WordPress Page Builders: Elementor vs Divi vs Others

Introduction

Page builders transformed WordPress from a blogging platform to a complete website design system. They allow you to create complex layouts visually without coding. When acquiring a WordPress site, understanding which page builder is used—and whether to keep or change it—is an important decision. This guide compares the leading options.

What Are Page Builders?

Page builders are WordPress plugins or themes that provide drag-and-drop interfaces for creating page layouts. Instead of writing code or being limited to theme layouts, you visually arrange elements called widgets, modules, or blocks.

Types of Page Builders

Plugin-Based:

• Elementor
• WPBakery
• Beaver Builder
• Brizy

Theme-Based:

• Divi (Elegant Themes)
• Avada
• Themify Builder

Block-Based (Gutenberg Enhanced):

• Spectra (Starter Templates)
• Stackable
• Kadence Blocks
• GenerateBlocks

The Major Players Compared

Quick Comparison

Elementor: The Most Popular Choice

Overview

Elementor is the most widely used page builder, with over 5 million active installations. It revolutionized WordPress design with its real-time front-end editor.

Elementor Free

Included:

• 40+ basic widgets
• 30+ templates
• Responsive editing
• Front-end editing
• Basic styling options

Elementor Pro ($59/year)

Additional Features:

• 300+ templates
• 90+ widgets
• Theme builder
• WooCommerce builder
• Popup builder
• Form builder
• Dynamic content
• Motion effects

Strengths

• Large widget library
• Active development
• Third-party ecosystem
• Free version is capable
• Intuitive interface

Weaknesses

• Can impact performance
• Vendor lock-in
• Complexity for simple sites
• Annual cost adds up

Best For

• Agencies building client sites
• Users wanting design flexibility
• E-commerce sites
• Sites needing complex layouts

Divi: The Theme-Builder Hybrid

Overview

Divi from Elegant Themes is both a theme and a builder, offering an all-in-one solution with lifetime licensing options.

Pricing

• $89/year membership
• $249 lifetime access
• Includes all Elegant Themes products

Features

• Visual drag-and-drop builder
• 2,000+ pre-made layouts
• 40+ content modules
• Global elements
• A/B testing built-in
• Theme options

Strengths

• Lifetime pricing option
• Extensive template library
• All-in-one solution
• Active community
• Regular updates

Weaknesses

• Heavier page load
• Steeper learning curve
• Content lock-in
• Theme-dependent
• Can feel overwhelming

Best For

• Budget-conscious users (lifetime option)
• Users wanting extensive templates
• Sites with consistent design needs
• Long-term projects

Beaver Builder: The Stable Choice

Overview

Beaver Builder is known for stability, clean code, and reliability. It's favored by developers who want a builder that "just works."

Pricing

• Standard: $99/year
• Pro: $199/year
• Agency: $399/year

Features

• Clean, minimal code output
• White-label options
• Reliable updates
• Theme framework included (Pro)
• Excellent documentation

Strengths

• Best performance
• Clean code output
• Stable and reliable
• Developer-friendly
• Excellent support

Weaknesses

• Fewer modules than competitors
• Higher starting price
• Smaller template library
• Less flashy interface

Best For

• Performance-focused sites
• Developer-built sites
• Agency white-label needs
• Long-term, stable projects

WPBakery: The Legacy Option

Overview

WPBakery (formerly Visual Composer) is one of the oldest page builders, bundled with many ThemeForest themes.

Pricing

• $69 one-time
• $45 for bundled versions

Features

• Backend and frontend editors
• 50+ content elements
• Template library
• Skin builder
• Role manager

Strengths

• One-time pricing
• Theme integration common
• Long track record

Weaknesses

• Outdated interface
• Performance issues
• Shortcode-based (messy)
• Limited modern features
• Declining support

Best For

• Sites already using it
• Budget constraints
• Simple layout needs
• Legacy projects

Block-Based Alternatives

Why Consider Block Builders?

With Gutenberg maturing, block-based builders offer:

• Native WordPress integration
• Better performance
• Future-proof approach
• No plugin dependency risk

Spectra (by Starter Templates)

Features:

• Free and Pro versions
• Starter Templates integration
• Clean block additions
• Good performance

Best For: Users wanting Gutenberg enhancement

Kadence Blocks

Features:

• Advanced block options
• Design library
• Good free version
• Integrates with Kadence theme

Best For: Kadence theme users

GenerateBlocks

Features:

• Lightweight
• Developer-friendly
• Works with any theme
• Focused feature set

Best For: Performance-focused sites

Choosing the Right Builder

Decision Framework

Choose Elementor If:

• You want the most features
• Free version is important
• Third-party add-ons matter
• Design flexibility is priority

Choose Divi If:

• Lifetime pricing appeals
• You want extensive templates
• All-in-one solution preferred
• Budget is a consideration

Choose Beaver Builder If:

• Performance is critical
• Stability matters most
• You're a developer
• Clean code is important

Choose Block-Based If:

• Future-proofing matters
• Performance is priority
• You prefer native WordPress
• Site is content-focused

For Acquired Sites

If Site Uses a Builder:

1. Learn the existing builder
2. Evaluate performance impact
3. Consider migration only if necessary
4. Migration is complex and time-consuming

Migration Considerations:

• Content may not transfer cleanly
• Design will need rebuilding
• Test thoroughly on staging
• Budget significant time

Performance Comparison

Page Load Impact

Optimization Tips

1. Use built-in optimization:

   • Elementor: Experiments > Improved Asset Loading
   • Divi: Performance Options

2. Minimize widgets/modules:

   • Only use what's needed
   • Avoid excessive animations

3. External optimization:

   • Caching plugin
   • Image optimization
   • CDN usage

Making the Transition

Switching Builders

Warning: Switching page builders is significant work.

Steps:

1. Document current design
2. Export content (if possible)
3. Set up new builder on staging
4. Rebuild pages individually
5. Test thoroughly
6. Migrate to production

Removing a Page Builder

If you want to simplify:

1. Rebuild critical pages in Gutenberg
2. Test all functionality
3. Update internal links
4. Deactivate builder plugin
5. Delete builder plugin
6. Clean database (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use multiple page builders?

Technically yes, but not recommended. It adds bloat and complexity.

Will removing a builder break my site?

Your content will look broken—shortcodes and builder markup will show. Rebuild first, then remove.

Which builder has the best templates?

Divi has the most templates. Elementor has the most third-party template sites.

Is Gutenberg replacing page builders?

Gradually. Full Site Editing is maturing, but page builders still offer more features.

What about Oxygen Builder?

Oxygen is developer-focused with excellent performance but steep learning curve. Consider if you're technical.

Key Takeaways

• Elementor offers the best free version and largest ecosystem
• Divi provides best value with lifetime pricing
• Beaver Builder excels in performance and stability
• Block-based solutions are the future-proof option
• Switching builders requires significant effort
• Performance varies significantly between builders
• Match builder to your skills and needs

Next Steps

Already have a site with a page builder? Learn to optimize it with our WordPress Performance Guide, or explore Gutenberg mastery for a native approach.

Meta Description: Compare WordPress page builders including Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, and WPBakery. Learn which one fits your needs and how to choose wisely.

Keywords: wordpress page builders, elementor vs divi, page builder comparison, wordpress design, drag and drop builder