Jason Coleman

Adds a short code like [download file=”path_to_file”] that embeds a form in the post asking for an email address before showing a link to a file for download. Great for promoting white papers and other digital assets on your site.
Live demo: http://www.strangerstudios.com/blog/2010/07/ss-downloads-wordpress-plugin/
The plugin works in 3 parts.
<ol>
<li>
The short code to add the form to your pages.
</li>
<li>
The logic to check (using session variables) if the user has provided an email address before showing either the email capture form or the download link.
</li>
<li>
A script to serve files securely. It checks for the same session variable before delivering the file. Files can be located outside the web directory or servered from the uploads folder, etc, with an obfuscated URL.
</li>
</ol>
The look of the email and download forms can be changed by copying files from the /css/ and /templates/ folder of the plugin into your active theme folder. Rename the files ssd-original_file_name.php/css (e.g. ssd-download.php or ssd-ss-downloads.css) and edit as needed.

SS Downloads

Embed forms in your pages and posts that accept an email address in exchange for a file download.

HostingTime GmbH

Member File Box lets you upload PDF files and assign them to individual WordPress users or MemberPress members. Each user can only access their own files — never those of other users.
Perfect for consultants, coaches, agencies, and service providers who need to deliver personalized documents such as reports, contracts, analyses, invoices, or handbooks directly to their clients through a secure member area.
<h4>Key Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Individual file delivery – Upload files and assign them to a specific user</li>
<li>Secure file storage – Files are stored outside the public web root; direct URL access is blocked via <code>.htaccess</code></li>
<li>Dedicated admin menu – Manage all documents from a clean backend panel</li>
<li>Email notification – Optionally notify the user by email when a new file is available</li>
<li>Expiry dates – Set an optional expiry date per file; expired files are hidden automatically</li>
<li>Categories – Organize files by type (Analysis, Contract, Handbook, Report, Checklist, etc.)</li>
<li>Frontend shortcode – Display files to logged-in users with <code>[ki_downloadbereich]</code></li>
<li>MemberPress compatible – Works with any MemberPress version via direct database queries</li>
<li>Works without MemberPress – Falls back to all WordPress users if MemberPress is not installed</li>
<li>Backend search – Quickly filter documents by name, user, or category</li>
</ul>
<h4>How It Works</h4>
<ol>
<li>Admin uploads a PDF and selects a user from the dropdown</li>
<li>Optionally adds a description, category, expiry date, and enables email notification</li>
<li>The user logs in and sees their personal files via the <code>[ki_downloadbereich]</code> shortcode</li>
<li>Download links are validated server-side — only the assigned user (or admins) can download the file</li>
</ol>
<h4>Use Cases</h4>
<ul>
<li>Deliver personalized compliance reports to individual clients</li>
<li>Share contracts or invoices securely with specific users</li>
<li>Provide custom analysis documents in a member area</li>
<li>Send handbooks or onboarding materials to new members</li>
</ul>
<h4>Shortcode</h4>
Place this shortcode on any page in your member area:
<pre><code>[ki_downloadbereich]
</code></pre>
Users who are not logged in will see a login prompt. Users with no assigned files will see an informative empty state message.

Member File Box – Secure Personal Downloads

Deliver individual PDF files to specific WordPress users. Each user sees only their own files. Use shortcode [ki_downloadbereich].

SS Downloads vs Member File Box – Secure Personal Downloads