WPDM Remote FTP / SFTP Browser

WPDM Remote FTP / SFTP Browser is an official add-on for WordPress Download Manager that lets you connect your WordPress site to external FTP or SFTP servers and attach remote files directly to your download packages, without needing to store copies on your own server. It is designed for site administrators who manage large volumes of files and want to optimize local storage without sacrificing the download experience for their users.

The add-on offers a modern file picker with list or grid view, breadcrumb navigation, and multiple file selection. You can browse folders on the remote server, search and sort files, and attach them to your packages with a single click. Access credentials are stored encrypted using the built-in AES system of WordPress Download Manager, ensuring that passwords are never saved in plain text.

Its standout features include support for both standard FTP and SFTP via the phpseclib3 library, the ability to define per-package credentials for multi-server setups, and on-demand file streaming: when a user downloads a package, the file is fetched from the remote server and streamed directly, with automatic cleanup afterward. It also includes a one-click connection test option before saving settings, a toggle to switch between passive and active modes, and the ability to set a root directory to limit browsing to a specific folder.

The add-on keeps WordPress Download Manager's download counters and access rules intact, so it is compatible with locks, roles, and per-user access levels. Additionally, it is ready for multisite and multilingual environments, and works correctly with CDN or proxy configurations for faster delivery. Its installation is simple and requires no custom code.

If you manage a site with heavy files or need to centralize your download library on a remote server, this add-on lets you save storage space, keep your library synchronized, and offer secure and efficient downloads to your users.