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…
90
Meta Box
Modular custom fields framework with 40+ field types, a free UI (Meta Box Lite) and paid extensions for groups, custom tables, views and front-end forms.
Free installs500K+WordPress.org, active
Est. Pro installs~44KLikely 22K–88K
Vendor claims600K+Vendor's own figure
Rating4.8/5165 reviews
Price from$49/yrFreemium
Last updated20 Oct 2026Version 5.15.3
Overview
Meta Box is a custom fields and content modelling framework developed since 2010 by the Vietnamese team behind metabox.io. Its core plugin on WordPress.org is a lightweight, code-first framework: you define meta boxes and fields in PHP and get 40+ field types, cloneable fields, Block Bindings support and WooCommerce order fields with HPOS support. Around it sits a library of extensions, some free and some paid.
Meta Box Lite is the free UI edition. It bundles the framework with MB Builder (the drag-and-drop field group builder, previously paid), custom post types and taxonomies, relationships, REST API output, comment fields, Local JSON sync and integrations for Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, Yoast SEO, Rank Math and migration tools for ACF, Pods and Toolset.
Paid extensions
The Basic Bundle ($49 a year, one site) adds 12 extensions including MB Group (repeatable groups), Conditional Logic, Settings Page, Term Meta, Tabs, Columns and Admin Columns. The Ultimate Bundle ($99 a year, three sites) unlocks Meta Box AIO with every extension, adding MB Custom Table, MB Blocks, MB Views (Twig-based templates), Frontend Submission, User Profile and User Meta. Lifetime bundles cost $299 (three sites) or $699 (unlimited), and individual extensions are $49 each. Refunds are available within 14 days.
Strengths and limitations
- Custom table storage and a template builder are available, which ACF lacks.
- Bricks and Oxygen support Meta Box natively, and official integrations cover other builders.
- There is no native Flexible Content field; you combine MB Group with Conditional Logic to get similar results.
- The split between core, Lite, Basic and AIO takes some time to understand.
Meta Box suits developers building data-heavy or directory-style sites who want custom tables, relationships and front-end forms in one stack, particularly with the Ultimate or Lifetime bundle.
Best for: Developers building data-heavy sites who want custom tables, relationships, views and front-end forms from one vendor.
Meta Box is one of the most complete custom field stacks for WordPress, and the free Lite edition is generous. Most serious projects will want the Ultimate or Lifetime bundle, which is reasonably priced for what it unlocks.
Pros
- Free Meta Box Lite includes a visual builder, post types, relationships and REST API
- Custom table storage for faster queries on large datasets
- MB Views builds front-end templates without editing theme files
- Lifetime licence option
- Migration tools from ACF, Pods and Toolset
Cons
- No native Flexible Content field
- Repeatable groups and conditional logic need a paid bundle
- Custom tables, blocks, views and front-end forms need the Ultimate bundle
- Packaging across core, Lite, Basic and AIO can be confusing
Key features
What Meta Box highlights on its WordPress.org page and its own website, split by version.
Free version WordPress.org
- 40+ built-in field types
- Free visual builder in Meta Box Lite
- Custom post types and taxonomies
- Many-to-many relationships
- Custom fields in the REST API
- Comment custom fields
- Local JSON sync
- Block Bindings for Meta Box fields
- WooCommerce order fields (HPOS)
- Elementor, Divi, Beaver integrations
- Migrate from ACF, Pods, Toolset
- Composer support and hooks
Pro / paid adds From $49/yr
- Repeatable field groups (MB Group)
- Conditional logic
- Custom settings pages
- Term and user meta fields
- Custom database tables
- Gutenberg blocks in PHP (MB Blocks)
- Twig templates with MB Views
- Front-end submission forms
- User registration and profile forms
- Admin columns, tabs and columns
- Field revisions
- Lifetime bundles available
Feature checklist
18 of 18 features we track in Custom Fields & Post Types, feature score 97/100
Fields 7/7
Visual field group builder Key
Create field groups and assign them to content without code.
MB Builder drag-and-drop UI is free in Meta Box Lite.
Included
Wide range of field types Key
Text, image, gallery, date, select, file, colour, map and more.
Core ships 40+ field types including maps, files, images and taxonomy.
Included
Repeater fields Key
Repeating rows of sub-fields.
Single fields are cloneable for free; repeatable field groups need MB Group.
Paid version Basic
Flexible content layouts
Choose from layouts of fields to build page sections.
No native field; MB Group plus Conditional Logic recreates flexible layouts.
Partial
Relationship fields Key
Link posts, users or terms to each other.
Free MB Relationships adds many-to-many links between posts, terms and users.
Included
Conditional logic
Show fields based on other field values.
MB Conditional Logic extension, included in the Basic Bundle.
Paid version Basic
Options & settings pages
Global fields on admin settings pages.
MB Settings Page builds options and Customizer pages; Basic Bundle.
Paid version Basic
Content modelling 4/4
Custom post types Key
Register post types from the admin.
Free MB Custom Post Types UI included in Meta Box Lite.
Included
Custom taxonomies
Register taxonomies from the admin.
Taxonomies are registered with the same free CPT extension.
Included
User, term & comment fields
Fields on users, taxonomy terms and comments.
Comment fields free; term meta in Basic, user meta in Ultimate/AIO.
Paid version Basic
Custom database tables
Store field data in custom tables for speed.
MB Custom Table stores fields or whole models in custom tables; Ultimate/AIO.
Paid version Ultimate
Displaying data 4/4
Blocks & block bindings Key
Show fields in the block editor or build ACF-style blocks.
Core supports Block Bindings (5.14+); MB Blocks for PHP blocks is in Ultimate.
Included
Front-end forms
Let users create or edit content from the front end.
MB Frontend Submission and User Profile forms; included in AIO.
Paid version Ultimate
Page builder dynamic data
Use field values in Elementor, Bricks, Breakdance or similar.
Free official integrations for Elementor, Divi and Beaver; Bricks and Oxygen support it natively.
Included
Listings & views without code
Build lists, grids or templates of content without PHP.
MB Views builds Twig-based templates and listings without theme files.
Paid version Ultimate
Developer features 3/3
REST API & GraphQL support
Expose fields through the REST API or WPGraphQL.
Free MB REST API exposes and updates fields through the REST API.
Included
Fields in code or JSON
Register or sync field groups in code or JSON files for version control.
Local JSON syncs field groups, settings pages and relationships via mb-json files.
Included
Import & export
Move field groups and post types between sites.
Field groups move between sites as JSON files with MB Builder's sync and import.
Included
Pricing
Free
$0On WordPress.org
Free (Meta Box / Lite)
Freeper yearUnlimited
Framework, MB Builder UI, post types, relationships, REST API, Local JSON and builder integrations.
Basic Bundle
$49per year1 site
12 PRO extensions incl. Group, Conditional Logic, Settings Page, Term Meta. Agency Basic: $149/yr unlimited sites.
Ultimate Bundle
$99per year3 sites
Meta Box AIO with all extensions (Custom Table, Blocks, Views, Frontend Submission). Agency: $229/yr unlimited.
Lifetime Bundle
$299lifetime3 sites
AIO plus Solutions with lifetime updates. Agency Lifetime $699 unlimited sites. 14-day refund.
Prices are list prices from the vendor's site, checked 22 Oct 2026. Many vendors discount the first year.
How many sites use Meta Box?
Free installs from WordPress.org, the vendor's own claim, and our estimate of paid installs.
Free version (WordPress.org)
500K+
Active installations reported by WordPress.org.
Vendor claim
600K+
Sites/users claimed on the vendor's website. source
Estimated Pro / paid installs
~44K
Our estimate, see method below.
How we estimated this: The vendor figure (600K+) is within WordPress.org's rounding of the free installs, so it says nothing about paid sites. About 550K free installs x 8% (the usual share of free sites that also run the paid version when some key features are paid) gives 44K. Likely range: 22K to 88K. 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
43,610 downloads last week, 25.2M all time
Rating breakdown
| Version | 5.15.3 |
|---|---|
| Last updated | 20 Oct 2026 (13 days ago) |
| Tested up to | WordPress 7.1.4 |
| Requires | WordPress 6.7+, PHP 7.4+ |
| Support threads (2 months) | 1 of 1 resolved |
| On WordPress.org since | 7 Nov 2011 |
Company & policy
| Founded | 2010 (source, 22 Oct 2026) Vendor says it created Meta Box in 2010. |
|---|---|
| Refund policy | 14-day money-back (source, 22 Oct 2026) Refunds within 14 days of purchase; renewals excluded. |
Meta Box compared
Alternatives to Meta Box
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.
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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 Meta Box free?
Yes. Meta Box has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $49/yr.
How many sites use Meta Box?
WordPress.org reports 500K+ active installations of the free version. The vendor claims 600K+ sites in total. We estimate around 44K sites run the paid version.
Does Meta Box have visual field group builder?
Yes: included. MB Builder drag-and-drop UI is free in Meta Box Lite.
Does Meta Box have wide range of field types?
Yes: included. Core ships 40+ field types including maps, files, images and taxonomy.
Does Meta Box have repeater fields?
Yes: paid version (Basic). Single fields are cloneable for free; repeatable field groups need MB Group.
Does Meta Box have relationship fields?
Yes: included. Free MB Relationships adds many-to-many links between posts, terms and users.
Does Meta Box have custom post types?
Yes: included. Free MB Custom Post Types UI included in Meta Box Lite.
Does Meta Box have blocks & block bindings?
Yes: included. Core supports Block Bindings (5.14+); MB Blocks for PHP blocks is in Ultimate.
What is the difference between Meta Box, Meta Box Lite and Meta Box AIO?
Meta Box is the free code framework on WordPress.org. Meta Box Lite is a free download that adds the visual builder and free extensions. Meta Box AIO is a paid plugin, included in Ultimate and Lifetime bundles, that contains every extension.
How much does Meta Box cost?
The Basic Bundle is $49 a year for one site, the Ultimate Bundle is $99 a year for three sites and the Lifetime Bundle is $299 once for three sites. Agency versions with unlimited sites cost $149, $229 and $699.
Does Meta Box have a Flexible Content field like ACF?
Not natively. Meta Box documents a workaround using MB Group and MB Conditional Logic to switch between sets of sub-fields.
Can I migrate from ACF to Meta Box?
Yes. The MB ACF Migration extension moves field groups and field data from ACF, and there are similar tools for Pods and Toolset.
Last updated 22 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit.