# Custom PHP Settings vs Theme YAML

> Custom PHP Settings vs Theme YAML compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Custom PHP Settings comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Theme YAML.

**Custom PHP Settings comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Theme YAML.** Choose Custom PHP Settings if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

| | Custom PHP Settings | Theme YAML – Use YAML instead JSON for your theme.json settings and styles |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10K+ ✅ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 1.1K ✅ | 37 |
| Download trend | +11.9% ✅ | -37.3% |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Reviews | 15 ✅ | 2 |
| Health score | 55/100 ✅ | 29/100 |
| Last updated | 11 months ago ✅ | 3 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 6.8.11 ✅ | WP 6.3.13 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | 5.6+ | 7.4+ |
| First released | Feb 2019 | Mar 2022 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Custom PHP Settings or Theme YAML?
Custom PHP Settings comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Theme YAML. Choose Custom PHP Settings if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.

### Is Custom PHP Settings more popular than Theme YAML?
Custom PHP Settings is the more popular of the two with 10K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Theme YAML.

### Can I use Custom PHP Settings and Theme YAML together?
Both plugins cover settings, 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 Custom PHP Settings and Theme YAML free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.


---
Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/custom-php-settings-vs-theme-yaml/ · Generated 2026-10-16 15:40 UTC by PageForge