Meta Box

How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.

Directory rank vs rivals

wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you

How often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.

Share of active installs on each version of this plugin. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.

Refined from the date this plugin crossed into its current band.

No paid tier is visible, so we don't put a figure on revenue or sale value: that would be guessing. The install base is a real asset to an acquirer, just not one public data lets us price.

1. ★★★★★ takingabr8k

   2mo ago

   I purchased the basic agency and then 2 extensions at separate times. I realized I should have purchased the ultimate agency instead and asked if I would be pro-rated if I did so. Anh Tran came in and pro-rated all purchases and the upgrade was done beyond what I had hoped. I was blown away by the fast response and the solution to my request. Plus the software does so many thing so very well. Totally recommended.

   Read on wp.org ↗
2. ★★★★★ James Joseph Finn

   2mo ago

   Although I admittedly don’t have extensive experience with alternatives, I have tried Pods, Toolset, and ACF, and Meta Box will for me always be the GOAT. Love this software. Makes WordPress the best CMS in the world. Try it and you won’t look back. The support, community, and docs are top notch. Disclaimer: I am a pro tier customer; but if you use and find value from this software, then you, too, should consider paying it forward and buying pro, even if you don’t need it. Happy hacking to all.

   Read on wp.org ↗
3. ★★★★★ jameshgordy

   6mo ago

   I love this as an alternative to ACF – it’s much more intuitive and takes a healthier modular approach; much more adaptable when working with various frameworks and much better gui for the non technical clients.

   Read on wp.org ↗
4. ★★★★★ alamea

   10mo ago

   The performance is impressive, and the plugin is constantly maintained. It’s especially nice that it works seamlessly with Breakdance Visual Builder. Thanks to sample code from Metabox (thanks for the excellent documentation), I was finally able to configure a relationship I hadn’t been able to get past on my own.

   Read on wp.org ↗
5. ★★★★★ zentyx

   1.1y ago

   MetaBox has been a game-changer for my WordPress development workflow. The usability is intuitive and highly functional — everything just makes sense and works seamlessly. What truly sets MetaBox apart, though, is the customer support. It’s hands down some of the best I’ve ever experienced. Fast, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a powerful and flexible custom fields plugin.

   Read on wp.org ↗
6. ★★★★★ Dan

   1.8y ago

   Looks like it’s free to use in the admin but you have to pay for that.

   Read on wp.org ↗
7. ★★★★★ psudan

   1.9y ago

   I loved the Views and Conditional shortcode in Toolset. MB Views is good but not as user friendly, missing the conditional shortocde. On the other hand the Settings page in MB is great Overall very happy with my move – integration with Bricks Builder is great!

   Read on wp.org ↗
8. ★★★★★ justauser034675

   1.9y ago

   Meta Box has always been a great a plugin and they’re still pushing great updates and fixes fast. Support is excellent, even with technical and custom development.

   Read on wp.org ↗

Recent releases and news for this plugin

1. 2026-08-16 Version 5.14.1 Tighten security for Abilities : users now need the edit_post capability (or equivalent) to read custom field values, so sensitive data is only accessible to users who can edit content Improve the readme with a link to t 5.14.1
2. 2026-07-30 Version 5.14.0 Highlights: This release introduces Block Bindings for Meta Box fields, allowing you to bind field values directly to blocks in the WordPress editor. Meta Box fields now appear as a source in the block bindings panel, ma 5.14.0
3. 2026-07-14 Version 5.13.1 Fix missing authorization check in ajax_delete_file for enhanced security Allow HTML in switch on/off and button group labels (e.g., Dashicons) 5.13.1
4. 2026-07-06 Version 5.13.0 Highlights: This release introduces Abilities , enabling you to manage custom post types and taxonomies, as well as create, retrieve, update, and delete posts and terms. See our blog post for an overview or the documenta 5.13.0
5. 2026-06-10 Version 5.12.1 Update style to match WordPress 7 Fix wp_style_add_data issue for OSM field Fix: prevent invalid JSON in media field data attributes Fix: escape $object->label with esc_html() in input-list walker 5.12.1
6. 2026-04-22 Version 5.12.0 New field type link that allows you to add a link with native WordPress experience (similar to ACF) Auto add child blocks for allowed blocks for the block_editor field 5.12.0

8 disclosed vulnerabilities on record for this plugin, all fixed in the current version. Sites on older versions stay exposed until they update.

1. Medium · 4.3 Meta Box < 5.13.1 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Insecure Direct Object Reference ↗
   2026-08-02 CVE-2026-15248 Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key Affects < 5.13.1 Patched in 5.13.1
2. High · 8.1 Meta Box <= 5.11.1 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Arbitrary File Deletion ↗
   2026-04-13 CVE-2026-39468 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') Affects <= 5.11.1 Patched in 5.11.2
3. High · 7.2 Meta Box <= 5.11.1 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Arbitrary File Deletion ↗
   2026-03-06 CVE-2025-14675 Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') Affects <= 5.11.1 Patched in 5.11.2
4. Medium · 4.3 Meta Box – WordPress Custom Fields Framework <= 5.9.10 - Missing Authorization to Information Exposure ↗
   2024-08-09 CVE-2024-43235 Missing Authorization Affects <= 5.9.10 Patched in 5.9.11
5. Medium · 4.3 Meta Box – WordPress Custom Fields Framework <= 5.9.3 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Information Exposure via Post Meta ↗
   2024-03-25 CVE-2024-1204 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor Affects <= 5.9.3 Patched in 5.9.4
6. Medium · 6.4 Meta Box – WordPress Custom Fields Framework <= 5.9.2 - Authenticated (Contributor+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting ↗
   2024-02-05 CVE-2023-6526 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') Affects <= 5.9.2 Patched in 5.9.3
7. High · 8.1 Meta Box - WordPress Custom Fields Framework <= 4.16.2 - File Deletion via attachment_id Parameter ↗
   2019-02-02 CVE-2019-14793 Missing Authorization Affects < 4.16.3 Patched in 4.16.3
8. High · 7.5 Meta Box <= 4.16.1 - Mishandling of File Upload ↗
   2019-02-01 CVE-2019-14794 External Control of File Name or Path Affects <= 4.16.1 Patched in 4.16.2

Automated install-time checks, tested on PHP 8.1.12 · WP 7.0.1

Translated into 62 languages, 7 at 90% or more

Plus 38 more locales with partial translations.

Growth timeline

Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow

1. 2025-11-07 600K+ → 500K+ down after 495 days in tier
2. 2024-06-30 700K+ → 600K+ down

Competes with

The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).

• Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields 100K+ installs · 4.8★ · 3 shared tags A
• MB Custom Post Types & Custom Taxonomies 10K+ installs · 4.3★ · 3 shared tags A
• CubeWP Framework 4K+ installs · 4.3★ · 3 shared tags A
• Custom post types, Custom Fields & more 3K+ installs · 4.5★ · 3 shared tags B
• LIQUID TOOLS – Custom Fields, CPT & Security 100+ installs · 3.6★ · 3 shared tags B
• MB ACF Migration 40+ installs · 3.6★ · 3 shared tags B

Embed this report card

Drop a live Pulse card for Meta Box into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.

Meta Box: 500K+ active installs, 4.8★ (165 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-08-25. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/meta-box