Looking for a Toolset alternative? Field Forge offers custom fields with AI, TypeScript, and ACF compat — from $35/year vs Toolset's $69-$299.
| Feature | Field Forge from $35/yr | Toolset |
|---|---|---|
| Mid tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free version | ✓ | ✗ |
| Custom table storage | ✓ | ✗ |
| ACF compatibility | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI schema generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| TypeScript generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| GraphQL generation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Schema versioning | ✓ | ✗ |
| Application-builder features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Views / custom queries UI | ✗ | ✓ |
| Modern admin UI | ✓ | ✗ |
Toolset is a WordPress custom fields and application-builder suite from OnTheGoSystems. It positions itself as a tool for building applications on WordPress — not just adding custom fields, but building directories, listings, catalogs, and membership sites with Views, Types, Access, and CRED (frontend editing) modules.
For users who specifically need Toolset’s Views system for displaying custom field data in complex templates, Toolset remains a legitimate choice. For everyone else — especially developers who just need good custom fields — Field Forge is a simpler, cheaper, and more modern alternative.
| Field Forge | Toolset | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid price | $35/year (Personal) | $69/year (Inside Plan, 1 site) |
| Mid tier | $99/year (10 sites) | $99/year (Agency) |
| Top tier | $169/year (unlimited) | $299/year (Dev Pack) |
| Free version | Yes | No |
| Custom table storage | Yes | No |
| ACF compatibility | Yes | No |
| AI schema generation | Yes | No |
| TypeScript generation | Yes | No |
| GraphQL generation | Yes | No |
| Schema versioning | Yes | No |
| Application-builder features | No (focused on custom fields) | Yes (Views, CRED, Access) |
| Views / custom queries UI | No (use WP_Query in code) | Yes (primary feature) |
| Modern admin UI | Yes | Dated |
Toolset’s core value proposition is Views — a visual query builder that lets non-developers display custom field data in custom templates. Combined with Types (CPT and custom fields), CRED (frontend submission and editing), and Access (role-based permissions), Toolset is a complete toolkit for building applications on WordPress.
For use cases like:
…Toolset provides an integrated solution that doesn’t require custom development.
Toolset is made by the same team as WPML (the WordPress multilingual plugin). Integration between Toolset and WPML is tighter than most alternatives. For multilingual application sites, this is a real advantage.
Toolset’s CRED module provides frontend forms for creating and editing posts. This is useful for membership sites and user-generated content scenarios.
For real estate, business directory, and membership site builders, Toolset has a reputation and customer base that’s been built over years. Developers who’ve used it before often reach for it on new projects out of habit.
Toolset bundles custom fields with Views, CRED, Access, and multilingual integration. If you only need custom fields, you’re paying for 4+ other modules you’re not using.
Field Forge is focused on custom fields and the modern development tooling around them (AI generation, TypeScript, GraphQL, performance). If you need Views-like functionality, use WordPress’s native WP_Query in code. If you need frontend submission, use Form Forge (our separate form builder). If you need role-based access, use WordPress’s native capabilities or a dedicated access plugin.
The unbundled approach is often cheaper and more flexible — you pick the best tool for each job instead of being locked into one vendor’s suite.
Toolset uses wp_postmeta for custom field storage, inheriting the same N+1 query performance limitations as ACF. Field Forge’s custom table storage is 3–10x faster on sites with many posts or complex field structures.
For Toolset users building large directories or listings, this is a real performance advantage.
Custom table storage feature →
Toolset has no ACF compatibility layer. Migrating from ACF to Toolset requires rewriting every template reference. If you’re on ACF and considering alternatives, Toolset is a bigger switching cost than Field Forge.
Field Forge’s compat layer means ACF code keeps working unchanged after migration.
No other WordPress custom fields plugin has AI-based field group generation. Field Forge is first.
AI schema generation feature →
Toolset has limited headless WordPress support. Views is designed for PHP templates, not JavaScript frontends. If you’re building a headless site with Next.js or Astro, Toolset’s Views isn’t useful to you.
Field Forge’s TypeScript generation and GraphQL integration are designed specifically for headless WordPress workflows.
Toolset’s admin interfaces feel dated — they’ve been incrementally updated but still reflect a mid-2010s design aesthetic. Field Forge has a modern three-panel visual builder with keyboard shortcuts, inline editing, and AI integration.
Toolset’s pricing:
Field Forge’s pricing:
For a single site: Field Forge is about half the price of Toolset.
For an agency: Field Forge Agency is 43% cheaper than Toolset Dev Pack.
To be fair, Toolset is the right tool when:
For sites that just need custom fields without the application-builder layer, Field Forge is simpler and cheaper.
Field Forge’s Toolset importer is in beta and handles:
What doesn’t migrate automatically:
Migration from Toolset is more complex than migration from ACF, CMB2, or Meta Box specifically because Toolset is bundled with Views/CRED/Access. If you’re using only Types (custom fields and post types), migration is straightforward. If you’re using the full Toolset suite, plan for 2–5 days of rewriting Views and CRED functionality as custom code.
Many Toolset users are actually better served by an unbundled WordPress stack:
register_post_type()The unbundled stack is typically cheaper, more flexible, and easier to maintain long-term because you’re not locked into one vendor’s ecosystem.
Does Field Forge have Views like Toolset?
No. Field Forge is focused on custom fields. For dynamic content displays, use WP_Query in PHP templates, Elementor’s Loop Builder, GeneratePress Elements, or Bricks Builder’s query loop.
Can I use Field Forge for the directory site I was going to build with Toolset?
For custom fields, yes. For the Views-like querying and displaying, you’ll need additional tools. The unbundled stack (Field Forge + your preferred page builder + WP_Query) is typically cheaper and more flexible.
Is the Toolset importer reliable?
It’s in beta and handles Types field groups well. Complex configurations (especially involving Views) may need manual work. Contact support if you’re planning a Toolset migration and we’ll advise based on your specific setup.
Does Field Forge support the Types-style CPT registration?
Yes. Field Forge has its own custom post type registration UI, or you can use native WordPress register_post_type() calls.
What about Toolset + WPML integration?
If you need WPML-compatible custom fields, Field Forge works with WPML via the standard filter hooks. For a fully integrated multilingual + custom fields experience, pair Field Forge with Lang Forge (our multilingual plugin) for tighter integration.
Get Field Forge — from $35/year →
14-day refund. Modern architecture, AI features, half the price of Toolset.
No. Field Forge is focused on custom fields. For dynamic content displays, use WP_Query in PHP templates, Elementor’s Loop Builder, GeneratePress Elements, or Bricks Builder’s query loop.
For custom fields, yes. For the Views-like querying and displaying, you’ll need additional tools. The unbundled stack (Field Forge + your preferred page builder + WP_Query) is typically cheaper and more flexible.
It’s in beta and handles Types field groups well. Complex configurations (especially involving Views) may need manual work. Contact support if you’re planning a Toolset migration and we’ll advise based on your specific setup.
Yes. Field Forge has its own custom post type registration UI, or you can use native WordPress register_post_type() calls.
If you need WPML-compatible custom fields, Field Forge works with WPML via the standard filter hooks. For a fully integrated multilingual + custom fields experience, pair Field Forge with Lang Forge (our multilingual plugin) for tighter integration.
Every feature included. Every plan. Starting at $35/yr.