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Comparison · WordPress Folders

Folderly vs Real Media Library — honest comparison

Two WordPress plugins, both built around virtual folders that don’t change your file URLs. Real Media Library is the established option from devowl.io — 285 reviews on WordPress.org for the Lite version, with a feature-rich Pro tier sold separately via annual licence. Folderly is the newer, lighter alternative, released in October 2024. Its free tier includes folders for posts and pages, which Real Media Library reserves for Pro, and its Pro tier — nested subfolders, WooCommerce products and any custom post type — is a one-time payment instead of a subscription. Both are GPL on WordPress.org, and both ship an importer that lets you switch later without rebuilding your folder tree. This page lays out where each one wins so you can pick the right tool for your site.

Free downloadSee Real Media Library on WordPress.org

At a glance

Verifiable facts pulled from the public WordPress.org listings on (2026-10-19).

FeatureFolderlyReal Media Library
WordPress.org rating5.0 ★ (1 review)4.8 ★ (285 reviews) — Lite
First released on WordPress.orgOctober 2024February 2020 (Lite); paid version dates back to 2017
Free version on WordPress.orgYes — media, posts & pages; subfolders in ProLite only — Pro is sold separately on devowl.io
Virtual folders (URLs unchanged)YesYes
Folders for posts, pages, and CPTsPosts & pages free; CPTs in Pro ($49 one-time)Pro only
WooCommerce product foldersPro ($49 one-time)Pro only
Import from other folder plugins12 sources; Real Media Library media folders, with UndoFileBird, WP Media Folder, others (Pro)
Page builder integrationsElementor, Divi, Beaver, Bricks, Brizy, +7 moreGutenberg, Elementor, Divi, +many (Pro)
Gallery / front-end folder blockNot yetYes — Pro adds front-end gallery & download blocks
Multi-language admin UI (built-in)13 locales on the marketing site; admin UI English-firstPolylang/WPML compatible (Pro)
REST API for developersYesYes (Pro)
GPL-licensed free version on WordPress.orgYesYes (Lite)
Pro distributionSingle one-time payment via wpfolderly.comSubscription / annual licence via devowl.io

Pricing intentionally not shown — both products evolve their pricing pages, and you should compare current rates directly on Folderly’s site and devowl.io.

Which one should you pick?

Choose Folderly if

  • You want folders for posts and pages in the free version, without buying Pro.
  • You prefer a one-time-payment Pro tier over an annual subscription model.
  • You're currently on Real Media Library and want a migration that preserves your folder structure — and can be undone.
  • You run WooCommerce, JetEngine, ACF, Pods, Toolset, or Meta Box and want folders for those CPTs for a one-time $49 rather than a yearly renewal.
  • You value a smaller, simpler plugin footprint over breadth of premium add-ons.

Choose Real Media Library if

  • You need front-end gallery and folder-download blocks Pro ships out of the box.
  • You run a WPML or Polylang multilingual site and want first-class translation flows for folder structures.
  • You publish heavy WooCommerce stores and want the longer track record of Real Media Library's WooCommerce integration.
  • You're comfortable with an annual subscription model in exchange for ongoing updates from devowl.io.
  • You need vendor-tested integrations with Avada, Salient, Flatsome, or other premium themes.

Migration

Switching from Real Media Library to Folderly

Folderly’s importer supports Real Media Library alongside 11 other folder plugins. It reads Real Media Library’s database tables, recreates the folder hierarchy in Folderly, and reassigns each item to its matching folder — in small batches with a live progress bar, so large libraries don’t hit server time limits. File URLs are untouched — both plugins use virtual folders, so nothing on the public side of your site changes.

Practical steps:

  1. Back up your database (always a good idea before touching media).
  2. Install Folderly. Real Media Library can stay active during the import — or not; the importer reads its data either way.
  3. Open Settings → Folderly → Import, tick the post types you want to bring over from Real Media Library (media, posts, pages), and run the import.
  4. Review the imported folder tree in the WordPress media library.
  5. Once you’re happy, deactivate Real Media Library (and cancel the licence renewal if you’re on Pro).

If anything looks wrong, click Undoon that post type’s row — it removes only the folders the import created, never folders you made yourself. Your original Real Media Library data isn’t touched. The importer is read-only on the source side.

Frequently asked questions

Is Folderly a good Real Media Library alternative?
Folderly is a strong alternative if you want folders for posts and pages in the free tier (Real Media Library gates post-type folders behind Pro), or if you prefer a one-time payment over Real Media Library Pro's annual licence model — Folderly Pro adds nested subfolders, WooCommerce products and any custom post type for $49 once. Real Media Library remains the better pick if you need the front-end gallery and download blocks Pro ships, or deeper WPML/Polylang integration.
Will I lose my folders if I switch from Real Media Library to Folderly?
No. Folderly's importer reads Real Media Library's folder structures — Real Media Library doesn't even need to be active. Your hierarchy, file assignments, and naming all carry over, re-running the import is safe, and each post type has an Undo that removes only the folders the import created. File URLs do not change — both plugins use virtual folders, so existing image and document permalinks keep working.
Does Folderly change my media file URLs?
No. Folderly uses virtual folders, the same approach Real Media Library uses. Files stay in /wp-content/uploads/ on disk; the folder structure is metadata stored in the database. Moving a file between folders does not change its URL, so SEO links and embedded images continue to work.
Can Folderly organise WooCommerce products and custom post types?
Yes, with Folderly Pro. The free version covers media, posts and pages; WooCommerce products and any other custom post type need Pro — as they do with Real Media Library. The difference is the licence: Folderly Pro is a $49 one-time payment, while Real Media Library Pro is an annual licence sold via devowl.io. If you run WooCommerce, JetEngine, ACF, Pods, Toolset, or Meta Box and would rather pay once than renew every year, Folderly is the more cost-effective choice.
How does the pricing model differ?
Real Media Library Pro is sold as an annual licence (or via CodeCanyon as a one-time bundle that doesn't include long-term updates from devowl.io). Folderly Pro is a one-time payment of $49 for a single site, with lifetime updates and a 7-day money-back guarantee. If you prefer a single up-front cost over recurring renewals, Folderly is the leaner option.
Should I just use Real Media Library?
If you need the front-end folder gallery, download-as-ZIP block, deep WPML/Polylang flows, and the WooCommerce-Pro feature set Real Media Library has matured over years — yes, Real Media Library Pro is the safer pick. If you want post and page folders free, CPT and WooCommerce folders in a one-time-payment Pro tier, and a clear migration path off Real Media Library later, Folderly is the better starting point.

See also

Other Folderly comparisons

Picking a WordPress folder plugin is rarely a two-horse race. Here’s how Folderly stacks up against the rest of the category.

Try Folderly free, upgrade when you’re ready

The free version is on WordPress.org. Folderly Pro is a one-time payment of $49 for a single site, with lifetime updates and a 7-day money-back guarantee.

Free downloadSee full pricing