Head-to-head · October 2026
Custom Shortlink Structure vs Smart Custom Fields
Smart Custom Fields comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Shortlink Structure.
Custom Shortlink Structure
This plugin will add new settings to your Settings -> Permalinks screen for you to specify your blog’s…
Smart Custom Fields
Smart Custom Fields is a simple plugin for managing custom fields.
| Metric | Custom Shortlink Structure | Smart Custom Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 10+ | 50K+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 37 | 4.8K |
| Download trend | -7.5% | +15.5% |
| Rating | 3/5 | 4.9/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 21 |
| Health score | 24/100 | 69/100 |
| Last updated | 14 years ago | 3 months ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.6.1 | WP 6.8.11 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 7.4+ |
| First released | Apr 2013 | Oct 2014 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Custom Shortlink Struct…Smart Custom Fields
Choose Custom Shortlink Structure if…
You prefer its feature set and workflow — it holds its own on the fundamentals.
- Small user base (10+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 13 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.6 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Smart Custom Fields if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
- Proven at scale on 50K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.9/5 from 21 reviews
- Momentum — downloads up 15.5% vs the previous 30 days
- Only tested up to WordPress 6.8 (latest is 7.1)
Both compete in: custom
FAQ
Custom Shortlink Structure vs Smart Custom Fields: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 22, 2026
Which is better, Custom Shortlink Structure or Smart Custom Fields?
Smart Custom Fields comes out ahead, winning 7 of 7 head-to-head checks against Custom Shortlink Structure. Choose Smart Custom Fields if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and download trend.
Is Custom Shortlink Structure more popular than Smart Custom Fields?
Smart Custom Fields is the more popular of the two with 50K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Custom Shortlink Structure.
Can I use Custom Shortlink Structure and Smart Custom Fields together?
Both plugins cover custom, 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 Shortlink Structure and Smart 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.
Powered by PageForge
Want thousands of pages that rank like these? Build them in an afternoon.
This directory runs on the same engine as PageForge. Turn any spreadsheet, CSV or API into thousands of fast, SEO-ready WordPress pages — with schema, internal links and AI-written copy baked in.
- CSV, Google Sheets & API data sources
- AI content, schema & internal links per page
- Works with Elementor, Gutenberg, Yoast & Rank Math
- Free on WordPress.org — no credit card
