Gutenberg vs. Elementor: Which WordPress Page Builder is Right for You?

WordPress has provided not one but two distinct page builders, which has made the process of building a website significantly less of a challenge.

Gutenberg and Elementor have become the most popular choices in WordPress website development. The question “Which one should you choose for your project?” occurs because despite each of them being a part of WordPress, they offer features that are distinct from one another.

This post compares Gutenberg and Elementor, two popular WordPress page builders, to help you choose the best option for your project based on features, user-friendliness, flexibility in design, and efficiency.

What is Gutenberg?

Gutenberg is the default block editor in WordPress, introduced to make creating and editing content easier. Instead of using a traditional text editor, it allows users to build pages and posts with blocks.

Each block can be something different, like a paragraph, image, video, or button, making it easy to customize the layout and design.

Key Features of Gutenberg:

• Native WordPress Integration: You don’t need to set up or add any plugins for Gutenberg because it is already built into WordPress.
• Block-Based Structure: Users can add, move, and style anything. This includes text, photos/images, buttons, videos/clips, and much more.
• Mobile Responsive: Gutenberg is designed to be responsive, so it becomes easy to create a website that is adaptive to all screen sizes.
• Minimalist Interface: It is made to be simple and straightforward so that you can concentrate on content creation.
• Customizable Blocks: Although Gutenberg has its own block design, it is still possible for an individual to create their own blocks with Gutenberg as per their own requirements and needs.

Website owners and bloggers who desire more creative freedom will find WordPress to be the right platform, thanks to Gutenberg. The aim of Gutenberg is to enhance WordPress’s capabilities for creating content-rich posts and pages.

What is Elementor?

Elementor is a page builder that was introduced in 2016. It is both feature-rich and robust, and it is one of the many available WordPress plugins.

In contrast to Gutenberg, Elementor provides a completely separate visual editor that enables users to view real-time previews of the modifications they are making to the website.

With over 10 million active installations, it has experienced rapid growth as one of the most popular WordPress page builders.

Elementor is designed for individuals who desire complete control over their website design without the need to write any code. It enables the creation of professional websites without the need to hire a developer by offering a diverse selection of pre-made templates, widgets, and design options.

Key Features of Elementor:

• Drag-and-Drop Interface: You can drag and drop elements onto your website to modify layouts, plus you can see the changes live as they happen.
• Design Flexibility: Illustrations, buttons, shapes, image galleries, carousels, and a multitude of other kinds of widgets can be customized in Elementor.
• Pre-Built Templates: To help you get your website looking professional, Elementor has a huge library of pre-made designs.
• Responsive Editing: You will be able to design a website that is adaptive and responsive on all screen sizes.
• Global Widgets & Styling: Enable you to set a style & features that make sure the entire website looks uniform.
• Pop-Up Builder: Elementor lets you create your own sets of pop-ups that can help in generating leads or will be able to promote offers.

Elementor ability to be flexible is loved by both new and experienced WordPress developers who want to build a beautiful yet customized website.

Read also: 6 Best Drag and Drop WordPress Page Builder Plugins in 2025

Feature Comparison

1. Ease of Use

Gutenberg:

Gutenberg has a block editor, which is very easy to use, especially when you already have used WordPress. The block formation allows you to add different design elements (text, image, & button) by simply clicking on the “+” icon. This layout works best for people who are making pages with lots of text, like blog posts or news stories.

WordPress has developed Gutenberg to make it easy for users to create a website; also, anyone who has already used WordPress before can easily understand and use Gutenberg. Yet, if you have never come across any block-based development method, it might take some time.

Elementor:

Elementor stands out for user-friendliness. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, you are able to generate your own unique page; aside from this, it also shows you the real-time changes that are happening. This is a time-saving quality that prevents you from constantly having to switch between processes to check if the editing is going smoothly.

There are many themes & widgets for beginners that can be used to create astonishing websites without having to go through a nerve-racking learning curve. Elementor even has a ton of features that can be overwhelming for new users who have never come across a more advanced developing tool.

Although it requires more initial training, Elementor provides more design flexibility than Gutenberg.

2. Design and Flexibility

Gutenberg:

Gutenberg allows for simple page and post designs, utilizing the block system to insert various content elements. On the other hand, when compared to more sophisticated page builders, Gutenberg shows some limitations when it comes to its capacity for complicated design. Without custom CSS or third-party plugins, users may find it difficult to design highly customized layouts or apply advanced features like animations and hover effects.

Having said that, Gutenberg’s block system constantly evolves, and there are various other block libraries (like Kadence Blocks) that can enhance its functionality, hence providing greater flexibility for those requiring additional customization.

Gutenberg is usually the choice for consumers who want a simple, lightweight website and do not need complex design elements. For most content-heavy websites, it’s quick, easy, and gets the job done.

Elementor:

On the contrary, Elementor is known for its design adaptability. Every element of your website design – from layout to typography to colour schemes – is entirely within your control with Elementor. Elementor users may construct extremely unique and interactive websites using a wide choice of accessible widgets – including forms, sliders, buttons, carousels, and more.

Elementor also provides advanced design features, including motion effects, form dividers, and custom positioning, thereby enabling users to create rather distinctive, aesthetically pleasing websites. You can even create pop-ups, custom headers, and footers—all within Elementor’s visual editor.

For users who prioritize creativity and visual design, Elementor is the clear winner.

3. Performance and Speed

Gutenberg:

The speed and performance of Gutenberg are recognized as two of its most significant advantages. This means that pages made with Gutenberg tend to be lighter and load faster since they don’t need any outside code since Gutenberg is built into WordPress.

For websites that prioritize page loading speed and user experience for SEO, such as news sites or blogs, this can be a substantial advantage as they concentrate on speed optimization.

Additionally, Gutenberg is an excellent option for individuals who prioritize site performance, as it seamlessly integrates with caching extensions and other performance optimization tools.

Elementor:

It can take more resources to use Elementor than Gutenberg, but it gives you a lot more design freedom. Pages built using Elementor may include extra CSS and JavaScript files, which can eventually slow page load times if not optimized correctly.

However, Elementor users can undertake steps to improve speed by using caching plugins, optimizing images, and minimizing the number of widgets and add-ons they use on each page.

While Elementor may not be as fast as Gutenberg out-of-the-box, with the right optimizations, it can still work quite well.

4. Theme and Template Options

Gutenberg:

WordPress themes that are designed work best when paired with Gutenberg, specifically for the block editor. Many modern themes provide block-friendly templates optimized for Gutenberg, such as Twenty Twenty-One or Astra.

However, Gutenberg’s selection of pre-designed templates is limited compared to Elementor. If you want more advanced templates or customization, you may need to install third-party plugins or block libraries that offer extra layout options.

Elementor:

Elementor provides a wide range of pre-built templates & themes that can be further customized according to your needs. You can use these themes or templates to build a simple home page, an entire shopping website, or a portfolio.

Using either the pre-built theme or template, you can save significant precious time that can be utilized for the growth of the business.

Elementor additionally offers the ability to create personalized templates that can contain headers, footers & other sections for the website that can be used as you please across the whole website. In addition to ensuring consistency, this function also helps to speed up the design process.

5. Plugin Compatibility

Gutenberg:

Gutenberg is developed to operate seamlessly within the WordPress ecosystem, which is why it is compatible with the majority of WordPress plugins. However, since it uses a block-based approach, some plugins that depend on shortcodes may require additional configuration.

Yoast SEO and WooCommerce, which are widely used extensions, have been optimized for Gutenberg to guarantee seamless functionality and compatibility. For users relying on multiple plugins, it’s essential to verify their compatibility to avoid conflicts.

Elementor:

Elementor is renowned for its extensive compatibility with a wide range of plugins. Its drag-and-drop interface enables users to effortlessly implement a variety of modules without compromising their design. Furthermore, Elementor’s functionality is further enhanced by a library of widgets and add-ons, rendering it a versatile option for individuals seeking to personalize their websites.

In general, Elementor offers a more comprehensive solution for users who wish to construct a website that is well-off in features, as it accommodates a multitude of plugins.

6. Mobile Responsiveness

Gutenberg:

Gutenberg offers a straightforward approach to mobile responsiveness, allowing users to create responsive layouts with its block editor. Each block can be customized for different screen sizes, though advanced adjustments might require custom CSS for users without coding knowledge.

Gutenberg is lightweight and works great on mobile devices, although it could lack the responsiveness features found in dedicated page builders.

Elementor:

The robust features of Elementor ensure that their sites appear great on any device, making it an exceptional choice for those who require mobile responsiveness. It has a responsive mode that lets you see previews and make changes in real-time for laptop, tablet, and mobile views.

Depending on the device, users can adjust font sizes, margins, and element visibility to get a clean, professional look. Many times, Elementor’s designs reflect responsiveness in mind, therefore streamlining the process of producing mobile-friendly layouts.

7. Pricing

Gutenberg:

WordPress incorporates Gutenberg as an integral component at no cost. Therefore, anyone operating WordPress can fully utilize it without paying extra fees. Although third-party developers offer premium blocks, Gutenberg’s fundamental features let users design a visually appealing and functionally competent website without paying any money.

For users on a budget or those who prefer to keep expenses minimal, Gutenberg is an ideal option. The fact that it comes as a standard part of WordPress allows for straightforward updates and integration without any extra financial investment.

Elementor:

Elementor offers a free version with basic features that can be quite robust for simple websites. However, to unlock its full potential—including access to advanced widgets, templates, and design options—users need to purchase Elementor Pro, which starts at around $59 per year for a single site.

For businesses or advanced users looking for extensive design capabilities, the cost may be worth it. Nevertheless, the investment in Elementor Pro can provide valuable tools to enhance site functionality, aesthetics, and overall user experience.

The free version of Elementor may be sufficient for users who are just starting or have basic website needs, although it may not provide all the flexibility and features needed for more complex sites.

8. Customer Support

Gutenberg:

Being a native WordPress feature, support for Gutenberg largely comes from the WordPress community. Extensive documentation and forums are available where users can seek help.

Since Gutenberg is a component of the WordPress ecosystem, which is dependent on community support, there is a limited amount of direct customer support available for Gutenberg itself.

If you experience problems or require assistance, you should rely on the WordPress support forums, user documentation, or any other available community resources. Some people could find this to be sufficient, but others might find the absence of direct help troublesome.

Elementor:

Those who use Elementor Pro, in particular, have access to excellent customer service. The company offers a specialized support team that can aid with troubleshooting and inquiries, which can be quite helpful for anyone experiencing issues or wanting instruction on sophisticated capabilities.

Elementor offers a lot of resources, like manuals, tutorials, and community forums, in addition to direct help. Their blog frequently includes tips and ideas to assist users make the best use of the platform.

This extensive support network can greatly enhance the user experience and reduce frustration.

SEO Considerations

Gutenberg:

Since Gutenberg is part of WordPress’s core, it’s optimized for SEO. Pages created using Gutenberg meet the best standards for web development, including mobile responsiveness and clean code, and load fast.

Additionally, Gutenberg works perfectly with popular SEO plugins like Yoast and Rank Math, which makes it easy to optimize each webpage and post for search engines.

Using Gutenberg for SEO has one benefit: it keeps your website from becoming overly bloated. This means that loading times will be reduced, which is an essential ranking element for search engines such as Google for websites.

Elementor:

Elementor also works with SEO plugins, which makes it easy to make your content search-engine-friendly. However, the additional JavaScript and CSS files that Elementor creates can slow down your site if they are not carefully optimized.

Elementor users should be aware of this because slow page speed can affect the website’s SEO rankings.

Despite this, Elementor’s web design tools have the potential to enhance the user experience, which is also an essential component of search engine optimization. Websites that are visually attractive, user-friendly, and have high engagement rates result in better SEO performance, considering that the site’s speed is configured correctly.

Best Use Cases

Gutenberg:

• Small websites or blogs: If you need a simple site without complex design requirements, Gutenberg is a great choice.

• Speed-focused websites: Since it’s lightweight, Gutenberg is perfect for those prioritizing speed and performance.

• WordPress native users: If you’re comfortable with the WordPress ecosystem and prefer a minimalist approach, Gutenberg integrates seamlessly.

Elementor:

• Design-heavy websites: If you are constructing a visually complicated website and want complete authority over the design without having to write any code, Elementor is the way to go.

• Agencies and freelancers: If you need to create a large number of websites or landing pages in a short amount of time, Elementor provides pre-built templates and customization options that are extremely helpful.

• E-commerce and portfolios: Elementor specializes in many areas, including the building of e-commerce websites and portfolio websites that have custom layouts.

Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?

Still confused between Gutenberg and Elementor; which one should you choose?

Let me help you.

First of all, I need to get clarification on the project requirements. Second, consider your preference – think about which one you feel will be easier for you to use. Third, if you have any experience in using either of them, that should guide your decision. If not, then consider the first and second factors to determine the tool.

To make it easier for you to make a final decision, here is a brief assessment of both their strengths and weaknesses:

Choose Gutenberg if:

• You are looking for a cost-effective solution since it’s free and built into WordPress.
• You prefer a simpler, less resource-intensive option for building content-rich pages.
• You want to maintain high performance and speed for your website.
• You are comfortable with a more straightforward editing experience and don’t need extensive design features.

Choose Elementor if:

• You want to create highly customized and visually appealing websites with advanced design capabilities.
• You prefer a drag-and-drop interface that offers real-time editing and flexibility.
• If you have a strong preference for access to a vast collection of pre-built templates and widgets,
• To improve the usability and visual appeal of your website, you are prepared to pay for extra features.

You should choose between Gutenberg and Elementor based on your specific website goals; both options have their advantages. If you value efficiency and ease of use, Gutenberg is an excellent option. As an alternative, Elementor could be a better fit if you value design freedom and customization.

Conclusion

You may reach a turning point in your WordPress journey when you need to decide between Elementor and Gutenberg. Each option comes with its own sets of advantages, disadvantages, and factors that must be taken into account. Carry out a comprehensive investigation, and if it is possible to do so, put both of the technologies through their paces.

You may lay a strong groundwork for your website by beginning with Gutenberg. As you gain experience, you might want to look into Elementor’s more advanced features for design. You can make beautiful websites that cater to your needs and the wants of your visitors with either page builder, so it’s really up to you. Choose wisely, and happy building!

Final Thoughts

Both Elementor and Gutenberg have great advantages and minor drawbacks, regardless of your choice.

Elementor offers unmatched design flexibility; Gutenberg presents a simpler, lightweight choice.

It’s all about what you prioritize – speed and simplicity or creativity and design control. Make your choice wisely and enjoy building a beautiful, functional WordPress website!

Read also,

• 6 Best Fastest Loading WordPress Themes in 2025
• Astra vs GeneratePress | Which is the Best Theme in 2025?

Author Bio:-

I’m Sajjad Bagwan, the founder of KGN Technologies. I specialize in WordPress and E-commerce Development and am passionate about helping businesses thrive in the e-commerce space, with a keen focus on clean code and user-centric design. Sajjad also enjoys sharing his knowledge and insights through the blog, where he writes engaging content to empower fellow developers and enthusiasts alike.