# Meta Box vs Zen Custom Fields

> Meta Box vs Zen Custom Fields compared on installs, downloads, ratings, updates, compatibility and support. Meta Box comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields.

**Meta Box comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields.** Choose Meta Box if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Zen Custom Fields if you care most about download trend.

| | Meta Box – A Framework for Dynamic Websites | Zen Custom Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 500K+ ✅ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 302.5K ✅ | 59 |
| Download trend | -3% | +11.3% ✅ |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | — |
| Reviews | 165 ✅ | 0 |
| Health score | 89/100 ✅ | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 7 days ago ✅ | 7 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 7.1.3 ✅ | WP 5.2.29 |
| Support resolved | 50% | — |
| Requires PHP | 7.4+ | Any |
| First released | Nov 2011 | Oct 2015 |

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is better, Meta Box or Zen Custom Fields?
Meta Box comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields. Choose Meta Box if you care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews. Choose Zen Custom Fields if you care most about download trend.

### Is Meta Box more popular than Zen Custom Fields?
Meta Box is the more popular of the two with 500K+ active installs, compared with 10+ for Zen Custom Fields.

### Can I use Meta Box 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 Meta Box 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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Source: live WordPress.org data · HTML version: https://pageforge.pro/directory/compare/meta-box-vs-zen-custom-fields/ · Generated 2026-10-14 00:31 UTC by PageForge