If you ever tried to build a more dynamic WordPress website—like a real estate listing, recipe site, job board, or any kind of structured content—you probably ran into the limits of the default post and page system. That’s where custom post types (CPT) and custom fields come in.
As someone who isn’t a developer, I used to rely on themes and plugins to do most of the heavy lifting. But as I grew more confident, I started experimenting with custom field tools like ACF, MetaBox, JetEngine, and a few others to build exactly what I needed—without writing code.
Here’s my honest take on 6 of the most popular WordPress tools for building custom post types and custom fields. If you’re not a developer but want more control over your site’s content, this post is for you.
Quick Summary Table
| Plugin | Best For | Ease of Use | Builder Integration | Free Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACF | Theme devs & template users | Moderate | Gutenberg (basic) | Yes |
| MetaBox | Developers & advanced users | Harder | Limited | Yes |
| ACPT | No-code, UI lovers | Very Easy | Elementor, Gutenberg | Yes (limited) |
| Pods | Free alternative w/ relations | Easy | Shortcodes | Yes |
| Toolset | Multilingual & directories | Moderate | Full GUI | Paid only |
| JetEngine | Elementor-based sites | Easy | Elementor, Gutenberg | No (paid) |
My Personal Experience With Each Tool
1. ACF (Advanced Custom Fields) This was the first plugin I ever used to create custom fields. It’s widely respected and has been around forever. What I love:
- Super clean interface
- 30+ field types (like gallery, repeater, etc.)
- Great documentation
However, to actually show the fields on your site, you need to edit your theme files using PHP. That was a bit much for me at first, so I used it mostly with page builders that support dynamic content (like Bricks or Elementor Pro).
Use this if: You’re working with a developer or a flexible theme.
2. MetaBox MetaBox is incredibly powerful and modular. It’s more developer-oriented, and while there’s a UI, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first. That said, it’s super lightweight and perfect if you’re building something big and care about performance.
Use this if: You plan to scale your site and are okay with a learning curve.
3. ACPT (Advanced Custom Post Types) This one surprised me the most. The interface is modern and clean. Everything from CPT creation to custom fields, taxonomies, and even front-end templates is done via an intuitive dashboard. No PHP required.
Even better? It integrates smoothly with Elementor and Gutenberg.
Use this if: You want full control with almost zero code. This is my go-to now.
4. Pods Pods is open-source and has a strong community behind it. It allows you to create CPTs, taxonomies, and fields, and even set up relationships between them. It also lets you output data using shortcodes, which I found easier than touching PHP.
However, the UI feels a bit dated, and sometimes I had to look up docs for basic tasks.
Use this if: You want a completely free solution and are okay learning a bit.
5. Toolset Toolset is like an all-in-one builder. It lets you create CPTs, fields, filters, loops, and even user access controls—all with a GUI. I found it super powerful for building listing-style sites without any coding. But it comes at a price.
It’s not the most beginner-friendly at first, but once you get it, it’s incredibly flexible.
Use this if: You’re building a directory, membership, or multilingual site.
6. JetEngine If you’re using Elementor, JetEngine is a no-brainer. It works like magic with dynamic content, custom loops, filters, and more. I used it to build a portfolio site with filtering options and dynamic templates—all from the Elementor interface.
Downside? It’s paid-only and works best if you’re already deep into the Elementor ecosystem.
Use this if: You use Elementor and want to build dynamic sites visually.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s how I’d break it down:
- Absolute beginner, no code: Go with ACPT or JetEngine (if on Elementor)
- Free all-in-one option: Try Pods
- Performance and flexibility: Choose MetaBox
- Most widely supported & dev-friendly: Stick with ACF
- Full GUI with filters & views: Use Toolset
When I first started using WordPress, I avoided anything that looked remotely technical. But once I tried tools like ACF and ACPT, I realized I could build custom sites without hiring a developer or learning PHP.
If you’re a non-techie like me but want full control over how your content is structured and displayed, these tools open up a whole new world.
Got questions about any of these? I’d be happy to help based on my own hands-on experience. Just drop a comment!