JReviews - Directory and reviews solution 4.2.5

JReviews is a high-end, "enterprise-class" directory and review system that operates as both a Joomla extension and a WordPress plugin. It is widely considered the most advanced solution for building complex, media-rich websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, or Amazon-style product catalogs.

Unlike simple review plugins, JReviews is a complete application framework that takes over your content types to provide faceted search, multi-criteria ratings, and extensive user-interaction tools.

🌟 Core Capabilities (2026)

Multi-Criteria Ratings: Don't just rate 5 stars; allow users to rate specific attributes (e.g., a hotel can be rated separately on Service, Cleanliness, Location, and Value).

Faceted Search & Filtering: High-speed, Ajax-powered filtering that lets users narrow down results by custom fields (e.g., "Show me Italian restaurants in London with a terrace and 4+ stars").

Listing Relations: Connect different listings together. For example, link "Actors" to "Movies" or "Spare Parts" to "Products."

Advanced Media System: Robust support for user-uploaded photos, videos (including YouTube/Vimeo integration), audio, and file attachments.

Monetization (PaidListings): A powerful add-on that allows you to charge users for submitting listings, promoting them to "Featured" status, or accessing premium categories.

Community Integration: Deep native support for BuddyBoss/BuddyPress (WordPress) and EasySocial/JomSocial (Joomla), turning listings into social hubs.

💰 Pricing Plans

JReviews uses a "subscription for updates" model. While the software continues to work if your sub expires, you lose access to the App Store and support.

Plan

Price (Est. 2026)

Best For

Standard

$179

1 Site. Includes core features and free add-ons.

Professional

$427

1 Site. Includes all premium add-ons (MapsPro, PaidListings, etc.).

Developer

$999

5 Sites. Full access to all add-ons and multi-platform support.

🔄 WordPress vs. Joomla: Which to choose?

While JReviews is nearly identical on both platforms, the choice depends on your site’s architecture:

Choose WordPress if: You want a more user-friendly admin interface, better SEO plugins (Rank Math/Yoast), and access to the massive ecosystem of Elementor or Gutenberg.

Choose Joomla if: You are building a massive, highly structured portal. Joomla’s native Access Control Levels (ACL) and category management are technically superior for extremely large-scale directories.

🛠 How the Setup Works

JReviews has a steeper learning curve than standard plugins because of its "Field-First" logic:

Directories: Create a container (e.g., "Travel Guide").

Listing Types: Define the "Object" (e.g., "Hotel").

Field Groups & Fields: Create the data (e.g., "Number of Rooms," "Wifi: Yes/No").

Categories: Assign a Listing Type to a WordPress/Joomla category.

Menu System: Unlike other plugins that use simple shortcodes, JReviews uses a dedicated Menu System in the sidebar to control page layouts, search results, and submission forms.

🚀 Key Add-ons to Consider

MapsPro: Essential for local directories; provides Google Maps or OpenStreetMap integration with "Search in this area" functionality.

PaidListings: For charging users to post ads.

Reviewers Rank: Incentivizes users to leave high-quality reviews by awarding badges or ranks (e.g., "Top Reviewer").

Social Integrations: Automatically post new listings or reviews to Facebook and X (Twitter).

Would you like me to help you plan the "Listing Type" structure for your specific niche (e.g., Real Estate or Professional Services), or do you need a comparison between JReviews and a dedicated WordPress directory theme?