Perhaps you have been using WordPress for a long time, or you recently started using WordPress, and you really like it. Either way, with the introduction of WordPress 5.0, you can use the new default WordPress editor called Gutenberg. Maybe you’re asking yourself, though, what is Gutenberg, and will I like it?

Let’s take a few minutes to examine these questions together here. We are sure that by doing so, you will have a clearer and more accurate view of the visual composer Gutemberg and whether it is right for you.

Moreover, you will find interesting the comparison between Gutenberg and other popular WordPress Webpage Builders to understand which one you should use.

What is Gutenberg?

Gutemberg New WordPress Editor
This is the look of the new editor for WordPress Gutenberg

To begin with, this Gutenberg is not the German blacksmith of the 15th century. However, in the same way that Johannes Gutenberg started the Printing Revolution back then, WordPress has high hopes that their new editor of the same name will powerfully influence the ease of use and innovation available to WordPress users. 

This new default editor for WordPress is a block editor that is designed to take the place of the drag and drop page builder plugins available for WordPress. Using blocks, it adds and organizes content on your posts and webpages.

Yet, is Gutenberg an improvement over the page builder plugins such as Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder, and Visual Composer?

These top WordPress page builders are well known and have significant power. Further, there are many other page builder plugins which can also offer many functions.

How does Gutenberg fair when analyzed alongside WordPress page building plugins? Let’s find out.

Gutemberg—A Closer Look

To build the website you envisioned and provide stunning content to your audience, you must choose the right tools for your backend. One of such tools is the editor you will use to create your content and give it some style.

Let’s compare the Gutenberg editor with the WordPress page builder plugins and find out which will work best for you. Here are some of the main differences: 

1. Page Builder Drag and Drop Function Versus Gutenberg Blocks

Page builders have the ability to drag and drop both widgets and blocks. Additionally, you can change the height and width of the blocks.

Blocks can be put within blocks. Composite layouts can be created using rows and columns. Multiple functions are easily accomplished with the formation of the blocks.

With Gutenberg, the size-orientation of the blocks is fixed. You can change their vertical position on the page, but currently, not much else. Certainly, no option to create a mosaic of blocks within blocks is possible, at least right now.

2. Theme Support and Compatibility

Using Gutenberg, your WordPress theme is mostly stagnant. The theme style and settings cannot be dismissed or adjusted. There is an option to add a limited amount of included CSS and an option to include custom CSS for blocks. However, the theme style remains set. 

On the other hand, page builder plugins allow you to make considerable and significant adjustments to the page style theme and settings

Obviously, if you have a desire to create a custom page layout, this ability to enact extensive adjustments is very valuable.

3. Page Builder Live Editing Versus Gutenberg Backend Editing

“Seeing is believing,” with the page builder’s live editing function. In what way?

Well, with a page builder plugin, as you edit your page, you will see the adjustments as they would appear while you make the changes. This is done without needing to save the page. 

In contrast, with the Gutenberg editor, while editing a webpage or post, the image on your screen is not an actual preview of the webpage or post. As a backend editor, it portrays what your content will look like only when you preview it.

4. Content Layout and Page Design

Sample of layouts available with Gutenberg

This next topic is similar to the difference between choosing a table design and also the place settings and silverware you want to use, or only being able to choose the type of silverware and plates and where they are placed on the table. 

The Gutenberg blocks allow for the creation of content layout, but the options are not extensive. Columns, tables, and full-width cover images are available, but at the moment, little more. 

When using page builders, greater versatility is possible. In addition to content being added, the page layout can also be adjusted in its entirety. With each block and widget, there are even more design choices to select from.

5. Blocks and Widgets

Gutenberg’s initial number of default blocks addresses all of the common content elements.

A valuable feature with Gutenberg is that blocks can be saved and applied to other posts, as well as posts on other WordPress websites. And a strong and solid API allows plugin developers to produce blocks as well. Further, many WordPress plugins have their own Gutenberg blocks which can be used. 

For the moment, page builders still outperform Gutenberg in this area. Simply put, the page builder plugins have many more modules, blocks, and widgets.

Advanced content is also available like sliders, contact forms, countdown timers, call to action buttons, carousels, and the list goes on. Nor are they to be outdone when it comes to reusing content material. With page builders, entire templates, as well as blocks and rows can be reused later.

You can, however, add more functionalities to the new WordPress editor installing plugins for Gutenberg like Stackable and Ultimate Blocks.

6. Style and Formatting

Gutenberg has options for style and formatting; however, they are not as extensive as those available with a page builder. With Gutenberg, to add additional styling and formatting, it will be necessary to add your own custom CSS with a block.

On the other hand, when making use of a page builder, the background color of blocks can be adjusted, you can select different fonts, gradients, font-icons, the width of elements, line height, image styles, and more.

Gutenberg and Page Building Plugins—Different Intentions

Gutenberg vs WordPress Page Builders

For now, Gutemberg allows users to have a current and smart writing experience. Whether the user is a blogger, a writer, a photographer, or a business, Gutenberg makes the adding of content easy, quick, and attractive. Although, currently, the selection of options is limited when compared to page building plugins

Yet, it may be that a large amount of options available with the page building plugins is neither what you need or want. Sometimes, we don’t like having too many options that complicate the job. Rather, a moderate selection to choose from is sufficient.

Page building plugins are an excellent option for small businesses, creative designers, WordPress agencies, E-commerce stores, or those with the desire, time, and resources to pursue an endless stream of choices to make their webpage unique.

Gutenberg, for now, primarily allows you to enhance your content. Whereas, page building plugins strengthen and improve landing pages that will improve sales, raise the number of subscribers and promote a business. 

Obviously then, the choice of which of these tools you want to use will depend significantly on your intention in using WordPress.

Gutenberg vs WordPress Webpage Builder—Which is Better for You?

Why Choose the Gutenberg Visual Editor?

Is the Gutenberg editor for you? From what we have discussed above, Gutenberg is a great choice for you if you prefer the limited number of options and block designing functions.

Why Choose a WordPress Webpage Builder?

If extensive design layout control and an innumerable number of selections is an essential need for what you envision on your blog or webpage, then yes, a webpage builder is what you are looking for.

Conclusion

Within the realm of ease of use, speed, and limited enhancements to content, Gutenberg is a proficient, constructive, and painless tool. Additionally, it is new.

Undoubtedly, the future revisions of this tool will provide more options and versatility in choices. Perhaps the Gutenberg editor of 2019 will affect WordPress the same way the Gutenberg of 1439 affected the printing press revolution of its time. Only time will tell.

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