Are you wondering how to find the right tools to build your site from the vast options? The decision of choosing the platform among page builders vs block editors can have a significant impact on your website. 

WordPress is one of the most used and flexible content management systems used to build websites today. As Colorib statistics say 810 million websites use WordPress, which is 43% of all the websites on the internet. You have huge options to make your choice yet doesn’t restrict you to building the dream site.

Therefore, to clear up all your queries, we will discuss a detailed overview of block editors vs page builders. You will have a thorough understanding of the functions, differences, and general overview. So, let’s get started.

What Is a Block Editor?

The block editor in WordPress is also known as the Gutenberg editor, as it came along with WordPress Core. WordPress launched Gutenberg from version 5.0 in 2018 to replace the classic editor. 

This is a block-based editor through which you can arrange the content of your site. Users may now add, rearrange, and style individual material blocks as required.

This provides flexibility and control over page layouts, the contents are divided into separate blocks that make it comfortable for users. The interface is simple and easy to use, making it a good choice for beginners.

Block Editor is still improving. WordPress itself does not offer a large number of features to personalize right away. As a result, several third-party plugins like Exclusive Blocks offer customization features, making your process easier.

These plugins will allow you to create any website with ease with only drag-and-drop without any coding knowledge. Using Gutenberg blocks and ShopCred plugins you can create a complete eCommerce website and generate revenue effortlessly. 

What Is Page Builder

Page builders are third-party plugins that allow users to create and customize pages on the WordPress platform. This provides a wide range of options for customizing layouts and drag-and-drop features to organize different contents.

This offers pre-built templates and widgets through which you can make complex and visually appealing designs with no coding experience. There are many page builders in the marketplace to compete among them, Elementor is the best page builder as reviewed. 

To enrich the page builders different third-party add-ons like Elementor Pro, and ultimate Add-ons include more features and options for customization. This gives the freedom to build websites with full responsiveness and complex functions without any coding.

WordPress Page Builders vs Block Editor – Features 

By now you must be clear about what these are and their core functions for developing a complete WordPress site. Here are some key features that differentiate Page builders and Block editors in WordPress: 

Page Builders

• Offers more flexibility in customizing layouts and designing complex grids to make the design more engaging. 
• Gives a visual editing panel with drag-and-drop features that let you see and customize by seeing. 
• Provides you with predefined templates that especially help the novice to step forward to customize readymade design possibilities. 
• Affects the page speed and usability of the site as page builders use extra plugins that slow down the site.

Block Editor

• They use a block-based editing panel for editing to customize and create content. Blocks have been introduced since version WordPress 5.0 and evolving. 
• Allows more flexibility and control over the layouts but fewer customization options than page builders. 
• Includes a variety of built-in blocks for adding common elements like images, videos, headings, lists, and more.   
• Fast page loading time as it doesn’t need extra plugins for page building. 
• Don’t need any extra theme or plugin features as WordPress delivers a complete package. 

Both choices try to stand out with their best features that determine your unique requirements and preferences. The block editor offers a simpler, more intuitive interface that is built-in into WordPress compared to page builders.

On the other hand, Page builders can be more powerful and flexible, but may be more complex to use. From this point of view let’s look down to get a more clear idea of their similarities and differences. 

Block Editor vs Page Builder – Similarities

While arguing on the topic of page builders vs block editors you can find some similarities between them. So let’s look at the similarities between them. 

• Both page builders and block editors focus on enhancing user experience providing a friendly way to create and customize pages. 
• Both allow for creating user-engaging professional-looking web pages.
• You can design custom pages with both options which are not possible with WordPress classic editor. 
•  Both page builder and block editor will give you the freedom to add styles to each content on your way.

Even though they have similarities, the main differences between them are in the level of flexibility, customization, and easiness. Depending on the user’s needs, either the block editor or page builders can be the best choice.

Page Builders vs Block Editor – Differences 

The primary distinction is that the block editor is included as the default editor with the WordPress core software. On the other hand, third-party developers produce and provide support for page builder plugins.

The WordPress.org team does not refer to the default editor as a page builder. Instead, they refer to it as the “block editor.” This is a fresh approach and gives your website a standard look. You’ll see why this is important when you read about the distinctions between the two.

Widgets and Blocks

WordPress page builders have many more components available. They provide cutting-edge content components including carousels, sliders, call-to-action buttons, contact forms, and more. To reuse later, you may also save certain blocks, rows, or whole templates.

On the other hand, the WordPress block editor comes with default blocks that include all the most popular content. Additionally, blocks may be saved and used in different posts and even on different WordPress websites.

Its robust API enables plugin authors to construct custom blocks. You may use the WordPress blocks that each of the best WordPress plugins has created. 

Formatting and Styling Options

Page builders offer a wide range of styling and formatting options by default. You can change every component on your way, adjusting all fonts, colors, images, and more. 

Whereas WordPress block editor comes with its stylings and formatting options though it’s limited. The WordPress.org team is working continuously on updating their features and adding more options. 

Templates and Blocks

Page Builders Include a wide range of pre-designed templates, modules, and elements. The majority of WordPress page builder plugins include dozens of ready-to-use templates. They are extremely conversion-optimized.

You also receive templates for particular company kinds and websites, which are easier to personalize for your purposes. Moreover, the Block editor includes a variety of built-in blocks for adding common elements like images, videos, headings, and more. Your WordPress theme may come with its own patterns

You can also find and install patterns from WordPress.org’s patterns library. You can also customize the theme template if your theme supports full site editing. These templates that you have customized can be saved and used as block patterns. 

Drag and Drop Features.

Page builders allow you to drag and drop blocks/widgets, adjust their height and width, create columns, and add blocks inside other blocks. This drag-and-drop allows you to design your pages and complete websites easily. 

It is not possible to drag and drop designs into the WordPress block editor (not in its current form). you can add and move up and down, but cannot move next to one another. 

Pros and Cons – Page Builders and Block Editor

By now as we know you know a lot about page builders vs block editors. You have seen detailed discussions on this topic in the previous sections of this blog. Now let’s go through the Pros and Cons of page builders and block editors. 

Page Builder –  Pros and Cons 

Block Editor –  Pros and Cons 

Both choices offer advantages and disadvantages, and the best option for you to determine by your unique preferences. It’s important to consider your level of experience, and the complexity of the pages you want to create targeting your audience.

So specify your niche and choose the best one to build your site. Let’s search for “Can block editors replace page builders?” as WordPress updates the block editor with every update. 

Can Block Editor Replace Page Builder

Users may construct and change pages on a WordPress website, but the block editor can partially replace a page builder. However, it may not offer as many layout options or pre-designed templates as a dedicated page builder. 

Block editor does not yet offer a suitable alternative to strong drag-and-drop page builder plugins. WordPress, making it a good option for users who want a basic page builder with a few customization options. Basically good for the newbies and those who just started learning.

Page Builders, on the other hand, are more powerful and versatile, with additional layout possibilities, pre-designed templates, and modules. They can be a good choice for users who want more control over the design and layout of their websites.  

Therefore it cannot be specified with the choice of block editor vs page builders. Both are best at their place and can be used to user’s preferences and flexibility. 

Which is better: Page Builders vs Block Editor?

The WordPress Block Editor vs Page Builders both have pros and cons, thus there is no clear definitive answer. It depends on the specific needs and preferences of the user. The Gutenberg editor comes with a simpler interface and easy options for basic page builders. 

However, page builders are launched as more powerful and flexible, offering a wider range of layout options, including pre-designed templates. This can be a good choice for users who have good control over the design, and layout of the site. 

The decision of choosing the way to build your site depends on your use and preference and your experience. So you must consider your goal and point of view for your site before choosing the platform for site development. 

Final Thoughts

Going through the overall scenario and argument of page builders vs block editor you can’t choose one at first chance. From our point of view, neither Gutenberg nor Page Builders can be a complete replacement for each other. 

Page builders and block editors both are excellent tools for developing and designing websites. Our Team DevsCred is constantly working to update the page builders and block editor plugins to make your task easier.

After all, choosing the best option depends on your needs and preferences. For instance, if you want to design pages and posts for a premium site without coding, a page builder is the best.

Hope reading this article will clear all your queries and come to a solution with your choice. We discussed both options in detail with all their key points. If you get better options, share your ideas with us in the comment section below.