These 10 apps lead WordPress Plugin Directory's Image gallery category as of September 2026 — ranked by user rating, review count, and audit score, refreshed every 24 hours from the canonical WordPress marketplace listing.
Discover the top-rated image gallery apps available on WordPress Plugin Directory. Rankings based on user ratings, review count, and market performance.
This is the curated shortlist — the top-ranked image gallery apps. To browse every image gallery app on WordPress Plugin Directory, see the full Image gallery category.
This list ranks the top 10 WordPress apps classified under Image gallery by the source marketplace's own taxonomy — apps appear here only because WordPress Plugin Directory itself tags them in this category, not because of any AppRanks editorial decision. Within the category set, ranking uses a Bayesian-ish blend of average rating × natural log of review count: the formula is , so a high-rating-low-review app doesn't leapfrog an established listing on a single 5-star outlier. The blend favors apps that are both well-reviewed AND have an established user base.
rating × ln(reviewCount + 1)AppRanks does not invent a proprietary score for public surfaces — the rank shown mirrors the marketplace's published category position exactly, scraped on a 12-24 hour refresh cycle from the canonical WordPress Plugin Directory listing. The category lookup happens at request time and the page is cached at the edge for 1 hour to absorb traffic spikes; the underlying ranking data refreshes daily so the list stays accurate within one day of any source change. AppRanks does not editorially promote or demote apps based on advertiser or partnership status — the same blend formula applies uniformly across every app on this platform.
Photo Gallery by Ays – Responsive Image Gallery
Ranks #1 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a category-leading listing. Currently has an early-stage review volume (19 reviews). Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Photo Gallery by Ays – Responsive Image Gallery holds a 4.8-star average across 19 reviews in the image gallery category.
Modula Image Gallery – Photo Grid & Video Gallery
Ranks #2 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a highly rated listing. A growing review traction (613 reviews) with a no-rating average. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you prioritize merchant satisfaction over scale — Modula Image Gallery – Photo Grid & Video Gallery holds a 4.7-star average across 613 reviews in the image gallery category.
Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery
Ranks #3 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a well-rated listing. Tracks at no-rating across 4,339 reviews — established review history. Position holds for the trailing 30-day window.
Pick if: Pick this if you want an emerging image gallery option — Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery ranks #3 on WordPress Plugin Directory and is still building review depth.
Image Hover Effects Ultimate ( Image Gallery, Effects, Lightbox, Comparison & Magnifier )
Holds position #4 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a highly rated listing. Currently has a growing review traction (248 reviews). Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Currently sits at #5 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a category-leading listing. A growing review traction (336 reviews) with a no-rating average. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Holds position #6 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a well-rated listing. Tracks at no-rating across 14 reviews — early-stage review volume. Refresh: daily from the source marketplace.
Currently sits at #7 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a category-leading listing. Currently has a growing review traction (116 reviews). AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Holds position #8 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a category-leading listing. A growing review traction (986 reviews) with a no-rating average. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Photo Gallery by 10Web – Mobile-Friendly Image Gallery
Currently sits at #9 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a highly rated listing. Tracks at no-rating across 1,581 reviews — established review history. AppRanks tracks this listing on a 24-hour cycle.
Smart Variations Images & Swatches for WooCommerce
Holds position #10 in the WordPress Plugin Directory image gallery category as a highly rated listing. Currently has a growing review traction (142 reviews). Source: WordPress Plugin Directory's own published category position.
Same data as the ranked cards, condensed into a sortable-by-eye grid: rating × review depth × pricing tier across the top 10 image gallery apps on WordPress Plugin Directory.
| # | App | Rating | Reviews | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photo Gallery by Ays – Responsive Image Gallery | 4.8★ | 19 | — |
| 2 | Modula Image Gallery – Photo Grid & Video Gallery | 4.7★ | 613 | — |
| 3 | Photo Gallery, Sliders, Proofing and Themes – NextGEN Gallery | 4.3★ | 4,339 | — |
| 4 | Image Hover Effects Ultimate ( Image Gallery, Effects, Lightbox, Comparison & Magnifier ) | 4.7★ | 248 | — |
| 5 | Gallery by Visual Portfolio | 4.8★ | 336 | — |
| 6 | Animated Live Wall Gallery | 4.4★ | 14 | — |
| 7 | SimpLy Gallery | 4.8★ | 116 | — |
| 8 | Gallery : FooGallery | 4.8★ | 986 | — |
| 9 | Photo Gallery by 10Web – Mobile-Friendly Image Gallery | 4.5★ | 1,581 | — |
| 10 | Smart Variations Images & Swatches for WooCommerce | 4.7★ | 142 | — |
Want to compare any two apps in detail (features, ratings trend, pricing plans side-by-side)? Open the head-to-head page from the "Compare to #N" link on each card above. Custom multi-app comparisons, historical rank trajectory, and CSV export are available on a paid plan.
Methodology details: /glossary/audit-score · /about.
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