Skip to content 
If you regularly use Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) to build WordPress websites, you have likely encountered a significant limitation: ACF does not include a native star rating field type. While third-party solutions exist, many are outdated, suffer from security vulnerabilities, or fail to integrate seamlessly with modern page builders like Elementor.
To bridge this gap, we developed ACF Star Rating Field Extended a free, production-ready, and PSR-compatible WordPress plugin designed to streamline your development workflow and enhance user engagement.
What is ACF Star Rating Field Extended?
The flexibility of ACF Star Rating Field Extended allows you to use it on any custom post type easily
ACF Star Rating Field Extended is a powerful open-source plugin that introduces a fully customizable “Star Rating” field type to your ACF setup. This extension is an ideal solution for review websites, product catalogs, service directories, or any high-quality content requiring visual ratings.
Originally a fork of Kevin Ruscoe’s foundational work, this version has been completely rewritten to meet modern standards. Key improvements include:
- Native Elementor Widget: Featuring a live, real-time preview.
- Security & Compliance: Adheres to WordPress.org security standards with robust output escaping.
- Zero CDN Dependencies: All assets are served locally, ensuring your site remains GDPR compliant and fast.
- PSR-Compatible Architecture: Utilizes PHP namespacing to prevent conflicts with other themes or plugins.
One standout feature of ACF Star Rating Field Extended is its local asset hosting, which boosts speed.
✨ Key Features at a Glance
1. Customizable Star Ratings (1–10)
Flexibility is at the core of this plugin. You can configure between 1 and 10 stars for any field. It integrates perfectly across all Custom Post Types, taxonomies, and even ACF Options Pages.
2. Native Elementor Widget
We’ve built a dedicated widget specifically for Elementor users. You can now control star colours, sizes, spacing (gap), and alignment directly within the visual editor no custom CSS required.
3. Real-Time Preview
The real-time preview feature allows you to see exactly how your ratings will appear on the frontend while you are still inside the Elementor builder, saving you from constant saving and refreshing.
4. Security First:
The plugin is 100% compliant with WordPress.org security standards. We use strict output escaping (including wp_kses_post, esc_html, and esc_attr) throughout the entire codebase to protect your site.
5. Zero External Dependencies:
To ensure maximum privacy and speed, all assets including Font Awesome 4.2.0 are bundled locally. No external CDN calls mean faster page loads and full GDPR compliance.
6. PSR-Compatible Architecture:
Built with a modern, namespaced PHP structure (ACF_Star_Rating_Extended), our plugin ensures zero conflicts with other themes or plugins, making it a favorite for professional developers.
How to Use ACF Star Rating Field Extended with Elementor
Many developers prefer ACF Star Rating Field Extended because it integrates perfectly with the Elementor editor.
Implementing star ratings in your layouts is incredibly straightforward:
- Open the Elementor Editor on the page or template where you want to display ratings.
- Search for the “ACF Star Rating” widget. This dedicated widget is part of the ACF Star Rating Field Extended plugin.
- Drag and drop the widget onto your layout. In the Content tab, enter the specific ACF Field Name you created for the ACF Star Rating Field Extended.
- Navigate to the Style tab to customize the appearance. ACF Star Rating Field Extended allows you to change colors and sizes directly within Elementor.
Developer-Friendly: Shortcodes & Hooks
For WordPress agencies and developers, we provide multiple programmatic rendering options:
Using ACF Star Rating Field Extended shortcodes makes it simple to display ratings anywhere on your site.
Using Short codes
Display ratings anywhere in your content or text blocks using this simple shortcode: [acf_star_rating field="your_field_name"]
Programmatic PHP Rendering
To render ratings directly within your WordPress theme files, use the following static method: echo \ACF_Star_Rating_Extended\Field_Type::static_render_rating('my_field_name', $post_id);
Custom Filters
Developers can even customize the Font Awesome icons used in the admin panel via filters:
PHP
add_filter('acf_star_rating_field_admin_star_classes',function($classes){
return['fa fa-star-o','fa fa-star-half-o','fa fa-star'];
});Why Choose This Plugin?
- 100% Free & Open Source: No hidden paywalls, premium tiers, or locked features.
- Modern PHP Architecture: Clean code that ensures a conflict-free environment.
- Privacy-Focused: No external tracking or third-party requests; everything stays on your server.
- Actively Maintained: Regular updates and community support via GitHub.
Real-World Use Cases
Overall, ACF Star Rating Field Extended is a must-have tool for speed-conscious WordPress agencies
This plugin is the perfect addition for websites that manage:
- Movie or Book Reviews
- Business Directories (e.g., Restaurants, Schools, or Real Estate)
- Portfolio Showcases requiring skill or project ratings.
Ready to boost your ACF experience? Download it now from GitHub or contact our team for further technical assistance with your next project
