paint-brush
Custom Post Type Plugins for WordPressby@lanamiro
277 reads

Custom Post Type Plugins for WordPress

by Lana MiroDecember 22nd, 2021
Read on Terminal Reader
Read this story w/o Javascript
tldt arrow

Too Long; Didn't Read

You'll find out what is custom post types, which WordPress plugins available on the market to help you organize WordPress content.

Coin Mentioned

Mention Thumbnail
featured image - Custom Post Type Plugins for WordPress
Lana Miro HackerNoon profile picture


Post types help you organize content in the WordPress website. There are a few default post types in WordPress: posts, pages, attachments, navigation menu, etc. But what if you want to add more post types to your website? Then, you’ll definitely need Custom Post Types.


For example, you are creating a recipes website, and you need to add recipes, so you just create a Recipes custom post type to add as many new recipes as you need.


Custom post types example


How to Create Custom Post Types Without Plugin?

You can create custom post types in WordPress with register_post_type function.

As an example here is the code for creating Books custom post types:


function books_post_type() {
    register_post_type( 'books',
        array(
            'labels' => array(
                'name' => __( 'Books' ),
                'singular_name' => __( 'Book' )
            ),
            'public' => true,
            'show_in_rest' => true,
	    'supports' => array('title', 'editor', 'thumbnail')
        )
    );
}
add_action( 'init', 'books_post_type' );


After that, go to your text editor, and add the code to your functions.php file.

Why Do You Need WordPress Custom Post Types Plugin?

To be honest, adding custom post types using code can confuse newbies and even Devs.


WordPress plugins help add new custom post types with ease and allow for more functionality for building WP websites.


So, let’s discover the Custom Post Type WordPress plugins on the market.

Custom Post Types UI

Custom Post Type UI


Over 1 million active installations, this custom post-type WordPress plugin has an intuitive interface for creating and managing CPTs and taxonomies.


CPT UI dashboard looks like this:

You’ll also find 30+ additional labels and settings (icon change, publicity, etc.):

CPT UI settings


💡Highlights:

  • ability to add the post slug
  • add additional labels
  • import/export post types


💲Pricing:

CPT UI is a simple, free WordPress plugin, but you can extend the functionality with the paid version: $29 per single site, $49 per 2-5 sites, $84 unlimited.


Disadvantage: too simple for advanced users.

Custom Post Types

Custom Post Types WordPress plugin by TotalPress

Next, the simple custom post types plugin has 4K+ active installations, allows to create CPTs, taxonomies, fields, templates without coding.


CPT dashboard looks like this:

Custom post types dashboard

When it goes to creating CPT, you'll see 2 modes available:


  • Simple View

Simple CPT view

  • The advanced view adds additional settings:

CPT Advanced view

💡Highlights:

  • simple to use
  • compatible with any theme builder
  • create and edit CPTs
  • advanced view settings are available


💲Pricing:

Pro version allows export/import settings and has support priority. It costs $25 per year.


Custom Post Types Maker

Custom post type maker plugin

Custom post type marker provides a simple interface and features to create CPTs and taxonomies.


CPT maker interface looks like this:


CPT maker interface


And has visibility, front-end options, admin menu options, WordPress integration sections, etc:

CPT maker additional settings

💡Highlights:

  • manage CPTs like regular posts/pages
  • integrated with WordPress API
  • no coding skills


💲Pricing:

Free


Disadvantage: hasn’t been updated in the last 6 months.


After discovering simple CPT WordPress plugins, let’s proceed with more complex solutions.


JetEngine

JetEngine WordPress plugin

JetEngine WordPress plugin helps structure and organize the content by creating custom post types and custom content types, taxonomies, fields, listings, etc.


Here is how the custom post types dashboard looks:


JetEngine CPTs dashboard


You can edit custom post type name, slug, 20+ labels, advanced settings (show in admin UI, Nav Bar, menu icon, etc.)


JetEngine Custom Post Types advanced settings


💡Highlights:

  • build dynamic website structure
  • add conditional logic, dynamic visibility to your website
  • Data Store, Query Builder, tables and charts modules, glossary feature, etc.


💲Pricing:

Starts from $26 per year for a single website, $54 for an unlimited website per year. A lifetime package is also available in Crocoblock subscription for $750.


Disadvantage: no free version available.

Toolset

Toolset WordPress plugin

This WordPress plugin allows you to create custom post types, fields, and taxonomies without coding.


💡Highlights:

  • create custom searches
  • custom grids, tables, and lists
  • build post relations


💲Pricing:

Toolset plugin costs $69 per year for 1 website, $149 per year for 3 websites, and $299/unlimited websites per year.


Disadvantage: no free version, and lifetime option.

Pods

Pods WordPress plugin

Pods WordPress plugin provides you with custom content options.


By the way, Pods interface is a little bit different from other plugins, as it starts with a quick setup:

Pods dashboard


💡Highlights:

  • customize CPTs
  • display custom fields anywhere
  • create connections between your content


💲Pricing: freemium


Disadvantage: Not for beginners. I was confused by the dashboard and wasn’t able to create CPT from the first scratch. 😅


MetaBox

MetaBox WordPress plugin

With more than 700K active installations, this plugin helps WordPress professionals to create custom posts with ease.


MetaBox custom post types plugin has a clean dashboard:

MetaBox dashboard

Settings include 25+ labels, advanced options, taxonomies, etc.


Advanced MetaBox CPT settings


💡Highlights:

  • extended functionality with APIs, hooks
  • intuitive interface
  • compatible with lots of WordPress themes & plugins


💲Pricing:

Personal plans start from $49 per site and go up to lifetime bundle (agencies) for $699

Conclusion

As usual, everything is up to you. Write down the features you need, check out their pricing, reviews, communities, and come up with the best solution for your website.


🙏What about you?


Are you adding custom post types manually or with the help of a plugin?