There are many reasons you might want to download a WordPress plugin as a ZIP file — backing it up before an update, moving it to another site, or sharing it with a developer. But by default, WordPress does not give you an easy way to do this from the admin dashboard.
In this guide, we will show you the quickest and easiest way to download any installed WordPress plugin as a ZIP file, straight from your dashboard — no FTP or cPanel required.
Why Download a Plugin as a ZIP?
Here are the most common reasons site owners and developers need a plugin ZIP file:
- Backup a plugin before making changes or updating it
- Transfer it to another WordPress site
- Share it with a team member or client
- Keep an archived version of a plugin you are about to delete
- Migrate a custom-built plugin to a new server
Whatever your reason, the process should be simple. And with the right tool, it is.
The Easiest Method: Transfer Press Plugin
Transfer Press is a lightweight, free plugin that adds a Download ZIP button next to every plugin in your WordPress admin. It takes about 60 seconds to set up and works on any standard WordPress installation.
How to Set It Up
- Go to your WordPress admin → Plugins → Add New
- Search for Transfer Press
- Click Install Now and then Activate
How to Download a Plugin as ZIP
- Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins
- Find the plugin you want to download
- Click the new Download ZIP option that appears
- Your browser will save the ZIP file to your computer
💡 The ZIP file produced is a standard WordPress plugin package — identical to what you would upload through the Add New → Upload Plugin screen on any WordPress site.
What About Downloading Plugins from WordPress.org?
If the plugin is publicly available on the WordPress Plugin Directory, you can also download it directly from wordpress.org. Simply:
- Visit wordpress.org/plugins and search for the plugin
- Click the Download button on the plugin page
- You will get the latest publicly released version as a ZIP
However, this method has important limitations:
- You only get the latest public version, not the specific version currently installed on your site
- It does not work for custom, private, or premium plugins not on the directory
- Any plugin customizations or modifications you have made will not be included
Transfer Press solves all of these limitations by downloading exactly what is installed on your server.
Can You Do This With FTP?
Technically, yes — but it is far more complicated. Using FTP, you would need to:
- Connect to your server using an FTP client such as FileZilla
- Navigate to wp-content/plugins/
- Right-click the plugin folder and download it
- Manually ZIP the folder on your computer
This process is slow, requires server credentials, and is not practical for quick transfers. Transfer Press reduces this entire workflow to a single click.
Is the Downloaded ZIP Identical to the Original?
Yes. Transfer Press packages the plugin files directly from your wp-content/plugins directory into a standard ZIP archive. The resulting file is structurally identical to a plugin ZIP that could be uploaded through the WordPress plugin installer. No files are added, removed, or modified during this process.
Works With All Plugin Types
Transfer Press works with:
- Free plugins from WordPress.org
- Premium plugins (Elementor, WooCommerce extensions, etc.)
- Custom-built plugins unique to your project
- Plugins installed manually via FTP or ZIP upload
Conclusion
Downloading a WordPress plugin as a ZIP file from your dashboard is now incredibly simple thanks to Transfer Press. Whether you are backing up plugins, sharing them with clients, or setting up a new site, this free tool handles the task in seconds.
Get Transfer Press free at: https://wordpress.org/plugins/transfer-press/