User Role Editor

What is User Role Editor?

User Role Editor is a 16-year-old WordPress plugin that lets you change user roles and capabilities. You simply tick checkboxes for the abilities you want to add to a role and click “Update.” The plugin was created by developer Vladimir Garagulya and has been maintained for over a decade and a half. It currently has over 700,000 active installs, making it one of the most trusted access management tools in the WordPress ecosystem. Its rating stands at 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 287 reviews. Of those reviews, 85% are 5% are one-star. This split suggests strong satisfaction for most users, though a vocal minority has encountered issues.

The plugin addresses a core need: controlling what users can do on your site. Without such a tool, you are stuck with WordPress’s default roles like Editor or Subscriber. User Role Editor removes that limitation. It allows you to create custom roles from scratch or by copying an existing role. You can also delete unused roles, change the default role for new users, and assign capabilities on a per-user basis. The plugin supports WordPress multisite networks, which is a notable feature for agencies and large organizations.

Key Features of User Role Editor

• Role and Capability Editing: Add or remove capabilities for any role by checking or unchecking boxes. Changes apply instantly when you click the “Update” button.
• Custom Role Creation: Build new roles from scratch or clone an existing role as a starting template. Delete custom roles when they are no longer needed.
• Per-User Capability Assignment: Grant specific capabilities to individual users without changing their primary role. This is useful for one-off permissions.
• Multiple Roles per User: Assign more than one role to a single user simultaneously, giving you granular control over access levels.
• Multisite Network Support: Manage roles for each site in a WordPress network. The Pro version adds global role management from the Network Admin.
• Add or Remove Capabilities: Create new capabilities that may be left behind by uninstalled plugins, or delete obsolete ones to clean up your permissions list.
• Default Role Management: Change the role that is automatically assigned to every newly registered user on your site.

Who Should Use User Role Editor?

This plugin is designed for site administrators who need precise control over user permissions. It suits beginners who want a simple checkbox interface, but it also serves advanced users who manage complex membership sites or client portals. If you run a WordPress site with more than a few authors, editors, or subscribers, you will benefit from customizing roles. The 700,000+ active installs indicate that many site owners rely on it for daily operations. The plugin’s 16-year history suggests it has been tested across countless WordPress versions and hosting environments.

Developers and agencies managing multisite networks will find the multisite support especially valuable. With the Pro version, you can synchronize roles across an entire network with one click. The plugin also helps site owners who need to restrict access to specific admin menus, widgets, or meta boxes. Those features are available in the paid Pro version, which removes advertisements and includes premium support. If you only need basic role editing, the free version covers that need thoroughly.

Installation & Setup

Installation follows the standard WordPress plugin process. You can upload the plugin via the admin dashboard or manually extract the zip file to the “/wp-content/plugins/user-role-editor” directory. The plugin requires WordPress 4.4 or higher and PHP 7.3 or later. After activation, you will see a new “User Role Editor” menu item under the “Users” admin menu. The interface is straightforward: select a role from the dropdown, check or uncheck capabilities, and click “Update.” No configuration wizards or complex settings are needed to get started.

Support & Community

The support situation for User Role Editor shows a mixed picture. Over the most recent two-month period (as of version 4.65, updated May 21, 2026), the plugin had 3 open support threads on WordPress.org. None of those threads were marked as resolved, resulting in a 0% resolution rate for that period. This is a low volume of support requests, which could indicate that the plugin works reliably for most users. However, the 0% resolution rate is a concern for anyone who might need help with a specific issue. The 8% one-star rating also points to a subset of users who encountered problems that were not addressed.

The developer, Vladimir Garagulya, offers support through the WordPress.org plugin forum and a dedicated documentation page on shinephp.com. The FAQ section covers common questions, including multisite setup and default role changes. Pro version buyers receive premium support, which may resolve issues faster than the free forum. If you rely on this plugin for a production site, the Pro version’s support could be a worthwhile investment. For basic role editing, the free version’s community resources and long track record provide reasonable assurance.