CMB2 vs Genesis Custom Blocks (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, CMB2 has a higher user rating (5/5 from 91 reviews) and leads in active installations (300K+ vs 10K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. CMB2 has accumulated 5.0M+ total downloads while Genesis Custom Blocks has 176K+.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | CMB2 | Genesis Custom Blocks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | ◄ | 4.5/5 |
| Total Reviews | 91 | ◄ | 21 |
| Active Installs | 300K+ | ◄ | 10K+ |
| Total Downloads | 5.0M+ | ◄ | 176K+ |
| Support Resolution | 0% | N/A | |
| Last Updated | 2 years ago | ► | 4 days ago |
| First Released | 2014 | 2020 | |
| Age | 12 years | 6 years | |
| WP Requires | 3.8.0+ | 6.0+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.4+ | 7.0+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 2.11.0 | 1.7.2 |
Rating Breakdown
CMB2
Genesis Custom Blocks
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, CMB2 averaged approximately 561 daily downloads while Genesis Custom Blocks averaged 179.
Recent Reviews
CMB2 Reviews
Super useful!
Thank you for your hard work!One of the best plugin for developers. Simple and effective.
Simple and free and much better than advance custom fields
Simple and free and much better than advance custom fields
Powerfull
Powerfull, Simple and Clean
Genesis Custom Blocks Reviews
Works Well, Good Documentation
I’ve been using this plugin for clients for a couple of years. It’s well documented, and the tools work and are easy to work with, if you have PHP chops, that is. I love this plugin.
Good Plugin
Plugin works very well, thank you.
Exactly What I Needed but the Pro Pricing is Stupid
This is exactly what I needed. I can make my own Gutenberg blocks with JS, PHP, and HTML without having to learn Node.js, React, and Redux (really WordPress?). I plan on learning these, but need a s
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is CMB2 or Genesis Custom Blocks more popular?
Which has better ratings — CMB2 or Genesis Custom Blocks?
Are CMB2 and Genesis Custom Blocks free?
Which plugin has better support — CMB2 or Genesis Custom Blocks?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.