ACF Pro JSON Sync
Local JSON is a new feature added in version 5 which saves field group and field settings to files within your theme. The idea is similar to caching and both dramatically speeds up ACF and allows for version control…
Consider an alternative
ACF Pro JSON Sync shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 60+ sites and was last updated 12 years ago, and scores 25/100 on our health check.
- Small user base (60+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 11 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 4.0 (latest is 7.1)
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Side-by-side on installs, updates, ratings & support
Daily downloads
Download spikes usually follow a new release — each site that auto-updates counts as a download.
Rankings
Where ACF Pro JSON Sync stands todayWordPress.org search rankings
Live position in the plugin search, top 100| Keyword | Position |
|---|---|
| advanced | >100 |
| custom | >100 |
| custom field | >100 |
| field | >100 |
| simple fields | >100 |
Version adoption
Share of active sites per release.
About ACF Pro JSON Sync
From the official readme · v1.0.1Description
Local JSON is a new feature added in version 5 which saves field group and field settings to files within your theme. The idea is similar to caching and both dramatically speeds up ACF and allows for version control over your field settings!
HOWEVER, the wp-admin field group edit screen will not load data from local json files, meaning you can not edit fields which are loaded from json files. This plugin solves this problem by creating an easy way to sync json fields into the database. This allows fields to be shared across multiple environments and contributors without having to export/import the database.
This plugin copies much of the functionality found in the Advanced Custom Fields export settings (advanced-custom-fields-pro/admin/settings-export.php).
Notes
- Local Json folder filename must be the default acf-json.
- Syncing down json fields will overwrite all fields stored in the database. Use with caution!
Installation
- Upload ‘acf-sync’ to the ‘/wp-content/plugins/’ directory
- Activate the plugin through the ‘Plugins’ menu in WordPress
- Click on the new menu item “ACF Sync” and click Sync Now
- Any fields stored in your acf-json folder will be imported in the database, and can be edited as normal.
Screenshots
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FAQ
ACF Pro JSON Sync: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Oct 12, 2026
Is ACF Pro JSON Sync free?
Yes. ACF Pro JSON Sync is free to download and use from the official WordPress.org plugin directory.
Is ACF Pro JSON Sync safe to use in 2026?
ACF Pro JSON Sync shows warning signs in 2026 — compare the alternatives below before installing. It runs on 60+ sites and was last updated 12 years ago, and scores 25/100 on our health check.
How many websites use ACF Pro JSON Sync?
ACF Pro JSON Sync is active on 60+ WordPress websites and has been downloaded 4,887 times since it launched in January 2015. It was downloaded 78 times in the last 30 days.
Does ACF Pro JSON Sync work with WordPress 7.1?
ACF Pro JSON Sync is officially tested up to WordPress 4.0.38, while the latest release is 7.1.3. It may still work, but try it on a staging site first.
When was ACF Pro JSON Sync last updated?
The latest version, 1.0.1, was released on January 5, 2015 (12 years ago).
Who makes ACF Pro JSON Sync?
ACF Pro JSON Sync is developed and maintained by sgengler.
What are the best alternatives to ACF Pro JSON Sync?
The most popular alternatives to ACF Pro JSON Sync are Advanced Rich Text Tools fo… (3K+ installs), WordPress Beta Tester (2K+ installs) and oik (2K+ installs).
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