Page builders are invaluable for creating stunning WordPress websites in 2024. Gone are the days of building websites from scratch using PHP, CSS, and other programming languages. Webmasters can now use intuitive drag-and-drop builders to customize page elements from the front end without writing a single line of code. In this article, we compare Elementor vs WPBakery to help you decide which is best for your website.
Elementor and WPBakery are powerful WordPress page builders that are easy to use, pack excellent features, and help you create responsive and SEO-friendly websites. So, the question is, which should you use? To help you make up your mind, we will explain their fundamentals, highlight the key features, and put them head-to-head. Let’s dive in!
What is Elementor?
Elementor is an intuitive front-end page builder for WordPress. The plugin helps you create powerful and stunning websites without technical know-how. It is easy to install, set up, and use. Simply download it from the WordPress plugin directory and integrate it into your website.
The WordPress plugin offers a comprehensive services suite. You can customize every part of your website, from the design and layout to typography, color, font, content, sliders, menus, images, videos, animation, etc. Elementor is compatible with any robust unmetered bandwidth VPS and popular WordPress extensions, such as SEO plugins or performance widgets.
What are the Key Features of Elementor?
Elementor is the most popular WordPress page builder in 2024. Here are its key features.
- Powerful Editor: The intuitive drag-and-drop editor helps you import and customize over 300 premade templates so you can start building your website in minutes.
- Effortless Workflow: From managing site settings and user preferences to content creation, data backup, website migration, and more, take charge of your entire website from a single dashboard.
- Customizable Design: The Elementor page builder offers a wide range of customization options, from font and color to asset, media, typography, layout, and everything in between.
- eCommerce-compatible: Elementor PRO comes with built-in eCommerce capabilities. From customized carts and WooCommerce settings to payment processing integrations, and more, you can do it all from a unified dashboard.
- Integrated Marketing Features: Promote your website using vibrant landing pages, interactive forms, dynamic content, social proof, action links, and more using Elementor’s integrated marketing features.
- Plugin Integrations: Elementor is compatible with a wide range of popular WordPress plugins such as MailChimp, HubSpot, Discord, Zapier, GetResponse, Slack, Google Maps API, Font Awesome Pro, you name it!
What is WPBakery?
WPBakery is a powerful WordPress page builder. Apart from the standard drag-and-drop functionality, the plugin comes with 60 premade templates that allow you to start building stunning websites with a few clicks. The WPBakery page builder is compatible with most shared website hosting plans, popular WordPress themes, and essential third-party extensions such as live chat plugins, membership widgets, etc.
WPBakery has over 40 page elements that are divided into four categories, namely content, social, structure, and widgets. You can even add rows, columns, accordions, text blocks, image galleries, social icons, and raw HTML code. The page builder comes with stunning premade templates that are optimized for performance and SEO to help you save time.
What are the Key Features of WPBakery?
WPBakery is a capable page builder that lets you extend the functionality of your WordPress website using powerful widgets. Here are its key features.
- Intuitive Frontend Editor: Experience the power of inline editing with the intuitive frontend editor. Track changes in real-time and manage your content easily without writing a single line of code.
- Powerful Backend Editor: Build any webpage with the intuitive drag-and-drop editor right from the WordPress dashboard. You can also customize individual elements using web scripts.
- Global Compatibility: The WPBakery page builder works with all the popular WordPress themes, tools, and plugins. Gone are the days of using different page builders when switching to a new theme.
- Premade Templates: The WPBakery page builder offers a unique template repository comprising numerous stunning and powerful themes. Import and customize your favorite design and launch your website with a few clicks.
- Fully Customizable: You can customize every part of the website, from the header to the footer, and everything in between using WPBakery. You also get over 200 unique add-ons for additional functionalities.
- Built-in SEO Toolkit: WPBakery’s built-in SEO features let you optimize your website from within the editor. You don’t need to install third-party plugins to help your website rank higher on SERPs.
WPBakery vs Elementor: Which Page Builder Should You Use?
Now that you are familiar with the basic features of both page builders, it’s time to address the dilemma: Elementor or WPBakery, which should you choose? Here’s a head-to-head comparison between Elementor vs WPBakery to help you make an informed choice.
User Interface and Ease of Use
WPBakery is a user-friendly page builder with a moderate learning curve. It uses dropdown menus and popups for editing instead of a centralized setup. Amateur webmasters may have a more difficult time getting used to the interface.
Elementor, on the other hand, has a more centralized and user-centric interface. The plugin is beginner-friendly and offers excellent features that help you build powerful and stunning websites in minutes. While you still might need some time to get acquainted with the UI, the learning curve is much smoother.
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Widgets and Elements
While both plugins offer a pretty decent selection of widgets and elements, there are minor differences. For example, WPBakery offers 50 essential widgets and 250 add-ons for a complete range of functionalities. Notable extensions include Ajax Search Pro, Pricing Table Pro, ARForms, etc.
Elementor also offers a wide range of useful plugins. The free version comes with 40 widgets that suffice for most web development projects. You can also access over 100 premium extensions for added functionalities. Overall, both Elementor and WPBakery are capable of building powerful websites.
Pricing
Elementor and WPBakery are both premium plugins. While Elementor offers a powerful free plan that is ideal for most webmasters, WPBakery is pay-to-use only. An Elementor PRO subscription starts at $59/year and includes several excellent features like a custom theme builder, 300+ templates, 20 expert website kits, VIP support, and more.
WPBakery currently has three pricing plans. Unlike Elementor PRO which offers annual subscriptions, WPBakery plans offer lifetime validity. The Regular plan is priced at $69 and can be used on one site. For use on up to five sites, you pay $256 while for 10 sites, you pay $499. Elementor prices are $59/year for one site, $99/year for up to three sites, $199/year for up to 25 sites, and $399/year for up to 1000 sites.
Performance
Website performance is a crucial factor when comparing page builders. And Elementor enjoys a slight edge over WPBakery in this regard. Elementor is lightweight and built for speed. Websites built using Elementor have minimum load times due to the clean codebase and efficient rendering engine.
WPBakery, on the other hand, is capable of building high-quality, high-performance designs. However, complex designs may be more bloated than Elementor due to WPBakery’s reliance on extensive shortcodes, additional scripts, and stylesheets. So, if you seek performance, Elementor is the better choice.
Conclusion
In the battle between Elementor vs WPBakery, the former is the better choice simply because it offers a free version that you can use to start building your website without coding. Furthermore, the free version of Elementor is quite capable of creating powerful websites.
So, if you are just getting started, it will help you save costs initially. However, WPBakery offers lifetime subscription plans. Therefore, professional webmasters will benefit more from a WPBakery subscription. Overall, both page builders are equally capable. So, the choice boils down to your personal preference.
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FAQ
Elementor vs WPBakery: Which should I choose?
Both Elementor and WPBakery are capable page builders offering similar functionalities and a broad range of features. They are easy to use, flexible, and scalable. If you are just starting out or on a budget, we recommend Elementor, as it has a free plan.
Can I use Elementor and WPBakery at the same time?
Yes, you can use Elementor and WPBakery at the same time. Both page builders are compatible with WordPress. So, in theory, you can customize page elements using either frontend builders.
Elementor or WPBakery: Which is better for speed?
Elementor enjoys a slight edge over WPBakery in terms of page load speed. The page builder is optimized for performance using clean codes and an efficient rendering engine.
Is Elementor better than WPBakery?
Both Elementor and WPBakery have their uses. Amateur webmasters should consider using Elementor since it is free for all. Experienced users can consider WPBakery since it offers a lifetime subscription.
What are the disadvantages of Elementor?
Elementor has its share of flaws too. Some users have reported bugs and performance issues leading to increased load times. However, you can contact the helpdesk for quick resolutions.
