Top 5 portfolio grid plugins for WordPress
Are you looking for a WordPress plugin to display your projects in a grid, with filtering, pagination and visual control? I have compiled the 5 most serious options on the market. My plugin is in first position. I'll tell you why — but first, let's be honest about what it is.
🏆 #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 these three problems.
The feature that really sets it apart: pinned projects. You type a title into the search box, select a project, drag and drop to reorder. These projects always appear first, regardless of publication date or sort order. No other plugin on this list offers this in such a direct way.
Another strong point: the AJAX filtering with URL synchronization. When a visitor filters by category, the URL updates with ?ad_filter=branding. This link is shareable, memorized, and the browser handles the backspace normally. Many plugins do AJAX filtering, few do URL synchronization.
Highlights
- Pinning projects with drag and drop
- AJAX filtering + URL synchronization
- Complete visual inspection without code
- Independent grid overrides
- Gutenberg block + shortcode
- Compatible with all types of content (CPT)
- Working free version
honest boundaries
- No integrated lightbox
- No masonry layout
- Recent plugin, user base still limited
- No native Elementor integration
🥈 #2 — Visual Portfolio
Visual Portfolio is built specifically for the WordPress block editor, with particularly neat Gutenberg integration. This is probably the most versatile plugin on this list if you're not just looking for a grid: it also manages carousels, sliders, masonry galleries and video portfolios from YouTube or Vimeo.
AJAX filtering is present in the free version. URL synchronization is absent. For advanced layouts and advanced hover effects, you need to upgrade to the premium version.
Highlights
- Very complete Gutenberg integration
- Many types of layouts (masonry, carousel, justified)
- Video support (YouTube, Vimeo, self-hosted)
- Automatic lazy loading and responsive
- Generous free version
Limits
- No URL synchronization on filtering
- No pinning projects
- Advanced hover effects in premium only
- Less intuitive admin interface
🥉 #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 quickly build a grid without coding.
The main obstacle: it is a premium CodeCanyon plugin without a free version. It is more aimed at developers or agencies who already have a plugin budget and who want an established tool with a large user base.
Highlights
- Drag & drop visual builder
- Numerous preconfigured templates
- CPT and WooCommerce compatible
- AJAX filtering included
- Large installed base, mature plugin
Limits
- Paid from the start ($69)
- No URL synchronization on filters
- No pinning projects
- Interface sometimes complex for beginners
4️⃣ No. 4 — Modula
Modula is positioned on the image gallery rather than on the portfolio linked to WordPress content types. Its visual grid builder is drag & drop: you drag images to adjust dimensions individually, resulting in very personalized 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 is made for image galleries, not for portfolios linked to a WordPress workflow.
Highlights
- Highly flexible visual grid builder
- Individually adjustable image sizes
- Various hover effects
- Integrated lightbox
- Simple and quick to use interface
Limits
- Made for galleries, not CPTs
- No taxonomic filtering
- No URL synchronization
- No pinning projects
5️⃣ #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 numbering of items. If filtering is your top priority and your visual customization needs are limited, this is an option worth considering.
The free version is limited to images. Video, CPTs and advanced Masonry layouts require the premium version. The admin interface is functional but dated.
Highlights
- Multiple simultaneous filters
- Integrated search bar
- Layouts grid and masonry
- Free for basic uses
Limits
- Free version limited to images
- No URL synchronization
- No pinning projects
- Limited visual control without CSS
- Aging admin interface
📊 Quick comparison
| Plugin | AJAX filtering | URL sync | Pinning | CPT support | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AD Pro Portfolio Grid | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visual Portfolio | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Essential Grid | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Module | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| 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 to visually control the layout (dimensions per image, custom layouts)?
Do you need to share links to filtered views (e.g. sending a “Branding Only” link to a customer)?
What is 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, the Pro plan unlocks grid filtering and overrides.
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For an image gallery with tailor-made layouts and visual adjustment per image, Modula is best suited. Its drag & drop constructor is easy to use and the result is clean without touching any CSS.
Visual Portfolio
For a mix of media (images, YouTube videos, Vimeo, custom projects) with varied layouts (masonry, carousel, justified), Visual Portfolio is the most versatile. The free version is generous and the Gutenberg integration is excellent.
Essential Grid
If you're looking for an established paid plugin with years of experience, 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 now. AJAX filtering, pagination, all content types. No credit card needed.
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