Creating a directory on your WordPress website can add a lot of value, whether it’s for listing businesses, job openings, or even classified ads. Directory plugins make it easy to set up and manage these directories, adding useful features to your site and making it more user-friendly. Some even let you earn money through paid listings or ads.
But with so many plugins to choose from, how do you find the right one? In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the best WordPress directory plugins available. Each one is packed with features, easy to customize, and beginner-friendly. Whether you’re just starting out or have experience building websites, there’s a plugin here for you. Let’s take a closer look at the top options to help you create a directory that’s both functional and successful.
HivePress
HivePress is a versatile WordPress plugin for creating directory websites, whether for job boards, marketplaces, or business directories. The free core plugin lets you easily add listing titles, descriptions, and images.
Its user-friendly design makes organizing listings and managing submissions simple, no coding needed. HivePress also offers extensions for advanced features like custom fields, reviews, and paid listings, with prices ranging from $29 to $39, or a $199 bundle for everything.
With features like categories, search filters, and user ratings, HivePress is perfect for building and managing professional directories with ease.
Key Features
- Listing Categories: Organize listings for easy navigation.
- Custom Fields: Collect specific info for your listings.
- Search Filters: Let users filter search results.
- Location Search: Search listings by location.
- Ratings & Reviews: Users can rate and review listings.
- Private Messages: Enable private user communication.
- ListingHive Theme: Flexible and popular directory theme.
- Monetization: Monetize with Paid Listings, Claim Listings, and more.
Pros
- Flexible Directory Plugin: Ideal for various types of listings.
- Pre-built Listing Themes: Create a visually appealing directory with ease.
- Multi-vendor System: Perfect for building an online marketplace.
Cons
- Extra Extensions May Be Required: Some features require additional extensions to work.
Pricing
Free
Summary
HivePress is a great WordPress plugin for building versatile and powerful directory websites. Whether you’re creating a job board, real estate site, marketplace, or business directory, HivePress has all the essential tools to get you started. The free core plugin lets you add listing titles, descriptions, and images easily.
HivePress makes managing listings simple with features like categories, search filters, location search, and user ratings. It also includes tools for user management, listing moderation, and security. You can customize page templates and email notifications to improve the user experience.
Overall, HivePress is an excellent choice for building professional and engaging directories. With its free core plugin, customization options, and powerful extensions, it’s perfect for both beginners and advanced users.
Directorist
Directorist is a powerful WordPress plugin for building all kinds of directories, like business listings, job boards, property sites, or classified ads. Its simple drag-and-drop interface makes designing and customizing easy, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
A key highlight is its flexibility—you can create custom fields, layouts, and search forms to fit your needs perfectly. Whether you’re listing businesses by location or setting up a job portal, Directorist helps you organize and display everything just right.
You can also monetize your directory with features like premium listings and featured spots. Directorist makes it easy to build a professional directory that supports your business and connects your community.
Key Features
- Blazing-fast performance for smooth and scalable directories.
- Over 25 Elementor widgets for easy page building.
- Full support for Gutenberg, including 16 customizable blocks.
- Advanced search filters with options to add custom fields for precise results.
Pros
- Drag-and-Drop Builder: Easily customize forms, layouts, and search bars.
- Flexible Customization: Use Gutenberg blocks for more design options.
- Map Integration: Add locations with Google Maps or OpenStreetMap.
- Simple Setup: Quick start with a setup wizard and demo content.
Cons
- Complex Settings: The plugin settings page may be overwhelming for users who are new to WordPress or directory plugins.
Pricing
Free, premium version starts at $39/year
Summary
Directorist is an excellent WordPress plugin for creating all kinds of directories, like business listings, job boards, property sites, or classified ads. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it super easy to design and customize your directory, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
The free version includes essential features, but upgrading to the premium plan unlocks advanced tools like Stripe and PayPal payment options. Overall, Directorist is user-friendly, customizable, and perfect for building a professional online directory.
Directories Pro
Directories Pro is a powerful WordPress plugin that lets you easily create directories for any purpose—business listings, job boards, real estate sites, or classified ads. It’s super flexible, allowing you to add custom fields and offer user-friendly search and filter options, so visitors can quickly find what they need. Plus, users can submit their own listings, making your directory more dynamic and diverse.
A standout feature is its integration with WooCommerce, which makes it easy to monetize your directory with premium or featured listings. You can also choose from three layout styles—list, grid, or masonry—to match your site’s design, and the photo slider lets you showcase images beautifully.
Key Features
- Customizable Listing Forms: Create tailored forms with over 20 custom field options.
- Guest Posting: Allow users to submit listings without needing to register.
- Map Integration: Display locations using Google Maps or OpenStreetMap.
- Optimized Performance: Built-in caching ensures faster loading times.
Pros
- Fast and Smooth Performance: Optimized with caching for seamless use across all devices.
- User-Friendly Dashboard: Lets users manage content easily without accessing the backend.
- Flexible Custom Fields: Add custom fields to tailor your directory to your needs.
- Powerful Mapping Features: Includes geolocation and custom area search for enhanced usability.
- Built-In Monetization Options: Charge for listings using WooCommerce payment gateways.
- Detailed User Permissions: Control roles and access with precise permission settings.
Cons
- Limited Review Rating Fields: By default, only one rating field is available for reviews, which may restrict feedback options.
Pricing
$39
Summary
Directories Pro is a WordPress plugin that helps you create directories like business listings, job boards, real estate, or classifieds. You can manage multiple directories on one site and customize fields to include all the details you want.
Visitors can quickly search and filter listings, and users can add their own, making your directory more interactive. You can also earn money by offering premium or featured listings with WooCommerce integration.
It comes with different layout options (list, grid, or masonry) and a photo slider to make your directory look great. Directories Pro is simple, flexible, and perfect for building directories that fit your needs.
Business Directory Plugin
The WordPress Business Directory Plugin is a great tool for creating and managing different types of directories, like local business listings, real estate directories, or book review sites. It’s easy to use, even for beginners, and doesn’t require any special technical skills.
You can organize your listings with nested categories for a clear structure and let users submit listings through a pre-made form with 10 fields. The form can be customized, and you can add extra fields using 14 available field types to fit your specific needs.
The plugin also helps you make money by offering pricing plans for listings. The free version works with Authorize.net for payments, and upgrading to the premium version gives you more options like PayPal, Stripe, and Payfast. Whether it’s for a city guide or a small business directory, this plugin gives you all the tools to manage and earn from your directory with ease.
Key Features
- Front-End Submission with reCAPTCHA: Allows users to submit listings directly while blocking spam.
- Monetization Options: Includes four payment gateways and unlimited pricing packages for listings.
- Nested Categorization: Organize listings into detailed categories for complex structures.
Pros
- Robust Templating: Offers strong template support for customization.
- Scalability: Handles a large number of business entries.
- Flexible Data Entry: Repeatable fields for diverse data input.
- Continuous Improvement: Regular updates ensure ongoing development.
- Excellent Customer Support: Provides effective support channels.
Cons
- Paid Add-Ons: Some essential features require additional costs.
- Setup Challenges: Reported issues with setup and installation processes.
- Limited Support Channels: May have restricted support options.
- Template Customization Limitations: The Template Customizer may not be compatible with all WordPress page templates.
Pricing
Free, premium verstion starts at $99
Summary
The Business Directory Plugin is a great tool for creating and managing directories on your WordPress site. Whether it’s a local business listing, real estate directory, or even a Yelp-style platform, this plugin is beginner-friendly and easy to use.
What I like most is how well it keeps things organized with nested categories, making even large directories simple to navigate. Users can add their own listings using a pre-made form with 10 fields, and you can customize it or add more fields to match your needs.
This plugin is perfect for professionals like plumbers, counselors, or anyone looking to create a community resource or guide for travelers. It’s a versatile and powerful tool to help you build a professional directory while keeping things simple and engaging for your users.
Classified Listing
Creating a successful classified ad website on WordPress is easy with the Classified Listing plugin. It’s perfect for building job directories, business listings, booking platforms, or any classified site. The plugin is user-friendly and has everything you need to get started.
What I like most about Classified Listing is how simple it makes posting listings, both for you and your visitors. You can add unlimited custom fields with seven different types, allowing you to capture all the important details.
Customization is a breeze too. You can adjust the appearance of your directory to match your website’s design by changing colors for links and buttons, giving it a professional look.
The plugin also offers ways to boost visibility and engagement, like “Top Featured” and “Bump Up” promotions to highlight listings. Plus, with add-ons for stores and memberships, you can offer pricing packages and monetize your directory.
Key Features
- Unlimited Custom Fields: Add as many fields as needed to capture all the details for your listings.
- Category-Specific Fields: Assign unique field groups to different categories for better organization.
- Customizable Appearance: Adjust the directory’s look, including colors and styles, directly from the settings.
- Social Sharing: Built-in social share buttons make it easy for visitors to share listings.
Pros
- Easy to Customize: Add as many custom fields as you want and adjust them for specific categories to fit your directory.
- Simple Design Controls: Change colors and styles from the settings without needing coding skills.
- Boosts Listing Reach: Social share buttons make it easy for users to share listings and get more views.
- Keeps Listings Neat: Organize your directory better with fields tailored to specific categories.
Cons
- Few Field Options: The plugin offers a limited variety of field types for customizing listings.
- Restricted Map Features: Google Maps integration requires upgrading to the premium version.
Pricing
Free, premium version starts at $39
Summary
Classified Listing is a fantastic WordPress plugin that makes it super easy to build and manage a classified ad website. Whether you want to create job boards, business listings, booking platforms, or any other type of classified site, this plugin has all the tools you need.
What I love about Classified Listing is how simple it is to use. Both you and your visitors can easily post listings, and you can add unlimited custom fields to capture all the details you need. This flexibility means your directory can work for any purpose.
Customizing your directory is easy too. You can adjust colors, add placeholders for images, and set gallery sizes directly from the settings, making your site look polished and professional. Whether you’re new to website building or experienced, this plugin is a great choice for creating a successful and user-friendly classified site.
Connections Business Directory
The Connections Business Directory plugin makes creating a business directory on your WordPress site simple and free. Whether it’s for businesses, organizations, or family contacts, it’s packed with features to get you started quickly.
You can add directory elements like carousels for featured listings, classic directory lists, or even event displays using pre-designed blocks. Plus, it’s highly customizable—you can adjust visibility, create categories, add user-uploaded photos, and use pre-made templates to fit your needs.
Perfect for beginners and pros, it also offers advanced tools for developers. If you’re looking to build a professional, user-friendly directory, this plugin is a fantastic choice!
Key Features
- Open-source and lightweight: A developer-friendly WordPress plugin designed for speed and efficiency.
- Ready-to-use fields: Comes with a wide range of pre-built fields to simplify directory creation.
- Flexible display options: Offers four different ways to showcase your directory, giving you more control over its layout.
- Customizable with premium add-ons: Enhance your directory with additional templates and extensions to suit your specific needs.
Pros
- Open-Source Flexibility: Developer-friendly for customization and integration.
- Pre-Built Fields: Offers a range of pre-built fields for quick setup.
- Versatile Display Options: Four display options for flexible directory presentation.
- Premium Extensions and Templates: Additional options for further customization.
Cons
- Premium Feature Limitations: Essential features like custom fields and front-end submissions require premium extensions.
- No Monetization: Lacks built-in monetization options for generating revenue from the directory.
Pricing
Free
Summary
Connections Business Directory is a user-friendly WordPress plugin for creating professional directories, whether for businesses, organizations, or family contacts. It’s flexible and customizable, allowing you to add carousels, listing pages, and event displays with pre-made blocks. You can adjust settings, create categories, and let users upload photos.
With 14 field types, you can tailor submission forms and control which fields are displayed. It integrates seamlessly with the WordPress block editor and offers easy customization for developers.
Overall, it’s a powerful and flexible tool for building an organized directory that connects your community.
Toolset
Toolset takes a different approach to WordPress directory plugins. Instead of just offering a plugin, it gives you a complete training course to help you build a successful online directory.
With Toolset’s easy-to-use tools, you can customize your directory to look exactly how you want. It’s responsive, so it will work well on any device, and its fast performance ensures your site runs smoothly. If you want to reach people in different countries, Toolset works with WPML, making it easy to translate your directory into multiple languages.
Key Features
- Customizable Design: Easily adjust the look of your directory.
- Mobile-Friendly: Your directory works well on phones, tablets, and desktops.
- Fast Performance: Works smoothly, even with lots of listings.
- Multi-Language Support: Easily translate your directory into different languages.
- Flexible Content: Create and manage custom content for your directory.
- Great Support: Get help whenever you need it.
Pros
- Comprehensive Training: Offers onboarding and training exercises for both product usage and directory site building.
- Essential Features: Provides maps, frontend forms, and related post functionality.
- Free Trial: Allows for hands-on experience with a sandbox account.
Cons
- Steep Learning Curve: Not as user-friendly as other options, requiring some technical knowledge.
- Overwhelming Options: Too many choices can lead to decision paralysis.
- Confusing Documentation: Some support documentation may be unclear.
- Coding Requirements: Requires some coding/programming skills for advanced customization.
Pricing
Starts At $69 For 1 Site
Summary
Toolset is a powerful WordPress plugin that goes beyond just creating directories. It offers both the tools and training to help you build and customize a professional directory website.
With Toolset, you can easily design your directory without needing coding skills. It’s responsive, so it looks great on any device, and its fast performance ensures your site runs smoothly, even with many listings. Plus, it works with WPML, making it easy to translate your directory into multiple languages to reach a global audience.
Toolset also offers reliable support, available nearly 24/7, so you’ll always have help when you need it. If you’re looking to create a successful directory, Toolset gives you everything you need to get started and grow your site effectively.
Conclusion
WordPress directory plugins like HivePress, Directorist, and Directories Pro make it easy to create and manage online directories. These plugins are great for building business directories, job boards, or local listings, offering plenty of options to customize and organize your content.
For simpler options, Business Directory and Classified Listing provide easy-to-use interfaces with great customization. Connections Business Directory is perfect for users who want to easily add directories to their site using the WordPress block editor. Toolset goes even further by offering powerful customization tools along with helpful training, making it ideal for users who want more control over their directory’s design and features.
These plugins come with useful features like customizable fields, front-end submissions, and responsive design, so your directory looks great and works well on all devices. Whether you need a simple directory or one with extra features like memberships or monetization, there’s a plugin that fits your needs.
By choosing the right plugin, you can create an organized, user-friendly directory that connects your visitors and supports your business or community goals.
Recommendations
Here are my top picks for WordPress directory plugins that can help you create a user-friendly and effective directory:
Best Overall: HivePress
HivePress is a great all-around option for building directories. It’s easy to use, customizable, and comes with useful features like advanced search, front-end submissions, and listing management. Perfect for business, job, or real estate directories.
Most Customizable: Toolset
For full control over your directory’s design and features, Toolset is the best choice. It offers powerful tools to create exactly what you need, plus a training course to guide you through the process.
Easiest to Use: Business Directory Plugin
If you want a simple, easy-to-setup directory, the Business Directory Plugin is perfect. It’s user-friendly, with customizable fields and front-end submission forms, so you can quickly get your directory up and running.
Best for Classified Listings: Classified Listing
For creating a classified ads directory, Classified Listing is a top pick. It’s simple to use, highly customizable, and includes features like listings with images, categories, and payment options.
These plugins each offer something special, whether it’s customization, ease of use, or specific features for niche directories. Choose the one that fits your needs and you’ll have a great directory in no time!
