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OpenHook

By Rick Beckman

Developer Tools & Customization / Code Snippets & Custom Code

Reviewed by Omar Dabbas

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

OpenHook Review - In-Depth Analysis

Easily customize hooks in WordPress themes and plugins without coding. OpenHook provides a user-friendly interface for adding actions to any hook.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

6.8/10

User Rating

3.7/5 (based on 6+ reviews)

Active Installations

1,000+

Update Frequency

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

Security Score

7.2 / 10 (High Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

If you aren't altogether comfortable with editing PHP files to customize your site, OpenHook is for you! An increasing number of themes and plugins come equipped with a myriad of hooks, which can be customized from within your WordPress admin panel using OpenHook.

OpenHook brings the world of hooks and actions to the mainstream, providing an easy to use admin interface in which you can customize your site without limit, whether you're using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or PHP!

Features include the ability to customize hooks in your favorite themes, define any hook you want, and use predefined hooks for popular themes like Astra. You can also visualize hooks on the front-end of your site and manage options easily.

Comparing to Alternatives

OpenHook is a plugin designed for inserting custom code snippets, with several alternatives available that offer similar functionality.

Top alternatives

Strengths

Simple interface for adding custom code snippets
Supports multiple types of code insertion
Lightweight and focused on its core functionality
No pro version means full features are available for free

Weaknesses

Limited support and updates, leading to potential compatibility issues
Known security vulnerabilities with no current fixes for older versions
Lack of active development may cause future incompatibility
No advanced features compared to some alternatives

User Sentiment Analysis

User reviews show a mixed sentiment with a majority positive rating but notable concerns about support and compatibility.

Positive highlights

"Simple and effective for adding custom code" - multiple users
"Lightweight and easy to use" - common praise
"No need for a pro version, free features suffice" - user feedback

Common complaints

Plugin appears broken with certain WordPress and Thesis versions
Lack of support and unanswered queries
Concerns about abandonment of the plugin

Weaknesses

Security vulnerabilities reported, including critical remote code execution
Compatibility issues with newer WordPress and Thesis versions
Limited updates and support

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who need a straightforward, lightweight plugin to insert custom code snippets without requiring advanced features or premium support.

Not ideal for

Users who prioritize security, active support, and regular updates or those using newer WordPress versions that may face compatibility issues.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version includes all features for inserting custom code snippets without restrictions.

Final Verdict

OpenHook offers a simple and free solution for adding custom code snippets, appealing to users who need basic functionality without extra cost. However, its lack of active support and known security vulnerabilities pose significant risks.

Given the availability of several well-supported alternatives and the plugin's security concerns, users should carefully consider their needs and the potential risks before choosing OpenHook. It may be suitable for those with limited requirements but not for users seeking robust security and ongoing support.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free OpenHook plugin.

custom code

WordPress hooks

theme customization

Screenshots

FAQ

First, ensure you have enabled OpenBox in the Thesis 2.1.x “boxes” screen (OpenBox should be checkmarked and you’ll need to press the save button).

Second, visit the Thesis skin editor. Add instances of OpenBox from the boxes dropdown menu, and drag them into your skin template wherever you would like them to be. I recommend opening each instance of OpenBox (via the gear icon) and giving it a unique name so that they are not all “OpenBox.”

Finally, once you have saved your template, return to the regular admin panel and visit Thesis’ skin content page. On this page, you’ll be shown a list of all of the custom boxes, including OpenBoxes, you’ve added to your template, at which point you can edit them to your liking.

Yes, this is convoluted, and for that I apologize; fortunately, it isn’t my fault.