WordPress Page Builders – Why to Use One? + Free Templates and Add-ons

wordpress page builder plugins

Do I need a page builder for WordPress?

Page builders are plugins that add limitless possibilities when it comes to building custom pages in WordPress.

Most of the popular WordPress themes come with pre-built layouts (see this list of free themes with demo content). This demo content can save you lots of time and brainpower when it comes to designing your pages in a professional way.

WordPress itself saw the urge for custom page layouts and added its own built-in page builder called Gutenberg, since WordPress version 5.0. Realizing it or not, with the installation of WordPress on your domain, you already have a page builder now.

Depending on your project, you can stick with the default page builder and just add some additional add-ons, or you can go with some of the popular drag-n-drop options. (Check the table below the post)

Old Classic Editor vs. Page Builder

To understand page builders for WordPress better we need to take a look at how a standard page looks in the backend without a page builder.

Still, a lot of webmasters and website owners use this page layout, which was the standard before WordPress 5.0 and the birth of the Gutenberg editor.

If you like this classic editor you can still use it with the free plugin Classic Editor.

You don’t have to be a guru to tell that this is not giving you much flexibility, by default, to make stunning modern pages.

That’s why most of the theme creators used to develop their own page builders or use special shortcodes to give the user more options and design elements.

For example, if we want to add a simple button, we have the option to choose it from the shortcodes icon in the editor and insert it on the page.

The problem here is the lack of styling options and control, such as paddings, position, colors, link properties, and more.

You get what it’s preset.

And you can’t build a modern landing page with these tools.

Let’s see an example of button insertion with Elementor page builder.

The first and most important thing we need to highlight is the front-end editor.

This means you edit the page as you will see it live.

Here you can drag-n-drop, change colors, fonts, add animation and so much more, and the best thing is you see all the changes, live in front of your eyes!

Ready to use templates vs. add-on elements?

If you are not familiar with how page builders work, and web design in WordPress in general these two might be confusing at first.

With the ready-to-use page templates, you can import a complete page or pages with a single click. This will include sections, headlines, photos, and everything put in place and ready for you to just edit it the way you want.

With add-ons on the other hand you get a full list of elements, that you can use and set the way you want (there are demos also).

You can use your creativity and imagination to build a unique layout, of course, if you have some knowledge of how web design works.

Image: https://theplusaddons.com/

Best WordPress Page Builders (+ add-on templates)

Today, we have a large variety of page builders – free, paid, and somewhere in between.

Some premium themes come pre-packed with a page builder or have their own (like BeTheme’s Muffin builder).

In this table, I’ve collected my favorite page builders with all the additional templates and elements available. Enjoy!

Bozh
I'm Bozh, and I've been creating websites with WordPress for 15+ years. Since 2016, I've worked with top affiliate companies, run my own e-commerce business, and managed several niche blogs. I founded WPCtrl.com with the idea of sharing my knowledge, personal experiences, and recommending better alternatives to you.
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