The WordPress block editor has changed considerably since it first became part of WordPress core. What was once commonly referred to simply as Gutenberg is now the standard editing experience for posts, pages and, increasingly, entire websites.
The editor already includes a useful collection of blocks, but additional block plugins can extend it with better layout controls, design tools, content elements and workflow features.
If you are looking for WordPress Gutenberg plugins or block editor add-ons, these five established options are worth considering. They take different approaches, so the best choice depends on what you actually need rather than which plugin has the longest feature list.
If the block editor itself is new to you, start with our WordPress block editor tutorial. You can also follow our guide to installing WordPress plugins before adding any of the tools below.
1. Kadence Blocks
Kadence Blocks extends the native WordPress editor with extra blocks and more detailed design controls.
It is a good fit if you want to build more involved page layouts without moving away from the WordPress editing experience. Its tools cover areas such as responsive layouts, typography, galleries, buttons, accordions, tabs, forms and other common page-building requirements.
Kadence also includes controls for spacing, responsive behaviour and reusable design settings. That makes it particularly useful when you want more flexibility than the core blocks provide but still want your content built from WordPress blocks.
Consider Kadence Blocks if: you want a broad block toolkit with substantial layout and design control.
2. GenerateBlocks
GenerateBlocks takes a more focused approach. Rather than providing a huge collection of specialised content blocks, it gives you a smaller set of flexible building blocks that can be combined into more complex layouts.
The plugin places a strong emphasis on clean output and performance. Its current block set includes tools for containers, text, buttons, media, queries and dynamic content, with detailed styling controls available inside the editor.
This approach can work well if you prefer building your own layouts instead of choosing from lots of predefined widgets. It can also make it easier to keep a consistent design system across a site.
Consider GenerateBlocks if: you value performance and prefer a smaller set of flexible blocks over a large widget library.
3. Stackable
Stackable is aimed at turning the block editor into a more complete visual page-building environment.
It provides additional content and layout blocks alongside responsive design settings, global styling controls and ready-made designs. That makes it useful when visual presentation is a priority and the standard WordPress blocks feel too restrictive.
You can also disable blocks you do not need, which is useful when you want the additional design flexibility without filling the editor with unnecessary options.
Consider Stackable if: you want strong visual design controls and a page-builder-style experience inside the block editor.
4. Ultimate Blocks
Ultimate Blocks is particularly focused on blocks that are useful for articles, blogs and other content-heavy websites.
Its collection includes additions for content such as tables of contents, reviews, tabbed sections, accordions, styled lists, social sharing and other elements that can make longer pages easier to structure and navigate.
That makes it a different proposition from plugins designed primarily for full-page visual layouts. If your main goal is improving the presentation and usability of editorial content, you may not need the heavier feature set of a page-builder-style block collection.
Consider Ultimate Blocks if: you mainly want additional blocks for blog posts, guides and content-focused pages.
5. PublishPress Blocks
PublishPress Blocks is the plugin previously known as Advanced Gutenberg. Today, its strongest features go beyond simply adding more blocks.
It includes additional content blocks, but it also provides tools for controlling which blocks different users can access and when particular blocks should be visible.
For example, block permissions can help prevent editors from using blocks they do not need, while visibility controls can show or hide content based on conditions such as user role, device or date.
Those features can make it especially useful on websites where several people work in WordPress and you want tighter control over the editing experience.
Consider PublishPress Blocks if: managing blocks, permissions and editorial control matters as much as adding new design elements.
Do you need a WordPress block plugin?
Not necessarily.
The core WordPress editor is much more capable than it was when Gutenberg first launched, so it is worth checking whether WordPress already provides the block or layout feature you need before installing another plugin.
Adding a block plugin makes sense when it solves a clear problem. That could be better responsive layout controls, reusable design options, specialist content blocks or tighter control over what editors can do.
Avoid installing several large block collections simply because each contains one feature you like. Overlapping plugins can make the editor harder to manage and add more code, settings and updates to maintain.
Which WordPress block editor plugin should you choose?
There is no single block plugin that is best for every WordPress website.
- Kadence Blocks is a strong all-round option for layouts and design controls.
- GenerateBlocks suits a more focused, performance-conscious approach.
- Stackable offers a more visual, page-builder-style toolkit.
- Ultimate Blocks works particularly well for blogs and long-form content.
- PublishPress Blocks stands out when permissions and editorial control are important.
Whichever route you choose, check that the plugin is actively maintained, compatible with your WordPress setup and genuinely adds something your website needs.
If you need help choosing plugins, fixing block editor problems or maintaining your WordPress website, Newt Labs provides WordPress support and ongoing care plans, as well as one-off specialist help.
