When starting a new WordPress website, one of the first decisions you face is: Should you use the Block Editor (Gutenberg), a Page Builder like Elementor or Bricks, or stick with a Classic Theme? Each option has its strengths, weaknesses, and best-fit scenarios.
What is the WordPress Block Editor?
The Block Editor (Gutenberg) is WordPress’s modern, native way to build pages.
- Works with blocks (paragraphs, images, buttons, galleries, etc.)
- Lightweight, fast-loading, and future-focused
- No need for external plugins for basic layouts
Best for: Businesses who want speed, SEO performance, and a native solution without heavy plugins.
Limitations: Limited design flexibility compared to advanced page builders.
What are Page Builders?
Page builders (like Elementor, Bricks Builder, Breakdance, Divi, Brizy) are plugins that provide a drag-and-drop design experience.
- Extensive design freedom: animations, templates, widgets
- Works without coding
- Popular among freelancers and small agencies
Best for: Non-technical users, creative designers, or agencies needing rapid design prototypes.
Limitations: Can slow down websites, may cause lock-in if you switch builders, and sometimes overkill for simple sites.
What is the Classic Theme Approach?
Classic themes are fully custom-coded WordPress themes built by developers before blocks and page builders became standard.
- Requires PHP/HTML/CSS/JS skills
- Very lean, highly customizable
- Ideal for precision and enterprise-level control
Best for: Enterprises or developers needing full control, precision, and scalability.
Limitations: Steeper learning curve, slower design process, higher development cost.
Direct Comparison: Block vs Page Builder vs Classic Theme
| Feature | Block Editor (Gutenberg) | Page Builder (Elementor, Bricks, etc.) | Classic Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Moderate | Very Easy | Hard (requires dev skills) |
| Performance | High | Medium-Low | Very High |
| Flexibility | Medium | Very High | High |
| Best For | Bloggers, SMBs, startups | Designers, agencies, freelancers | Enterprises, dev-heavy projects |
| Scalability | Medium | Medium | High |
| SEO-friendliness | Strong | Depends on optimization | Strong |
So, Which One Should You Choose?
- Fast performance + SEO → Block Editor
- Design freedom + templates → Page Builder
- Enterprise precision + scalability → Classic Theme / custom-coded
Pro Tip: Many agencies combine approaches: Blocks for speed, Page Builders for creative landing pages, and custom themes for large-scale projects.
Final Thoughts
It’s not about which tool is “better”—it’s about which tool aligns with your business goals, resources, and growth plans.
At WP Sprint, we help agencies and SMBs choose the right WordPress setup, build it, and maintain it under our subscription model.
