Not everything in WordPress should be a post or a page. That’s where custom post types (CPTs) come in.
Whether you’re building a property directory, a recipe database, a custom portfolio, or a job board, CPTs let you structure and organize your content exactly the way you need. But WordPress doesn’t give you a user-friendly way to create CPTs out of the box.
Fortunately, a solid set of plugins can do the heavy lifting.
We tested and analyzed eight of the most capable, actively maintained CPT plugins, ranging from developer favorites to more user-friendly options. If you're serious about creating structured, dynamic content, this list is for you.
Let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
- What Are Custom Post Types?
- Why Do Custom Post Types Matter?
- The 8 Best Custom Post Types Plugins for WordPress
- Which Custom Post Type Plugin is Right for You?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Information
What Are Custom Post Types?
Out of the box, WordPress gives you a few standard content types: Posts, Pages, Attachments, and a couple of behind-the-scenes ones like Revisions and Menus.
But what if you're not just writing blog posts or static pages?
What if you're building a real estate site with properties, an event calendar with listings, or a product directory with detailed specs? That’s where custom post types come in.
Custom Post Type is simply a new kind of content.
It looks and behaves like a regular post or page, but you define what it is and how it should work. You can give it its own admin menu, set custom fields, create taxonomies (like “Property type” or “Event category”), and completely control how it’s displayed.
For example:
- A “Recipe” post type might include fields like Ingredients, Prep Time, and Difficulty Level.
- A “Portfolio” post type might include Client Name, Project URL, and Screenshot Gallery.
- A “Job Listing” post type could include Position, Location, Salary, and Application Link.
Why Do Custom Post Types Matter?
Without CPTs, everything has to be shoehorned into either posts or pages, which gets messy, fast.
Custom post types allow you to:
- Keep content structured and organized;
- Create admin panels that are easier to use;
- Build dynamic sites that are scalable and easier to maintain;
- Import and export different content types cleanly and efficiently.
In short: CPTs transform WordPress from a blogging platform into a fully-fledged content management system (CMS).
They’re also the key to importing structured data, whether that’s real estate listings, job boards, or WooCommerce products. And yes, they work perfectly with WP All Import.
The 8 Best Custom Post Types Plugins for WordPress
1. ACPT – Advanced Custom Post Types
ACPT is a newer plugin gaining attention for its modern UI, real-time previews, and integrated WooCommerce and API support. It brings together CPTs, fields, and templates into a single experience.
Why ACPT Stands Out?
- Modern Dashboard: A fast, React-based interface that feels intuitive and sleek.
- WooCommerce Support: Create and manage custom product types directly.
- Headless-Friendly: REST API and dynamic templating support make it great for decoupled builds.
Best For
Modern developers creating WooCommerce, API-first, or headless WordPress projects.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Visual builder with modern UI.
- Good for WooCommerce CPTs.
- Headless and REST-ready.
Cons:
- The free version is limited.
- Pro features are needed for templates and advanced fields.
Pricing
Free version available. Pro starts at $49/year.
2. JetEngine Custom Post Type
JetEngine offers far more than just CPT registration – it’s a full dynamic content suite for building advanced, database-driven sites. Its CPT module is deeply integrated with custom fields, taxonomies, listings, relationships, filters, and forms.
Key Reasons to Choose JetEngine
- All-in-One Structure: Create CPTs, meta fields, front-end forms, and even query loops – all in one interface.
- CCT Support: Offers Custom Content Types stored outside WordPress’s default tables for performance-heavy builds.
- Elementor & Gutenberg Ready: Works seamlessly with both builders for visually dynamic site creation.
Best For
Agencies and freelancers looking to create highly dynamic sites with complex structures.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fully integrated dynamic content system.
- Visual CPT creation and management.
- Advanced field types and relationships.
Cons:
- Premium only; no free version.
- May feel overwhelming for beginners.
Pricing
Starts at $43/year for a single site license.
3. Pods – Custom Content Types and Fields
Pods is a powerful free plugin that goes beyond CPTs, letting you create custom taxonomies, user fields, media extensions, and relationships. Its modular structure and templating features make it perfect for developers looking to build advanced data systems without relying on multiple plugins.
What Makes Pods a Power Tool?
- Complete Control: Create or extend post types, users, media, or taxonomies in one place.
- Templating Built-In: Display content using Pods Templates or shortcodes, so there's no need for a separate page builder.
- Community-Driven: It’s well-documented, actively maintained, and backed by an engaged developer community.
Best For
Developers and advanced users who want a free, extendable solution for complex data structures.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Covers everything: types, taxonomies, fields, relationships.
- Free with strong community support.
- Developer-friendly templating tools.
Cons:
- Slightly steeper learning curve than CPT UI.
- Requires front-end styling unless using a builder.
Pricing
Free and open source.
4. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
ACF isn’t just about fields, it’s a developer’s toolkit for custom data. While not originally built for CPT registration, ACF Pro now supports CPT and taxonomy creation alongside its vast library of field types and developer functions.
Why ACF Is a Great Option?
- Unmatched Field Variety: Includes repeaters, galleries, flexible content, and relationship fields.
- Theme Integration: Designed for developers to easily integrate data into theme templates or blocks.
- ACF Blocks: Build custom Gutenberg blocks using ACF fields, perfect for bespoke editor experiences.
Best For
Power users and developers who want fine-grain control over custom data and templating.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Developer-centric with extensive documentation.
- Easily integrates with CPT UI and themes.
- Advanced layout fields for complex data structures.
Cons:
- Pro version needed for CPT support.
- Requires coding or a builder to display data.
Pricing
Free version available. Pro starts at $49/year for 1 site.
5. WordPress Creation Kit (WCK)
WCK is built for users who want to structure their site without touching code. From the creators of Profile Builder, it provides a visual UI for CPTs, taxonomies, and meta boxes, along with front-end content forms in the Pro version.
Key Reasons to Choose WCK
- Clean UI: Easily create CPTs, taxonomies, and meta boxes without touching code.
- Front-End Editing: Pro version allows submitting content directly from the front end.
- Visual Structure Builder: See your custom post types and fields as you build them.
Best For
Non-technical users who want structured content without a page builder or coding knowledge.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Code-free setup for CPTs and meta boxes.
- Clean, guided UI.
- Front-end forms without third-party tools.
Cons:
- Front-end features require Pro.
- Styling depends on your theme.
Pricing
Free version available. Pro starts at $49/year.
6. TotalPress Custom Post Types
TotalPress CPTs is a lightweight plugin with one purpose: fast, no-frills CPT registration. It’s a good pick for those who want performance-first tools without extra UI elements or advanced functionality.
Why Choose TotalPress CPTs?
- Speed-Focused: Minimal codebase and fast loading.
- Simple UI: Perfect for beginners or minimalists.
- Zero Bloat: Avoids unnecessary features, which is ideal for lean WordPress builds.
Best For
Users who need basic CPT registration without advanced fields or builders.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight.
- Zero configuration overhead.
- Great for small projects or developers with strict performance goals.
Cons:
- No custom field or taxonomy support.
- Not suitable for complex content modeling.
Pricing
Free on WordPress.org.
7. Custom Post Type UI
Custom Post Type UI (CPT UI) is one of the most widely used plugins for registering custom post types and taxonomies in WordPress. It’s a favorite among developers and site builders who need a simple and efficient way to structure content, without writing PHP.
What Makes Custom Post Type UI Stand Out?
- Intuitive Interface: You can register CPTs and taxonomies through a clean dashboard with no need to code.
- Separation of Concerns: CPT UI focuses strictly on registration, leaving templating and field management to other plugins.
- Developer-Friendly: Output can be exported as PHP for custom implementation in theme or plugin files.
Best For
Site builders, beginners, and developers who want quick, code-free CPT registration with no extra weight.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fast and lightweight.
- No coding required.
- Free and regularly updated.
Cons:
- Doesn’t handle custom fields or templating.
- Requires additional plugins for full content modeling.
Pricing
100% free on the WordPress.org repository.
8. Toolset Types
Toolset used to be the go-to no-code suite for multilingual or relational content websites. While no longer the trendsetter, it’s still a viable option for users in the WPML or legacy Toolset ecosystem.
Why Toolset Is a Great Option?
- All-in-One Toolkit: Create CPTs, fields, taxonomies, and relationships without writing code.
- Multilingual Support: Excellent integration with WPML for multilingual directory or content sites.
- Field-Based Templates: Use blocks or legacy shortcodes to build custom views.
Best For
Sites already using Toolset or requiring strong multilingual and directory functionality.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- All-in-one CPT and data structure system.
- Multilingual support is baked in.
- Great for structured content-heavy projects.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive.
- Slower development cycle.
Pricing
Starts at $69/year for 1 site.
Which Custom Post Type Plugin is Right for You?
Each of the plugins discussed offers its own strengths, depending on your project’s specific needs:
- Want a full dynamic site builder with relationships and filters? JetEngine or ACPT is your best bet.
- Need quick CPT creation with no fluff? Go with CPT UI or TotalPress.
- Building everything from scratch with fine-grain control? Combine CPT UI + ACF or try Pods.
- Want to avoid code but still have custom templates? WordPress Creation Kit or Toolset may be for you.
Here's a complete summary to assist you:
| Plugin | Best For | Ease of Use | Customization | Field Support | Pricing |
| ACPT | Modern UI | Easy | High | Integrated | Free / $29+ |
| JetEngine | Dynamic content | Moderate | Advanced | Built-in | $43/year |
| Pods | Complex data | Easy | Advanced | Native | Free |
| Advanced Custom Fields | Field control | Easy | High | Excellent | Free / $49+ |
| WCK | Client sites | Moderate | High | Built-in | Free / €49+ |
| TotalPress | Quick setup | Very Easy | Basic | None | Free |
| Custom Post Type UI | Simple CPTs | Very Easy | Basic | External (ACF, etc.) | Free |
| Toolset Types | Multilingual CPTs | Moderate | Advanced | Strong | From $69 |
