directory plugin perfect for websites, including business directories, pet directories, property listings, classifieds, and job portals.

It offers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder that lets you manage your directory effortlessly. You can arrange form fields, add custom field types, and customize the layout and search form using the listing form builder.

Directorist also allows you to organize listings by categories and locations. It integrates with OpenStreetMap and Google Maps to display detailed location information for each listing.

With 16 blocks, you can embed and customize the directory on any WordPress site page. Additionally, it supports guest submissions, allowing visitors to add listings without creating an account.

The free version includes bank transfer payments for monetization. If you want to accept payments via Stripe or PayPal, upgrade to the premium plan, which starts at $119/year.

Key Features

• Drag-and-drop builder to customize listing forms, layouts, and search bars
• Flexible customization with multiple Gutenberg blocks
• Integration with OpenStreetMap and Google Maps for location details
• Setup wizard and demo content for easy setup

2. HivePress

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 10,000+
• Rating: 4.9/5
• Best for: Various types of directories
• Price: Free core plugin, premium extensions from $29, and premium themes from $69

HivePress is a free WordPress directory plugin that can be used for various purposes, such as job listings, real estate directories, or online marketplaces.

With the free core plugin, you can create simple listings that include titles, descriptions, and images. You’ll need to install extensions to add custom fields or information.

There are both free and paid extensions available. Free options include features like geolocation, reviews, and paid listings. Premium extensions, such as tags, opening hours, and SEO tools, cost $29–$39. Alternatively, you can get all extensions in a $199 bundle.

The plugin also offers blocks to add a listing, user registration, or vendor search form to any page or post. It supports a multi-vendor system, making it ideal for creating an online directory with multiple sellers or service providers.

HivePress offers a free WordPress theme, ListingHive, which works seamlessly with the plugin and extensions. It’s a great starting point for building a visually appealing directory site.

HivePress offers premium themes priced between $69-$89 for more specialized directories, each tailored for specific uses like job listings, property rentals, or service directories.

Key Features

• Multipurpose plugin suitable for various types of directories
• Dedicated themes for creating professional directory websites
• Multi-vendor system for building an online marketplace
• This flexibility makes HivePress a top choice for developing a versatile directory website.

3. Business Directory Plugin

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 10,000+
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Best for: Business Directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $49.50/year)

The Business Directory Plugin has features that make it ideal for building business directories. If you need a complex directory, it supports nested categories, allowing you to organize listings in a detailed structure.

It offers front-end submission, where users can submit their listings through a pre-made form with ten fields. You can easily modify this form or add custom fields using the 14 available field types.

The plugin allows you to set up pricing plans to monetize your directory. The free version supports payments through Authorize.net, but you’ll need the premium version to use PayPal, Stripe, or Payfast.

For added security, you can enable reCAPTCHA, which requires login for submissions to prevent spam. You can turn off front-end submissions altogether if you prefer to control everything from the back-end.

Key Features

• Front-end submission with reCAPTCHA to reduce spam
• Monetization support with four payment gateways and unlimited pricing plans
• Supports nested categories for organizing complex directories

4. GeoDirectory

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 10,000+
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Best for: Business location directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $199/year)

GeoDirectory is an excellent WordPress directory plugin for creating business directories based on location.

You can only create a directory for one city using the free version. You’ll need to get the Location Manager add-on or premium membership to expand to multiple locations or create a global directory.

Users can add new listings using a front-end submission form. You can customize this form from the WordPress dashboard and choose from over 40 custom fields, like the number of bathrooms and bedrooms. This feature is great for hotels or property rentals.

GeoDirectory works well with the WordPress block editor and other popular page builders. It also integrates smoothly with the standard WordPress search, allowing users to search by location or zip code.

One downside of GeoDirectory is its monetization options. To set up pricing for your directory, you’ll need the Pricing Manager premium extension, which does not include a payment gateway. You must install additional plugins like GetPaid or WooCommerce to accept online payments.

Key Features

• Integrated map support for location listings
• Many custom fields for creating personalized submission forms
• Numerous WordPress blocks and widgets to customize the directory’s look, compatible with most page builders
• Dedicated themes for directories

5. Directories Pro

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 6,000+
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Best for: Various types of directories
• Price: $39

Directories Pro is a premium WordPress directory plugin that allows you to create multiple directories on your website. It is versatile and suitable for any type of listing.

With this plugin, you can create directories using unique categorization options. You have three layout choices: list, grid, and masonry. Plus, a photo slider lets you showcase listing photos.

The plugin includes a front-end dashboard where users can submit listings, write reviews, and rate other listings. You can also enable guest posting, allowing users to contribute without registering. This encourages more interaction within your directory.

The forms are fully customizable and feature conditional fields, meaning you can show or hide specific fields based on other inputs or user roles. You can choose from over 20 custom fields to create the perfect listing form.

For monetization, Directories Pro integrates well with WooCommerce. You can charge users for submitting or claiming listings or create membership plans that offer extra features for managing listings.

Additionally, the plugin has a built-in cache that works for both desktop and mobile, helping to speed up loading times and improve user experience.

Key Features

• Fully customizable listing forms with over 20 custom fields
• The guest posting feature allows users to submit listings without registering
• Integration with Google Maps and OpenStreetMap to show listing locations
• Built-in cache to enhance loading speed and performance

6. Classified Listing

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 5,000+
• Rating: 4.9/5
• Best for: Classified ads and business directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $39/year)

Classified Listing is a top WordPress directory plugin for creating classified advertisement websites. It offers excellent management tools for you and your visitors, making it easy to post listings.

You can add unlimited custom fields with seven different field types. You can also create field groups and assign them to specific categories.

The appearance of the directory can be customized from the admin settings. You can change the colors of links and buttons to match your site’s style.

The plugin also allows you to set image options, such as adding image placeholders and defining sizes for gallery sliders and thumbnails.

If you’re new to creating a directory website, the developer offers four premium classified directory themes for $39. These themes are fully compatible with the plugin and help you set up your directory quickly.

Key Features

• Unlimited custom fields for listings
• Category-specific field groups to customize fields
• Fully customizable appearance from the plugin settings
• Social share buttons for listings

7. AWP Classifieds

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 8,000+
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Best for: Classified ads directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $49.50/year)

AWP Classifieds is an easy-to-use classified ad directory plugin that allows users and visitors to create listings on your website.

The plugin automatically sets up the necessary pages, including the directory, user dashboard, and ad placement, making it simple to get your website running. You can customize these pages to match your style.

The free version includes pre-defined form fields you can arrange in any order. If you upgrade, the premium extra fields module lets you add custom fields with different input options, such as text boxes, drop-down menus, checkboxes, and radio buttons.

The plugin allows non-registered users to post ads, and you can enable email verification for these users before their ads are displayed.

For monetization, you can charge listing fees and create subscription plans. The free version supports PayPal and 2Checkout for payments, while the premium version adds PayPal Pro and Stripe options.

Key Features

• Automatically creates necessary pages for easy setup
• Allows non-registered users to post ads with simple email verification
• Supports monetization with custom subscription plans

8. Connections Business Directory

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 10,000+
• Rating: 4.9/5
• Best for: Business Directories
• Price: Free (premium extensions cost $2.99-$14.99)

Connections Business Directory is a plugin that lets you create a directory for businesses or individuals. It comes with pre-made templates and WordPress blocks, making it easy to add your listings.

You can create directories for individuals, organizations, or families and choose to make them public, private, or unlisted. The plugin includes applicable default fields like address, phone number, and social media ID.

The user-friendly settings page lets you turn specific fields on or off and set their default values. You can also choose to make the directory visible only to logged-in users.

The plugin offers four WordPress blocks to display your directory on any post or page: carousel, directory, team, and upcoming. Each block has unique settings, giving you flexibility when showing the directory.

Connections Business Directory is open-source and developer-friendly, with its source code available on GitHub. You can customize its appearance using CSS without worrying about losing changes during updates.

Key Features

• Lightweight, open-source, and developer-friendly WordPress directory plugin
• It comes with pre-built fields for easy setup
• Four display options for showing the directory in different ways
• Various premium extensions and templates for further customization

9. Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro

Plugin Stats

• Downloads: 4,000+
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Best for: Various types of directories
• Price: Freemium (starts at $95.88/year)

Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro is a plugin that helps you create different listings with personalized categories and custom fields.

You can create as many custom categories, subcategories, and category levels as you need. This feature is excellent for websites with many listings, allowing you to organize them.

The plugin also allows unlimited custom fields. Instead of using set fields, you can create your own with different options. You can choose from eight fields: radio buttons, checkboxes, URLs, and dates.

The premium version includes features for monetization, letting you charge users who want to add featured listings that show up at the top. It works with WooCommerce to enable online payments through Stripe and PayPal.

Additionally, the plugin has a shortcode builder in the admin panel, which lets you embed content with customized settings like the number of columns, listings per page, and listing order.

Key Features

• Integrates with OpenStreetMap
• Allows video embedding from YouTube and Vimeo
• Shortcode builder for customized content embedding

Conclusion

Creating a directory website has never been easier, thanks to the range of WordPress directory plugins available today. These plugins offer features like customizable form fields, intuitive listing management, and payment options, making building a site that meets your needs simple. With so many choices, you’ll find a plugin that fits the type of directory you want to create.

“Online listings and search result information will direct 70% of consumers to a physical store based on their search results.”

To summarize, here’s our verdict on the best WordPress directory plugins:

• Directorist: The best all-rounder, offering extensive customization features, monetization options, and map integration.
• Directories Pro: A top premium plugin for various listing types, known for its built-in cache that enhances website performance.
• Business Directory Plugin: Excellent for business listings, with support for nested categorization, making it ideal for complex directory structures.
• GeoDirectory: Perfect for creating location-based business directories featuring robust mapping options.
• Classified Listing: An excellent option for classified ads, allowing extensive customization and easy management.
• AWP Classifieds: Ideal for classified ad directories, with monetization features to charge users for posting ads.
• Connections Business Directory: A user-friendly plugin for business and personal directories, offering pre-made templates and flexibility.
• Advanced Classifieds and Directory Pro: Highly customizable, allowing unlimited categories and custom fields for detailed listings.

Before selecting a WordPress directory plugin, consider the type of directory website you want to create and the listings you’ll feature. Whether you choose a multipurpose or specialized plugin, ensure it aligns with your vision.

We hope this guide helps you narrow your options and find the perfect WordPress directory plugin for your website!

FAQs – WordPress Directory Plugins