SimpLy Gallery helps you create responsive photo and video galleries, albums, and sliders in the WordPress block editor, with a built-in lightbox for exploring your content. Start by organizing your media into folders and tags with SimpLy Media Assistant. Turn a selection into a gallery, publish it
PricingFree downloadThe WordPress.org download is free. Pro versions, add-ons or external services may cost extra.
CompatibilityRequires WordPress 6.8 and PHP 7.4.
SourceWordPress plugins · Nov 12, 2026
01 / Source details
Aboutthistool.
SimpLy Gallery helps you create responsive photo and video galleries, albums, and sliders in the WordPress block editor, with a built-in lightbox for exploring your content.
Start by organizing your media into folders and tags with SimpLy Media Assistant. Turn a selection into a gallery, publish it on its own page, or reuse it across your site with blocks and shortcodes. When you need a local copy of a collection, download its original files as a ZIP from the WordPress admin.
Bring photos, video, and audio together in the same gallery, whether you are presenting a portfolio, documenting an event, or sharing a collection of tutorials. Group related galleries into albums so visitors can explore them from one starting point.
Ready out of the box
Mixed media in one gallery: images, HTML5 video, audio, YouTube, Vimeo, and VideoPress.
Block editor-first editing with 8 included gallery blocks and visual controls.
Responsive layouts with controls for desktop and smaller screens.
Lightweight YouTube and Vimeo galleries with one active video embed at a time.
Static gallery content by default, similar to native WordPress gallery blocks.
Albums and Album Navigator for grouping saved galleries under one visitor-friendly entry point.
Page-level lightbox manager for Image blocks, Gallery blocks, linked images, and SimpLy galleries.
Saved galleries and shortcodes for reuse across pages, posts, and theme areas.
WordPress Media Library folders and tags with SimpLy Media Assistant for organizing, finding, uploading, and reusing media.
Download a SimpLy folder’s original files as one ZIP from the Assistant or the Media Library folder sidebar.
Quick static gallery creation from SimpLy folders and tags with Import Media from SimpLy Folders/Tags.
SEO-friendly media visibility with static fallback HTML output.
Uses standard WordPress media sizes without creating extra image copies.
Tags Filter for visitors, with bulk tag management in the Items Manager.
Video poster generation from a frame of your self-hosted video.
Admin-controlled random gallery order without adding extra controls for visitors.
Optional Media Library and media picker integration, so site owners can choose how deeply SimpLy Assistant appears in their admin workflow.
For more specialized projects, optional PLUS and PRO plans extend these tools: PLUS adds layouts and visual customization, while PRO also adds dynamic galleries built from supported media and content sources.
SimpLy Media Assistant – WordPress Media Library folders
Use SimpLy Media Assistant to keep photo shoots, events, products, or project materials in virtual folders within your WordPress Media Library. A file can belong to several collections without uploading another copy.
Open Media > SimpLy Assistant to browse, upload, and organize your files. You can also enable the folder sidebar in the native WordPress Media Library to work in its familiar grid or list view.
Add the same media file to multiple virtual folders without copying originals or changing their URLs.
Let authors organize their own files and folders, with built-in permissions to protect other users’ collections.
Find and reuse media by filtering with SimpLy folders and tags.
Upload files into the active folder and organize existing media into collections.
Edit folder names, descriptions with basic HTML formatting, and colors in one dialog.
Duplicate a folder’s collection without copying its files, then adjust its membership independently.
View folder details, including creation information for new folders and the number and total size of readable originals.
Sort folder lists by date added or name, ascending or descending, across the Assistant and gallery source pickers.
Turn an organized folder or tag into a static gallery with Import Media from SimpLy Folders/Tags.
Download a folder’s original files together as a ZIP archive.
Attachment Organization shows a file’s assigned folders and available folders, so you can add or remove memberships with a click. When removing files from multiple folders through Unassigned, choose which folder memberships to remove. Files shared by multiple folders remain the same media items: editing a file or deleting it from the Media Library affects every collection that uses it.
Download media folders as ZIP
Need a local copy of a photo shoot or a project’s media? Right-click a SimpLy folder in the Assistant or the Media Library sidebar, choose Download, then Create ZIP. Once preparation finishes, choose Download ZIP to save the originals together, without selecting and downloading each file separately.
The archive uses the folder’s name and remains available to its creator for repeat downloads for one hour. You can delete it sooner to free disk space; deleting a prepared ZIP does not delete the original media.
ZIP Downloads in the plugin settings checks whether your hosting can prepare archives and lets administrators adjust the maximum total file size and number of files per archive. Start with the defaults and increase them to suit your hosting resources.
Choose where the Assistant appears
Enable SimpLy folders in the Media Library, add the Assistant to native WordPress media pickers, or use the SimpLy Media Picker for SimpLy gallery blocks. You can also use the dedicated Assistant screen without enabling these integrations.
PRO users can additionally build dynamic galleries from SimpLy folders, so published collections can reflect folder changes instead of remaining a one-time static import.
WordPress media sizes, no extra image copies
SimpLy Gallery Blocks does not create additional image copies in the WordPress Media Library. For normal gallery display, the plugin uses standard WordPress image sizes, mainly Medium size for thumbnails and Large size for lightbox viewing.
If the Medium size image is too small for a specific frontend layout, SimpLy Gallery can use the Large size image for the thumbnail area when needed. This happens on the frontend with JavaScript and does not create new files in the Media Library.
If you want higher quality thumbnails or larger lightbox images, adjust your WordPress media settings in Settings > Media before uploading images. Existing uploads may need thumbnail regeneration after changing these settings.
PLUS / PRO options can also display the original image size when maximum image quality is needed.
Albums
Albums let you combine multiple saved galleries into one collection with a dedicated splash page. This is useful for events, portfolios, projects, travel collections, courses, product collections, or any site where related galleries should be presented together.
Each saved gallery can keep its own design and can also be published separately as a public gallery page, inserted with a shortcode, embedded with the Saved SimpLy Gallery block, or displayed with the Elementor widget.
Album content can load saved gallery content on demand via AJAX and open it in a modal view, helping large gallery collections stay lighter on the initial page load.
Albums and Album Navigator are available in the free plugin. PLUS adds more visual customization options, and PRO allows Album Navigator to use dynamic galleries from supported sources.
Tags Filter
Tags are managed directly inside the gallery block. In the Items Manager, each gallery item has a Tag menu where you can type tags separated by commas or choose from previously used SimpLy Tags.
Items Manager also includes a multi-select mode, so you can select a group of gallery items and add or remove tags for all selected items at once.
When Tags Filter is enabled for the block, those tags appear above the gallery so visitors can filter gallery items on the frontend.
The basic Tags Filter is available for gallery blocks in the free plugin. PLUS / PRO plans add more control over which tags appear in a specific gallery or block, along with advanced options such as deep linking.
Page-level lightbox for WordPress content
SimpLy Lightbox is more than a lightbox for SimpLy galleries. It can also work with regular WordPress content, including Image blocks, Gallery blocks, linked images, and Classic Editor gallery content.
When WordPress Image or Gallery blocks use the “Link images to media files” option, SimpLy Lightbox can open those images in a lightbox and group images from the same post or page into a browsable lightbox set.
This means visitors can open one image and use next / previous navigation to browse other images from the page. Separate Image blocks and native Gallery blocks can also be grouped together, so a post can behave like one photo story instead of many isolated images.
Global lightbox defaults are managed from SimpLy Gallery > Lightbox for native WordPress Gallery. Each post or page can also have its own lightbox settings through the SimpLy Lightbox editor sidebar, opened from the lightbox icon in the editor toolbar.
Lightbox features include touch gestures, keyboard navigation, mouse wheel controls, zoom, thumbnails, fullscreen mode, slideshow, captions, and social sharing.
YouTube Feed and dynamic galleries
The YouTube Feed module turns YouTube playlists into a curated gallery workflow inside WordPress. You can build internal playlists, publish them with Quick Gallery Link, or use Dynamic Gallery Builder in the PRO plan for full design control.
PRO dynamic gallery sources include:
SimpLy folders
YouTube playlists
Vimeo showcases, albums, user uploads, channels, and categories
WooCommerce products, categories, and tags
FileBird media folders
Media Library Assistant attachment categories and tags
SimpLy tags
Main demos
Gallery blocks demo
YouTube Feed
Albums Block demo
Album Navigator Block demo
SimpLy Lightbox and WordPress Native Gallery demo
YouTube and Vimeo Gallery demo
More layout demos
Viewer Gallery Block
Slider / Carousel Gallery
Tags Filter
Advanced Tags Filter
Showcase Gallery Block – PLUS layout
Diamond Gallery Block – PLUS layout
Horizon Gallery Block – PLUS layout
Split Carousel Block – PLUS layout
TagsBox Gallery Block – PLUS layout
Portfolio Gallery Block – PLU
See it in action
Screenshots & previews.
Adding a new gallery"Masonry" block in edit modeActivating and configuring the SimpLy lightbox in the post editorSimpLy Media Picker – adding images to the gallerySimpLy AssistantSimpLy Assistant - Attachment Organization (modal)SimpLy Assistant - Download MenuPlugin global settings pageSimpLy Lightbox – Classic view
02 / Source details
Gettingstarted.
01Install the plugin from Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard, or upload the plugin ZIP file manually.
02Activate SimpLy Gallery Blocks from the Plugins screen.
03Open the block editor and add one of the SimpLy Gallery blocks to a post, page, or saved gallery.
03 / Source details
Frequently asked questions.
Is SimpLy Gallery Blocks free?
Yes. The core gallery blocks, mixed media gallery workflow, albums, and lightbox features are available in the free plugin.
Can I organize the WordPress Media Library into folders?
Yes. The free SimpLy Media Assistant includes virtual folders and tags for organizing media. Enable its folder sidebar in the native Media Library or use Media > SimpLy Assistant. Organizing files into folders does not move the originals on your server or change their URLs.
Can I download a media folder as a ZIP file?
Yes. In the free plugin, right-click a SimpLy folder in the Assistant or the Media Library sidebar and choose Download. Create the archive, then use Download ZIP to save its original files. This is an authenticated admin workflow. ZIP availability and supported archive sizes depend on your hosting; checks and adjustable limits are available under ZIP Downloads in the plugin settings.
What media types can I use?
You can create galleries with images, self-hosted MP4 video, MP3 audio, YouTube, Vimeo, and VideoPress content.
Can I create poster images for self-hosted videos?
Yes. For self-hosted video items, open the item menu in the Items Manager and choose Add Poster. You can select an image from the WordPress Media Library or capture a frame from the video. When a frame is used, SimpLy Gallery creates a new WordPress media attachment and uses it as the video poster.
Why is a video poster important?
A poster image gives native HTML5 video a reliable preview before playback. It improves the visitor experience, avoids forcing the browser to load the first video frame as a preview, and can help with compatibility on mobile devices and older browsers.
Does SimpLy Gallery load all YouTube or Vimeo players at once?
No. Video galleries are thumbnail-first. SimpLy Gallery creates the actual YouTube or Vimeo embed only for the active video, then stops and replaces it when another video is selected. This works for manually added YouTube and Vimeo videos in the free plugin, including lightbox playback.
How many gallery blocks are included in the free plugin?
The free plugin includes 8 WordPress gallery blocks: Masonry, Justified, Grid, Slider / Carousel, Viewer, Albums, Album Navigator, and Saved SimpLy Gallery.
Does it work with the WordPress block editor?
Yes. SimpLy Gallery Blocks is built around WordPress gallery blocks and is designed to be edited directly inside the WordPress block editor.
Can I reuse the same gallery in different places?
Yes. Saved SimpLy galleries can be reused as public gallery pages, shortcodes, Saved SimpLy Gallery blocks, Elementor widgets, or inside Albums and Album Navigator layouts.
Can I transform a native WordPress Gallery block into a SimpLy Gallery block?
Yes. SimpLy Gallery supports the native WordPress block transform workflow. You can transform a WordPress Gallery block into a SimpLy Gallery layout such as Masonry, Justified, Grid, Slider / Carousel, or Viewer without rebuilding the gallery content from scratch. You can also transform a SimpLy Gallery block back into the native WordPress Gallery block when needed.
Are galleries static or dynamic?
Standard galleries are static by default, similar to native WordPress gallery blocks. Gallery content is saved with the post and updates when you edit the gallery in the WordPress admin. The free Import Media from SimpLy Folders/Tags workflow creates a static gallery snapshot from organized media. PRO dynamic modes can rebuild gallery content from supported sources, including selected SimpLy folders, and cache the result for a custom number of hours per block.
What is SimpLy Media Assistant?
SimpLy Media Assistant is an admin media organization workflow available from Media > SimpLy Assistant. It helps you organize WordPress media with SimpLy folders and tags, filter media, upload files, and reuse organized media in gallery workflows.
Can I use SimpLy folders with normal gallery creation?
Yes. All users can use Import Media from SimpLy Folders/Tags inside SimpLy gallery blocks to quickly create a normal static gallery from already organized media. PRO users can also create dynamic galleries based on selected SimpLy folders.
Can I choose where SimpLy Assistant appears?
Yes. The plugin settings let you choose the level of Assistant integration. You can enable or disable SimpLy folders in the WordPress Media Library, native WordPress media pickers, and the SimpLy gallery block picker workflow. Open Media > SimpLy Assistant, then use Options in the top-right corner of the screen to adjust these integration settings.
Does SimpLy Gallery create extra image sizes?
No. SimpLy Gallery uses the image sizes generated by WordPress, mainly Medium size for thumbnails and Large size for lightbox images. If the Medium size is too small for a frontend layout, the plugin can use the Large size for the thumbnail area when needed, without creating new media files. This keeps the Media Library cleaner and works well with existing WordPress image optimization, CDN, watermark, and media workflows.
How can I improve gallery image quality?
Adjust the default image sizes in Settings > Media before uploading images. If you change those settings after images have already been uploaded, you may need to regenerate thumbnails so WordPress can create the updated image sizes.
Does SimpLy Gallery support SEO-friendly media output?
Yes. Media Indexing is enabled by default and can expose gallery media through static fallback HTML. The recommended mode uses noscript fallback output, and inline HTML output is also available for all users.
Can I use the lightbox with native WordPress Image and Gallery blocks?
Yes. SimpLy Lightbox can work with native WordPress Image and Gallery blocks that use the “Link images to media files” option, as well as linked images and Classic Editor gallery content.
How is SimpLy Lightbox different from the native WordPress lightbox?
SimpLy Lightbox can manage lightbox behavior for a whole post or page. It can group separate Image blocks and native Gallery blocks into one browsable lightbox set with next / previous navigation, while still allowing unique lightbox settings per post or page.
Where are native WordPress gallery lightbox settings managed?
Global defaults are managed from SimpLy Gallery > Lightbox for native WordPress Gallery. Individual post or page settings are managed from the SimpLy Lightbox editor sidebar, opened from the lightbox icon in the editor toolbar.
Can I create albums?
Yes. Albums and Album Navigator are available in the free plugin. They let you group saved galleries under one entry point, while each saved gallery can also be published separately or reused with a shortcode, block, or Elementor widget.
Is Tags Filter included?
Yes. Tags Filter is available for gallery blocks in the free plugin. You can add tags directly in the Items Manager for each gallery item, type tags separated by commas, or choose from previously used SimpLy Tags. PLUS / PRO plans add more control over the tag list used in a specific gallery or block, plus advanced options such as deep linking.
Can I add tags to multiple gallery items at once?
Yes. Items Manager includes a multi-select mode, so you can select multiple gallery items and add or remove tags for the selected group.
Can gallery items be shown in random order?
Yes. Random ordering can be selected by the site owner in the WordPress admin. The frontend displays the randomized gallery output without adding a randomize button or extra control for visitors.
Are YouTube and Vimeo dynamic galleries included in the free plugin?
Manual YouTube and Vimeo gallery items are supported in the gallery workflow. Dynamic gallery sources, such as YouTube playlists and Vimeo collections, are available in PRO.
Does SimpLy Gallery Blocks use cookies or collect visitor data?
No. The gallery and lightbox features do not require cookies, and the plugin does not collect visitor data. External services such as YouTube or Vimeo may apply their own privacy behavior when their embedded players are loaded.
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