Which Page Builder Elementor or Gutenberg Is Best for You?
If you want fast load times and clean code, Gutenberg is the best choice. If you need creative freedom and stunning visuals, Elementor is your go-to.
If you are wondering which WordPress page builder is better between Elementor and Gutenberg, the answer depends on your goals, budget, and technical skill level.
No matter if you are a business owner, freelancer, or blogger, the builder you pick affects your site’s speed, flexibility, design quality, and even SEO performance.
Understanding Page Builders: What Are They?
Page builders help you design web pages without needing to write code. Instead of editing raw HTML or PHP, you use drag-and-drop features to build layouts and add elements like images, text boxes, and buttons.
WordPress offers a few key types:
- Native Block Editor (Gutenberg)
- Third-party builders (Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, Bricks)
Gutenberg: WordPress’s Default Block Editor
Gutenberg is the built-in page builder that comes with WordPress. You don’t need to install anything extra, it’s part of the core system. It replaced the older Classic Editor and introduced a more modern, block-based layout.
Read More: Mastering Gutenberg: Custom Blocks Development in WordPress
What’s a Block-Based System?
In Gutenberg, every piece of content, like headings, paragraphs, images, buttons, or videos, is treated as a block. You can move these blocks around, customize them, and build your layout without touching any code.
Want to add an image between two paragraphs? Just click the “+” sign, select the Image block, upload your picture, and you are done.
Pros of Using Gutenberg
1- Lightweight and Fast
Since Gutenberg is part of WordPress itself, it doesn’t load extra scripts like third-party page builders do. That makes your site load faster.
A blog post built with Gutenberg can load in under 2 seconds, while the same post built with Elementor might take 2.5–3 seconds, depending on the widgets used.
2- No Extra Plugins Needed
Gutenberg works out of the box. This means fewer compatibility issues, no conflicts, and less chance of slowing down your site due to plugin bloat.
3- Works with Most Themes and Plugins
Most modern WordPress themes are block-compatible, and developers keep Gutenberg in mind while building plugins.
If you’re using themes like Astra, Kadence, or GeneratePress, Gutenberg integrates seamlessly and keeps the design clean.
Cons of Using Gutenberg
1- Fewer Design Options
Compared to builders like Elementor or Divi, Gutenberg doesn’t offer fancy animations, hover effects, or pre-built templates.
You can style a button’s color in Gutenberg, but you won’t find options like 3D shadows or animated transitions.
2- Not Very Flexible for Complex Layouts
If you want to build a landing page, a sales funnel, or a multi-column layout with advanced styling, Gutenberg can feel too basic.
Building a pricing table or portfolio grid will require custom blocks or extra plugins like Stackable or Kadence Blocks.
3- Can Feel Limiting for Designers
If you are a designer who wants full control over fonts, spacing, and layouts, Gutenberg might feel restrictive.
You can’t drag elements freely across the canvas like you can in Elementor. Gutenberg follows a more structured layout.
Elementor: The Most Popular Page Builder
Elementor is famous for its drag-and-drop interface, live editing, and hundreds of pre-made templates that let you build stunning websites without touching a line of code.
What Makes Elementor Special?
With Elementor, you can design your website visually, you see exactly what the final result will look like as you build it.
Want to create a custom homepage with a hero image, animated headlines, and buttons? Just drag elements onto the page, adjust them in real time, and boom!! You are done!
Pros of Using Elementor
1- Live Visual Editing
Whatever you design is exactly what your visitors will see. You don’t need to keep switching between the editor and preview modes.
As you change the font size of a headline or shift a column, it updates instantly on screen.
2- Tons of Pre-Designed Templates and Widgets
Elementor offers a huge library of templates, blocks, and widgets, from contact forms to sliders and pricing tables.
Need a “Contact Us” page fast? Choose a template, customize the text, and publish, it takes minutes.
3- No Coding Required
Even if you have never built a website before, Elementor’s interface is beginner-friendly. Just point, click, and customize.
A freelancer with no coding skills can build a sleek portfolio using Elementor on a weekend.
4- Strong Community and Support
Since Elementor is so popular, it has a massive user base, with tutorials, plugins, third-party widgets, and Facebook groups full of help.
Got stuck? There’s likely a YouTube tutorial or a forum thread already answering your question.
Cons of Using Elementor
1- Can Slow Down Websites
Elementor adds extra source code and scripts, which may impact loading speed if your website isn’t properly optimized.
A homepage built with heavy animations and multiple widgets might take 4–5 seconds to load on slow hosting.
2- Free Version is Limited
The basic version gives you a good start, but you will need Elementor Pro to unlock powerful features like motion effects, theme builder, and advanced forms.
Do you want to make a global footer or a sticky header? That’s only available in Pro.
3- May Not Be Ideal for Shared Hosting
Because Elementor loads a lot of custom CSS and JavaScript, it may drag down performance if you are on a cheaper hosting plan.
On a budget-shared hosting plan, your site might lag with too many Elementor widgets running on one page.
Which Page Builder Gutenberg or Elementor Is Faster for Your Website?
Gutenberg is part of WordPress’ core and is much lighter, which makes pages load faster. Elementor can be slower due to added scripts and styles, especially if you’re using many widgets or animations.
In real-world tests, pages built with Gutenberg often load 0.5 to 1 second faster than the same layout built with Elementor. That might sound small but Google considers every millisecond.
If speed is your top concern, Gutenberg wins. But if visual design is more important, Elementor gives you more power.
Need a Custom WordPress Site Built for You?
Whether you’re leaning towards Gutenberg for speed or Elementor for visuals, building the perfect site takes time and skill. Let Site Architects handle it for you. As a top-rated Web Development Company, we build fast, professional, and custom WordPress websites that run and work.
People Also Ask
Is Gutenberg better than Elementor?
Gutenberg is faster and part of WordPress by default, but Elementor offers more design flexibility. It depends on your needs.
Will Elementor slow down my website?
It can, especially if you overuse widgets and animations. However, good hosting and caching plugins can help improve performance.
Is Divi harder to learn than Elementor?
Yes, Divi has a steeper learning curve, but once mastered, it’s very powerful and flexible.
Which is more beginner-friendly: Gutenberg or Elementor?
Elementor is more beginner-friendly due to its visual builder and drag-and-drop interface.
Can I use Gutenberg and Elementor together?
Yes, you can use Gutenberg for content and Elementor for advanced page design on the same website.
