When it comes to building pages in WordPress, two of the most talked-about tools are Gutenberg (the native block editor) and Elementor (a popular third-party page builder). While Elementor has gained fame for its drag-and-drop interface and creative design freedom, more and more WordPress users are realizing the advantages of Gutenberg — especially as it continues to evolve.
Here’s why the Gutenberg Block Editor is ultimately the better choice for most WordPress users:
1. Native to WordPress – No Extra Plugins Required
Gutenberg is built into WordPress core. That means:
- No need to install or maintain an extra plugin.
- Fewer compatibility issues with themes or other plugins.
- Faster updates and tighter integration with future WordPress features.
With Elementor, you’re relying on a third-party plugin that may not always be fully in sync with WordPress updates or your theme. Gutenberg, on the other hand, is designed to work seamlessly out of the box.
2. Performance and Speed
Elementor can be heavy. It loads extra CSS, JavaScript, and assets, which can slow down your site — something Google and users don’t appreciate.
Gutenberg produces cleaner code and has significantly less bloat, meaning:
- Faster page load times.
- Better Core Web Vitals scores.
- Improved SEO performance.
For performance-focused sites, Gutenberg is the clear winner.
3. Cleaner, More Structured Code Output
One of the biggest criticisms of page builders like Elementor is the messy HTML they generate. Extra wrappers, unnecessary divs, and complex layouts can make pages harder to maintain and debug.
Gutenberg outputs more semantic HTML, making it:
- Easier for developers to work with.
- Better for accessibility and SEO.
- More future-proof.
If code quality matters to you or your developers, Gutenberg is the superior tool.
4. Future of WordPress Is Gutenberg
WordPress has made it clear: Gutenberg is the future. It’s not just a page editor anymore — it’s evolving into a full-site editing platform, allowing users to:
- Customize headers, footers, templates, and more.
- Build entire themes with blocks.
- Rely less on third-party tools.
By investing in Gutenberg now, you’re aligning with the long-term vision of WordPress itself.
5. Lighter Learning Curve for Content Creators
Gutenberg’s block-based interface is intuitive and consistent. Once users learn how to use one block, they can apply the same principles to others.
Elementor’s interface, while powerful, can be overwhelming for beginners due to:
- Multiple panels and advanced controls.
- Too many options per element.
- Separate UI from the native WordPress interface.
For teams with content editors, writers, or clients who aren’t tech-savvy, Gutenberg is easier to pick up and use.
6. Better for Scalability and Maintenance
Sites built with Gutenberg are:
- Easier to maintain.
- More compatible with most themes.
- Less likely to break if a plugin or theme is deactivated.
In contrast, Elementor-based sites can be more fragile — uninstall Elementor, and your designs disappear.
7. Open Ecosystem and Rapid Development
Gutenberg has spurred a whole ecosystem of block-based plugins that extend its capabilities, often for free or at lower costs than premium page builders.
Examples include:
- Kadence Blocks
- Stackable
- GenerateBlocks
These tools are lightweight, modular, and often built with performance and accessibility in mind.
Final Thoughts
Elementor has its place — especially for users who want pixel-perfect design control without touching code. But for most WordPress users, Gutenberg offers a faster, lighter, and more sustainable solution.
It’s native, future-ready, and designed to scale with your site. As the WordPress ecosystem continues to evolve, Gutenberg isn’t just catching up — it’s setting the pace.
Bottom line: If you’re starting a new WordPress project, it’s time to give Gutenberg a serious look.