Gutenberg vs Elementor: Which One is Better in 2025?

If you're building a WordPress website in 2025, you've probably asked yourself:

👉 Should I use Gutenberg or Elementor?

Both are powerful page-building tools, but they serve different purposes. Gutenberg is WordPress' native block editor, while Elementor is a drag-and-drop page builder with advanced design features.

So, which one is better? The answer depends on your needs. Some users swear by Gutenberg's speed and simplicity, while others love Elementor's design flexibility.

I've worked with both for years, and in this guide, I'll break down their differences, strengths, and weaknesses to help you decide.

Let’s get into it!

What is Gutenberg?

Gutenberg is WordPress' default editor, introduced in WordPress 5.0. It replaced the old Classic Editor and introduced a block-based system for creating content.

Instead of working with a single text box (like in the Classic Editor), you can now build pages using blocks—text, images, buttons, videos, etc.

Pros of Gutenberg:

✅ Built into WordPress (no extra plugins needed)
✅ Lightweight & fast (better page speed)
✅ Great for writing & basic page layouts
✅ Compatible with most themes & plugins

Cons of Gutenberg:

❌ Limited design flexibility (compared to page builders)
❌ Takes time to master advanced layouts
❌ Relies on third-party block plugins for extra features

Best For: Bloggers, content-focused websites, and those who want a lightweight, no-frills editor.

What is Elementor?

Elementor is a visual page builder that lets you design websites without coding. It’s drag-and-drop based, meaning you can move elements around freely.

Unlike Gutenberg, Elementor gives pixel-perfect control over design, making it popular for business websites, landing pages, and eCommerce stores.

Pros of Elementor:

✅ Super flexible design control
✅ Easy drag-and-drop interface (great for beginners)
✅ Pre-built templates & widgets (saves time)
✅ Works with WooCommerce for custom eCommerce designs

Cons of Elementor:

❌ Can slow down your site (if not optimized)
❌ Some advanced features require Elementor Pro
❌ More complex than Gutenberg for simple sites

Best For: Business owners, agencies, designers, and anyone who wants full creative control over their website.

Gutenberg vs Elementor: Key Feature Comparison

Let’s compare Gutenberg vs. Elementor based on the most important features:

As you can see, both tools have their strengths. Your choice, therefore, depends on your specific needs and goals.

You've got the basics laid out in the table. But let's be real—choosing between Gutenberg and Elementor isn't just about checking boxes. It's about understanding how each one works in real life.

So, let's break it all down, feature by feature, and see which one might be your perfect match.

Let's dive in!

1. Performance & Speed – Which One Loads Faster?

Website speed is a big deal. A slow site can hurt SEO, conversions, and user experience.

When it comes to speed, Gutenberg has the upper hand as it is WordPress's native block editor.

That's why, it's lightweight and doesn't rely on third-party plugins. This means faster load times and better performance out of the box. If you're all about keeping your site lean and mean, Gutenberg is your go-to.

Elementor, on the other hand, is a bit heavier. It's a visual builder with tons of features, which can slow things down if you’re not careful. That said, Elementor has made strides in optimizing performance over the years. With proper caching and optimization plugins, you can still get a speedy site.

But if you're lazy about optimization (no judgment here), Gutenberg might save you some headaches.

I tested a simple homepage built with Gutenberg vs. Elementor. Here’s what Google PageSpeed Insights showed:

• Gutenberg page: 95+ score
• Elementor page: 75-85 score (needed caching and script optimization to improve speed)

Gutenberg is lighter because it's built into WordPress and doesn't load extra scripts.
Elementor, on the other hand, loads additional CSS and JavaScript, which can slow down your site if you don't optimize it.

👉 Verdict: Gutenberg wins in speed, but Elementor can still perform well with proper optimization.

2. Ease of Use – Which One is More Beginner-Friendly?

Elementor wins this round, hands down. Its drag-and-drop interface is super intuitive, even for beginners. You can see exactly what your site will look like as you build it, which is a huge plus if you're not a fan of guessing games.

Gutenberg, while much improved since its early days, still has a bit of a learning curve. It offers a block-based system to keep things simple. But it doesn't give you a live preview like Elementor.

If you're used to WordPress, it works well, though it takes some getting used to. But if you prefer a drag-and-drop, Canva-like experience, Elementor is the better choice.

This actually depends on how you like to work.

• Gutenberg feels more like a traditional editor—if you’ve used Microsoft Word or Google Docs, it won't feel too different.

• Elementor is a visual builder—you see exactly how your page will look while editing.

👉 Verdict: If you're creating a simple blog post, Gutenberg is easier. But if you're designing a landing page, Elementor is more beginner-friendly.

3. Customization & Design – Who Offers More Flexibility?

No contest here—Elementor wins.

Elementor is the king of customization. With its vast library of templates, widgets, and design options, you can create almost anything you can imagine. Want a fancy animated button? Done. A parallax scrolling section? Easy. It’s like having a design playground at your fingertips.

Gutenberg is more minimalist. It's great for straightforward designs. But it can feel limiting if you're trying to create something super unique.

Sure, Gutenberg has improved a lot over the years, and with the right plugins, you can extend its capabilities. Still, it heavily relies on your theme for most design elements, which can be restrictive.

Elementor, meanwhile, gives you full control. Colors, fonts, layouts, animations—you name it, you can tweak it. If design flexibility is a priority for you, Elementor is the clear winner.

👉 Verdict: If you want full control over your design, Elementor is the way to go.

4. Pricing – Which One Offers Better Value?

Gutenberg is completely free—you only need premium block plugins if you want extra features.

Gutenberg is free. Yep, completely free. It's built into WordPress, so you don't need to pay a dime to use it. If you're on a tight budget, this is a no-brainer.

Elementor has a free version, but it's pretty basic. To unlock its full potential, you'll need the Pro version. If you're running multiple sites or need advanced features, the price can add up. Still, for many, the investment is worth it for the design flexibility and ease of use.

👉 Verdict: Gutenberg is more budget-friendly, but Elementor justifies its price with better design options and widgets.

5. SEO – Which One Helps You Rank Higher?

Both Gutenberg and Elementor are SEO-friendly. But Gutenberg has a slight edge here. Since it's lightweight and generates clean code. In turn, it becomes easier for search engines to crawl and index your site. Plus, it integrates seamlessly with popular SEO plugins like Yoast or Rank Math.

Elementor isn't far behind, though. It produces clean code too. And with the right optimizations, your site can rank just as well. Just keep an eye on performance, as slower sites can hurt your SEO.

• Gutenberg produces cleaner code, which means better Core Web Vitals and improved search rankings.
• Elementor adds extra code, which can slow down sites if not optimized properly.

SEO depends on many factors (content, backlinks, user experience), but the builder you choose does matter.

👉 Verdict: For SEO-focused blogs, Gutenberg is better. But Elementor can still work well with proper caching, lightweight themes, and performance tweaks.

Alright, we've covered a lot of ground here—ease of use, customization, performance, SEO, pricing, and more. By now, you probably have a good idea of what each tool brings to the table.

But let’s make it even simpler. When should you reach for Gutenberg, and when is Elementor the better choice?

When to Use Gutenberg vs. Elementor?

Think of it like picking the right tool for the job. Sometimes you need a Swiss Army knife (Elementor), and other times, a simple screwdriver (Gutenberg) will do just fine.

Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:

At the end of the day, both tools are fantastic—it just depends on what you're trying to build.

Final Verdict: Which One is Better in 2025?

Alright, we’ve talked about features, use cases, and everything in between. Now, the big question: Which one is better in 2025—Gutenberg or Elementor?

The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It all comes down to your goals, your budget, and how much time you're willing to invest.

✅ Choose Gutenberg if you want a fast, simple, and SEO-friendly website.
✅ Choose Elementor if you need advanced design control, animations, and landing page flexibility.

Gutenberg has come a long way since its launch. In 2025, it’s faster, more intuitive, and deeply integrated into WordPress.

Imagine you're running a personal blog or a news website. You need to publish articles quickly, and your site needs to load fast to keep readers engaged. Gutenberg's lightweight design and clean code make it perfect for this. Plus, it's free, so you don’t have to worry about additional costs.

Elementor, on the other hand, continues to dominate the design space. It powers over 12 million websites worldwide, and its Pro version is used by over 60% of its users.

In 2025, it's still the go-to tool for businesses, agencies, and designers who need full creative control. If you’re building a portfolio, an eCommerce store, or a custom landing page, Elementor is hard to beat.

🔥 Pro Tip: Use both together! I often build blogs with Gutenberg and landing pages with Elementor—the best of both worlds.

Conclusion

Gutenberg and Elementor are both great tools, but your choice depends on your goals. If you want simplicity and speed, go with Gutenberg. If you need full creative control, Elementor is the way to go.

Think of it like this: Gutenberg is your reliable, no-frills friend who gets the job done quickly, while Elementor is the creative genius who helps you build something truly unique.

If you want to build a website right now, use Elementor. Because Gutenberg is still catching up and there are many features that is missing. But keep a look out for Gutenberg.

Read: How to Build a Marketplace with Elementor

Ultimately, the best tool is the one that aligns with your goals. So, what's it gonna be? Let me know in the comments—I'd love to hear your thoughts!