The block editor in WordPress (AKA Gutenberg) is great for creating simple, lightweight pages, but it can feel pretty limiting at times.

On the flip side, while it’s a lot easier to create the kind of design you have in mind with page builder plugins, they add a lot of bloat to web pages that lead to performance issues.

When it comes down to it, deciding between the block editor and a page builder comes down to whatever design process you’re most comfortable with as well as what you’re trying to design.

WordPress Block Editor vs Page Builders: Overview

The block editor is the default editor in WordPress. It’s a simple page builder that allows you to design posts and pages with content modules called “blocks.”

If you use a block theme, you can unlock the editor’s full site editing capabilities, allowing you to customize your site’s header, footer and more.

Page builders are similar, but they operate much differently. For starters, they’re either available as a third-party theme or plugin that overrides the default editor.

Like the block editor, they allow you to design pages with content modules. Some even have theme building capabilities.

Because they’re so similar, it can be difficult to decide which editor to go with.

Pros and Cons of the Block Editor

PROS

• Free
• Lightweight
• Native editor in WordPress
• Full site editing (FSE)
• Widespread support
• Future proof
• Simple UI

The biggest advantages to using the block editor are the fact that it’s available natively in WordPress as well as its performance.

The block editor being WordPress’ default editor makes it free, widely supported and future proof.

Some themes and plugins are built for the block editor, and even if they aren’t, they’re expected to be compatible with it.

And because the block editor is developed by WordPress themselves, it’s future proof, meaning you don’t have to worry about it becoming abandoned.

Plus, the block editor grows more and more powerful with every major WordPress update. You can now use it to design your entire site thanks to a feature called “full site editing,” or “FSE,” which also unlocks custom CSS with the block editor.

Note: FSE is only available if you use a block theme.

The default Twenty Twenty Five and Twenty Twenty Four themes have full site editing capabilities, so you don’t even need to install third-party themes in order to use FSE.

Finally, although the block editor can be difficult to learn if you’re used to the Classic Editor (the editing UI WordPress used for more than 10 years), its simple UI makes it fairly easy to learn.

CONS

• Not as many features
• Typically requires specific themes and plugins in order for it to be as powerful as page builders
• Frontend editing not available (natively)

The biggest disadvantage to using the block editor is how limited it is in comparison to page builders.

It doesn’t have nearly as many features or content modules (blocks) as page builders do, which can make it difficult for you to achieve the design you really want.

It also doesn’t have frontend editing capabilities, at least not natively.

Frontend editing is a feature page builders have that allows you to edit content and styles simultaneously from the frontend of your site. This lets you see your changes in real time.

Pros & Cons of Page Builders

PROS

• More design options and flexibility
• Some, such as Elementor, are widely supported
• Many have theme building capabilities
• Template libraries
• Frontend editing makes designing more efficient

The design scope of page builders gives them a huge advantage over the native block editor in WordPress.

It’s possible to design complete landing pages with the block editor, especially if you use third-party themes and plugins, but achieving the design you really want is arguably easier with a page builder.

This comes down to frontend editing being available by default with page builders as well as having access to many more design options.

Plus, most page builders have huge libraries filled with premade landing pages, predesigned sections and predesigned content modules.

Theme building is also possible with page builders these days. Many now allow you to edit your header, footer and page templates using the builder’s own UI.

Finally, while page builders might not be the default editing experience in WordPress, they’re still widely supported.

Elementor, for example, has over 10 million active installations, so it’s not hard to find themes and plugins that are compatible with it.

CONS

• Expensive annual licenses
• Causes bloat, which leads to performance issues
• Learning curve
• Not future proof

The biggest disadvantages to using page builders are cost and performance.

The block editor is free. You only need to pay money if you want to use premium themes and plugins.

The same can be said for page builders since many have free versions, but you’ll find yourself pretty limited if you don’t upgrade.

As for performance, page builders are notorious for adding bloat to web pages that decrease performance. Pages designed with builders might not load fast enough or they may feel sluggish as users scroll, even with optimization.

This can lead to a higher bounce rate, which will eventually lead to a decrease in conversions.

It’s not always easy to learn how to use page builders, either. They have a lot more features than the block editor does, so they have many more settings and menus to sift through as a result.

Finally, page builders are not nearly as future proof as the block editor is.

Any page builder plugin or page building theme can be abandoned. You’ll need to redesign every page you’ve built with it if that happens.

How to Choose Between Them

Consider the following when deciding between the block editor or a page builder:

• Your budget
• What you need a builder for
• How much time you’re willing to put into learning
• How quickly you need to get the project done

If you need to save as much as possible, choose the block editor and use a cost-effective, block-based theme, such as Kadence.

If you want as much flexibility as possible for a low cost, go with a page builder, such as the free version of Elementor.

Defining the type of project you have in mind and what’s required for that project can also help you decide.

The block editor and a page builder can both be used to design pages and blog posts.

However, because a site typically has more posts than pages, it’s better to use a block editor for posts to save yourself the trouble of having to redesign dozens (or even hundreds) of posts if you ever decide to drop the page builder you’re currently using.

A page builder might also be better for certain page types, such as landing pages.

Not only do page builders have more design elements, some offer split testing that allows you to test two different variations of the same design against one another to see which one converts better.

The learning curve is also very real for both editors.

However, because the block editor is the default editor in WordPress, you need to learn how to use it, anyway (unless you use the Classic Editor), so you’re better off sticking with it if you don’t have much time to learn how to use a page builder.

If you use a page builder, you’ll have a new design system to learn while you’re still learning WordPress itself.

Finally, if you need to design pages as quickly as possible, go with a page builder that has an extensive template library.

Bottom Line: Choose What Works for You

You don’t need fancy website designs to succeed. In fact, the fewer animations and other non-static designs you use, the better.

Because of this, you can achieve your goals with either editor. What matters most is your own preference.

If you don’t like working with the block editor, try a page builder. If page builders are hard for you to use, find a suitable block-based theme to use.

One of the best parts about using WordPress to build websites is how much flexibility it offers, allowing you to choose a design process that works for you.

Alternatives to Both

The best alternative to page builders (and designing pages with the block editor) is a web designer.

A web designer can help you achieve the design you’re looking for while making sure page performance is as optimized as possible.

Another alternative is a website builder, such as GeneratePress, Divi and Oxygen. This type of builder combines page building with theme building capabilities.

Some page builders offer these features, including Elementor and Beaver Builder, but they’re typically locked behind premium plans.

You can also go in a much simpler direction and find a WordPress theme that offers predesigned templates, typically made with a page builder.

Usually, all you need to do is install the theme, then install whatever builder it’s compatible with, then import one of the theme’s page templates.

Astra, OceanWP and countless themes on ThemeForest work like this.

Lastly, AI website builders allow you to generate custom site designs tailored to your needs. Many page builders include this feature.