Page Builders Explained: Elementor vs Divi vs Bricks vs Native Gutenberg

If you’re building a WordPress website, one of the first questions your developer or agency will ask is which page builder to use. Or they won’t ask at all and just pick whatever they’re most comfortable with, which is how a lot of businesses end up with bloated, slow sites they can’t easily manage or hand over.

Page builders matter because they affect how your site looks, how fast it loads, how easy it is to edit and how smoothly another developer can take it over later. This guide compares the four main options honestly, without the fanboy tribalism that dominates most builder debates.

For the full picture on building a business website that actually works, our web design guide for Melbourne businesses covers everything from structure and conversion through to platform choice.

The Short Answer: No Page Builder Is Best for Everyone

There is no single “best” WordPress page builder. There’s only the best fit for a specific project, team and set of requirements.

Choose Gutenberg if: you want leaner, native WordPress editing and don’t need lots of visual complexity. It’s more capable than most people give it credit for.

Choose Elementor if: you want flexible design control with a relatively accessible editing experience. It’s the most widely adopted builder for a reason.

Choose Divi if: you’re already in the Divi ecosystem and want visual full site control. It’s powerful, but needs discipline.

Choose Bricks if: performance and cleaner output matter more than beginner simplicity. It’s the most performance minded of the major builders.

The wrong builder usually creates more problems than it solves. Too much flexibility without discipline leads to bloated, slow, hard to maintain websites. Not enough flexibility leads to a site that can’t be updated without a developer for every small change.

What Is a WordPress Page Builder, Exactly?

A page builder gives you visual control over layouts

In plain English: a page builder is the layer that helps you visually create page layouts inside WordPress. Instead of writing code to position elements on a page, you drag blocks, sections and widgets into place on a visual canvas.

It reduces reliance on code for day to day page creation

For businesses, this means your team can create or edit pages without calling a developer every time. New landing page for a campaign? Adjust the layout of a service page? A page builder lets non technical people do this within the design system.

It can speed up design, but also add extra overhead

Builders speed up production. They also add code to your site. Every visual element, every animation, every container comes with HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The more visual bells and whistles you add, the heavier the site gets. This trade off is the core tension of the entire builder debate.

It is not always necessary for every site

This is the part most agencies skip. Not every WordPress site needs a third party page builder. WordPress’s native block editor (Gutenberg) can handle many standard business websites perfectly well, with less overhead and fewer moving parts.

Native Gutenberg vs Third Party Builders: What Is the Real Difference?

Gutenberg is WordPress’s native block editor

Gutenberg isn’t a plugin. It’s built into WordPress core. It uses a block based system where content is created by stacking and configuring blocks (text, images, columns, buttons, galleries). WordPress is investing heavily in its evolution, including full site editing capabilities.

This matters because Gutenberg is the platform’s long term direction. It’s not a side feature. Every major WordPress release continues expanding what the block editor can do.

Third party builders add their own design systems

Elementor, Divi and Bricks each layer their own visual editing system on top of WordPress. They replace or extend the default editor with their own interface, their own widgets/modules, their own styling controls and their own output code.

The trade off is flexibility vs native simplicity

More visual power usually means more abstraction. More abstraction means more generated markup, CSS, JavaScript and management overhead. Gutenberg keeps things closer to native WordPress. Third party builders give you more design freedom but at the cost of additional complexity.

For a broader look at how platform choices affect your business, read about which website platform is right for your business.

Builder Snapshot: Elementor

What Elementor is good at

Elementor is the most widely used third party WordPress page builder. It offers approachable drag and drop editing, a broad widget ecosystem, flexible layouts and strong theme building capabilities. It’s the builder most agencies and freelancers know, which makes handover and future support easier.

Why people like it

The editing experience is relatively intuitive. Non developers can understand the visual canvas. There are thousands of templates, add ons and third party integrations. Theme building lets you control headers, footers and post templates visually. The free version covers basic use cases, with Pro unlocking the full feature set.

Where Elementor can go wrong

Too many widgets and nested containers. Third party add on packs that add dozens of widgets you’ll never use. Overdesigned pages loaded with animations, parallax effects and motion that look impressive in a demo but tank real world performance. Backend complexity when there’s no systematic approach to template and style management.

Common mistake: Installing three Elementor add on packs “just in case” and ending up with 200+ widgets registered, most of which are never used but still load assets on every page.

Best fit use cases

Marketing sites. Service business websites needing design flexibility. Teams that want more visual control than Gutenberg alone provides. Projects where the editing team needs an accessible interface.

Builder Snapshot: Divi

What Divi is good at

Divi is an all in one visual builder that includes both a page builder and a full theme. It offers front end visual editing, a large template library and built in design tools for almost everything (typography, spacing, animations, conditions). For teams already in the Elegant Themes ecosystem, it’s a familiar and comprehensive environment.

Why people like it

The front end visual editing is genuinely intuitive for many users. The template library covers a wide range of industries. Built in A/B testing, conditions and design tools reduce the need for additional plugins. The lifetime licence pricing model is attractive for agencies managing multiple sites.

Where Divi can go wrong

Design freedom without discipline leads to overbuilt pages. The builder’s own CSS and JavaScript footprint has historically been heavier than some alternatives. Messy Divi builds can be painful to clean up or migrate away from. Divi has introduced performance improvements (dynamic CSS, on demand JavaScript) but the onus is still on the builder to use those features properly.

Common mistake: Building every single page with unique custom layouts instead of creating reusable templates. The result: 30 pages that each load differently, with inconsistent styling and bloated per page CSS.

Best fit use cases

Teams already committed to the Divi ecosystem. Brochure and marketing sites where the visual editing experience is a priority. Projects where the team values an all in one approach over a modular plugin stack.

Builder Snapshot: Bricks

What Bricks is good at

Bricks positions itself as the performance first WordPress builder. It generates cleaner, more semantic HTML output than most competitors. The builder philosophy is closer to “write less code, output less code” than “add more features.” For developers and performance conscious agencies, this resonates.

Why people like it

Cleaner markup reputation. Faster default output without heavy optimisation work. More “developer friendly” feel with better control over generated code. Built in query loops, dynamic data and conditions without needing add on packs. Active, responsive development community.

Where Bricks can go wrong

Steeper learning curve than Elementor or Divi. Less mainstream adoption means fewer templates, add ons and community resources. Client editing can feel less polished for non technical users who expect a simpler visual experience. The ecosystem is growing but still smaller than Elementor’s.

Common mistake: Choosing Bricks because a developer loves it, without considering whether the client’s team can actually use it day to day. Performance means nothing if the site never gets updated because the editing experience is too technical for the person managing it.

Best fit use cases

Performance conscious WordPress builds. Agencies and developers who want more control and cleaner output. Custom service business sites and marketing sites where speed and code quality are priorities.

Builder Snapshot: Native Gutenberg

What Gutenberg is good at

Gutenberg is native to WordPress, which means no extra plugin dependency, no additional JavaScript framework loading and tighter alignment with WordPress core’s long term direction. For simpler to moderately customised sites, it produces leaner output than any third party builder.

Why it has improved

The block editor has matured significantly since its launch in 2018. Full site editing lets you control headers, footers and templates with blocks. The pattern system provides reusable layout components. The roadmap continues expanding block capabilities, collaborative editing and performance improvements.

Where Gutenberg still falls short for some teams

Less visual freedom than dedicated builders. Advanced layouts can require better theme and block planning. Some designs that take five minutes in Elementor take longer to achieve with native blocks. The editing experience, while improved, still feels less polished than purpose built visual editors.

Best fit use cases

Simpler business websites. Content led sites (blogs, resources, knowledge bases). Sites where long term maintainability and clean code matter more than visual design tooling. Teams comfortable with a more structured editing approach.

Which Builder Makes Websites Heaviest?

The builder is only one part of the weight problem

Before blaming any builder, consider the other variables: hosting quality, theme efficiency, image sizes, font loading strategy, third party scripts (analytics, chat widgets, tracking pixels), animation choices and page complexity. A Gutenberg site on terrible hosting with unoptimised images will be slower than an Elementor site on quality hosting with properly handled assets.

Some builders do make overbuilding easier

This is fair criticism. Highly visual builders with lots of design options encourage more nested structures, more design effects and more per page styling. That often increases DOM size, CSS and JavaScript overhead and overall page weight.

Gutenberg naturally encourages more restrained builds because the design tooling is simpler. Bricks is commonly chosen by teams deliberately prioritising cleaner output. Elementor and Divi give you more visual rope, which is great when used deliberately and dangerous when not.

Builder weight often reflects build discipline, not just tooling

A disciplined Elementor build can outperform a sloppy Gutenberg site. A clean Divi setup with proper asset loading can beat a Bricks site with 40 plugins stacked on top.

Performance Impact: Elementor vs Divi vs Bricks vs Gutenberg

Why speed benchmarks need context

Builder performance comparisons are only meaningful when the same page is recreated with identical hosting, images, plugins, caching and content. Vendor published benchmarks are useful for understanding positioning, but they’re rarely apples to apples.

Any benchmark worth trusting should specify: same host, same caching, same content, same images, same fonts, same plugins, same page complexity, tested on both mobile and desktop.

What each builder is doing for performance

Elementor positions itself around high performing workflows and reducing plugin overload through built in features.

Divi highlights its Dynamic Framework, dynamic CSS generation and on demand JavaScript loading to reduce bloat.

Bricks markets explicitly around semantic markup, minimal footprint and strong out of the box speed scores.

Gutenberg benefits from being native, with WordPress core itself continuing to ship editor and broader performance improvements.

What metrics actually matter

Core Web Vitals (LCP, INP, CLS). DOM size. Render blocking CSS and JavaScript. Layout shift. Real mobile performance. Time to First Byte is mostly hosting related, not builder related.

For the speed side of website performance, our Melbourne website design guide covers why speed is a sales metric, not just a dev flex.

When Native Gutenberg Is Enough

Many businesses add a third party builder out of habit, not need. If Gutenberg can handle the job, using it means less code, fewer updates, fewer potential conflicts and an easier handover.

When a Third Party Builder Is Worth It

You need more layout control than Gutenberg comfortably gives

Multi column marketing sections, custom hero layouts, reusable design components with visual conditions. When the design requirements go beyond what blocks handle naturally, a builder earns its place.

The team wants front end visual editing

Some editing teams strongly prefer seeing changes on the live page as they make them. Elementor and Divi both deliver this experience well.

The site requires reusable design systems or complex landing pages

Campaigns, A/B testing layouts, dynamic content templates. Builders shine when the site needs to produce lots of unique page designs efficiently.

Which builder makes sense in which situation

Elementor for flexibility and familiarity. Broadest adoption, easiest to hand over, strongest template ecosystem.

Divi for existing Divi ecosystem users. Don’t switch just because something newer exists. If Divi works and the team knows it, stay.

Bricks for performance conscious structured builds. When speed, clean code and developer control are the priority.

Best Builder by Use Case

Common Mistakes Businesses Make With Page Builders

Choosing features over fit. The builder with the most features isn’t the best builder. It’s the one most likely to end up bloated.

Installing a builder when native blocks were enough. If your site is 8 pages with standard layouts, a third party builder might be adding complexity you don’t need.

Stacking too many add ons on top of the builder. Every add on pack registers widgets, loads scripts and adds potential conflicts. Three Elementor add on packs means hundreds of unused widgets dragging your site down.

Treating animations and effects like free performance. Every parallax section, every scroll animation, every hover effect costs page weight and rendering time. Use them deliberately or not at all.

Ignoring handover and future editing simplicity. A beautifully built Bricks site that the client can’t edit is as problematic as an ugly site that’s easy to use. Build for the person who’ll manage it after you.

Confusing “visual freedom” with “good system design.” A well designed site has consistent templates, reusable components and clear structure. Not 30 pages that each look like a different designer built them.

These issues often show up as hidden website costs and increased ongoing maintenance bills.

Decision Flowchart

Answer these questions in order:

What We Recommend at Elev8d

For many standard business websites, Gutenberg is more capable than people think. Paired with a well built theme and clean block patterns, it handles the majority of service business site requirements with less overhead.

For flexible client friendly builds that need more visual control, Elementor still has a strong place. It’s the most widely supported and easiest to hand over.

For performance conscious builds where speed and clean output are priorities, Bricks is often the most compelling option in 2026. It’s the builder we’d choose when the brief calls for structured, performance first WordPress development.

Divi can still work well, especially for teams already invested in it. Switching builders just for the sake of it creates unnecessary cost and risk.

The right answer depends on who is editing the site, how complex the layouts are and how much performance discipline the team has.

If you’re not sure, talk to our custom web design Melbourne team and we’ll recommend the setup that fits your project.

FAQs

Is Elementor better than Divi?

It depends on the project. Elementor has broader adoption and a larger ecosystem. Divi offers a more all in one approach. For new projects, Elementor is usually the safer choice for agency handover. For teams already on Divi, there’s often no reason to switch.

Is Bricks faster than Elementor?

In most like for like comparisons, Bricks produces lighter output. But speed depends on the full stack (hosting, images, plugins, caching), not just the builder. A disciplined Elementor build on good hosting can still perform well.

Is Gutenberg enough for a business website?

For many straightforward service business sites, yes. If you need 5–15 pages with standard content layouts, Gutenberg with a good theme handles it cleanly. It’s more capable than most people assume.

Which WordPress page builder is fastest?

In terms of raw output weight, Gutenberg is typically lightest, followed by Bricks. But “fastest” depends on the entire setup. Builder choice is one variable among many.

Does Elementor slow down websites?

Not by default. But Elementor makes it easy to add visual complexity (nested containers, animations, add on packs) that accumulates weight. A disciplined Elementor build performs fine. An overbuilt one will be slow.

Is Divi still worth using in 2026?

If you’re already on Divi and it works for your team, yes. Divi has introduced performance improvements and continues active development. Switching builders is a significant project. Do it for a clear reason, not because of trend.

Should I use a page builder or native WordPress blocks?

If your site is simple and speed matters, try Gutenberg first. If you need more visual control, consider a builder. The question isn’t “builder or no builder.” It’s “does this project genuinely need one?”

Which page builder is easiest for clients to edit?

Elementor and Divi are generally considered the most approachable for non technical users. Bricks is more developer friendly. Gutenberg sits in the middle: structured and logical, but less visually intuitive than dedicated builders.

Next Steps: Pick Your Path

Want the full picture on building a WordPress site? Our guide to building a better business website covers everything from structure to speed to platform choice.

Still deciding on WordPress itself? Read whether WordPress still makes sense in 2026 for an honest assessment.

Want to understand what a site should cost? Check out how much a website costs in Melbourne and 

what a CMS actually is if you’re still getting your head around the basics.

Ready to build? Get in touch with our web development Melbourne team about the right WordPress setup for performance, flexibility and long term growth.

Sources and Further Reading

Elementor: Drag and drop live editor for WordPress. Theme building, custom CSS, workflow tools.

Divi by Elegant Themes: Full site visual builder with Dynamic Framework, dynamic CSS, on demand JavaScript.

Bricks Builder: Performance first WordPress builder with semantic markup and minimal footprint.

WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg): Native block based editor and site editing system, central to WordPress’s 2026 roadmap.

web.dev / Core Web Vitals: Google’s performance metrics framework (LCP, INP, CLS).

Australian Cyber Security Centre (cyber.gov.au): Security practices for WordPress maintenance and plugin management.

Digital.gov.au: Digital Service Standard covering usability and measurement.