On 27th May, we celebrated 19 years since WordPress was released. Nowadays, no one can imagine the Internet without WordPress. Ease of use was the primary factor that led to its success. Of course, there are many other factors such as simplicity, open-source format, stability, and effectiveness that have contributed to WordPress’ expansion. However, users’ needs constantly evolve, and WordPress needs to satisfy these. Luckily, WordPress developers are aware of this fact and try to improve it for their clients.
Having granular control over a website’s layout is a major user desire. It goes hand in hand with a more intuitive user interface. Specifically, users want to achieve more with fewer clicks. “There is a plugin for everything” is a famous saying in the WordPress Universe and it is valid in this case too.
What is the Purpose of WordPress Page Builder Plugins?
The aim of WordPress page builder plugins is to give to new users control over every pixel of a layout.
As a result, these plugins must be simultaneously powerful, sophisticated, and easy to use. These plugins require a colossal amount of work from their creators. One of the developers of Elementor – a page builder plugin – states that it took two years of constant work from the initial idea of creating it up until the release date.
If you have never used a WordPress page builder, it’s time to dive in. If you have already used one, here is a useful collection of free and powerful WordPress page builders to install and test.
Disclaimer: More and more WordPress themes come with built-in page builders that are powerful and jam-packed with incredible features. However, this post is focused only on standalone free plugins.
Stay in touch with us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter to receive our latest posts. Hint: soon, we will showcase the most interesting WordPress themes that have built-in page builders.
1. Elementor
Elementor is a plugin that will make you say “wow”. I think that it’s not marketed enough considering its unlimited options. It has two versions: free and pro. However, the free version is more than enough to give you unlimited power to create your desired layout.
From the start, Elementor will impress you with its lag-free behaviour. It works seamlessly even for resizing full page elements. Elementor is a plugin indeed for people with no coding knowledge. It lets you create a complex website without writing a single line of code. On top of that, there is no learning curve! Once you install the plugin, you can see it in action by hitting the “Edit with Elementor” button.
Working with Elementor involves adding elements from the sidebar to the page or post. Each element can be stylised to represent your vision perfectly. Column, Image, Accordion, Image Gallery, Google Maps, Toggle, or Testimonial are just a few elements you can use freely. The pro version has additional elements; mostly they are for e-commerce or business websites.
You know these awkward back and forth moves to check your mobile and desktop layouts? These are history with Elementor as it has a built-in preview of mobile and desktop designs.
2. Page Builder by SiteOrigin
Nearly 1 million people have installed Page Builder by SiteOrigin and it has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on the WordPress repository. It means that many users are content with this plugin for a reason.
The idea behind this plugin is to insert widgets in a layout that can be created by you from scratch or imported from a library. The widgets are fully customisable. Click the “Edit” button from each widget and in the right-hand sidebar you get “Attributes”, “Layout”, and “Design” sections for stylising the widgets. Page Builder by SiteOrigin is compatible with any theme, and it doesn’t conflict with other plugins. On top of that, it’s created with SEO in mind and is a lightweight plugin (doesn’t slow down your website).
A unique aspect of this plugin is the History feature that looks similar to Adobe Photoshop. Beginners that experiment with adding widgets will fall in love with this option. It’s comforting to know that you can undo/redo whenever you want.
The interface is distraction-free and effective. I consider this an advantage, but some reviewers have stated that it’s annoying. What do you think about the interface, is it effective or boring?
3. Beaver Builder
Beaver Builder comes in two versions, free and premium. Lots of leading WordPress developers have reviewed the premium version and were content with its capabilities. However, the price and the multitude of options do not make it a must-have solution for a beginner or even a medium user. The Lite version lacks some important features, but overall it’s a more-than-decent page builder.
The interface is discrete and users can fully focus on their layouts. It works with Pages, Posts, and Custom Post Types and it’s 100% responsive. There is a huge community of Beaver Builder users and they are very helpful, which is a real advantage for less-experienced users.
4. Pootle Page Builder
Pootle Page Builder isn’t as famous as the previous page builders. The premium version of Pootle Page Builder is indeed well-known, but the lite version has only been installed a few thousand times. However, it might be an alternative for some users.
Pootle Page Builder works in the same manner: create a row and add modules onto a canvas. It’s a drag-and-drop front-end builder that allows users to add CSS customisation. The negative aspect is that the number of modules is significantly lower than other page builders. Let’s hope that the developing team will offer a larger palette of options shortly.
By using this plugin, you can create flexible and full-width rows and add images and video backgrounds to rows. These are premium features that you get with a free plugin.
Another huge plus of this plugin is the intuitive interface, customising the modules is a breeze. Perhaps for some users (me included), the menu icon is too discrete, but it’s only a minor drawback.
5. Page Builder Sandwich
Page Builder Sandwich is a modern and lightweight tool that helps users create stunning WordPress pages.
The biggest issue with this plugin is the huge difference between the premium and free versions. I don’t have any idea about the developers’ business model, but the free version lacks many must-have features.
Even in these conditions, Page Builder Sandwich is an attractive solution to take into account if you need a page builder. It’s a front-end page builder that is aimed at beginners. The nice clutter-free interface, live editing, and simplicity of use are features that sustain this affirmation.
6. Spectra
Spectra used go by the name of Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg but it’s a whole new beast now. Some of the old features are still there, it now has a focus on speed and performance. The new version is also a lot more modular so you can pick and choose which features you want to use on your site.
One of the most stand-out features of Spectra is the huge range of options it gives you for customization. You can use Spectra to create simple pages, its true power lies in its ability to help you create complex, multi-layered designs. If you’re looking for a Gutenberg block plugin that will give you lots of control over your design, then Spectra is definitely worth checking out.
7. Stackable
Stackable isn’t as well known as some of the other plugins on this list, it’s still a great option for those looking for a Gutenberg block plugin. It offers a wide range of features and options, making it a great choice for those who want to create complex designs.
One of the best things about Stackable is that it’s constantly being updated with new features. The team behind the plugin are always listening to user feedback and adding new features based on what users want. This makes it a great choice for those who want a Gutenberg block plugin that is always up-to-date.
8. Brizy
Brizy is a popular choice for those looking for a Gutenberg block plugin. It’s one of the most user-friendly plugins on this list, making it a great choice for those who are new to WordPress. Brizy is also constantly being updated with new features, making it a great choice for those who want a Gutenberg block plugin that is always up-to-date.
One of the best things about Brizy is that it offers a wide range of features and options. You can use Brizy to create simple pages or complex, multi-layered designs. If you’re looking for a Gutenberg block-focused page builder plugin that will give you lots of control over your design, then Brizy is definitely worth checking out.
Which Free WordPress Page Builders Will You Try?
These are our suggestions for free WordPress page builders. All of them are powerful and give users tonnes of options to create a cool web page. Choosing the best plugin is dependent on each preference.
Therefore, we won’t rate them or propose that you only use one. Personal preferences aren’t questionable.