Meta Box – A Framework for Dynamic Websites

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

Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.

wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.

310 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 241 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 2 of its tags aren't in the top 24 for their own search.

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.

Crossed into this band 12 months ago; the previous band took 17 months to cross, which places it about 50% of the way through.

1. ★★★★★ takingabr8k

   4mo 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

   4mo 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

   8mo 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

   1.0y 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

   1.3y 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

   2.0y ago

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

   Read on wp.org ↗
7. ★★★★★ psudan

   2.1y 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

   2.1y 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. 2026-10-07 Version 5.15.2 Show feature image for post field (if post type supports), and avatar for user field 5.15.2
2. 2026-09-17 Version 5.15.1 Fix multibyte IDs breaking WordPress 7.1 meta box tooltips Fix focus handling for hidden validation error elements 5.15.1
3. 2026-09-03 Version 5.15.0 Highlights: This version adds support for WooCommerce HPOS that allows you to use Meta Box fields to WooCommerce orders (with WooCommerce’s High-Performance Order Storage (HPOS) feature). For more information, see our bl 5.15.0
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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

All 10 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (5.15.3). Sites still on an older version should update.

1. Patched Medium · 4.9 Meta Box <= 5.15.2 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Stored Cross-Site Scripting via Background Field Array Keys ↗
   2026-10-28 CVE-2026-109216 Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation Affects <= 5.15.2 Patched in 5.15.3
2. Patched Medium · 4.3 Meta Box – A Framework for Dynamic Websites <= 5.15.2 - Missing Authorization ↗
   2026-10-20 CVE-2026-109700 Missing Authorization Affects <= 5.15.2 Patched in 5.15.3
3. Patched 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
4. Patched 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 Affects <= 5.11.1 Patched in 5.11.2
5. Patched 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 Affects <= 5.11.1 Patched in 5.11.2
6. Patched 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
7. Patched 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
8. Patched 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 Affects <= 5.9.2 Patched in 5.9.3
9. Patched 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
10. Patched 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 64 languages, 9 at 90% or more

Plus 40 more locales with partial translations.

Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.

Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.

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 after 907 days in tier
3. 2022-01-05 600K+ → 700K+ up after 337 days in tier
4. 2021-02-02 500K+ → 600K+ up after 338 days in tier
5. 2020-03-01 400K+ → 500K+ up after 366 days in tier
6. 2019-03-01 300K+ → 400K+ up after 393 days in tier
7. 2018-02-01 200K+ → 300K+ up after 448 days in tier
8. 2016-11-10 100K+ → 200K+ up after 473 days in tier

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).

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Drop a live Pulse card for Meta Box – A Framework for Dynamic Websites into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.

Meta Box – A Framework for Dynamic Websites: 500K+ active installs, 4.8★ (165 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-10-31. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/meta-box