Head-to-head · October 2026
Admin Columns vs Zen Custom Fields
Admin Columns comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields.
Admin Columns
Admin Columns lets you customize and organize the columns displayed in the WordPress admin list tables for…
Zen Custom Fields
The plugin converts regular HTML tables, embedded in your page, into arrays of values that you can use in…
| Metric | Admin Columns | Zen Custom Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 100K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 76.7K | 65 |
| Download trend | +11.1% | +30% |
| Rating | 4.9/5 | — |
| Reviews | 1,652 | 0 |
| Health score | 94/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 5 days ago | 7 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 | WP 5.2.29 |
| Support resolved | 86% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | Any |
| First released | Nov 2011 | Oct 2015 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Admin ColumnsZen Custom Fields
Choose Admin Columns if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 100K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 1,652 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 5 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
- Responsive support — 86% of recent threads resolved
Choose Zen Custom Fields if…
You care most about download trend.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 7 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.2 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: custom fields
FAQ
Admin Columns vs Zen Custom Fields: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 12, 2026
Which is better, Admin Columns or Zen Custom Fields?
Admin Columns comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields. Choose Admin Columns if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Zen Custom Fields if you care most about download trend.
Is Admin Columns more popular than Zen Custom Fields?
Admin Columns is the more popular of the two with 100K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Zen Custom Fields.
Can I use Admin Columns and Zen Custom Fields together?
Both plugins cover custom fields, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Admin Columns and Zen Custom Fields free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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