Top 5 portfolio grid plugins for WordPress
Looking for a WordPress plugin to display your projects in a grid, with filtering, pagination and visual control? I've compiled the 5 most serious options on the market. My plugin is in first place. I'll explain why - but first, let's be honest about what it is.
🏆 No. 1 - AD Pro Portfolio Grid (mine)
I created this plugin because I couldn't find what I needed as a freelance designer. Existing plugins were either too visually limited, dependent on a page builder, or unable to pin specific projects to the top of the grid. AD Pro Portfolio Grid solves all three of these problems.
The feature that really sets it apart: the pinned projects. Type a title into the search field, select a project and drag & drop to reorganize. These projects always appear first, regardless of publication date or sort order. No other plugin on this list offers this straightforward feature.
Another highlight: the AJAX filtering with URL synchronization. When a visitor filters by category, the URL is updated with ?ad_filter=branding. This link is shareable, memorable, and the browser handles backtracking normally. Many plugins do AJAX filtering, few do URL synchronization.
Highlights
- Drag-and-drop project pinning
- AJAX filtering + URL synchronization
- Complete visual check without code
- Overrides by independent grid
- Gutenberg block + shortcode
- Compatible with all types of content (CPT)
- Free functional version on WordPress.org
Honest limits
- No integrated lightbox
- No layout masonry
- Recent plugin, user base still limited
- No native Elementor integration
🥈 No. 2 - Visual Portfolio
Visual Portfolio is built specifically for the WordPress block editor, with particularly neat Gutenberg integration. It's probably the most versatile plugin on this list if you're looking for more than just a grid: it also handles carousels, sliders, masonry galleries and video portfolios from YouTube or Vimeo.
AJAX filtering is included in the free version. URL synchronization is absent. For advanced layouts and hover effects, upgrade to the premium version.
Highlights
- Comprehensive Gutenberg integration
- Numerous types of layouts (masonry, carousel, justified)
- Video support (YouTube, Vimeo, self-hosted)
- Lazy loading and automatic responsive
- Generous free version
Limits
- No URL synchronization on filtering
- No project pinning
- Advanced hover effects in premium only
- Less intuitive admin interface
🥉 No. 3 - Essential Grid
Essential Grid is a versatile grid plugin, not specifically a portfolio plugin, but its features make it a solid option for filterable portfolios. Its drag & drop builder and preconfigured templates allow you to set up a grid quickly and without code.
The main drawback: it's a CodeCanyon premium plugin with no free version. It's aimed more at developers or agencies who already have a plugin budget and want an established tool with a large user base.
Highlights
- Visual drag & drop builder
- Numerous pre-configured templates
- CPT and WooCommerce compatible
- AJAX filtering included
- Large installed base, mature plugin
Limits
- Pay-as-you-go ($69)
- No URL synchronization on filters
- No project pinning
- Interface sometimes complex for beginners
4️⃣ No. 4 - Modula
Modula is positioned on the image gallery rather than the portfolio linked to WordPress content types. Its visual grid builder is drag & drop: you drag images to adjust dimensions individually, resulting in highly customized layouts. This is its main advantage over the other plugins on this list.
On the other hand, if you want to display custom post types with taxonomies, AJAX pagination and URL filtering, Modula is not the right tool. It's designed for image galleries, not portfolios linked to a WordPress workflow.
Highlights
- Highly flexible visual grid builder
- Individually adjustable image sizes
- Various hover effects
- Integrated lightbox
- Easy-to-use interface
Limits
- Made for galleries, not CPTs
- No taxonomic filtering
- No URL synchronization
- No project pinning
5️⃣ No. 5 - Portfolio Filter Gallery
Portfolio Filter Gallery focuses on filtering. It goes further than most other plugins on this specific aspect, with multiple filters, a search bar and automatic item numbering. If filtering is your top priority and your visual customization needs are limited, this is an option to consider.
The free version is limited to images. Video, CPT and advanced masonry layouts require the premium version. The admin interface is functional but dated.
Highlights
- Simultaneous multiple filters
- Integrated search bar
- Layouts grid and masonry
- Free for basic use
Limits
- Free version limited to images
- No URL synchronization
- No project pinning
- Limited visual inspection without CSS
- Aging admin interface
📊 Quick comparison
| Plugin | AJAX filtering | URL sync | Pinning | CPT support | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD Pro Portfolio Grid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visual Portfolio | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Essential Grid | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Modula | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Portfolio Filter Gallery | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Partial | ✓ |
🤔 Which plugin is right for you?
What do you want to display in your grid?
Is filtering by category important for your portfolio?
Do you need visual layout control (dimensions per image, custom layouts)?
Do you need to share links to filtered views (e.g. send a «Branding only» link to a customer)?
What's your budget?
AD Pro Portfolio Grid
Your use case is exactly what this plugin was designed for: displaying WordPress projects with AJAX filtering, URL synchronization, and full visual control. The free version covers the essentials, while the Pro plan unlocks filtering and grid-based overrides.
See the pluginModula
For an image gallery with custom layouts and visual adjustment per image, Modula is the best choice. Its drag & drop builder is easy to use, and the result is clean without touching CSS.
Visual Portfolio
For a mix of media (images, YouTube videos, Vimeo, custom projects) with various layouts (masonry, carousel, justified), Visual Portfolio is the most versatile. The free version is generous, and Gutenberg integration is excellent.
Essential Grid
If you're looking for an established paid plugin with years of existence, extensive documentation and a large community, Essential Grid is a solid choice. Count $69 for the regular license on CodeCanyon.
Test AD Pro Portfolio Grid
The free version is available on WordPress.org. AJAX filtering, pagination, all content types. No credit card required.
See the plugin
