Custom Post Type UI vs Meta Box (2026)
Detailed side-by-side comparison of two WordPress plugins, based on real-time data from WordPress.org.
Quick Verdict
As of April 2026, Meta Box has a higher user rating (4.8/5 from 162 reviews) while Custom Post Type UI leads in active installations (1.0M+ vs 500K+). Both are free WordPress plugins. Custom Post Type UI has accumulated 22M+ total downloads while Meta Box has 23M+. Custom Post Type UI has a higher support resolution rate (83% vs 0%).
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Custom Post Type UI | Meta Box | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | ► | 4.8/5 |
| Total Reviews | 273 | ◄ | 162 |
| Active Installs | 1.0M+ | ◄ | 500K+ |
| Total Downloads | 22M+ | ► | 23M+ |
| Support Resolution | 83% | ◄ | 0% |
| Last Updated | 2 months ago | ► | 5 days ago |
| First Released | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Age | 16 years | 15 years | |
| WP Requires | 6.6+ | 6.5+ | |
| PHP Requires | 7.4+ | 7.4+ | |
| Business Model | Free | Free | |
| Latest Version | 1.18.3 | 5.11.4 |
Rating Breakdown
Custom Post Type UI
Meta Box
Download Trends
Over the past 30 days, Custom Post Type UI averaged approximately 3,989 daily downloads while Meta Box averaged 14,518.
Recent Reviews
Custom Post Type UI Reviews
Simple & Useful
Used it to create custom post types on my site. Setup was quick & everything worked as expected. Makes managing CPTs much easier without coding. Really helpful plugin for WP users. Tnkz devs
Essential tool! Now perfectly translated into Persian
CPT UI is the standard for managing post types in WordPress. It allows developers to extend WordPress capabilities without writing complex code. To help the Persian community, I have translated 100
No-nonsense tool to manage CPTs and Taxonomies
For the development of a new site, I have been using a combination of CPT UI and ACF. I have specifically chosen CPT UI for the management of Custom Post Types and Taxonomies whilst using ACF for the
Meta Box Reviews
Does everything without taking much space
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 technic
Best Performance and works with Breakdance Visual Builder
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
Outstanding Plugin and Incredible Support!
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
More Post Type Worth Comparing
Top alternatives in the same category as Custom Post Type UI and Meta Box
This plugin registers a custom post type for portfolio items. It also registers separate portfolio taxonomies for tags and categories.
WP Post Branches will create a private branch of an post in public. When you publish a branch, overwrite the original post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Custom Post Type UI or Meta Box more popular?
Which has better ratings — Custom Post Type UI or Meta Box?
Are Custom Post Type UI and Meta Box free?
Which plugin has better support — Custom Post Type UI or Meta Box?
Which plugin is updated more frequently?
Plugin data sourced from WordPress.org. Comparison and analysis by PluginSift.