Conventionally, creating the website structure and design requires significant technical expertise, which makes it complex for non-technical users to create a stunning WordPress website. However, with the rise of powerful theme builders, block editors such as Gutenberg and Elementor have transformed the way in which websites are built.
When it comes to WordPress website development, it’s important to make the right decision between Gutenberg vs. Elementor, as both offer a diverse range of features. That is why it usually takes ample time for users to decide which page builder best suits their website needs.
In this blog, we will compare Gutenberg and Elementor, two of the giant page builders that seamlessly integrate with WordPress hosting, and explore their advantages, differences, and shortcomings when compared to each other.
Table Of Content
What is Elementor?
Elementor is an advanced page builder plugin for crafting a stunning and functional WordPress website. It offers numerous benefits that you can leverage to craft your website; however, it also has a reputation for being user-friendly. Thanks to its comprehensive developer-friendly features, you don’t have to write a single line of code—and can harness it to design a website that outshines in every way. With more than five million WordPress websites using Elementor, its success speaks for itself.
One of the fundamental reasons Elementor is a preferred solution is that it offers a drag-and-drop editor, which is useful for users who wish to preview how their page looks. And let’s not forget that the basic version of Elementor is free. When comparing block editor vs Elementor, Elementor excels with its comprehensive customization features, while the block editor offers a more simplified WordPress experience.
Some of the best use cases of Elementor include designing blog posts and website pages. Additionally, its dynamic design elements allow you to remodify the entire WordPress theme with ease.
Let’s explore some of the compelling reasons why clients prefer the Elementor plugin.
- Elementor’s drag-and-drop wizard attracts users to examine how their web page will look.
- You don’t need to have a technical background to use Elementor.
- You can seamlessly integrate several enticing design elements, such as animated headlines, background overlays, carousels, and more.
- Multiple templates are available to simplify the initial process.
- Elementor offers a comprehensive range of widgets, such as the Accordions widget, Business Hour widgets, the animated heading widget, brand widgets and much more.
- It’s fully customizable; hence, you can bring innovation with what you craft with Elementor.
Elementor also offers a multitude of built-in content widgets, so if you’re looking for a form, button, slider, or beyond, you don’t have to start creating it from scratch.
What is Gutenberg?
Introduced in 2018, Gutenberg is the WordPress platform’s standard block editor. While researching themes for your WordPress website, not all themes are fully optimized for Gutenberg. Many users find that Gutenberg is a step forward in making the building of WordPress websites more accessible for clients who don’t have technical expertise. However, a few users wonder, is Gutenberg faster than Elementor in terms of performance? With the help of the Gutenberg editor, you can effortlessly drag and drop elements onto the page rather than writing code to create any section. Then, once you’ve arranged your basic structure where you need it to be, you can go ahead with the in-depth customization.
The Gutenberg editor offers various blocks, such as text, headings, and media such as video. When you wish to use it on your website, doing it is as easy as including a block.
Here are a few substantial reasons why clients appreciate the Gutenberg editor.
- It’s smart—this editor is super user-friendly no matter whether you’re a newbie or a veteran. Additionally, Gutenberg uses blocks, so your page remains well-structured.
- Gutenberg offers a wide range of blocks to pick from; however, not too many where users get confused.
- Since it’s the default WordPress editor, it’s free to use.
- Several formatting features are compiled in this editor, but again, not so many that it gets difficult to choose.
- Being a part of WordPress software, it works flawlessly with other plugins and themes.
- You can leverage its ready-made templates and patterns if you need help in determining where to start.
- No technical skills are needed to use Gutenberg.
- This editor is fully responsive and mobile-friendly, which is crucial to ensure your website’s success.
How to Evaluate Elementor vs. Gutenberg?
After examining the fundamentals of Elementor and Gutenberg, we will now conduct a comparative analysis based on the following factors:
1. Usability
Let’s analyze how user-friendly Elementor and Gutenberg are for users. In this aspect, Gutenberg came up with a distinct advantage; let’s explore how.
As Gutenberg is the WordPress default editor, it works seamlessly with any themes or plugins you deploy, so you don’t need to stress about compatibility issues. When comparing Gutenberg WordPress vs Elementor, Gutenberg’s user interface is also similar to your WordPress website’s admin panel.
On the other hand, Elementor is a plugin that isn’t native to WordPress, making it an additional layer on the platform. Thus, it has a unique interface, so there can be a little learning curve, particularly if you aren’t tech-savvy.
Keep in mind that the team designed Elementor’s user interface to be intuitive, so it shouldn’t be difficult to master. However, If you’re searching for an editor that’s easy to use from the start, Gutenberg is worth considering.
2. Responsiveness
Gutenberg and Elementor were both crafted with a strong focus on responsive design. Irrespective of which you’re working with, your website will look fully responsive on any device. However, in the Elementor vs Gutenberg debate, if you choose to work with Gutenberg, there are some aspects to consider.
As we are aware, Gutenberg is WordPress’s default content editor. While it works with any theme, you should make sure that the theme you’re working with is responsive and mobile-friendly. Fortunately, plenty of options look enticing and function fine. If you happen to choose a theme that is not mobile-friendly, using the Gutenberg editor isn’t going to make it responsive automatically. Thus, it is recommended to do a proper evaluation of the theme you’re considering to deploy.
3. Previews
Both page builders offer a live preview of what you can expect for your webpage’s final appearance. However, when comparing Elementor vs block editor, you’ll notice a key difference—to see the outcome before going live with Gutenberg, you will need to click “Preview.”
This is because the editor shows the text display blocks without implementing your theme. Contrastingly, Elementor shows your preview right where you’re updating your content. This isn’t necessarily better, just different, so if live preview updates matter to you, Elementor can be a better choice.
Elementor allows you to edit the font, colours, and other elements related to the theme through the editor.
4. Pricing
Is Gutenberg better than Elementor when it comes to affordability? Since Gutenberg is completely free to use, it naturally scores higher in terms of pricing. You’ll never have to spend anything to use this editor. Conversely, Elementor provides both free and paid versions. In some cases, the unpaid version of Elementor might be powerful enough to get what you need. However, an upgrade may be necessary if you need to use this plugin to its full potential. Among these plans, you can smartly pick an ideal one that adds more value to your organization.
The most basic paid plan, the Essential plan, supports one website and costs $59/year. The next level is the Advanced plan for $99/year, supporting three websites. Next, the Expert plan allows up to 25 websites and costs $199 yearly. Ultimately, the agency plan supports 1000 websites and is priced at $399/year.
When should you use Gutenberg?
In general, Gutenberg is the better solution—it’s faster, free, responsive, and user-friendly. Additionally, as it is developed into WordPress, you don’t need to worry about compatibility with your theme and other plugins.
Additionally, we also appreciate how simple Gutenberg is. It’s easy to learn, so even if you’re launching your website creation journey, you’ll be able to leverage it easily.
Gutenberg also stands out by providing readymade patterns and templates. Those who need determining where to begin will find an excellent starting point.
If you’re looking for the least learning curve and need to get your website up and running quickly, Gutenberg is the way to go.
When should you use Elementor?
For complicated and highly customized websites, Elementor can be an ideal choice. It excels if you need full command and a unique website design, independent of your theme. This self-contained plugin enables you to modify design elements while generating content.
If you’re willing to invest a budget to get some of the most advanced features of this plugin, and are fine with a minor leaning edge, Elementor can be an ideal pick for creating complex, unique pages.
For those willing to craft a stunning website with zero technicalities, Gutenberg can be a saviour. It provides a simple yet powerful solution that integrates with WordPress websites effortlessly. However, if you prioritize complete customization and advanced design flexibility, Elementor is a strong contender, serving as an upgrade for users who need greater scalability and control over their website’s appearance.
Gutenberg is an affordable solution that fits in with the open-source nature of WordPress. For clients looking for ready-made templates and design options, Elementor offers a full-fledged pricing plan that scales from a free plan to a high-end plan ideal for different sizes and budgets of a project. Your website needs, however, dictate the final decision—be it usability and functionality or flexibility of creativity and customizability are the issues.
FAQ’s
Which is easier to use: Elementor or Gutenberg?
Elementor and Gutenberg page builders cater to a diverse purpose. Elementor is a top pick for non-tech-savvy users looking for a library of readymade templates and customization-friendly designs. Meanwhile, Gutenberg is tailored as the default solution for WordPress, with optimized and simple designing tools and settings that allow instant content creation to be effortless.
Which has a larger community and support resources?
Gutenberg has an omnipresent community and support network compared to Elementor. As it is directly implemented into the WordPress core and backed by the whole WordPress community, including core developers, it stands out as the phenomenal choice for support and updates. While Elementor also has a large user base, it remains a separate plugin from its community.
Which is better for experienced designers and developers?
For seasoned designers and developers, Gutenberg is generally considered an exceptional choice owing to its integration with core WordPress, providing superior performance, SEO optimization, and neat code. It also offers unmatched scalability for design needs, especially with custom block development. However, Elementor might be favourable if visual design customization and a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface are the top priorities.
Can I use Elementor and Gutenberg together?
Yes, you can use Elementor and Gutenberg together on a WordPress website. You can leverage each editor to edit various pages or posts; however, not both simultaneously on a single page. Additionally, you can use both editors to craft various sections of your website, offering flexibility in content creation.
