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Free Plugin by Cool Plugins v3.6

Toolbelt

Fast, privacy focused, utilities to improve your website. Includes a Markdown block, spam protection, related posts, cookie banner, and more.

Toolbelt

The facts

Rating
5★ from 16
Active installs
300+
Price
Free
Last updated
30 Jan 2024
Added
Aug 2019
Requires WP
5.0
Tested up to
WP 6.5.0
Downloads
17,933

Our analysis

AI-assisted

Toolbelt is a WordPress plugin that provides a collection of addons aimed at enhancing functionality while prioritising user privacy and speed. It operates entirely on your server, ensuring that no data is sent to third-party servers without consent. The plugin includes various features such as contact forms, sliders, and related posts, all designed to be simple and efficient.

The plugin is suitable for users who want to add essential features to their WordPress site without unnecessary complexity. It is particularly beneficial for those concerned about privacy and looking for a lightweight solution to enhance their website's functionality.

Best for: This plugin suits WordPress users looking for a privacy-oriented solution with essential features.

What it does well

  • Privacy-focused, with no third-party data sharing
  • Includes a variety of useful Gutenberg blocks
  • Simple and efficient design with no unnecessary options
  • Offers features for spam protection and GDPR compliance
  • Free to use and available on WordPress.org

Where it falls short

  • Limited information on specific features and capabilities
  • No extensive documentation mentioned

Verdict

Toolbelt provides a straightforward way to enhance your WordPress site while maintaining user privacy. It is a good option for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency in their plugins.

From the developer

Cool Plugins's own description of Toolbelt, lightly tidied.

A collection of simple addons that provide every day functionality with privacy and speed. There’s very few options, and no unnecessary filler. It does exactly what it needs to do and nothing else.

Toolbelt takes a privacy first approach to adding features. Everything happens on your server. No data is sent to third party servers without your explicit consent. No data is loaded from third parties (for example social sharing scripts).

Taking inspiration from Jetpack I want to rebuild the features I use the most and make them as simple and fast as possible.

Toolbelt has been featured on The WordPress Tavern in an interview with me. You can read more about the creation of the plugin and my desire for a more private internet.

Gutenberg Blocks

Some of the Toolbelt modules include blocks to make working with the generated content easier. The available blocks are:

  • Contact Form – The simplest way to have people get in touch. Works with the spam module.
  • Post Categories – A category content list for magazine and newspaper themes.
  • Simple Slider – A fast, CSS powered slider. No JavaScript and easy to edit.
  • Projects Grid – to list a collection of projects. These can be filtered by project category.
  • Testimonials Grid – to list a group of testimonials. Great for showing off! 🙂
  • Markdown – for those who like a simpler writing experience.
  • Sitemap – Easily list all posts, pages, Categories and Projects.
  • Star Rating – Rate things with a simple visual interface.
  • Breadcrumbs – for full site editing.
  • Related posts – for full site editing.

All Features

Toolbelt has a lot of features. The complete list is below.

Toolbelt is Private

Every week there’s a new story about Facebook (or Google, or Amazon, or whoever) tracking people inappropriately, or selling user details. Or some security breach that leaks users passwords or credit card info. Privacy is a big topic and frankly, it’s scary how much big corporations like Google, Facebook, and Twitter know.

To ensure Toolbelt is as privacy focused as possible it:

  • Does not phone out. No data is shared with third parties.
  • Does not use standard social sharing javascripts (loaded from social networks servers).
  • Does not track your usage of the plugin.
  • Does not add generator comments, or secret promotional comments to your site html.

Toolbelt is Fast

Slow websites make me sad. I don’t want to add anything to Toolbelt that will impact site load speed. My Google Pagespeed score should not move from 100.

Read the full description on the official page →

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