# Wisp Gallery

> Wisp Gallery is a free, GPL-licensed WordPress plugin for filterable photo galleries in the block editor: category filters, five layouts (masonry, justified rows, grid, carousel, accordion), scroll reveal effects and a native lightbox. It is built on core blocks and the Interactivity API, loads about 3 KB of JavaScript to start and has no dependencies (no jQuery).

Wisp Gallery is for photographers, artists, illustrators, studios, agencies and businesses (restaurants, real estate, florists, event organizers) that want a portfolio or photo gallery visitors can filter by category, built in the WordPress block editor without a page builder. It is an alternative to gallery plugins such as Envira Gallery, FooGallery, Modula and NextGEN Gallery, and imports their galleries.

Key facts:

- Name: Wisp Gallery. On WordPress.org: https://wordpress.org/plugins/wisp-gallery/ (slug `wisp-gallery`). Website: https://wispgallery.com/
- Author: eedee (https://eedee.net), under the WispWorks brand.
- Price: free (GPL-2.0-or-later), no license key or account, on any number of sites. Wisp Gallery Pro is a separate add-on: from $2.99 a month; yearly $29 (1 site), $49 (5 sites) or $79 (unlimited sites); monthly $2.99, $4.99 or $7.99; lifetime (paid once) $99, $149 or $199. Galleries keep working when a Pro license ends.
- Requirements: WordPress 6.6 or newer, PHP 7.4 or newer. Current version: 1.0.1.
- Blocks: Filterable Gallery (the container), Gallery Filter (buttons or dropdown), Gallery Media Query (Media Library images by category), and a "Gallery Posts" Query Loop variation.
- Layouts: masonry (shortest column first), justified rows, grid (cropped to a ratio or height), carousel (arrows, endless loop, centered slide, autoplay; Pro adds autoplay settings, arrow design and a mouse-following cursor), accordion (opens to the photo's own shape).
- Scroll reveal: rise and fade, staggered, pure CSS scroll-driven animations. Pro adds zoom, blur, tilt, wipe, pop, flip, slide, iris and the stagger setting.
- Lightbox: native <dialog>, zooms from the thumbnail, captions and counter. Pro adds light and frosted themes, colors, download and share buttons, camera settings and deep links.
- Videos (Pro): Media Library files, YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok and Instagram next to photos. Paste a link into a gallery to add one. Hover plays a muted preview, a click plays it in the lightbox; until then only the poster image loads.
- Pro also adds WooCommerce product galleries, albums (galleries inside a gallery), load more, filter styles, design controls and priority support.
- Performance: ~3 KB JavaScript and ~2.3 KB CSS to start, only on pages with a gallery; other parts load only where used. Lazy images in the right size; no layout shift.
- WordPress integration: importers for Envira Gallery, NextGEN Gallery, Modula and FooGallery (Tools → Wisp Gallery import, or `wp wisp-gallery import`); Media Library column, filter and bulk actions for Gallery Categories; command palette commands; seven block patterns; a Gallery Category archive template; Abilities API abilities for AI agents (WordPress 6.9+).
- Translations: German, Spanish, French, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Japanese and Dutch.
- Works without JavaScript (server-rendered), in block themes and classic themes.

## How it compares

Checked on 25 September 2026 in the free versions on WordPress.org (Envira Gallery Lite 1.16.0, Modula 3.0.9, FooGallery 3.3.3, Visual Portfolio 3.8.2), see https://wispgallery.com/#compare:

- Filter buttons: free in Wisp Gallery and Visual Portfolio; paid in Envira Gallery, Modula and FooGallery.
- JavaScript for a default gallery with a lightbox (gzipped): Wisp Gallery ~8 KB without jQuery; Envira ~29 KB, FooGallery ~57 KB, Modula ~72 KB and Visual Portfolio ~75 KB, each plus jQuery.
- Editor: Wisp Gallery is a native block edited in place; Envira and Modula blocks pick a gallery saved elsewhere.
- Importers: Wisp Gallery imports Envira, NextGEN, Modula and FooGallery galleries for free.
- Price of the full version for one site: Wisp Gallery Pro $29 a year, same at renewal ($2.99 a month).

## Pages

- [Home](https://wispgallery.com/): Free WordPress gallery plugin with category filters, masonry, justified rows, carousel, lightbox and scroll reveal. Core blocks, 3 KB of JavaScript, no jQuery.
- [Layouts](https://wispgallery.com/layouts/): Five WordPress gallery layouts in one block – masonry, justified rows, grid, carousel and accordion – plus scroll reveal effects. Try every option live.
- [100 Photos](https://wispgallery.com/100-photos/): A Wisp Gallery masonry gallery with 100 photos, a category filter and a lightbox: the first row loads at once, the rest lazily in the size it is shown at.
- [Playground](https://wispgallery.com/playground/): Try Wisp Gallery in your browser: switch layouts, columns, captions, hover effects, filter styles and the lightbox on a live gallery. No install needed.
- [Wisp Gallery Pro](https://wispgallery.com/pro/): Wisp Gallery is free on every site. Pro adds design controls, videos, albums, load more and support: from $2.99 a month or $29 a year.
- [Download the plugin](https://wispgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/wisp-gallery/wisp-gallery.zip): zip, install via Plugins → Add New → Upload.

## Docs

- [Docs](https://wispgallery.com/docs/): Wisp Gallery docs: getting started, every block option, the five layouts, categories, importing from Envira, NextGEN, Modula and FooGallery, and AI abilities.
- [Getting started](https://wispgallery.com/docs/getting-started/): Install Wisp Gallery, add your first filterable gallery with the “Add filterable gallery” command, assign categories and connect the filter. Step by step. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/getting-started.md
- [Blocks & options](https://wispgallery.com/docs/blocks/): Reference for the Wisp Gallery blocks – Filterable Gallery, Gallery Filter, Gallery Media Query and Gallery Posts – with every option, value and default. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/blocks.md
- [Layouts](https://wispgallery.com/docs/layouts/): The five Wisp Gallery layouts – masonry, justified rows, grid, carousel and accordion – how each one works, its options, and scroll reveal effects. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/layouts.md
- [Editing](https://wispgallery.com/docs/editing/): Working with Wisp Gallery in the block editor: Edit and Preview modes, filter preview, bulk categories, sorting, block transforms and command palette commands. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/editing.md
- [Categories & Media Library](https://wispgallery.com/docs/categories/): How Gallery Categories work in Wisp Gallery: one taxonomy for images, posts and pages, plus a Media Library column, filters and bulk actions. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/categories.md
- [Switching from other plugins](https://wispgallery.com/docs/switching/): Import Envira, NextGEN, Modula and FooGallery galleries into Wisp Gallery: what carries over, the WP-CLI command and the replacement shortcodes. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/switching.md
- [Patterns & archive template](https://wispgallery.com/docs/patterns/): The Wisp Gallery block patterns (portfolio, travel journal, food menu, team, carousels) and the Gallery Category Archive template for block themes. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/patterns.md
- [AI & Abilities API](https://wispgallery.com/docs/abilities/): Four WordPress Abilities API abilities for AI agents and MCP clients: list categories, find images, tag images and create gallery pages, with REST methods. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/abilities.md
- [Developers](https://wispgallery.com/docs/developers/): Developer notes for Wisp Gallery: WP-CLI commands, the Playground blueprint, filters and hooks, stylesheet and script handles, and how it stays fast. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/docs/developers.md

## Blog

- [Blog](https://wispgallery.com/blog/): Practical articles about Wisp Gallery: custom styles, switching from other gallery plugins, performance without jQuery, filterable portfolios and AI agents.
- [Custom styles for Wisp Gallery](https://wispgallery.com/blog/custom-styles/): Style Wisp Gallery from your theme: filter styles with register_block_style, caption looks via CSS variables, a custom hover effect and theme.json. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/blog/custom-styles.md
- [Switching from Envira, NextGEN, Modula or FooGallery](https://wispgallery.com/blog/switching-gallery-plugins/): Move Envira, NextGEN, Modula and FooGallery galleries to Wisp Gallery: what the importer carries over, replacement shortcodes, WP-CLI and costs. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/blog/switching-gallery-plugins.md
- [Why a gallery doesn’t need jQuery in 2026](https://wispgallery.com/blog/gallery-without-jquery/): Native dialog lightbox, scroll-snap carousels, CSS masonry and scroll-driven reveals: how a WordPress gallery starts at 3 KB of JavaScript. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/blog/gallery-without-jquery.md
- [Filterable portfolios with posts and images in one gallery](https://wispgallery.com/blog/filterable-portfolio/): Tutorial: a filterable WordPress portfolio with project posts, images and a Media Library query in one gallery, one category filter for all. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/blog/filterable-portfolio.md
- [Letting AI agents build galleries: the Abilities API](https://wispgallery.com/blog/ai-abilities/): Wisp Gallery’s four WordPress abilities let AI agents list categories, find and tag images and create gallery pages. REST routes, permissions, uses. Markdown: https://wispgallery.com/blog/ai-abilities.md

## Demos

- [Demos](https://wispgallery.com/demos/): Live WordPress gallery demos made with Wisp Gallery: artist, illustration, wedding, restaurant and real estate galleries, and TikTok, Instagram and Shorts.
- [TikTok gallery](https://wispgallery.com/demos/tiktok-gallery/): Show TikTok videos in a WordPress gallery with Wisp Gallery Pro: paste links, get a 9:16 grid with hover previews and a lightbox player. No API key.
- [Instagram gallery](https://wispgallery.com/demos/instagram-gallery/): Hand-pick Instagram reels and posts for a WordPress gallery with Wisp Gallery Pro: paste links, open them in a lightbox. No feed sync, no access token.
- [YouTube Shorts gallery](https://wispgallery.com/demos/youtube-shorts-gallery/): YouTube Shorts in a WordPress gallery with Wisp Gallery Pro: vertical posters, muted previews on hover, playback in a lightbox from youtube-nocookie.com.
- [Artist portfolio](https://wispgallery.com/demos/artist-portfolio/): A WordPress portfolio gallery for painters and artists: justified rows that never crop a canvas, a filter by subject and a lightbox. Live demo.
- [Illustration portfolio](https://wispgallery.com/demos/illustration-portfolio/): A masonry portfolio for illustrators, studios and agencies: one filter tab per artist, captions on hover and a lightbox. Live demo with classic prints.
- [Wedding photography](https://wispgallery.com/demos/wedding-photography-gallery/): A wedding gallery for photographers: ceremony, portraits, details and party as filter chapters, masonry or justified rows, a swipeable lightbox.
- [Real estate listing](https://wispgallery.com/demos/real-estate-gallery/): A property gallery for real estate listings: a carousel of the house filtered by room, arrows on the photos and swipe on phones. Live demo.
- [Restaurant menu](https://wispgallery.com/demos/restaurant-menu-gallery/): A menu gallery for restaurants and cafés: dishes in a square grid with names, a filter for starters, mains, desserts and drinks. Live demo.
- [Tattoo portfolio](https://wispgallery.com/demos/tattoo-portfolio/): A portfolio for tattoo studios: healed work in a 4:5 grid, filtered by style or artist with counts, plus Instagram posts if you like. Live demo.
- [Fashion lookbook](https://wispgallery.com/demos/fashion-lookbook/): A lookbook for fashion brands and stylists: an accordion gallery that opens each look to its own shape on hover, with names on the photos.
- [Florist gallery](https://wispgallery.com/demos/florist-gallery/): A gallery for florists: bouquets, wedding flowers, workshops and the shop in masonry with a category filter, plus workshop videos. Live demo.
- [Load more](https://wispgallery.com/demos/load-more-gallery/): A 72-photo WordPress gallery that shows twelve photos first and twelve more per click on Load more, or on scroll. Only what shows downloads.
- [Event photos](https://wispgallery.com/demos/event-photo-gallery/): An event and conference photo gallery: talks, workshops, networking and audience in justified rows with a filter, fast with hundreds of photos.
- [Ceramics portfolio](https://wispgallery.com/demos/ceramics-portfolio/): A portfolio gallery for ceramicists and makers: mugs, bowls and vases in a square grid with captions, filtered by type, linked to your shop.

## FAQ

### What is Wisp Gallery?

Wisp Gallery is a free WordPress plugin for filterable photo galleries in the block editor, by eedee. One block gives you five layouts (masonry, justified rows, grid, carousel and accordion), category filter buttons, scroll reveal effects and a native lightbox, with about 3 KB of JavaScript to start and no jQuery. It is made for photographers, artists, studios, agencies and businesses that want a portfolio or gallery visitors can filter, without a page builder. See the demos.

### Is it an alternative to Envira, FooGallery, Modula or NextGEN?

Yes. Filter buttons are free in Wisp Gallery; in the free versions of Envira Gallery, Modula and FooGallery they are paid features. For a default gallery with a lightbox Wisp Gallery loads about 8 KB of JavaScript without jQuery, where those plugins load 29 to 72 KB plus jQuery (checked in September 2026). It also imports their galleries and NextGEN’s. See the comparison and Switching from other plugins.

### Can I filter a WordPress gallery by category?

Yes, that is what Wisp Gallery is for. Put a Gallery Filter block next to a Filterable Gallery and visitors filter the photos by the categories you assigned, with an animated transition. With Pro, the selection can be shared in the URL, like ?category=nature. Step by step: Getting started.

### How is it different from the core Gallery block?

The core Gallery block shows one grid. Wisp Gallery adds category filters, five layouts (masonry, justified rows, grid, carousel and accordion), scroll reveal effects, a lightbox that pages through the visible photos, and posts or Media Library queries as gallery items. Inside, the photos stay regular Image blocks. See Blocks & options.

### Will it slow down my site?

No. A page with a gallery loads about 3 KB of JavaScript to start and 2.3 KB of CSS; carousel, accordion, lightbox and effect code loads only where a gallery uses it, and nothing loads on pages without a gallery. Images lazy-load in the right size, and masonry is placed before the first paint, so nothing shifts. The details are in the performance notes.

### Does it work with my theme?

Yes. Wisp Gallery uses block supports and your theme’s own styles: filter buttons start from the theme’s button style, captions from its caption style, spacing from its gap. It works in block themes and in classic themes that use the block editor.

### How do the categories work?

Wisp Gallery adds a Gallery Categories taxonomy that media, posts and pages share. Assign categories in the image sidebar inside a gallery or in the Media Library. Many images at once? Use the bulk actions in the Media Library. With Pro, a gallery can also filter by any other taxonomy, such as regular post categories. More in Categories & Media Library.

### Can I switch from Envira, NextGEN, Modula or FooGallery?

Yes. Under Tools → Wisp Gallery import (or with wp wisp-gallery import), each gallery becomes a draft page with a Filterable Gallery: images, captions, alt text, links and columns come along, and tags become filter categories. Lightbox themes, spacing and hover effects are not carried over. See Switching from other plugins.

### Can I show posts instead of images?

Yes. Put a Query Loop inside the gallery – there is a “Gallery Posts” variation – and the featured images become gallery items with their titles as captions. Images, posts and Media Library queries can be mixed in one gallery. See Gallery Posts.

### What happens without JavaScript?

Every item shows, rows and grids keep their layout (masonry becomes a plain column grid), and links still work. Lightbox links point to the full image file. See How it works.

### Which browsers are supported?

All current browsers. View Transitions, @starting-style, color-mix(), scroll-driven animations and backdrop-filter are progressive enhancements: older browsers get the same features with simpler animations.

### What does it need?

WordPress 6.6 or newer and PHP 7.4 or newer. No build step, no API keys, no external services.

### Which languages is it available in?

Wisp Gallery ships translated into German, Spanish, French, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Japanese and Dutch, covering every string of the free plugin and Pro. WordPress picks the language of your site automatically. More languages follow, and anyone can help translate it on WordPress.org.

### Is it really free?

Yes. The free plugin is licensed under the GPL v2 or later and has everything to build and filter galleries: all five layouts, the filter block, the lightbox and the importers. Pro adds more styling, videos, WooCommerce products and more. A gallery made with Pro keeps working when a license ends. See Wisp Gallery Pro.

### Is the free version really complete?

Yes. Layouts, the filter, the lightbox, scroll reveal, the importers and the editor tools are free and stay free, on as many sites as you like. Pro adds finer design controls, video galleries, albums, load more, WooCommerce product galleries, lightbox downloads and deep links, premium patterns and priority support on top.

### What happens when my Pro license ends?

Your galleries keep looking exactly the same. Pro settings stay in place and render as before; you just can’t change them, and updates and priority support stop until you renew.

### Monthly or yearly?

Monthly is there if you only need Pro for a project. Yearly costs the same as ten months, and renewals never go up.

### Can I move to a bigger plan later?

Yes. Upgrade from Personal to Pro or Agency at any time and only pay the difference.

### Can I use Pro on client sites?

Yes. Pro covers five sites and Agency unlimited ones, including sites you build for clients.

### How do I pay?

By card or PayPal, through our reseller Freemius. They handle the invoice and the VAT for your country.

### What license is Pro under?

Free and Pro are both GPL v2 or later, like WordPress itself. Your Pro license key unlocks the Pro settings in the editor, updates and priority support for the sites your plan covers.

## Optional

- [Full docs](https://wispgallery.com/llms-full.txt): this file plus every docs page, every article and the plugin's reference (every block setting with its values and defaults), as one markdown file.