Editing roles, capabilities and user assignments
The free version makes role and user permissions editable through a checkbox-based interface. Administrators can create roles from scratch or copy an existing role, remove unused custom roles when no users have them, and change the default role for new accounts.
Capabilities can be assigned to individual users, and users can hold multiple roles at once. This suits sites that need to tailor permissions without creating a separate role for every exception.
Access controls included in User Role Editor Pro
Pro extends role editing with controls for site areas and content, so sites needing these restrictions should plan to use the paid version.
- Admin controls: restrict dashboard menus, widgets and meta boxes by role, and manage who can activate or deactivate plugins.
- Content access: limit editing of posts, pages and custom post types using post, author and taxonomy IDs; restrict which roles can view posts and pages.
- Front-end visibility: hide menu items from visitors, logged-in users or selected roles, and show widgets to chosen roles.
- Forms and shortcodes: manage access to Gravity Forms and use shortcodes to show enclosed content only to selected roles.
- Role administration: control which other roles users can see, view backend page permissions, and export or import roles between sites.
- Pro package: includes Network Admin role management and synchronization, removes plugin-page advertisements, and includes premium support.
Managing roles across a multisite network
The free version treats each site in a multisite network separately by default; network-wide changes require the appropriate setting and privileges.
- Per-site behavior: roles are managed for the individual site unless Apply to All Sites is enabled.
- Network-wide changes: applying a role change across the network requires superadmin privileges.
- Pro management: Network Admin tools manage roles and users across the network, with one-click synchronization to all sites. This is useful when consistent permissions matter across multiple sites.
A frequently updated tool with limited support evidence
User Role Editor has broad adoption and an excellent rating, although its review count is moderate. It was updated within the last week, indicating a current update cadence; the support sample is only two threads, half resolved, too small to establish consistently responsive support.
The plugin may suit administrators seeking detailed control over user permissions, while sites needing its wider access restrictions should account for Pro. Check whether the free role editor covers your workflow before relying on premium controls, and treat the support figures as limited evidence.
