Meta Box
Modular custom fields framework with 40+ field types, a free UI (Meta Box Lite) and paid extensions for groups, custom tables, views…
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Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Long-standing custom fields plugin by WP Engine: build field groups visually, register post types, and add repeaters, blocks and options pages with ACF PRO.
Free installs2M+WordPress.org, active
Est. Pro installs~350KLikely 180K–700K
Vendor claims2M+Vendor's own figure
Rating4.5/51,440 reviews
Price from$49/yrFreemium
Last updated10 Sep 2026Version 6.8.10
Overview
Advanced Custom Fields, usually shortened to ACF, has been the default custom fields toolkit for many WordPress developers since it first appeared in 2011. Created by Elliot Condon and now owned and developed by WP Engine, it lets you build field groups in the admin, choose where they appear with location rules, and print the saved values in theme templates with simple functions such as get_field() and the_field().
The free plugin on WordPress.org covers a lot of ground. It includes more than 30 field types, conditional logic, relationship and post object fields (including bidirectional relationships), fields on posts, users, taxonomy terms, media and comments, front-end forms through acf_form(), Local JSON for keeping field groups in version control, import and export tools, and a per-group switch to expose fields in the WordPress REST API. Since version 6.1 you can also register custom post types and taxonomies from the ACF interface, so a separate CPT plugin is no longer needed.
What ACF PRO adds
ACF PRO is a paid annual licence. It unlocks the Repeater, Flexible Content, Gallery and Clone fields, options pages (with an admin UI since PRO 6.2), and ACF Blocks, a PHP-based way to build custom block editor blocks without writing React. Recent PRO releases also added full Block Bindings support so core blocks can read and edit ACF values. Plans run from $49 a year for one site to $249 a year for unlimited sites, with a 30-day refund window.
Strengths and limitations
- Huge ecosystem: Elementor Pro, Bricks, Breakdance and most themes and page builders read ACF fields natively.
- Clear developer API, extensive documentation and WP-CLI commands for JSON sync.
- Data is stored in the standard WordPress meta tables; there is no built-in custom table storage.
- There is no built-in front-end listing or view builder, so displaying fields still means PHP templates, blocks or a page builder.
In late 2024, during a dispute between WP Engine and Automattic, WordPress.org forked ACF as Secure Custom Fields and temporarily took over the ACF directory listing. After a court order in December 2024 the listing was returned to WP Engine; ACF and the fork are now separate plugins. ACF suits developers and agencies who want the most widely supported field framework and are happy to pay for PRO when they need repeaters, flexible layouts or custom blocks.
Best for: Developers and agencies who want the most widely supported custom fields framework and will pay for PRO when they need repeaters, flexible layouts or custom blocks.
ACF remains the reference point for WordPress custom fields: a capable free version, a modestly priced PRO licence and support in almost every builder and theme. Its main gaps are custom tables and no-code front-end views, which Meta Box, Pods and similar tools cover.
Pros
- Most widely supported field plugin: themes and page builders read ACF fields natively
- Free version already includes conditional logic, relationships, post types and taxonomies
- Local JSON and WP-CLI commands make field groups easy to version-control
- ACF Blocks lets PHP developers build custom blocks without React
- Extensive documentation and a large body of tutorials
Cons
- Repeater, Flexible Content, Gallery and options pages require ACF PRO
- No built-in custom table storage for large datasets
- No visual listing or template builder; output still needs PHP, blocks or a builder
- Annual licence only, with no lifetime option
Key features
What Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) highlights on its WordPress.org page and its own website, split by version.
Free version WordPress.org
- 30+ field types
- Visual field group builder
- Location rules for field groups
- Conditional logic between fields
- Bidirectional relationship fields
- Register post types and taxonomies
- Fields on users, terms, media, comments
- Front-end forms with acf_form()
- Local JSON sync for version control
- Show fields in the REST API
- Import and export field groups
- WP-CLI JSON commands
Pro / paid adds From $49/yr
- Repeater field
- Flexible Content layouts
- Gallery field
- Clone field for reusing fields
- Options pages with admin UI
- ACF Blocks for custom blocks
- Block Bindings with editor UI
- Licences for 1, 10 or unlimited sites
- Non-profit and education discounts
Feature checklist
15 of 18 features we track in Custom Fields & Post Types, feature score 90/100
Fields 7/7
Visual field group builder Key
Create field groups and assign them to content without code.
Field groups built in the admin with location rules for where they appear.
Included
Wide range of field types Key
Text, image, gallery, date, select, file, colour, map and more.
30+ field types in the free plugin; Gallery and the layout fields are PRO.
Included
Repeater fields Key
Repeating rows of sub-fields.
Repeater field with unlimited rows of sub-fields is a PRO feature.
Paid version Personal
Flexible content layouts
Choose from layouts of fields to build page sections.
Flexible Content field for building pages from layouts is PRO-only.
Paid version Personal
Relationship fields Key
Link posts, users or terms to each other.
Relationship, post object, user and taxonomy fields, with optional bidirectional sync.
Included
Conditional logic
Show fields based on other field values.
Free conditional logic shows or hides fields based on other field values.
Included
Options & settings pages
Global fields on admin settings pages.
Options pages (UI since PRO 6.2, or acf_add_options_page in code) need PRO.
Paid version Personal
Content modelling 3/4
Custom post types Key
Register post types from the admin.
Post types can be registered from the ACF interface in the free plugin.
Included
Custom taxonomies
Register taxonomies from the admin.
Taxonomies are registered from the same free ACF interface.
Included
User, term & comment fields
Fields on users, taxonomy terms and comments.
Fields can be attached to users, taxonomy terms, media and comments.
Included
Custom database tables
Store field data in custom tables for speed.
Values are stored in the standard WordPress meta tables; no custom table option.
Not included
Displaying data 2/4
Blocks & block bindings Key
Show fields in the block editor or build ACF-style blocks.
ACF Blocks and full Block Bindings support (PRO 6.8.1+) are in ACF PRO.
Paid version Personal
Front-end forms
Let users create or edit content from the front end.
acf_form() renders field groups on the front end to create or edit posts.
Included
Page builder dynamic data
Use field values in Elementor, Bricks, Breakdance or similar.
Elementor Pro, Bricks, Breakdance and others read ACF fields through their own integrations.
Third-party
Listings & views without code
Build lists, grids or templates of content without PHP.
No built-in listing builder; add-ons such as Advanced Views provide this.
Third-party
Developer features 3/3
REST API & GraphQL support
Expose fields through the REST API or WPGraphQL.
Per-group 'Show in REST API' setting (since 5.11); WPGraphQL via the free WPGraphQL for ACF plugin.
Included
Fields in code or JSON
Register or sync field groups in code or JSON files for version control.
Local JSON saves field groups to the theme, with sync and WP-CLI commands.
Included
Import & export
Move field groups and post types between sites.
Field groups, post types and taxonomies can be exported and imported as JSON.
Included
Pricing
Free
$0On WordPress.org
Free
Freeper yearUnlimited
30+ field types, conditional logic, relationships, post types and taxonomies, Local JSON, REST API.
Personal
$49per year1 site
All PRO features: Repeater, Flexible Content, Gallery, Clone, options pages, ACF Blocks. Tax added at checkout.
Freelancer
$149per year10 sites
All PRO features. Auto-renews yearly; 20% non-profit discount available.
Agency
$249per yearUnlimited
All PRO features on unlimited sites. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Prices are list prices from the vendor's site, checked 22 Oct 2026. Many vendors discount the first year.
How many sites use Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)?
Free installs from WordPress.org, the vendor's own claim, and our estimate of paid installs.
Free version (WordPress.org)
2M+
Active installations reported by WordPress.org.
Vendor claim
2M+
Sites/users claimed on the vendor's website. source
Estimated Pro / paid installs
~350K
Our estimate, see method below.
How we estimated this: The vendor figure (2M+) is within WordPress.org's rounding of the free installs, so it says nothing about paid sites. About 2.5M free installs x 14% (the usual share of free sites that also run the paid version when many key features are paid, lower for very large free bases) gives 350K. Likely range: 180K to 700K. This counts sites running the paid version, including sites whose licence has lapsed. Estimates are rough and based on public figures as of 22 Oct 2026.
Stats & health
Weekly downloads
111,103 downloads last week, 77.5M all time
Rating breakdown
| Version | 6.8.10 |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 10 Sep 2026 (53 days ago) |
| Tested up to | WordPress 7.1.4 |
| Requires | WordPress 6.2+, PHP 7.4+ |
| Support threads (2 months) | 9 of 9 resolved |
| On WordPress.org since | 25 Mar 2011 |
Company & policy
| Founded | 2011 (source, 22 Oct 2026) WP Engine describes ACF as developed since 2011 by its original author, Elliot Condon. |
|---|---|
| Refund policy | 30-day money-back (source, 22 Oct 2026) |
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) compared
ACPT – Advanced Custom Post Types/Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)/JetEngine
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)/Toolset
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)/Custom Post Type UI
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)/Secure Custom FieldsAdvanced Custom Fields (ACF)/Meta Box
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)/Pods Alternatives to Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Pods
Free, donation-funded framework for custom post types, taxonomies, fields, relationships, custom tables and templates, with optional Pods Pro add-ons.
89
Secure Custom Fields
Free fork of ACF maintained under WordPress.org, including repeater, flexible content, options pages and blocks at no cost.
88
JetEngine
Crocoblock's premium dynamic content plugin: post types, meta boxes, custom tables, relations, queries and listings for Elementor, Gutenberg and Bricks.
91
ACPT – Advanced Custom Post Types
Premium all-in-one content modelling plugin: post types, taxonomies, 60+ field types, flexible content, custom tables, forms and builder integrations.
98
Toolset
Premium suite from OnTheGoSystems: Types for post types and fields, Blocks for templates and views, plus Forms, Access and Maps.
75
FAQ
Is Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) free?
Yes. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $49/yr.
How many sites use Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)?
WordPress.org reports 2M+ active installations of the free version. The vendor claims 2M+ sites in total. We estimate around 350K sites run the paid version.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have visual field group builder?
Yes: included. Field groups built in the admin with location rules for where they appear.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have wide range of field types?
Yes: included. 30+ field types in the free plugin; Gallery and the layout fields are PRO.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have repeater fields?
Yes: paid version (Personal). Repeater field with unlimited rows of sub-fields is a PRO feature.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have relationship fields?
Yes: included. Relationship, post object, user and taxonomy fields, with optional bidirectional sync.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have custom post types?
Yes: included. Post types can be registered from the ACF interface in the free plugin.
Does Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) have blocks & block bindings?
Yes: paid version (Personal). ACF Blocks and full Block Bindings support (PRO 6.8.1+) are in ACF PRO.
What is the difference between ACF and ACF PRO?
The free plugin covers field groups, 30+ field types, conditional logic, relationships, post types and taxonomies. PRO adds the Repeater, Flexible Content, Gallery and Clone fields, options pages and ACF Blocks.
How much does ACF PRO cost?
ACF PRO is $49 a year for one site, $149 for ten sites and $249 for unlimited sites. Licences renew yearly and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
How is ACF related to Secure Custom Fields?
Secure Custom Fields is a fork of ACF made by WordPress.org in October 2024. ACF is still developed by WP Engine and is listed on WordPress.org under its original slug; the two plugins are now separate and cannot be active together.
Can I keep ACF field groups in Git?
Yes. Local JSON saves field groups, post types and taxonomies as JSON files in your theme, and WP-CLI commands can sync them between environments.
Last updated 22 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit.