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Custom Fields for Gutenberg

By Jeff Starr

Content Management / Document Management & Downloads

Reviewed by Abdul Hameid

Trusted WordPress expert with 20+ years of experience evaluating plugins for the WP ecosystem.

Custom Fields for Gutenberg Review - In-Depth Analysis

Restores the Custom Field meta box for the Gutenberg Block Editor.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.88/10

User Rating

4.9/5 (based on 17+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin restores the Custom Field meta box for the Gutenberg Block Editor.

Although this plugin is still functional, it is recommended to use the native WordPress custom fields feature available in version 5.0 and above. To access this feature, click the settings button and go to Options to display the Custom Fields meta box.

The plugin is easy to use, built with clean code, and is lightweight, fast, and flexible. It works well with other WordPress plugins and allows for configurable options via the settings screen.

Features include specifying post types for custom fields, excluding protected or empty custom fields, and excluding specific custom fields by name. Planned features involve Ajax methods for adding and deleting custom fields.

This plugin does not collect user data or set cookies, ensuring user privacy. It is developed by Jeff Starr, a seasoned WordPress developer.

Support for the plugin can be shown through donations or by purchasing related books and premium plugins.

Comparing to Alternatives

Custom Fields for Gutenberg stands out in the custom fields plugin category with several notable alternatives available for users seeking different features or approaches.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Seamlessly integrates custom fields into the Gutenberg editor.
Highly rated with a 4.9 out of 5 stars from users.
Simple and focused functionality, doing one thing well.
No recorded security vulnerabilities, ensuring safe use.
Offers a pro version with additional features.

Weaknesses

Saving multiple custom fields requires multiple saves, which can be cumbersome.
Editing or deleting saved fields is not straightforward.
Some users find it quirky and difficult to work with compared to native WordPress options.
Limited advanced features compared to some alternatives.

User Sentiment Analysis

User reviews are overwhelmingly positive with a 94.1% five-star rating and no negative reviews, indicating strong satisfaction with the plugin's performance and reliability.

Positive highlights

'Great plugin' that restores custom fields functionality effectively (itbuero).
'A beautiful solution' praised for its simplicity and effectiveness (jeffmcnear).
'Does exactly as it says' with appreciation for the developer's work (archedmandible).
'Good plugin by a top dev' highlighting focused and reliable functionality (shawfactor).
'Very helpful' and meets user needs precisely (robmaric).

Common complaints

Weaknesses

Requires multiple saves when using several custom fields.
Editing or deleting fields after saving is not user-friendly.
Some users find it less convenient than native WordPress options introduced in version 5.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who want a straightforward, reliable plugin to add custom fields within the Gutenberg editor without complex setups.

Not ideal for

Users who prefer native WordPress custom field options or need advanced field management features like easy editing and deletion.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version provides essential custom field functionality integrated into Gutenberg, suitable for most basic needs.

Pro version

Offers enhanced features beyond the free version, though specific premium features are not detailed in the briefing.

Final Verdict

Custom Fields for Gutenberg is a highly rated, secure, and focused plugin that effectively restores custom field functionality within the Gutenberg editor. Its simplicity and reliability make it an excellent choice for users seeking straightforward custom field integration without unnecessary complexity.

While it has some usability quirks, such as multiple saves for multiple fields and limited editing capabilities, it remains a strong option compared to alternatives. Users needing more advanced features or native integration might consider other plugins, but this plugin delivers solid value, especially with its pro version available.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Custom Fields for Gutenberg plugin.

Custom Fields

Gutenberg

Meta Box

Screenshots

FAQ

No. As of WordPress 5.0, Custom Fields are natively supported, so this plugin is not needed to view custom fields on posts (via the “Edit Post” screen). Understand however that custom fields may not be supported after 2022, so this plugin may again be useful if/when that happens. For more information, check out this post.