When building a WordPress website in 2025, one of the first choices you’ll face is Elementor vs Gutenberg. Both are powerful tools, but which page builder is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare them in terms of usability, flexibility, performance, and pricing—helping you choose the best tool for your next project.
What Is Elementor?
Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress. It allows users to design pages visually with a live editor. Launched in 2016, it quickly became one of the most popular WordPress tools thanks to its ease of use, rich widget library, and vast template ecosystem.
Pros of Elementor:
- True “what you see is what you get” visual editing
- 300+ pre-designed templates
- Large widget and addon ecosystem
- Works with almost any WordPress theme
- Powerful Pro features: theme builder, popup builder, WooCommerce support
Cons of Elementor:
- Heavy on performance without optimization
- Pro version starts at $59/year
- Steeper learning curve for new users compared to block editors
What Is Gutenberg?
Gutenberg — also known as the WordPress Block Editor — is the default content editor in WordPress since version 5.0. Unlike traditional WYSIWYG editors, it uses a block-based system to add and arrange content.
Pros of Gutenberg:
- Native to WordPress — no extra plugins needed
- Lightweight and fast
- Clean, minimal interface
- Blocks can be extended with custom code or plugins
- Free and open-source
Cons of Gutenberg:
- Limited design freedom compared to visual builders
- Fewer pre-built templates and design kits
- Less intuitive for complex layouts
- Some advanced features require technical knowledge or third-party plugins
You can explore more about the WordPress Block Editor here.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Performance
In 2025, website speed is more important than ever. Gutenberg has a clear edge in performance—it’s part of the WordPress core and produces cleaner code. Elementor is heavier, especially when many widgets or third-party add-ons are used.
For deeper performance insights, check out Google’s PageSpeed Insights, a free tool to test and optimize your site.
However, Elementor Pro users can leverage features like code optimization and lazy loading to improve speed.
Elementor vs Gutenberg: Which One Is Better for You?
- Choose Elementor if you want full design control, fast prototyping, and access to advanced marketing features without touching code.
- Choose Gutenberg if you prioritize speed, minimalism, and staying within the WordPress ecosystem without relying on third-party tools.
Both are excellent in 2025, but your choice depends on the type of website, your technical skills, and the need for flexibility.
Final Verdict
Elementor vs Gutenberg is not a battle with one clear winner—it’s about the right fit for your workflow. For clients who want maximum visual flexibility, Elementor is still king. For developers or minimalist websites, Gutenberg offers a native, fast, and clean solution.
If you’re still not sure which tool is best for your next website, our team at Upro Development can help. We build lightning-fast, SEO-optimized WordPress websites using the tools that best match your business needs.
