Comparing WordPress FSE vs Elementor: Which Editor is Right for You?

In the world of website design, choosing the right tools can make all the difference. Two popular options are WordPress FSE vs Elementor. Both offer unique advantages, but understanding their core functionalities, user experience, and features will help you make an informed choice.

Overview

WordPress Full Site Editing (FSE) is an extension of the Gutenberg block editor. It allows users to edit not just posts and pages but also site-wide elements like headers and footers. FSE’s block-based approach aims to simplify the design process, making layout creation more straightforward.

Elementor, a well-known drag-and-drop page builder plugin for WordPress, provides a more visual and intuitive interface. Without needing coding skills, users can design web pages with ease. Elementor offers extensive customization options and a wide range of widgets and templates, making it a favorite among many.

User Experience

Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use, Elementor generally takes the lead. Beginners especially find its drag-and-drop interface user-friendly. Real-time changes make it easier to create complex layouts quickly. On the other hand, while FSE aims to be intuitive, it may feel less polished. The reliance on blocks can present a steeper learning curve for those new to WordPress.

Customization

Customization is where Elementor truly shines. It offers a vast library of widgets and templates that users can easily manipulate. Even those with little technical knowledge can create highly customized designs. FSE, although it allows for customization, is limited by the available blocks and themes. This limitation can restrict design flexibility, making it less versatile for some users.

Features

Widgets and Blocks

Elementor provides a rich set of widgets, including sliders, forms, and galleries, that enhance functionality and design. These tools give users more control over their site’s appearance. FSE, on the other hand, relies on Gutenberg blocks. While these blocks are powerful, they currently offer fewer options compared to Elementor’s extensive widget library.

Theme Compatibility

Theme compatibility is another area where Elementor excels. Since it’s a plugin, Elementor works with virtually any WordPress theme, making it more versatile for users with established sites. FSE, however, requires a block-based theme to function effectively. This requirement limits its compatibility with many existing WordPress themes, which could be a drawback for some users.

Performance and Support

Performance

Performance is a critical factor in choosing a website builder. Elementor sometimes faces criticism for being bloated, which can affect site performance if not managed properly. FSE, being a core feature of WordPress, is generally more lightweight. However, it is still evolving, which means it may have bugs or limitations that users need to consider.

Community and Support

Elementor has built a large user base with extensive community support. This support translates into more resources, tutorials, and third-party plugins available to users. FSE, being relatively new, is still building its community. While it shows promise, it may not yet offer as many resources or plugins as Elementor.

Summary

Finally, Elementor is a robust and flexible page builder that offers extensive customization and ease of use. These qualities make it ideal for users seeking a powerful design tool. WordPress FSE, while promising and integrated into the WordPress ecosystem, is still developing. It may not yet match Elementor’s capabilities in terms of features and user experience. For users who prioritize design flexibility and a rich set of tools, Elementor is likely the better choice at this time. However, if you prefer a more integrated approach with WordPress and are willing to work within its current limitations, FSE is a viable option.

At Purple Owl, we use a combination of Divi, Elementor, and WordPress FSE in our builds. While we continue to evaluate which tool is superior, we believe FSE may offer faster build times in the future.