Building a WordPress website no longer requires advanced coding skills, thanks to the rise of page builders that allow users to create stunning, functional sites with drag-and-drop ease.
Among the most popular are Elementor, Divi, and Gutenberg. While each of these page builders serves the same basic purpose — helping users craft websites without writing code — they differ significantly in features, user experience, and flexibility. In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right one for your website.
Gutenberg
Gutenberg is WordPress’s native block editor
First introduced in WordPress 5.0, Gutenberg is the default block editor that aims to simplify content creation by replacing the classic editor with a more flexible and visual approach. Rather than writing in a single text editor, Gutenberg breaks your content into “blocks,” which can be customised and rearranged individually.
Pros
- Built-in: Since it’s native to WordPress, Gutenberg doesn’t require any additional plugins, making it more lightweight and ensuring compatibility with future WordPress updates.
- Block System: Each block can be edited individually, from text and images to more advanced elements like galleries and tables. This modular approach allows more creative freedom for beginners and experienced users alike.
- SEO-friendly: As it integrates directly into the WordPress core, Gutenberg is highly compatible with popular SEO plugins like Yoast, ensuring that your site remains optimised.
- Performance: With fewer external resources compared to third-party page builders, Gutenberg tends to load faster and perform better in terms of speed.
Cons
- Limited design flexibility: While Gutenberg offers blocks for different content types, it doesn’t offer the same depth of customisation as third-party builders like Elementor or Divi. Users looking for more design control may find Gutenberg somewhat limiting.
- Steeper learning curve: Gutenberg may take some time to get used to, especially if you’re accustomed to the classic editor or other page builders.
Ideal for
Beginners and users who want a lightweight solution without the need for additional plugins or extensive design control.
Elementor
Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress page builders.
Known for its ease of use and powerful customisation options. With a wide array of pre-made templates, widgets, and styling options, Elementor makes creating visually appealing and professional websites a breeze.
A great example of an Elementor website with lots of great functionality, using various e-learning and eCommerce plugins, is this TEAS prep course company’s website — it demonstrates a perfect combination of aesthetics, functionality and efficiency using page-builder technology.
Pros
User-friendly: Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface allows even beginners to create complex layouts with minimal effort. Simply pick an element, place it on the page, and tweak its settings until it looks perfect.
Advanced styling options: From typography to margin controls, Elementor offers deep customisation for almost every aspect of your site’s design, giving you full creative control.
Templates and widgets: With access to a wide range of pre-made templates and over 90 widgets, Elementor allows for rapid site development. You can mix and match sections of different templates or start from scratch.
Responsive editing: Elementor allows you to preview your site on desktop, tablet, and mobile, ensuring your design looks great on any device.
Cons
Performance issues: With all its features, Elementor can sometimes slow down a website, especially on shared hosting environments. However, with proper optimisation, this can be mitigated.
Cost: While Elementor offers a free version, many of its more advanced features (like Theme Builder and custom CSS) are locked behind Elementor Pro, which comes at a cost.
Ideal for
Designers and developers who want maximum control over their website’s appearance and functionality without needing to write any code.
Divi
A flexible visual builder with all-inclusive pricing
Developed by Elegant Themes, Divi is both a page builder and a theme, offering a powerful visual editing experience. Divi is known for its flexibility and extensive design options, making it a favourite for designers who want to create custom websites without limitations.
Pros
Visual builder: Divi’s real-time visual editor allows you to see the results of your changes immediately, making the design process more intuitive and engaging.
All-in-one solution: Unlike Elementor, which is primarily a page builder, Divi doubles as both a theme and a builder. This means you can control every aspect of your site’s design from one place.
Lifetime pricing: Divi offers an attractive lifetime plan, which can save you money in the long run if you plan on building multiple websites or using it for years to come.
Global elements and styles: Divi allows you to create global elements and styles, so you can maintain design consistency across your entire website. Any changes made to a global element are automatically reflected on all pages where it’s used.
Cons
Learning curve: While Divi offers a powerful set of tools, beginners may find it overwhelming at first, especially when compared to the more straightforward interfaces of Elementor or Gutenberg.
Slower performance: Like Elementor, Divi can sometimes slow down a site, particularly if it’s overloaded with design elements or used on lower-tier hosting.
Ideal for
Agencies or freelancers who need a flexible and powerful visual builder with a one-time payment option.
Key considerations when choosing a page builder
Ease of Use: Elementor stands out for its simplicity and drag-and-drop functionality, making it ideal for beginners. Divi’s learning curve is steeper, but its visual editor is powerful once mastered. Gutenberg, while integrated, can take some getting used to but is easier for those who prefer minimal plugin use.
Performance: Gutenberg, being native, has the edge in terms of speed. Both Elementor and Divi are more feature-rich, but this can come at the cost of slower performance. Proper optimisation and hosting solutions can mitigate this issue.
Pricing: Gutenberg is free and built into WordPress. Elementor’s free version is generous but unlocking advanced features requires a subscription. Divi’s lifetime plan makes it more appealing for long-term use, especially for agencies.
Customisation: Elementor and Divi both offer extensive customisation options, with Divi slightly edging out due to its all-in-one approach. Gutenberg is best for those happy with a modular, block-based design experience.
Conclusion: Which page builder is right for you?
Ultimately, the best WordPress page builder depends on your specific needs and level of expertise. Gutenberg is perfect for users who want to keep things simple and lightweight. Elementor excels at offering a balance between ease of use and customisation, making it a favourite for both beginners and professionals. Divi is ideal for those who need a flexible, all-in-one solution and plan to work on multiple websites.
Each page builder has its strengths, and the right choice will depend on your goals, whether that’s performance, customisation, or simplicity. Whichever you choose, WordPress page builders have made creating beautiful, functional websites easier than ever.