Elementor vs. Gutenberg: Which One Should You Use?
Introduction
If you’ve been working with WordPress, you’ve likely come across two major tools for designing pages: Elementor and Gutenberg. Both are powerful—but which one is right for you?
Whether you’re a freelance web developer, a WordPress beginner, or building your own brand online, this blog post will break down the Elementor vs. Gutenberg debate in 2025—covering speed, flexibility, ease of use, SEO, and performance.
Let’s dive into the ultimate page builder comparison.
🔍 What Is Elementor?
Elementor is a drag-and-drop visual page builder plugin for WordPress that allows you to create stunning, custom designs without touching a single line of code.
Key Features:
Live editing interface
100+ pre-built templates
Extensive widget library (buttons, sliders, testimonials, etc.)
Theme builder & WooCommerce support
Built-in responsive controls
Perfect for designers, agencies, and anyone who wants pixel-perfect design freedom.
🧱 What Is Gutenberg (WordPress Block Editor)?
Gutenberg, now officially called the WordPress Block Editor, is the default editing experience built into WordPress since version 5.0. It’s a block-based editor—each element (paragraph, image, video) is a block that you can move, customize, and reuse.
Key Features:
Native WordPress editor (no extra plugin required)
Lightweight and fast
Easier learning curve for beginners
Continually improving with core WordPress updates
Better compatibility with WordPress themes
Gutenberg focuses on simplicity, speed, and content-first design.
⚔️ Elementor vs. Gutenberg: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Elementor | Gutenberg |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ✅ Intuitive drag-and-drop builder | ✅ Simple block-based editing |
| Design Flexibility | 🎯 Extremely flexible | 🚫 Limited customization without extra plugins |
| Speed & Performance | ⚠️ Heavier load, slower performance | ⚡ Fast, lightweight, built-in |
| Learning Curve | 📘 Medium (but intuitive) | 🟢 Beginner-friendly |
| Pre-designed Templates | 🎨 Hundreds of templates | ⚪ Limited (with themes or patterns) |
| Third-party Add-ons | 🧩 Tons of widgets & extensions | 🧱 Block libraries available but less mature |
| SEO Friendliness | 👍 Good (but depends on optimization) | 🏆 Excellent (leaner code) |
| Cost | 💸 Free version + Pro ($59/year) | 💯 100% Free |
💡 When to Use Elementor
Choose Elementor if:
You want full visual control over every element
You’re building complex landing pages or sales funnels
You don’t mind using a third-party plugin
You need animations, advanced forms, popups, or WooCommerce customizations
🛠 Use Case: Freelancers, agencies, eCommerce businesses, portfolio sites
💡 When to Use Gutenberg
Choose Gutenberg if:
You want a fast, lightweight website
You prefer native WordPress tools
You’re blogging, creating simple pages, or building a content-first site
You want maximum SEO and performance out of the box
🛠 Use Case: Bloggers, beginners, content creators, minimal websites
🔮 What’s Changing in 2025?
In 2025, Gutenberg has evolved. New block patterns, design tools, and full-site editing have made it more powerful than ever. Meanwhile, Elementor continues to dominate in design freedom and Pro-level features.
That means:
✅ Gutenberg is catching up—fast
✅ Elementor still leads in creative control
🤔 So… Which One Should You Use?
Here’s the quick answer:
| You Should Use | If You Want |
|---|---|
| Elementor | Advanced design, animations, visual control |
| Gutenberg | Simplicity, speed, SEO, native WordPress tools |
👉 Beginners? Start with Gutenberg—it’s faster and less overwhelming.
👉 Designers or Agencies? Elementor gives you the flexibility you need.
👉 Content Creators & Bloggers? Gutenberg will keep your site lean and efficient.
👉 Hybrid Approach? You can even use Elementor on some pages and Gutenberg on others!
✅ Conclusion
Both Elementor and Gutenberg have their strengths—and in 2025, there’s no wrong choice. It all comes down to your needs, your audience, and your workflow.
Whether you’re building for clients, running a blog, or creating your personal brand—choose the tool that helps you move faster, build smarter, and grow stronger.