7 Best Free Post Grid Plugins to Display WordPress Posts (2026 In-Depth Comparison)
Your blog content deserves a better display than the standard WordPress list. A post grid plugin lets you showcase articles, pages, and custom post types in visually organized grid layouts that keep visitors browsing longer and clicking more.
But not every grid plugin is worth installing. Some are bloated, some lack page builder support, and others stop getting updates after a few months.
We tested and compared 7 of the best free post grid plugins that are actively maintained, well-rated, and trusted by thousands of WordPress users. Each one works without spending a penny, though we have also noted what their premium versions unlock.
Whether you are building a news website, a personal blog, a magazine-style site, or a portfolio, there is a plugin here that fits your needs.
Why Use a Post Grid Plugin?
The default WordPress blog layout stacks posts vertically in a single column. That works for simple blogs, but it wastes screen space and makes it harder for readers to scan multiple articles at once.
A post grid plugin fixes this by displaying your content in multi-column grid layouts, card-style designs, masonry arrangements, or even sliders. The result is a cleaner, more professional look that encourages exploration.
Here is what a good post grid plugin should offer:
Multiple Layout Options including grid, list, masonry, and slider views
Page Builder Compatibility with Gutenberg, Elementor, or Divi for easy setup
Query Builder to filter posts by category, tag, author, date, or custom post type
AJAX Pagination with load more, infinite scroll, or numbered pages
Responsive Design that adjusts automatically across desktop, tablet, and mobile
With that criteria in mind, let us look at the plugins.
1. The Post Grid by RadiusTheme
Shortcode, Gutenberg Blocks, and Elementor Addon for Post Grid
Rating: 4.8 / 5 | Active Sites: 100,000+ | Best For: All-purpose grids
The Post Grid is one of the most widely used post grid plugins on WordPress, trusted by over 100,000 websites. It works with Gutenberg blocks, Elementor widgets, Divi modules, and shortcodes, so it fits into whatever workflow you prefer.
The plugin stands out for its flexibility. You can display posts from specific categories, tags, authors, or dates using an advanced query builder. The output can be a grid, list, isotope filter, hover effect layout, or slider. Everything adjusts automatically for mobile screens.
If you are looking for a tutorial on creating grids, check out this guide on how to create post grid in Divi theme or learn how to make a post slider in WordPress.
Key Free Features
8+ layout styles including grid, list, isotope, and hover effects
Works with Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi, and shortcodes
Advanced query builder with category, tag, author, and date filters
Full control over excerpt length, image sizes, and meta fields
Fully responsive with column controls per device
Key Premium Features
80+ layouts including slider, carousel, and grid hover designs
AJAX pagination (load more, infinite scroll, numbered)
Custom post type and taxonomy support
Advanced popup and quick view for posts
Our Take: The most versatile free option on this list. If you need a single plugin that covers grids, lists, sliders, and isotope filters across multiple page builders, The Post Grid delivers without compromise. The free version alone covers what many premium plugins charge for.
2. Content Views by Content Views Team
Post Grid & Filter, Recent Posts, Category Posts with Blocks and Widgets
Rating: 4.9 / 5 | Active Sites: 100,000+ | Best For: Content-heavy sites
Content Views takes a unique approach. You create a "View" where you configure your query and layout, and then insert it anywhere using a shortcode, Gutenberg block, or Elementor widget. This two-step process makes it very flexible for displaying posts, pages, and custom post types across different sections of your site.
The plugin comes with 16 Gutenberg blocks and 76 pre-made patterns that you can import with a single click. For Elementor users, there are 16 dedicated widgets as well. The visual query builder lets you filter content by category, tag, author, keyword, custom field, date, and more.
Key Free Features
20 layout options including grid, list, slider, and collapsible
16 Gutenberg blocks and 76 ready-made patterns
16 Elementor widgets for post display
Advanced query filters for category, tag, author, keyword, and date
Responsive and SEO-friendly output
Key Premium Features
Pinterest, timeline, masonry, and Facebook-style layouts
Replace default WordPress archive and search result pages
Drag-and-drop field ordering (thumbnail, title, content, meta)
Load more and infinite scroll pagination
WooCommerce product grid support
Our Take: A solid pick if your site is content-heavy and you need precise control over what shows up where. The pre-made Gutenberg patterns save a lot of design time, and the query builder is one of the most detailed in this category.
3. PostX by WPXPO
Gutenberg Post Blocks for News, Magazines, and Blog Websites
Rating: 4.8 / 5 | Active Sites: 60,000+ | Best For: News & magazine sites
PostX is built from the ground up for the Gutenberg editor. If you prefer working with the native WordPress block editor rather than Elementor or other page builders, PostX is easily the strongest option for creating post grids, lists, sliders, and carousels.
It comes with 40+ blocks and 250+ pre-designed patterns. You also get complete starter sites for different niches like news, sports, food, travel, gaming, and crypto. The AJAX post filter lets visitors sort content by category or tag without a page reload, which keeps readers engaged longer.
PostX also includes a ChatGPT integration for content generation and a dynamic site builder that lets you customize your home page, archive pages, and single post templates directly in Gutenberg.
Key Free Features
40+ Gutenberg blocks with extensive customization
250+ pre-designed patterns and starter site templates
AJAX category and tag filter for post grids
Post slider, carousel, and grid layouts
Key Premium Features
Dynamic site builder for Gutenberg (home, archive, single)
Frontend post submission for guest writers
Custom font uploads and advanced typography
Priority support and regular feature updates
Our Take: The best choice for anyone committed to Gutenberg. The starter sites alone can save you days of design work for news and magazine projects. The AJAX filter is a standout free feature that many plugins reserve for premium.
4. Blog Designer Pack by Starter Starter LLC
Post Grid, Post Slider, Post Carousel, and News Layouts
Rating: 4.8 / 5 | Active Sites: 10,000+ | Best For: Bloggers & news sites
Blog Designer Pack is a shortcode-based plugin that gives you 6 different shortcodes, each with 2 design variations. You get separate shortcodes for grid, list, masonry, slider, carousel, and grid box layouts. This modular approach means you pick the exact layout type you need and drop it into any page.
The plugin works well for blogging websites, news portals, and magazine-style sites. It includes a post ticker feature for breaking news scrollers, and pagination support for handling large post collections.
Key Free Features
6 shortcodes covering grid, list, masonry, slider, carousel, and grid box
2 designs per layout type (12 total designs)
Post ticker for news scrollers
Pagination support with customizable settings
Works with Elementor and Divi via shortcode embedding
Key Premium Features
90+ designs across all layout types
Custom post type, taxonomy, and tag support
Category filtering and featured/trending post functionality
AJAX load more and infinite scroll pagination
WPBakery page builder support
Our Take: A straightforward shortcode-based solution that works out of the box. If you do not want to deal with complex block editors and just need clean grid, slider, and carousel layouts with minimal setup, Blog Designer Pack is a reliable choice.
5. Smart Post Show by Starter Starter LLC
Responsive Post Slider and Post Carousel Plugin
Rating: 4.6 / 5 | Active Sites: 5,000+ | Best For: Carousel & slider focus
Smart Post Show (formerly Post Carousel) is a lightweight plugin focused specifically on post sliders and carousels. While the other plugins on this list try to do everything, Smart Post Show concentrates on doing sliders and carousels really well.
It includes a responsive carousel layout with configurable slides per view, autoplay, navigation arrows, and dot pagination. The setup is simple, and it works with any WordPress theme. If you want to add a post slider to your WordPress site, this is one of the lightest options available.
Key Free Features
Responsive post carousel with touch and swipe support
Configurable slides per view and scroll speed
Autoplay, navigation arrows, and dot pagination
Customizable post display (title, excerpt, thumbnail, meta)
Shortcode-based for easy placement anywhere
Key Premium Features
Multiple carousel designs and layout variations
Custom post type support
Advanced styling options for colors, fonts, and spacing
Category-based post filtering
Our Take: If a sleek, fast-loading post slider or carousel is your primary need, this is your plugin. It does one thing and does it exceptionally well, without the bloat of a multi-purpose tool.
6. Display Post Types by flavor developer
Lightweight Post Display with Customizable Templates
Rating: 4.9 / 5 | Active Sites: 2,000+ | Best For: Developers & minimalists
Display Post Types is a minimalist plugin built for developers and WordPress purists who want clean, lightweight post grids without bloat. It provides a Gutenberg block, a widget, and a shortcode to display posts from any post type in list or grid layouts.
The plugin stands out for its approach to styling. Instead of packing in dozens of design options, it gives you clean HTML output with well-structured CSS classes, making it easy to customize with your own styles. It supports custom taxonomies and offers sorting by date, title, random, comment count, and more.
Key Free Features
Gutenberg block, widget, and shortcode support
Display posts, pages, and any custom post type
Grid and list layouts with column control
Filter by taxonomy, terms, and number of posts
Clean HTML output with developer-friendly CSS classes
Key Premium Features
Masonry layout and advanced styling options
AJAX load more pagination
Image overlay and hover effects
Our Take: A dream for developers who want complete design control. It provides a solid, semantic foundation without imposing a style, making it the fastest and most flexible option for those who write their own CSS.
7. Post Grid and Filter Ultimate by Essential Plugin
Grid Display with Category Filtering and Masonry Layout
Rating: 4.3 / 5 | Active Sites: 5,000+ | Best For: Filter-focused grids
Post Grid and Filter Ultimate is a solid option if your main priority is displaying posts with category-based filtering. The plugin lets visitors click on category tabs to filter posts dynamically, which is useful for sites with a lot of content spread across multiple topics.
It includes 10 grid designs, masonry layout support, and the ability to show or hide pagination. The shortcode-based setup makes it compatible with any theme or page builder. If you need to add blog filtering to your WordPress site, this plugin handles it well.
Key Free Features
10 grid designs with category tab filtering
Masonry layout support
Show/hide pagination controls
Customizable post display elements
Shortcode-based with easy configuration
Key Premium Features
Additional designs and layout variations
Custom post type support
Advanced pagination and sorting options
FancyBox and lightbox support
Our Take: A focused plugin for category-based post filtering. If your readers need to switch between topics quickly and you want a clean tab-style filter above your grid, this plugin delivers that without unnecessary complexity.
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
To help you make an informed decision, here's how these plugins compare across key criteria:
The Post Grid leads the pack with 100,000+ active installations and comprehensive support for Gutenberg, Elementor, and Divi. It offers 8+ layout styles in the free version including grid, list, isotope, and hover effects. While AJAX filtering requires the pro version, the free version includes an advanced query builder with category, tag, author, and date filters.
Content Views matches the active installation count and boasts a perfect 4.9 rating. It provides 20 layout options with 16 dedicated Gutenberg blocks and 76 pre-made patterns. The visual query builder stands out with advanced filters for keyword, custom field, and date ranges, making it ideal for content-heavy sites.
PostX dominates the Gutenberg space with 40+ blocks and 250+ pre-designed patterns. It's the only plugin offering AJAX category filtering in the free version, plus complete starter sites for various niches. The ChatGPT integration and SEO plugin compatibility add significant value for content creators.
Blog Designer Pack takes a modular shortcode approach with 6 distinct shortcodes and 12 total designs. Its post ticker feature for breaking news scrollers is unique among free plugins, and it works with Elementor and Divi via shortcode embedding.
Smart Post Show focuses exclusively on sliders and carousels, offering touch and swipe support with configurable slides per view. At just 5,000 active sites, it's smaller but highly optimized for its specific purpose.
Display Post Types appeals to developers with its minimalist approach and clean HTML output. Despite only 2,000 active sites, its 4.9 rating reflects strong satisfaction among users who value semantic code and complete styling freedom.
Post Grid and Filter Ultimate specializes in category-based filtering with 10 grid designs and masonry layout support. It's the only other plugin besides PostX offering AJAX filtering in the free version, making it a strong contender for filter-focused sites.
Which Plugin Should You Pick?
All-purpose grid, list, slider, and filter with multi-builder support: The Post Grid covers every angle with comprehensive page builder compatibility and versatile layout options.
Content-heavy site with precise query control: Content Views gives you the deepest filtering options and 76 ready patterns for rapid deployment.
Gutenberg-native news or magazine site: PostX offers 40+ blocks, starter sites, and AJAX filters built specifically for the block editor.
Simple blog layouts with shortcodes: Blog Designer Pack provides clean grid, slider, and carousel layouts with minimal setup and a modular approach.
Dedicated post carousel or slider: Smart Post Show is lightweight and focused on doing sliders exceptionally well without unnecessary features.
Developer-friendly minimal grids: Display Post Types gives you clean HTML output, semantic code, and fast performance for complete design control.
Category tab filtering: Post Grid and Filter Ultimate handles dynamic category-based post filtering with a clean tab-style interface.
For a broader exploration, you may also want to check out the best WordPress post slider plugins and best Gutenberg block plugins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free post grid plugin for WordPress?
The Post Grid by RadiusTheme is one of the most popular options with 100,000+ active sites. It supports Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi, and shortcodes, and offers multiple layout types including grid, list, isotope, and slider in the free version.
Can I display custom post types in a grid?
Yes. The Post Grid, Content Views, and PostX all support custom post types. Some require the premium version for full custom post type support, while others like PostX include it in the free version through their advanced query builder.
Which post grid plugin works best with Gutenberg?
PostX is the strongest Gutenberg-native option with 40+ dedicated blocks. Content Views also offers 16 Gutenberg blocks with 76 pre-built patterns. The Post Grid provides Gutenberg block support alongside Elementor and Divi compatibility.
Do post grid plugins slow down my website?
Well-coded plugins like The Post Grid and Display Post Types are lightweight and optimized for speed. The key is choosing a plugin that only loads its scripts on pages where grids are displayed. Avoid plugins that inject heavy scripts site-wide.
How do I add a post slider to WordPress?
Install a plugin like The Post Grid or Smart Post Show, select the slider layout, configure your post query, and insert the shortcode or block into your page. For a detailed walkthrough, see our guide on how to make a post slider in WordPress.
Final Thoughts
Each of these 7 plugins brings something different to the table, and all of them work well in their free versions. For most WordPress users, The Post Grid offers the best balance of features, builder support, and ease of use. If you are fully committed to Gutenberg, PostX is the stronger pick. And for developers who want minimal overhead, Display Post Types is clean and fast.
The best way to decide is to install one or two on a staging site and try them out. Since all 7 are free, there is no risk in experimenting.
Which post grid plugin do you use on your WordPress site? Share your experience in the comments!