Head-to-head · October 2026
Meta Box vs Zen Custom Fields
Meta Box comes out ahead, winning 6 of 7 head-to-head checks against Zen Custom Fields.
Meta Box
You want to add events, team members, testimonials, or listings to your WordPress site. But the standard…
Zen Custom Fields
The plugin converts regular HTML tables, embedded in your page, into arrays of values that you can use in…
| Metric | Meta Box | Zen Custom Fields |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 500K+ | 10+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 296.9K | 65 |
| Download trend | -5.4% | +30% |
| Rating | 4.8/5 | — |
| Reviews | 165 | 0 |
| Health score | 89/100 | 23/100 |
| Last updated | 5 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 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Meta BoxZen Custom Fields
Choose Meta Box if…
You care most about active installs, downloads (30 days) and reviews.
- Proven at scale on 500K+ active sites
- Loved by users — 4.8/5 from 165 reviews
- Actively developed — last update 5 days ago
- Tested with the latest WordPress (7.1)
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
Meta Box 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, 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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