Is Elementor better than Gutenberg in 2025?


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MaxiBlocks the best free Elementor alternative

Update 21 May 2025

Key takeaway:

Overview of WordPress page builders

Elementor

What it is

Elementor is one of the most widely used page builder plugins for WordPress. It offers a live, drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to build pages visually, without writing any code. It’s especially popular among users who want full design freedom without relying on developers.

Usage and popularity

Features and capabilities

Gutenberg

What it is

Gutenberg is the default editor in WordPress. Instead of using a single text box, it works with blocks each bit of content, like a paragraph, image, or button, is a block you can move and format independently. It’s built directly into WordPress, which means it stays lightweight and compatible with all major updates.

Usage and popularity

Features and capabilities

WordPress theme builders walkthrough
WordPress theme

Introduction to MaxiBlocks

What it is

What makes it different

Built for designers, developers, and beginners

You don’t need coding knowledge to build custom layouts. With live visual editing and drag-and-drop functionality, you can design sites in real-time and see every change instantly. It’s beginner-friendly, yet packed with pro features like Flexbox layout control, scroll effects, hover animations, CSS transforms, and even dynamic content support with ACF.

Design power without the bulk

Templates and customisation

Integrated design library

MaxiBlocks includes more than 14,000 free, editable SVG icons and shapes. You can customise them inside the editor change colours, line weight, fill, and more without needing external tools. These assets can be used for backgrounds, section dividers, buttons, masks, and design accents, giving your layouts a polished, modern feel.

Full site editing and dynamic content

Performance and workflow

Thanks to recent PHP performance enhancements, page rendering and editing are smooth even on complex layouts. The builder is optimised for fast page speed, responsive layout control, and SEO best practices. It also supports AI-assisted content tools, helping you generate text based on your layout and goals.

Trusted and active development

MaxiBlocks is co-founded by experienced designers who’ve worked with WordPress users for over a decade. The project is actively maintained, regularly updated, and backed by a team focused on real user needs, not just features for marketing’s sake.

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Comparing Elementor and Gutenberg (with MaxiBlocks)

Design flexibility

Gutenberg on its own is simpler and more structured, but when paired with MaxiBlocks, it offers many of the same layout and design tools. Live visual editing, style cards, Flexbox control, and SVG layering give Gutenberg users more flexibility without sacrificing speed.

Templates and layout options

Elementor includes a large library of pre-designed templates and widgets for different site types.

Gutenberg offers basic blocks and patterns by default, but MaxiBlocks adds over 1,400 pattern templates, foundation blocks, and full-page templates. It also includes design tools like style cards that let you restyle a full site with one click.

Integration and compatibility

Performance and speed

Elementor is feature-rich, but depending on your setup, it can add extra load time to pages especially on shared hosting or complex designs.

Gutenberg is fast by default. MaxiBlocks keeps this speed intact by using clean HTML, lightweight CSS, and efficient page rendering. It’s designed to pass performance tests like Core Web Vitals without needing extra optimisation plugins.

Cost and licensing

Elementor has a generous free version, but many of its best features theme building, motion effects, advanced forms, and marketing integrations are only available in the Pro version, which requires a yearly subscription.

Elementor Alternatives concept
Is Elementor better than Gutenberg in 2025?

MaxiBlocks: Enhancing the Gutenberg experience

Expanding what Gutenberg can do

What makes it different

All features in MaxiBlocks are free. That includes access to thousands of layout patterns, more than 14,000 SVG icons and shapes, and powerful visual tools like style cards, block tone variants, hover animations, and clip path masks. Unlike other builders that reserve key tools for paying users, MaxiBlocks doesn’t lock anything. There are no domain limits, no licence keys, and no feature restrictions. You can use it for as many sites as you like, without worrying about hitting a paywall.

Seamless and modern integration

Fast, clean, and efficient

Real-time content and dynamic features

For more advanced projects, MaxiBlocks also supports dynamic content. You can create pages that pull in live data using features like Repeater Fields and the Context Loop, or integrate with ACF to personalise content for users in real time. These tools bring customisation to another level, letting you build layouts that adapt to different users or update on the fly all without needing to write code.

Build like a pro

Final thoughts: Which builder is right for you?

If you need high-end visual tools, deep third-party integrations, and a polished drag-and-drop interface right out of the box, Elementor remains a strong option especially for users already familiar with its workflow. But keep in mind that many of its most useful features live behind the Pro paywall.

Whether you’re building your first site or rebuilding something more advanced, MaxiBlocks delivers pro-level features without the price tag. Try it for yourself and see how far you can go with just Gutenberg and a good block library.

Discover the best Elementor alternatives for WordPress

Explore a complete collection of Elementor alternatives with tips, comparisons, and tutorials for every type of WordPress site.

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FAQ: Discovering the best alternatives to Elementor

What is a solid alternative to Elementor for WordPress?

Are there any free alternatives to Elementor?

What is an effective Elementor replacement for creating WordPress websites?

For a modern, fast, and cost-free experience, MaxiBlocks is a great choice. It integrates directly with Gutenberg and gives you full control over your layout, design, and content no coding needed.

Is there an Elementor Pro alternative that’s completely free?

Yes. MaxiBlocks offers many of the features found in Elementor Pro like full theme building, dynamic content, and advanced visual controls without the price tag or feature restrictions.

Can you suggest any free Elementor alternatives for WordPress users?

If you’re looking for a free, powerful WordPress builder, MaxiBlocks is one of the best options. It provides a similar level of flexibility and design control as Elementor Pro, but with no subscription fees.

What are some WordPress alternatives to Elementor?

Are there effective WordPress Elementor alternatives?

Yes MaxiBlocks is an effective and future-proof option. It supports everything from custom layouts and style variants to advanced responsive design and dynamic content, all inside the familiar WordPress block editor.

What is the best Elementor replacement for budget-conscious users?

If you’re building on a budget, MaxiBlocks is an ideal choice. It provides all the tools you need to create a professional website without locking anything behind a paywall or adding subscription costs.

What are some good alternatives to Elementor Pro?

MaxiBlocks matches many of Elementor Pro’s features, including dynamic content support, a growing template library, and advanced design tools like hover animations, interaction builders, and SVG layering all for free.

Where can I download a free alternative to Elementor?

You can get MaxiBlocks directly from the WordPress plugin repository. It installs easily and gives you immediate access to everything no upsells or licence keys required.

Is there a free Elementor alternative with extensive features?

Are there open source Elementor alternatives?

MaxiBlocks is fully open source and built to work seamlessly with Gutenberg. It follows WordPress best practices, stays compatible with core updates, and gives users a reliable, long-term solution.

What are some recommended open source Elementor alternatives?

MaxiBlocks is a top recommendation. It combines ease of use with advanced control and provides a large design library, clean HTML output, and no licensing restrictions making it ideal for developers, freelancers, and site owners alike.

Is the free version of Elementor enough for building a professional website?

You might enjoy reading about what makes a builder better than Elementor, or get clarity on whether Elementor is still free in 2025. If you’re comparing tools, take a look at Gutenberg versus Elementor and how they stack up today. For broader options, explore other tools that outperform Elementor or browse through some of the best Elementor alternatives available now.

Author-Kyra

Kyra Pieterse

Author

Kyra is the co-founder and creative lead of MaxiBlocks, an open-source page builder for WordPress Gutenberg.

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