Create powerful custom blocks with these developer-focused solutions
Building custom blocks for WordPress used to mean wrestling with JavaScript, dealing with complex build processes, and diving deep into React. While these are valuable skills, not every developer wants to become a JavaScript expert just to create custom blocks for their clients’ websites.
Here’s the reality: custom WordPress blocks shouldn’t require you to be a full-stack JavaScript developer. Whether you’re building a simple accordion block or a complex pricing table, you need tools that let you focus on creating great solutions for your clients, not fighting with build tools and unfamiliar syntax.
I’ve spent years building custom WordPress sites and have tested virtually every block builder tool on the market. In this article, I’ll share the three best options I’ve found that make custom block development faster and more efficient, while still giving you full control over your code.
These aren’t no-code builders or drag-and-drop tools – they’re professional development solutions that streamline the block creation process while respecting your expertise in PHP, HTML, and CSS. Let’s dive into each one.
BlockStudio: Make custom blocks directly in WordPress admin
BlockStudio is my top recommendation for WordPress developers who want to create custom blocks without the complexity of traditional block development. Found at blockstudio.dev, this tool fundamentally changes how you approach block creation.
What makes BlockStudio stand out is its unique approach – you can create standalone blocks directly inside WordPress admin. If you’re comfortable with PHP, HTML, and CSS, you’ll feel right at home. No need to set up Node.js, learn React, or deal with complex build processes.
Here’s what you get with BlockStudio:
- Direct block creation in WordPress admin
- Familiar PHP, HTML, and CSS development
- Built-in block preview as you code
- No build process or compilation required
- Full control over your block’s markup
Pricing and licensing
- Basic: €49/year (includes 3 sites)
- Premium: €149/year (unlimited sites)
- Lifetime: €199 (one-time payment)
All plans include updates and support.
Real-world example
Let’s say you need to create a custom testimonial block. With BlockStudio, you simply:
- Create a new block in WordPress admin
- Write your HTML structure
- Add your PHP logic for dynamic content
- Style with CSS
- Save and use immediately
The block is instantly available in the editor – no compilation, no build process, no deployment steps. This makes iterating on custom blocks significantly faster than traditional methods.
Advanced Custom Fields blocks: The power of ACF Pro
If you’re already using Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Pro in your WordPress development workflow, its block creation capabilities offer a robust solution for custom block development. While it requires more setup than BlockStudio, ACF blocks provide deep integration with WordPress’s field management system.
How ACF blocks work
Unlike BlockStudio’s direct admin interface approach, ACF blocks require backend configuration. You’ll need to:
- Create your field groups in ACF Pro
- Register your block using PHP
- Set up your block template files
- Configure your block settings programmatically
Here’s a basic example of registering an ACF block:
add_action('acf/init', function() {
acf_register_block_type([
'name' => 'testimonial',
'title' => 'Testimonial',
'description' => 'A custom testimonial block.',
'render_template' => 'template-parts/blocks/testimonial.php',
'category' => 'formatting',
'icon' => 'admin-comments',
'keywords' => ['testimonial', 'quote'],
]);
});Pricing and integration
ACF Pro, which includes block creation capabilities:
- Single site: $49/year
- Up to 10 sites: $149/year
- Unlimited sites: $249/year
All plans include updates and support.
When to choose ACF blocks
ACF blocks are ideal when:
- You’re already using ACF Pro in your workflow
- You need complex field relationships
- Your blocks require advanced field types
- You want tight integration with ACF’s field management
The main tradeoff is development speed – you’ll spend more time setting up each block compared to BlockStudio’s direct approach. However, if you need ACF’s powerful field handling capabilities, this additional setup time might be worth it.
MetaBox.io block builder: A robust ACF alternative
MetaBox.io offers another powerful approach to custom block development, following a similar pattern to ACF blocks. If you’re already using MetaBox as your field management solution, their block builder provides a familiar way to create custom blocks.
How MetaBox blocks work
Like ACF, MetaBox requires backend configuration for block creation. The process involves:
- Setting up field groups through MetaBox
- Registering your block with PHP
- Creating block template files
- Configuring block settings through code
Here’s an example of registering a MetaBox block:
add_filter('rwmb_meta_boxes', function($meta_boxes) {
$meta_boxes[] = [
'title' => 'Testimonial',
'id' => 'testimonial-block',
'type' => 'block',
'icon' => 'format-quote',
'description' => 'Display a testimonial with author info',
'render_template' => 'blocks/testimonial.php',
'fields' => [
// Field configuration here
],
];
return $meta_boxes;
});Pricing structure
MetaBox offers several pricing tiers that include block creation:
- Basic: $49/year (single site)
- Ultimate Personal: $99/year (up to 3 sites)
- Ultimate: $229/year (unlimited sites)
- Lifetime licenses available:
- $299 (up to 3 sites)
- $699 (unlimited sites)
When to choose MetaBox blocks
MetaBox blocks make sense when:
- You prefer MetaBox’s field management approach
- You need specific MetaBox field types
- You want to leverage MetaBox’s existing extensions
- You’re building blocks that require complex data relationships
The setup process is similar to ACF blocks, requiring more initial configuration than BlockStudio. However, if you’re already invested in the MetaBox ecosystem, the familiarity and integration benefits can outweigh the extra setup time.
Choosing the right block builder for your workflow
After working extensively with all three tools, here’s how they compare in key areas that matter for custom WordPress development.
Development speed
BlockStudio:
- Fastest to get started
- Direct in-admin development
- Instant preview and testing
- No build process required
ACF Blocks:
- More initial setup time
- Backend configuration needed
- Requires template file creation
- Field group configuration
MetaBox:
- Similar setup time to ACF
- Backend configuration required
- Template files needed
- Field group setup
Pricing comparison
| Tool | Single Site / Basic | Multiple Sites / Premium | Lifetime Option |
| BlockStudio | €49/year (3 sites) | €149/year (unlimited) | Yes – €199 |
| ACF Pro | $49/year | $149/year (10 sites) or $249/year (unlimited) | No |
| MetaBox | $49/year | $99/year (3 sites) or $229/year (unlimited) | Yes – from $299 |
Which tool should you choose?
If you want the fastest development experience and are comfortable with PHP, HTML, and CSS, BlockStudio is your best choice. It removes the complexity of traditional block development while giving you full control over your code.
Consider ACF Blocks if:
- You’re already using ACF Pro
- You need complex field relationships
- You want tight integration with ACF’s field system
Go with MetaBox if:
- You prefer MetaBox’s field management
- You need specific MetaBox features
- You want lifetime license options
Each tool has its place in custom WordPress development. While BlockStudio offers the most streamlined experience for creating standalone blocks, ACF and MetaBox shine when you need their broader field management capabilities.
The best approach might be to combine tools based on your project needs. Use BlockStudio for quick, standalone blocks, and leverage ACF or MetaBox when you need their advanced field management features.
Take the next step in custom block development
Ready to streamline your WordPress block development? I recommend starting with BlockStudio – it’s the most direct path to creating custom blocks without the complexity of traditional development methods.
You can try BlockStudio at blockstudio.dev. For $49/year, you’ll get access to a tool that dramatically speeds up your custom block development workflow. Plus, with their 14-day money-back guarantee, you can test it risk-free.
Feel free to share your experience with these tools in the comments below. I’m always interested in hearing how other developers approach custom block development.
There are affiliate links to BlockStudio in this article.