Lightweight Elementor alternatives
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Updated 24.01.2025
Key takeaways
MaxiBlocks is a lightweight, user-friendly page builder that’s perfect for designers who want high performance and a massive library of templates and tools. Other top Elementor alternatives include GeneratePress with GenerateBlocks, Oxygen Builder, Brizy, and SiteOrigin Page Builder, each offering unique features for specific needs.
Building and customising websites has never been easier, thanks to modern page builders. Elementor is one of the most popular options, offering a wide range of features and design flexibility. However, its resource-heavy nature can sometimes slow down websites or create challenges for smaller projects. If you’re looking for a more lightweight solution that balances performance and functionality, several excellent alternatives are available. This article explores five top options, starting with MaxiBlocks, a robust and efficient page builder designed to meet diverse needs.
Among the best lightweight alternatives to Elementor, MaxiBlocks stands out with its user-friendly interface and a wide range of design tools. GeneratePress, paired with GenerateBlocks, combines a lightweight theme with modular block-based design for simplicity and speed. Oxygen Builder offers advanced customisation and control, ideal for those who need detailed design capabilities. Brizy provides an intuitive drag-and-drop experience, making it accessible for beginners and professionals alike. SiteOrigin Page Builder rounds out the list with its straightforward functionality and strong reputation in the WordPress community.
1. MaxiBlocks a lightweight Elementor alternative
Introduction to Elementor Alternatives – MaxiBlocks
MaxiBlocks is a robust yet lightweight page builder that offers an excellent alternative to Elementor for those seeking efficiency without sacrificing functionality. It is designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it accessible to beginners while still delivering advanced tools that professionals appreciate. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows easy customisation, enabling users to create stunning layouts without technical expertise. With a rich block pattern library of templates, patterns, and design elements, MaxiBlocks simplifies the process of starting new projects while the 100 style cards make customising of designs quick and easy.
MaxiBlocks amongst Elementor alternatives:
1. Ease of use
MaxiBlocks features an intuitive interface that simplifies the website-building process. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy to create and customise pages without requiring extensive technical knowledge. With clearly organised tools and a straightforward layout, even those new to website design can navigate and build confidently, reducing the learning curve.
2. Templates and design elements
MaxiBlocks provides a wide range of templates and pre-made layouts, giving users the flexibility to start their projects quickly. These templates are highly customisable, allowing users to adapt them to their specific design needs. The 100 Style cards included with MaxiBlocks make it simple to adjust colours, fonts, and other design elements, offering endless possibilities for creating unique layouts.
3. Pricing
One of MaxiBlocks advantages is its competitive pricing. The MaxiBlocks page builder and theme are both open source and therefore free to use. Costs only arise when web designers decide to upgrade from the free block patterns of which there are over 500 available in the library to the pro WordPress pattern library. Access to the MaxiBlocks Go Pro library can be acquired by paying a small monthly fee for use on limitless websites. As further options an annual fee may be selected or a very affordable life-time deal.
4. Performance
MaxiBlocks is designed with performance in mind, ensuring fast-loading websites through its lightweight code and optimised structure. By working natively with the Gutenberg block editor, it avoids adding unnecessary bloat, keeping sites responsive and efficient. This focus on performance not only helps the user experience but also supports better search engine rankings, making MaxiBlocks a smart choice for building high-performing websites.
5. Community and support
MaxiBlocks has an active community and offers a wealth of support resources. Users can access documentation, tutorials, and forums to get help and share their experiences. The dedicated Discord community provides a space for real-time interaction, where users can seek advice, share tips, and connect with other website creators. Additionally, the MaxiBlocks YouTube channel features an extensive library of “How to” videos, guiding users through everything from basic setup to advanced design techniques, making it easier to maximise the builder’s potential.
6. Conclusion
MaxiBlocks stands out as a lightweight alternative to Elementor for its features as well as offering the biggest library of block patterns and icons, current count standing at 17,127 items, for the Gutenberg block editor. Its hugely affordable pricing is also attractive to web designers. Good choice for designers looking for Elementor alternatives.
Quick review
MaxiBlocks is a strong candidate for an Elementor alternative due to its performance, easy integration with the Gutenberg block editor, and affordable library of templates and design tools.
Why is MaxiBlocks a better alternative to Elementor?
MaxiBlocks is a lightweight alternative to Elementor because it offers speedy performance, a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, and full integration with the Gutenberg block editor. It delivers faster loading times, extensive customisation options, and an expansive library of templates, making it ideal for professional and efficient website design.
Which is the best choice amongst Elementor alternatives?
MaxiBlocks is the best choice amongst Elementor alternatives because of its highly economical pricing. Not only is the page builder and theme free to use, but the extensive pro library is available at a small monthly, annual or life-time fee and can be used on an unlimited number of websites.
Use case example
Scenario: A web design small studio needs to redesign a client’s website to improve performance and modernise its layout. The existing website uses Elementor, which has led to slow load times and a high cost.
Solution: The studio switches to MaxiBlocks, leveraging its lightweight framework and easy integration with the Gutenberg block editor. Using the extensive library of templates and style cards, they quickly implement a fresh, professional design. The drag-and-drop interface simplifies adjustments, while the full site editing allows quick design changes across the site.
Result: The redesigned website is not only more professionally designed but is also easier to edit and update. As a final bonus the cost savings are substantial making for a happy client.
2. GeneratePress amongst Elementor alternatives:
GeneratePress is a lightweight and useful theme that serves as a good choice as an alternative to Elementor. Known for its minimalistic design and performance-first approach, GeneratePress ensures fast-loading websites without compromising on customisation options. Paired with the GenerateBlocks plugin, it offers a modular, block-based system that allows website creators to design unique layouts with ease. The combination is simple to use, making it ideal for beginners, yet powerful enough to meet the demands of professional developers. With its optimised code, extensive documentation, and active community support, GeneratePress delivers a solid website-building experience focused on speed, functionality, and flexibility.
1. Ease of use
GeneratePress is designed with ease of use in mind, offering a straightforward setup process and a user-friendly interface. Its clean, well-organised options panel makes customisation intuitive, even for those with little to no experience in web design. Paired with GenerateBlocks, it allows users to create unique layouts using a simple drag-and-drop block system, eliminating the need for coding knowledge.
2. Templates and design elements
GeneratePress, when used with GenerateBlocks, provides a flexible and efficient approach to templates and design elements. Instead of relying on pre-built layouts, it adopts a modular block-based system that allows website creators to design custom sections tailored to their needs. GeneratePress supports a wide variety of design elements, such as headers, footers, and content sections, all of which are fully customisable.
3. Performance
GeneratePress is built with performance at its core, offering a lightweight framework that ensures websites load quickly and run efficiently. Its optimised code reduces resource usage, improving both user experience and search engine rankings. The theme works smoothly with most WordPress plugins and pairs effectively with GenerateBlocks.
4. Community and support
The GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks community is active, with plenty of support available through forums and documentation. Comprehensive tutorials help users get the most out of these tools.
5. Conclusion
GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks offer a viable lightweight alternative to Elementor, with a user-friendly interface, flexible design options, and excellent performance.
3. Oxygen Builder amongst Elementor alternatives:
Introduction to Oxygen Builder
Oxygen Builder is a powerful, lightweight tool designed for website creators who require extensive customisation and control over their designs. Unlike traditional page builders, Oxygen Builder replaces the need for a WordPress theme by providing a complete visual editor that works directly with the WordPress framework. It offers advanced design capabilities, allowing users to build websites from the ground up with pixel-perfect precision. Known for its optimised performance and clean code, Oxygen Builder is an excellent choice for those seeking a highly flexible and efficient alternative to Elementor.
1. Ease of use
Oxygen Builder offers a visual drag-and-drop editor that simplifies the process of building custom websites, though it may have a steeper learning curve compared to other page builders. Its interface is designed for flexibility, providing advanced options for creating pixel-perfect designs without relying on a WordPress theme. While beginners might need time to learn the use of its features, the builder’s extensive documentation make it easier to master. Once familiar with the tools, users have full control over their website’s design with few limitations.
2. Templates and design elements
Oxygen Builder includes a variety of pre-designed templates and blocks to help streamline the design process while placing creative control into the hands of the designer. These templates can be customised to match specific branding or project needs, balancing convenience and control. Users can also create and save their own reusable design elements.
3. Performance
This Elementor alternative is highly optimised for performance, delivering fast-loading websites through its clean, lightweight code. By replacing the need for a traditional WordPress theme, it eliminates unnecessary bloat, improving speed and efficiency. Oxygen also integrates well with caching and optimisation plugins. This focus on streamlined functionality ensures websites built with Oxygen load quickly, provide a smooth user experience, and rank well in search engines.
4. Community and support
There is a dedicated and active community that provides valuable support and resources for users. The official forums and Facebook group are hubs for sharing tips, troubleshooting, and design inspiration. There is extensive documentation, including detailed guides and video tutorials, to help users navigate its advanced features. Regular updates and responsive customer support are available.
5. Conclusion
This Elementor alternative offers advanced customisation options, efficient performance, and a unique approach to website creation. Its visual editor and extensive template options provide solid design flexibility, while its focus on clean code ensures fast-loading and responsive websites. With good community support, detailed documentation, and tools tailored to both beginners and professionals, Oxygen Builder is a reliable choice for those seeking full control over their WordPress projects.
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4. Brizy amongst Elementor alternatives:
Introduction to Brizy
Brizy is a user-friendly page builder that offers a lightweight and efficient alternative to Elementor. Designed for simplicity, it features an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that allows users to create professional-quality websites without technical expertise. Brizy’s clean code and streamlined design tools make it an excellent choice for those prioritising performance and ease of use. With a variety of pre-designed templates and blocks, as well as compatibility with popular WordPress themes, Brizy has the flexibility needed to build modern, responsive websites.
1. Ease of use
This Elementor alternative is known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which simplifies the website-building process for beginners and professionals alike. Its visual editor allows for real-time changes, making it easy to customise layouts without needing technical knowledge or coding skills.
2. Templates and design elements
This WordPress website builder offers a wide variety of pre-designed templates and design blocks that can be quickly customised to match individual project requirements. These elements are flexible, allowing users to mix and match sections to create unique layouts that suit their brand or purpose.
3. Performance
The builder is optimised for performance with lightweight code that ensures fast-loading websites. Its focus on efficiency means it works well with most WordPress themes and plugins, maintaining speed and reliability across different projects.
4. Community and support
An active and supportive community, complemented by a range of resources, including documentation, video tutorials, and a responsive support team is part of this WordPress builder’s service. This ensures users can find assistance and guidance whenever needed.
5. Conclusion
Brizy is a solid alternative to Elementor, offering ease of use, flexible design tools, and reliable performance. Its combination of intuitive features and strong community support makes it a practical choice for building responsive, professional websites.
5. SiteOrigin Page Builder amongst Elementor alternatives:
The SiteOrigin Page Builder is a trusted and lightweight option for building WordPress websites, making it a compelling alternative to Elementor. Known for its simplicity and reliability, SiteOrigin provides a straightforward drag-and-drop interface that caters to both beginners and experienced developers. Its compatibility with a wide range of WordPress themes and plugins allows users to create custom layouts with ease. Offering flexibility, performance, and a solid reputation within the WordPress community, SiteOrigin Page Builder is an effective choice for those seeking a streamlined approach to website design.
1. Ease of use
SiteOrigin Page Builder features a straightforward interface with drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for users to create and customise their websites. The builder is designed to be user-friendly, catering to both beginners and advanced users.
2. Templates and design elements
This builder provides a selection of templates and design elements that can be customised to suit specific needs. The flexibility in creating layouts allows users to build unique and attractive websites.
3. Performance
This WordPress page builder is designed to be lightweight and efficient, ensuring fast loading times. It works well with various themes and plugins, providing a smooth user experience.
4. Community and support
There is an active community, offering plenty of support and resources. Users can access documentation, tutorials, and forums to help them make the most of the builder.
5. Conclusion
A reliable and lightweight alternative to Elementor, this page builder offers simplicity, flexibility, and strong compatibility with WordPress themes and plugins. Its straightforward drag-and-drop interface makes it accessible to beginners, while its customisation options appeal to experienced designers. With an active community and a solid reputation in the WordPress ecosystem, SiteOrigin provides the tools needed to build responsive and visually appealing websites. For those seeking an efficient and dependable page builder, SiteOrigin is a practical choice.
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Final thoughts
Exploring lightweight alternatives to Elementor allows website creators to find a page builder that suits their specific needs and preferences. Each of the options discussed—MaxiBlocks, GeneratePress with GenerateBlocks, Oxygen Builder, Brizy, and SiteOrigin Page Builder—offers unique features and benefits that enhance the website-building experience. Considering these alternatives enables the selection of the right tool for creating beautiful, high-quality websites efficiently.
Examining these resources provides a deeper understanding of each page builder, helping users to maximise their features and create functional, visually appealing websites.
FAQs about lightweight Elementor alternatives
What is a good lightweight Elementor alternative for WordPress?
A good lightweight Elementor alternative for WordPress is GeneratePress combined with GenerateBlocks. This combination offers a minimalistic, yet powerful, page-building experience that ensures fast loading times and excellent performance.
Is Gutenberg a suitable lightweight Elementor alternative?
Yes, Gutenberg is a suitable lightweight Elementor alternative. As the default WordPress editor, it is optimized for performance and integrates seamlessly with WordPress, providing a fast and efficient page-building experience.
Are there any free lightweight Elementor alternatives available?
Yes, Gutenberg and GenerateBlocks are free lightweight Elementor alternatives. They are both designed to be efficient and lightweight, allowing users to build websites without adding unnecessary bloat.
What makes Brizy a lightweight Elementor alternative?
Brizy can be considered a lightweight Elementor alternative due to its intuitive interface and efficient codebase. It provides a smooth page-building experience without compromising on performance, making it ideal for users seeking a faster website.
Can I use a lightweight Elementor alternative like Oxygen Builder for complex designs?
Yes, Oxygen Builder is a lightweight Elementor alternative that supports complex designs. Despite its powerful features, it remains lightweight and efficient, ensuring that your website performs well even with intricate layouts.
Which lightweight Elementor alternative is best for beginners?
Gutenberg and GeneratePress are excellent lightweight Elementor alternatives for beginners. They offer user-friendly interfaces and minimal setup, making it easy for new users to create and customize their websites.
Are there any lightweight Elementor alternatives that offer pre-designed templates?
Yes, Gutenberg combined with Block Patterns and GeneratePress offer pre-designed templates. These lightweight Elementor alternatives provide a range of starter templates to help users quickly set up their websites.
Do lightweight Elementor alternatives support responsive design?
Yes, lightweight Elementor alternatives like Gutenberg and GenerateBlocks support responsive design. They allow users to create websites that are fully responsive and look great on all devices.
How do lightweight Elementor alternatives compare in terms of performance?
Lightweight Elementor alternatives like GeneratePress and Oxygen Builder are designed for optimal performance. They ensure fast loading times and efficient resource usage, which is crucial for user experience and SEO.
Are there lightweight Elementor alternatives with strong community support?
Yes, Gutenberg and GeneratePress have strong community support. These lightweight Elementor alternatives benefit from active communities that contribute to development, provide assistance, and share knowledge and resources.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
maxiblocks.com/go/help-desk
maxiblocks.com/pro-library
www.youtube.com/@maxiblocks
twitter.com/maxiblocks
linkedin.com/company/maxi-blocks
github.com/orgs/maxi-blocks
wordpress.org/plugins/maxi-blocks
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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