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Custom Sidebars by ProteusThemes

By ProteusThemes

Design & Themes / Themes & Templates

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

Custom Sidebars by ProteusThemes Review - In-Depth Analysis

Create and manage custom sidebars for your WordPress site. Easily replace default sidebars on specific posts and pages.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.77/10

User Rating

0/5 (based on 0+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

5 / 10 (Medium Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin allows you to create your own custom sidebars, configure them by adding widgets, and replace the default sidebars on posts or pages you want in just a few clicks.

Replace the theme default sidebars with your newly created sidebars. This plugin was forked from the Custom Sidebars plugin, which we used for a few years, but their plugin development stalled, so we were forced to create this plugin. We really appreciate the work of developers of the original plugin!

Here is the tl;dr list of the differences from the original source: Compatibility with the latest stable PHP version (namely PHP 7.0+), removed the 'archive pages' functionality, open-sourced development on GitHub, covered with PHP unit tests, fixed a couple of JavaScript errors, removed WP admin pointer, modern workflow with Grunt and Bower, and removed heavy advertising.

This plugin is being developed by ProtuesThemes. The original plugin: Custom sidebars is maintained and developed by WPMU DEV. Original development completed by Javier Marquez.

Comparing to Alternatives

Custom Sidebars by ProteusThemes offers sidebar customization features but has no user ratings to gauge its effectiveness compared to other plugins.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Provides sidebar customization options
Developed by ProteusThemes, a known developer
Supports multiple sidebars
Integrates with WordPress widgets
Allows conditional sidebar display

Weaknesses

No user ratings or reviews available
Known medium severity security vulnerability without a fix
No updates addressing security issues since 2022
Lacks a pro version with enhanced features

User Sentiment Analysis

There are no user reviews or ratings available for this plugin, so user sentiment cannot be assessed.

Positive highlights

Common complaints

Weaknesses

No user feedback to confirm reliability or usability
Security vulnerability reported without resolution

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users looking for a free sidebar customization plugin from ProteusThemes who are comfortable managing potential security risks.

Not ideal for

Users who prioritize plugin security and active support or those seeking a plugin with user feedback and regular updates.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes basic sidebar customization features suitable for most users.

Final Verdict

Custom Sidebars by ProteusThemes offers useful sidebar customization features but lacks user ratings and has a known unresolved security vulnerability, which raises concerns about its safety and reliability. Users should be cautious and consider alternatives with better support and security records.

Given the availability of several well-rated alternative plugins, users seeking a secure and actively maintained sidebar plugin might find better value elsewhere. However, those willing to accept the risks may find this plugin's free features adequate for their needs.