9 Best PDF Plugins for WordPress (Viewer, Embed, & Downloads)

Are you looking for the best PDF plugins for WordPress but don’t know where to start?

By default, WordPress can’t generate or embed PDF files in posts or pages. This is where a PDF plugin comes in handy. You can create, edit, and embed documents with ease using a plugin.

In this article, we will show you the best PDF plugins for WordPress that you can use on your website.

Why Do You Need a PDF Plugin for WordPress?

WordPress does not support PDF embedding or downloading blog posts as PDFs by default.

If you have a PDF document and try to embed it in WordPress, then it will show your file as a downloadable link. If someone clicks on the link, then they will leave your website.

A WordPress PDF plugin allows you to display your documents on your WordPress site. Your website visitors can then view them in a PDF viewer while staying on your website.

A PDF plugin also helps users download any blog post or page as a PDF document. It ensures that the page is neatly formatted so people can easily save or print it.

With that said, let’s look at the best PDF plugins for WordPress.

1. WP PDF Embedder

WP PDF Embedder is the best PDF plugin for WordPress. It allows you to easily embed mobile-friendly PDF files in WordPress posts and pages.

The plugin uses JavaScript to embed files with a fully functional toolbar, allowing users to zoom in, navigate to specific page numbers, and even download the PDF file. This makes the plugin different from others on our list.

JavaScript allows you more flexibility on how your PDF documents will appear. The plugin automatically adjusts the size of your PDF files. You can also enter the width manually, and the plugin will automatically calculate the height.

There is a free version of the plugin that you can use to get started. However, the premium version comes with more powerful features like PDF downloads, clickable hyperlinks, and more.

There’s also a Secure PDF plugin that prevents viewers from downloading or printing your original PDF files. It includes all of the features of the original premium plugin.

2. EmbedPress

EmbedPress is a complete plugin that allows you to add and display PDF files in your WordPress posts and pages. It’s easy to use, and you can upload your PDF documents through the media library and place them anywhere on your site.

EmbedPress also lets you upload other types of media to your WordPress website. You can use it to add videos from YouTube, Vimeo, or Twitch.

Besides that, EmbedPress lets you upload Google Maps, docs, forms, sheets, Facebook posts, audio files, and much more.

3. E2Pdf

E2Pdf is a clean and simple WordPress PDF plugin that lets you create, edit, and display PDF documents to your visitors.

You can show static or dynamic PDF files to your audience. It lets you create and edit PDF documents and forms without leaving your WordPress site.

The plugin also lets you auto-generate PDF forms based on your WordPress posts, pages, or web forms.

4. WPForms

WPForms is the most beginner-friendly WordPress contact form plugin used by over 6 million website owners. With WPForms, you can allow users to submit PDF files to your website through a file upload form.

This way, you don’t have to give access to your website’s backend to others to collect PDF files.

If you want to share your contact form submissions with someone else, then WPForms lets you download them as a PDF document as well.

You can check out our guide on how to create a file upload form in WordPress.

5. PDF & Print by BestWebSoft

PDF & Print by BestWebSoft, as the name suggests, adds a PDF download and print button to your WordPress posts, pages, and custom post types.

You can add your website title, featured image, custom styles, and fonts. The plugin can also execute shortcodes when generating PDFs or creating a printer-friendly version.

6. WooCommerce PDF Invoices & Packing Slips

WooCommerce PDF Invoices and Packing Slips is a PDF plugin for WordPress that allows you to generate, download, and send PDF invoices with order confirmation emails on your WooCommerce store.

You get basic templates with the ability to customize them according to your business needs. The plugin also helps you handle your packing slips and invoices from your WooCommerce admin area.

7. PDF Poster

PDF Poster is another user-friendly WordPress plugin that you can use to embed PDF files on your website.

Using a shortcode, you can add PDF documents to your WordPress posts, pages, widget area, and theme files. Plus, you can add a download button so people can easily access your PDF files.

And when you embed a file, it removes the black viewer frame, so visitors get a clean experience.

8. PDF.js Viewer

PDF.js Viewer lets you show PDF files inside your WordPress posts and pages through a simple shortcode or Gutenberg block.

It uses Mozilla’s PDF.js to display PDF documents in a browser. Users get all the functionality, such as scrolling through the document, searching, printing, and downloading PDF files.

Besides that, the plugin lets you password-protect your PDF documents, set up advanced zoom settings, show a loading bar, and display partially loaded PDF documents.

9. MonsterInsights

MonsterInsights is the best WordPress analytics plugin used by over 3 million website owners. It helps you see how people find and use your website.

It has a built-in download tracking feature that helps you monitor how many PDF downloads you get from your WordPress site.

Aside from download tracking, it also lets you see how many people click on specific PDF files, links, buttons, or any other element on your site. You also see other important items such as real-time analytics, top referral sources, page-level analytics, custom dimensions, and more.

The PDF tracking feature is also available in MonsterInsights Lite, the free version of the plugin.

Bonus WordPress PDF Plugins

The following plugins don’t offer a way to generate or embed PDF files. However, if you serve PDF files on your WordPress site, then you may find them helpful.

10. SearchWP

SearchWP is a paid WordPress plugin. It allows you to add a better search experience to your WordPress site.

One of the features of this plugin is the ability to search the text inside PDF files. However, it cannot search PDF files that are encrypted, stored outside the media library, or have images as text. See our guide on how to improve WordPress search with SearchWP.

11. OptinMonster

OptinMonster is the best lead generation and conversion optimization plugin for WordPress.

It is a powerful tool that helps you grow your email list. You can convert abandoning visitors into subscribers by using OptinMonster. You can ask users to sign on to your email list to free download PDF resources.

You can also use it to offer content upgrades. See this list of content upgrade ideas to increase your subscribers by 10X.

Which Is the Best PDF Plugin for WordPress?

The best WordPress PDF plugin depends on your needs. If you are looking for a plugin to easily embed PDF documents and other media files, then we recommend EmbedPress.

If you want to allow users to submit PDF files to your website, then WPForms is the best plugin.

As for creating and editing PDF documents right inside WordPress, we recommend E2Pdf.

If you want visitors to subscribe in exchange for PDF downloads, then use OptinMonster, and to track all PDF analytics, we recommend MonsterInsights.

We hope this article helped you find the best PDF plugins for WordPress. You may also want to see our list of the best WordPress guides to grow your website.

Best WordPress Guides for Your Business Website

• Must-Have WordPress Plugins for Business Websites
• Best Drag and Drop WordPress Page Builders
• Best Email Marketing Services for Small Businesses
• Best Business Phone Services for Small Businesses
• How to Easily Hide (Noindex) PDF Files in WordPress
• How to Add PDF Indexing and Searching in WordPress

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