When people search “Elementor review”, they usually want a simple honest answer: is Elementor still good enough to build a website in 2025? I’ve personally used Elementor Pro for client landing page projects, affiliate blogs and small business WordPress sites, and I’ve also tried switching away from Elementor to test other page builder plugins like Beaver Builder, Divi, Bricks, Oxygen, and Default Gutenberg. This is the version of the builder review I wish I had when I first tested Elementor.
In this honest Elementor review I’m going to tell you how Elementor works today, how the 2025 version of Elementor Pro feels to actually use, how the Elementor interface behaves on real world WordPress website projects, and if Elementor Pro is worth the upgrade vs the free version of Elementor. I’ll also answer if Elementor Pro’s theme builder and popup builder and Elementor widgets are still truly competitive in 2025 or whether Elementor alternatives are catching up fast.
Outline:
- What is Elementor in 2025?
- Why Elementor became the most popular page builder plugin for WordPress
- Is this Elementor review realistic for beginners who never used Elementor before?
- Why I personally still use Elementor Pro on client sites in 2025
- What does Elementor free actually include in 2025?
- Elementor Pro , which version of Elementor Pro do most users really need?
- Elementor pricing, is Elementor Pro worth it today?
- How the Elementor interface works in 2025
- Is Elementor still the best WordPress page builder or are Elementor alternatives better now?
- Elementor vs Divi vs Beaver Builder, which builder plugin actually feels fastest?
- Elementor free vs Pro, can the free version of Elementor replace Elementor Pro?
- Does Elementor Pro have better template libraries than other page builder plugins?
- Elementor website builder speed, is Elementor still heavy?
- Elementor and AI, how good is Elementor AI for real life usage?
- Elementor Pro also offers Theme Builder, is it still necessary in 2025?
- Elementor Cloud, is the Elementor Cloud website service worth paying for?
- Elementor templates vs Gutenberg + Block patterns, who wins?
- Elementor Pro features I end up using most in real work
- Elementor popup builder, genuinely useful or just a gimmick?
- Third-party Elementor add-ons, still needed in 2025?
- Elementor doesn’t always behave the same, common problems and how I fix them
- Elementor alternatives, is switching away from Elementor realistic in 2025?
- Elementor is still the easiest way to build a landing page in WordPress
- Elementor pros and cons, my personal verdict after years of usage
- Is Elementor still the right website builder to create a website in 2025?
(FAQ later at the end in part 4)
1) What is Elementor in 2025?
Elementor is a drag-and-drop visual builder plugin for WordPress, meaning you build a website using visual blocks (called widgets) instead of typing code. Elementor is a website builder that made WordPress site creation accessible for non-developers.
Elementor is one of the most popular page builders in the entire WordPress ecosystem. Elementor is a plugin for WordPress that lets you click, drag, drop, reorder, customise and publish pages visually.
In this Elementor review, the 2025 reality is: Elementor is still a website builder that is incredibly easy for beginners, but powerful enough for freelancers.
2) Why Elementor became the most popular page builder plugin for WordPress
Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress page builders because it removed friction. Before Elementor, most people either needed:
– a developer
– coding knowledge
– or ugly shortcodes
Elementor changed that.
Elementor is a builder that gives normal non-tech people the ability to create page templates easily. Elementor offers templates for landing page creation, product pages, home pages, even blog posts.
This was a revolution.
3) Is this Elementor review realistic for beginners who never used Elementor before?
Yes, because I wrote this from the perspective of someone who has worked with Elementor since the early Elementor 2.x days, and I remember exactly what confused me in the beginning.
If you’re scared to install Elementor, don’t be. If you can drag and drop a file, you can use Elementor.
That’s the entire magic: Elementor is not scary.
If you have never used Elementor, this Elementor review will show you how easy this builder plugin can be.
4) Why I personally still use Elementor Pro on client sites in 2025
This is personal, but honest.
I tried switching away from Elementor many times.
I tested Divi.
I tested Beaver Builder.
I tested Gutenberg block themes.
But here is the truth:
Elementor Pro is still the fastest builder for me when I need to build a landing page fast for clients that pay by the project, not by the hour.
I can create a website prototype in 1–2 hours using Elementor templates, and that speed matters.
So yes, even in 2025, I still use Elementor Pro.
5) What does Elementor free actually include in 2025?
The free version of Elementor includes:
– basic widgets
– basic template library
– basic page builder layout features
The free version is enough to understand how the builder works, but if you want to use Elementor to build a serious WordPress site, you will almost always upgrade to Elementor Pro.
Because the free version simply does not include the theme builder or popup builder.
6) Elementor Pro, which version of Elementor Pro do most users really need?
Most people buying Elementor Pro buy the lowest Elementor Pro plan, because they just want the pro version of the page builder for 1 WordPress site.
Unless you build multiple client sites, you do NOT need the higher plans.
Pro reality:
you upgrade to Elementor Pro because the pro version saves time.
7) Elementor pricing, is Elementor Pro worth it today?
Elementor pricing changed multiple times over the last years, and many people got angry at first. But here is the honest truth from my personal experience: Elementor Pro is still cheap for the amount of time it saves.
You can think in 2 ways:
thinking like a hobbyist:
“Elementor Pro costs money, free Elementor is good enough”
thinking like an actual builder:
“Elementor Pro pays for itself because the pro version makes building pages 3–4x faster”
I personally buy Elementor Pro not because I “want features”, but because the builder workflow is faster. If I can build a landing page 2 hours faster, that’s $200 extra for me. That already covers a year of Elementor pricing. That’s why Elementor Pro is worth it.
8) How the Elementor interface works in 2025
The Elementor interface is simple:
– Left side = widgets + builder panel
– Right side = page canvas
– Everything is drag-and-drop
– Everything is instant visual feedback
Inside the Elementor editor you can choose a template, click on a widget, edit text, adjust spacing, and publish immediately.
Elementor gives a very physical feeling: you move things with your mouse, not code.
For beginners this is freedom, for agencies this is efficiency.
9) Is Elementor still the best WordPress page builder or are Elementor alternatives better now?
This is where the Elementor review gets uncomfortable.
In 2018-2022: Elementor was easily #1.
In 2025: competition exists.
in speed & performance:
– Bricks Builder is much faster
– Oxygen Builder is extremely powerful
– Gutenberg block themes improved
So is Elementor still the “best WordPress page builder”?
The real answer is this:
Elementor is the best builder for the most common user.
Elementor is not the absolute #1 in performance, but Elementor is absolutely #1 in ease of use.
10) Elementor vs Divi vs Beaver Builder, which builder plugin actually feels fastest?
Divi is heavy. Beaver Builder is clean but old-school.
When I compare Elementor vs Divi vs Beaver Builder in actual workflow speed:
| Page Builder | Real-world building speed | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Elementor | Fastest visual assembly | freelancers, small agencies |
| Divi | slower, over-styled | DIYers with templates |
| Beaver Builder | super stable, but slow to design | corporate / enterprise |
In my experience:
Elementor offers the best balance between UI speed + creative flexibility.
Beaver Builder is like driving a Volvo: safe, predictable, but not exciting.
Elementor is like a Tesla: fast, modern, intuitive.
11) Elementor free vs Pro, can the free version of Elementor replace Elementor Pro?
Short answer = no.
The free version is great to test UI, but real building power is in Elementor Pro.
Elementor offers Pro features that are critical in real client builds:
– Theme Builder
– Popup Builder
– Form Builder
– WooCommerce templates
– Dynamic tags
Once you try to create a landing page or a full WordPress site using Elementor free, you will immediately feel the block. The free version of Elementor is like a demo. Elementor Pro is the real working tool.
I have literally never kept a project on Elementor free when building for clients.
12) Does Elementor Pro have better template libraries than other page builder plugins?
Yes, and this is one of the reasons people continue to use Elementor in 2025.
Elementor Pro includes template kits that are ready to publish. You don’t need to fight with design fundamentals. Elementor templates are built for marketing reality, hero → features → credibility → CTA.
Elementor template kits remove decision stress, one of the most underrated psychological wins of Elementor.
A plugin alone is not valuable.
A builder is only valuable if you can assemble pages quickly.
Elementor template libraries allow that.
13) Elementor website builder speed, is Elementor still heavy?
Elementor website pages are heavier than lightweight Gutenberg block themes.
That’s real.
But in 2025, Elementor is faster than before, mostly because hosting is faster + CDNs are automatic + caching plugins are smarter.
Is Elementor the best WordPress page builder for pure speed?
No.
Is Elementor fast enough that clients don’t complain?
Yes.
People don’t hire you for 100 Lighthouse speed.
They hire you because you build fast.
Speed is a strategic tool, not a religion.
14) Elementor and AI, how good is Elementor AI for real life usage?
Elementor AI is surprisingly usable.
Not perfect, but actually practical.
For me the biggest value of Elementor AI is:
– fast placeholder text
– fast section copy
– quick variants of call to action blocks
– rewriting headlines inside the Elementor editor
Elementor AI is not just “cute tech”.
It helps you build a landing page faster.
The entire point of a builder is velocity.
Elementor AI supports that.
Is Elementor AI better than external AI tools?
No, ChatGPT / Claude is better at writing.
But Elementor AI is better in speed inside context, directly inside the Elementor editor in real time.
15) Elementor Pro also offers Theme Builder, is it still necessary in 2025?
This is one of the biggest reasons why I still use Elementor Pro.
Theme Builder allows you to visually design:
– header
– footer
– archive layout
– single blog post layout
– WooCommerce pages
This transforms Elementor from “page builder plugin” → into a full website builder.
This is why Elementor Pro is worth it.
Theme Builder is the difference between “paste a template” and “control the entire site structure”.
If you build a serious WordPress site, Theme Builder alone justifies Elementor Pro.
16) Elementor Cloud, is the Elementor Cloud website service worth paying for?
I personally do not recommend Elementor Cloud for experienced WordPress people, because I prefer full hosting freedom and custom server stack tuning. But, for beginners, Elementor Cloud is a stress-free experience.
Elementor Cloud website service includes hosting + Elementor Pro pre-installed + CDN + backups.
The best use case is:
– someone who wants a website builder
– and does NOT want to learn hosting
– and does NOT want to configure WordPress host settings manually
Elementor Cloud is a safe “I don’t want decisions” product.
Expensive, but convenient.
17) Elementor templates vs Gutenberg + Block patterns, who wins?
This is close.
Gutenberg + Block patterns became MUCH better in 2024–2025.
But Elementor template libraries are still more “marketing optimized”.
Block patterns look like design demos.
Elementor templates look like conversion pages.
This is why Elementor template systems are still in a different category, especially if you are building landing page funnels.
For bloggers and writers Gutenberg is enough.
For business landing pages Elementor still wins.
18) Elementor Pro features I end up using most in real work
Let me be brutally honest here, the majority of Elementor Pro features I don’t touch daily.
These are the ones I actually use constantly:
– Form Builder
– Sticky columns
– Theme Builder
– Popup Builder
– Dynamic visibility controls
– Elementor templates + template kits
These are the “money features” because they generate client results → which makes people continue to use Elementor Pro.
These features represent the difference between a “pretty website” and a “conversion asset”.
19) Elementor popup builder, genuinely useful or just a gimmick?
Popup Builder is extremely underrated.
Most tools require another plugin for popups.
Elementor Pro includes Popup Builder directly inside the Elementor editor, same UI, same workflow, same styling, same logic.
This matters because you can build:
– exit intent popups
– scroll-based popups
– CTA overlays
– timed offers
– lead magnets optin forms
Popup Builder is genuinely a “conversion weapon”.
Not a gimmick.
It is one of the features that makes Elementor Pro feel like a real business tool, not a toy.
20) Third-party Elementor add-ons, still needed in 2025?
Five years ago, Elementor almost required third-party Elementor add-ons to get serious functionality. In 2025, Elementor Pro also offers more built-in widgets than before, but add-ons are still worth it for specific use cases.
Examples:
– motion effects + animation packs
– mega menu systems
– advanced data tables
– unique form integrations
I don’t recommend installing 10+ add-on packs.
But I do recommend one focused premium add-on if you are building specialized landing page funnels.
Conclusion from personal experience:
Elementor add-ons are not mandatory anymore, but still a powerful optional upgrade if you need niche widgets.
21) Elementor doesn’t always behave the same, common problems and how I fix them
Elementor is not perfect.
Here are 3 real issues I still face, and how I fix them quickly:
| Problem | Why it happens | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| widgets not saving | browser cache conflict | hard refresh + admin logout/login |
| white screen in editor | conflicting plugin | deactivate one plugin at a time |
| mobile layout shift | excessive negative margins | use flexbox containers instead |
People blame Elementor, but 70% of issues are plugin conflicts or theme CSS injection.
Not Elementor itself.
Knowing how to debug Elementor is part of being a builder in 2025.
22) Elementor alternatives, is switching away from Elementor realistic in 2025?
People talk a lot about Elementor alternatives.
In 2025 the main realistic alternatives are:
– Bricks Builder (fastest modern builder)
– Breakdance (new but amazing UI)
– Gutenberg (pure core WP direction)
– Divi (still around but very heavy)
– Beaver Builder (stable but slow design flow)
Elementor vs Bricks is the REAL fight now, and it’s getting closer every year.
But Elementor still wins in one category:
speed from zero → complete landing page in under 2 hours.
and in actual client billing, that speed matters.
23) Elementor is still the easiest way to build a landing page in WordPress
If you put me in front of an empty server and say “build a high converting landing page today”, Elementor is still the tool I open first.
This is where Elementor is one of the best WordPress page builder options: rapid assembly.
Elementor editor + Elementor templates = fast results.
Clients don’t care about theory.
Clients care about “is the page ready yet?”
Elementor is still the fastest way to answer “yes”.
24) Elementor pros and cons, my personal verdict after years of usage
Pros:
– fastest real-world building experience
– Elementor Pro features eliminate plugin bloat
– Template kits save huge amounts of time
– Elementor works like your hands, intuitive
Cons:
– not the lightest output
– not the cleanest HTML
– Gutenberg is catching up
– Bricks Builder is a serious new competitor
And yet, Elementor Pro is still the builder I install first on a fresh WordPress site.
Speed → money.
25) Is Elementor still the right website builder to create a website in 2025?
If your goal is to build a website for business, landing pages, lead gen funnels, or personal brand growth, Elementor is absolutely still relevant in 2025.
If your goal is to experiment with ultra-lean HTML output, go with Bricks or Gutenberg.
But if your goal is to create a website fast, Elementor is still the best WordPress page builder for normal humans and real clients. If you want to read more about graphic design tools, feel free to check out our canva vs photoshop comparison review.
Bullet point summary, key notes to remember
– Elementor Pro saves hours per project
– free version of Elementor is not enough for real work
– Elementor templates = conversion focused
– Elementor Pro = business tool, not hobby plugin
– best use case: creators, freelancers, small business landing pages
– Elementor isn’t perfect, but it’s still the fastest visual builder for WordPress
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is Elementor Pro worth it in 2025?
Yes. Elementor Pro is worth it because the Theme Builder + Popup Builder + template kits save real hours.
2) Can I build a full website with free Elementor?
You can start, but serious websites need Elementor Pro.
3) Is Elementor heavy and slow?
Not if hosting is good. Modern hosting + caching = Elementor is fast enough for business sites.
4) Is Elementor Cloud good for beginners?
Yes. Elementor Cloud removes hosting complexity, but advanced users may prefer their own WordPress host.
5) Which is better, Elementor or Divi?
Elementor is faster to build with. Divi is slower and more bloated.
6) Which is better, Elementor or Bricks Builder?
Bricks is faster on output. Elementor is faster to build with.
7) Should I use Elementor AI?
Yes, it helps generate copy and section variants directly inside the builder panel.
8) Who should choose Elementor in 2025?
Creators, freelancers and small businesses who need to go from zero → launched fast.
