When it comes to comparing Elementor vs Gutenberg, everyone has a different opinion about which is the best choice. In other words, it can take some work to decide between Elementor vs Gutenberg and determine which would work best for your website's unique needs.
In this post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to compare Elementor vs Gutenberg. To begin, we'll introduce Elementor and Gutenberg. Then, we'll discuss the differences and similarities and how they stack against each other.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: What is Elementor?
Elementor is a popular page builder plugin for creating a visually attractive, functional WordPress site. It offers many features you can harness to craft an advanced website, but it also has a reputation for being easy to use. Thanks to Elementor, you don't need to worry about writing one line of code — and you can still create a website that excels in every way. If you need proof of this page builder's success, consider th at over five million WordPress sites use Elementor to bring their vision to life.
One of the primary reasons Elementor is a popular choice is because it offers a drag-and-drop editor, which is helpful for visual people who want to see how their page will look. And did we mention that the most basic version of Elementor is free? (If you want to go pro, you'll have to pay. You can check out the differences between the free and paid versions of Elementor here.)
Some of the most popular uses of Elementor include formatting blog posts and website pages, but you can also rework the entirety of your WordPress theme.
Here are some main reasons users enjoy the Elementor plugin:
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Elementor is drag-and-drop, which appeals to those who want to see what their page will look like.
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You don't need to know how to code to use Elementor.
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You can easily add various engaging design elements such as carousels and more.
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Various templates are available to streamline the process of getting started.
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The page builder also features a variety of widgets.
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It's highly customizable, so you can get creative with what you build with Elementor.
Pro Tip: Elementor also boasts a variety of pre-built content widgets, so whether you're looking for a form, buttons, slider, or beyond, you don't have to build one from scratch.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: What is Gutenberg?
Gutenberg, on the other hand, is the WordPress platform's standard block editor. It was initially introduced in 2018 and is now the default WordPress editor. (You can disable it and choose a different type of editor if you prefer.) When you're checking out themes for your WordPress site, some mention that they're Gutenberg-friendly.
Gutenberg is a step in the right direction of making the creation of WordPress websites more accessible for users who don't have a ton of technical experience. With the help of the Gutenberg editor, you can drag and drop elements onto the page instead of writing code. Then, once you've placed your blocks where you desire them, you can move forward with customization.
The Gutenberg editor provides various 'blocks' such as text, images, headings, and video. When you want to place one on your website, doing so is as simple as adding a block.
Here are some main reasons users enjoy the Gutenberg editor:
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It's intuitive — and this editor is easy to use, whether you're a novice or an expert. Plus, Gutenberg uses blocks, so your page stays organized.
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There are a variety of blocks to choose from, but not too many where you get overwhelmed.
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It's the default WordPress editor, so it's free to use.
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Various formatting features are built into this editor, but again, not so many that it gets overwhelming.
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Because this is part of WordPress software, it works seamlessly with other plugins and themes.
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You can use premade templates and patterns if you need help determining where to begin.
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You don't need to know how to code to use Gutenberg.
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This editor is responsive and mobile-friendly, which is essential to ensure your website's success. (However, this will only work if you choose a responsive theme, too.)
Pro Tip: Say goodbye to shortcodes. With Gutenberg, you don't have to rely on shortcodes to embed content — instead, you'll get to use the block system.
How to Evaluate Elementor vs Gutenberg
Now that you have an overview of the differences between Elementor and Gutenberg, here's how we will evaluate these two. Ease of use, responsiveness, preview capability, website speed, and pricing are all essential factors, so let's compare.
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Ease of use
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Responsiveness
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Previews
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Website speed
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Pricing
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Ease of Use
First, let's evaluate how easy Elementor and Gutenberg are to use. In this category, Gutenberg has a clear leg up. Here's why.
Because Gutenberg is the WordPress default editor, it will work with whatever themes or plugins you install. You never have to worry about compatibility issues. The user interface is also native to your WordPress site's admin panel.
On the contrary, Elementor is a plugin that isn't native to WordPress, so it's another application layer. Therefore, it has a unique interface, so there might be a slight learning curve, especially if you don't consider yourself "tech-savvy."
Remember that the team designed Elementor's user interface to be intuitive, so it won't be tricky to master. However, if you're looking for an editor you'll know how to use right off the bat, you should stick with Gutenberg.
Pro Tip: Remember that your Gutenberg blocks are customizable, and you can rearrange them as necessary.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Responsiveness
Here's the good news: Gutenberg and Elementor were both created with responsive design in mind. Regardless of which you're working with, your site will look great on mobile. However, if you choose to work with Gutenberg, there is something that you should keep in mind.
As we know, Gutenberg is WordPress' default content editor. While it will work with any theme, you should ensure that the theme you're working with is responsive and mobile-friendly. (Don't worry — plenty of options look visually attractive and work great.)
If you accidentally choose a theme that is not mobile-friendly, using the Gutenberg editor isn't going to make it responsive magically. Therefore, do your homework on the theme you're considering before you install it.
Pro Tip: Need help finding a responsive theme for your WordPress site? We've got you covered. Here are over 50 of our favorite responsive themes — and they're free.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Previews
Both Elementor and Gutenberg offer a robust preview of what you can expect your page to look like when you're done building it. However, to see the 'final' result before going live with Gutenberg, you'll have to click 'preview.' This is because the editor shows the text blocks without your theme applied.
On the contrary, Elementor displays your 'preview' right where you're editing your content. This isn't necessarily better, just different, so if constantly seeing updates of what your page will look like is important to you, Elementor might be your pick.
Pro Tip: If you're working with Elementor, you can also edit your font, colors, and other thematic elements directly in the editor.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Website Speed
Here's a category where Gutenberg takes the win: Website speed. We all know that your website must load quickly to ensure visitors stick around to read it. Therefore, page speed should be one of your top determining factors when figuring out which to use.
Because of its more straightforward build, Gutenberg is more efficient and loads faster. If page load time is your priority (as it should be), Gutenberg takes the cake. This is also because it has fewer additional features that can weigh your site down and negatively impact how long it takes to load.
Elementor isn't a slow page builder by any means — it's still relatively quick compared to many competitors. However, it lags behind Gutenberg in page speed.
Pro Tip: Be sure your WordPress theme doesn't weigh down your site! Choosing a heavy theme could still result in slower loading times, even using a lightweight editor.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Pricing
Gutenberg scores points for pricing because it is entirely free to use. You'll never have to pay a cent to use this editor.
On the other hand, Elementor offers both free and paid versions.
In some cases, the unpaid version of Elementor might be powerful enough to achieve what you need. However, an upgrade may be necessary if you want to use this plugin to its fullest potential.
Four plans are available, so you can choose whichever makes the most sense for your organization. The most basic paid plan, the Essential Plan, covers one website and costs $59 annually. The next tier is the Advanced Plan for $99 annually, supporting three websites. Next, there's the Expert Plan which provides for 25 websites and costs $199 yearly. Lastly, there's the Agency Plan for 1000 websites. The Agency Plan costs $399 per year.
Pro Tip: If you want to see how you like Elementor before you commit to purchasing it, get started with the free plan and upgrade if or when you feel you're ready.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: When should you use Gutenberg?
Overall, Gutenberg is the better option. Why? It's faster, free, responsive, and easy to use. Plus, because it is built directly into WordPress, you don't have to worry if it will be compatible with your theme and other plugins. Here are some examples of the blocks you can add using the Gutenberg editor.
In addition, we are huge fans of how straightforward Gutenberg is. It's easy to learn, so even if you're starting your website creation journey, you'll be able to pick it up easily.
Gutenberg is also our winner because it offers premade patterns and templates. Those who need help determining where to begin have an excellent starting point.
Pro Tip: If you're looking for little to no learning curve and want to get your site up and running quickly, choose Gutenberg.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: When should you use Elementor?
Of course, that's not to say there isn't a time and a place for Elementor. If you're creating a highly complex website, you might benefit from using Elementor.
Elementor excels if you're looking to craft a unique website that isn't necessarily tied to your theme. This plugin is also largely self-contained, so you can edit some design elements directly when building your content.
Pro Tip: If you're comfortable allocating budget to get some of the more advanced features of this plugin, and you're okay with some learning curve because you want to create complex, unique pages, Elementor may be for you.
Start creating your website today.
Ultimately it's your decision whether you want to go with Elementor or Gutenberg to craft your website. Regardless of which you choose, if you enact website-building best practices, your website is sure to be a success.
