When it comes to WordPress website builders, Elementor vs Divi is a debate that often arises. Both builders are powerful, feature-packed tools designed to make website creation easier, but which one is right for your needs? As a WordPress web design agency specialising in Elementor, we’ve worked with both builders extensively. Here’s our honest comparison of Divi vs Elementor to help you decide.
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Introduction: Why Compare Elementor and Divi?
Choosing the right WordPress page builder can significantly impact your productivity, creativity, and the performance of your website. While WordPress itself is a highly flexible platform, the page builder you choose determines how easily you can build, design, and manage your site.
I transitioned from Divi to Elementor years ago, and today, 90% of our websites are built with Elementor. Why? Because Elementor offers a smoother, faster, and less bloated experience. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of Elementor Pro vs Divi, highlighting their differences in user experience, performance, flexibility, pricing, and more.
Whether you’re a business owner, a freelance designer, or a developer, this post will help you make an informed decision.
Elementor vs Divi: 5 Key Comparisons
1. User Interface (UI) and Experience
A builder’s user interface isn’t just about how it looks; it’s about how efficiently users can complete tasks. Elementor and Divi have distinct approaches to this.
Elementor: The interface is highly user-friendly, even for non-technical users. Clients can easily update content themselves without worrying about breaking the design. Spinning out landing pages for marketing campaigns is a breeze, thanks to the drag-and-drop editor, live previews, and ready-made templates. For agencies, this reduces client dependency on developers, saving time and lowering costs. No custom development is needed for straightforward updates, making Elementor perfect for businesses that need agility.
Divi: While Divi also offers drag-and-drop functionality, the interface can feel more overwhelming for clients. Its modular layout system, while feature rich, is less intuitive, and often a lag from making edits and seeing it in the visual builder.
Winner: Elementor. Its ease of use translates directly into faster content management and cost savings.
2. Speed and Performance
Website speed is critical for user experience and SEO, and a bloated page builder can severely impact your site’s performance.
Elementor: Performance is where Elementor shines. According to WP Rocket’s testing, Elementor’s full loading time is 1.3 seconds compared to Divi’s 1.7 seconds, making it faster out of the box. Elementor also scores higher on time-to-interact metrics, which is essential for creating a smooth user experience. With proper optimisation using caching and minification tools, Elementor sites perform exceptionally well, even with feature-rich designs.
Divi: Divi’s reliance on shortcodes contributes to its heavier footprint, increasing page load times. While Elegant Themes has made improvements to performance, Divi still struggles to compete with Elementor’s leaner, more modern approach.
Winner: Elementor. Its lighter framework is better aligned with modern performance goals.
3. Design and Development
For developers and creatives, the ability to transform any vision into reality is a top priority.
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Elementor: Elementor’s flexibility is unmatched. The Container Flexbox and Grid Container options are particularly powerful, enabling precise layouts and responsive designs. This system allows you to take any design, no matter how complex, and build it seamlessly. It’s ideal for agencies or developers working on bespoke projects where no two designs are alike. Additionally, Elementor supports advanced styling, custom CSS, and animations right out of the box.
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Divi: While Divi offers a variety of design tools, its development framework isn’t as advanced as Elementor’s. Custom layouts and animations can feel clunky, and achieving highly intricate designs often requires additional tweaks or workarounds.
Winner: Elementor. Its design tools and modern development features make building stunning websites faster and easier.
4. Customisation and Flexibility
Customisation and compatibility with third-party tools can expand what’s possible with a builder.
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Elementor: Elementor comes with a wealth of built-in widgets, from forms and sliders to pricing tables and countdown timers. Beyond that, its compatibility with third-party tools like Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Search & Filter Pro, and Yoast SEO is a game-changer for developers. You can easily integrate caching solutions, eCommerce platforms, and custom queries without breaking the flow of your design. This means Elementor isn’t just a builder—it’s an all-in-one toolkit for building dynamic, feature-rich websites.
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Divi: Divi also offers a range of modules and works with third-party tools, but its reliance on proprietary shortcodes can sometimes complicate integrations. Over time, shortcodes can even become a burden if you ever need to migrate or switch themes.
Winner: Elementor. Its compatibility with industry-standard tools and plugins makes it the more versatile choice.
5. Community and Ecosystem
The community around a builder can greatly influence your ability to troubleshoot, find inspiration, and expand your skills.
Elementor: Elementor has one of the largest and most active communities in the WordPress space. From official forums and Facebook groups to third-party tools, the resources available are staggering. Frequent updates and feature rollouts keep the ecosystem growing.
Divi: Divi also has a strong community, but it’s not as expansive as Elementor’s. Elegant Themes does provide excellent support, but the pace of updates and ecosystem growth lags behind Elementor.
Winner: Elementor. A thriving community and ever-growing ecosystem make it a leader in web design and development.
Summary: Elementor Pro vs Divi – Which One Wins?
In my experience the battle of Elementor vs Divi, Elementor stands out as the best choice for most users. Its intuitive interface, lightweight performance, and advanced customisation options make it a clear winner. While Divi offers an affordable lifetime license, its heavier build and less intuitive editor can be frustratingly limiting.
If you prioritise speed, flexibility, and ease of use, Elementor is the way to go.
At Makilo, we specialise in designing, building, and maintaining WordPress websites using Elementor. Whether you need a brand-new website or support for an existing one, we’re here to help. Get in touch today.
FAQs About Elementor
What is Elementor?
Elementor is a WordPress plugin that allows users to design professional-looking websites using a drag-and-drop visual builder. It eliminates the need for coding, making it perfect for beginners and experts alike.
How to Use Elementor?
After installing Elementor, simply create or edit a page in WordPress and switch to the Elementor editor. From there, you can add widgets, customise sections, and preview changes live.
Is Elementor Free?
Yes, Elementor has a free version with essential features. However, upgrading to Elementor Pro unlocks advanced widgets, theme builder capabilities, and integrations.
How Much Is Elementor Pro?
Elementor Pro pricing starts at $59/year for a single site, making it affordable for small businesses. Agencies can opt for higher-tier plans to manage multiple websites. Here at Makilo we have an agency license for Elementor Pro that our clients use.
How to Install Elementor Pro?
- Purchase Elementor Pro from the official website.
- Download the plugin file.
- Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and upload the file.
- Activate the license key to access premium features.
