In the ever-evolving world of WordPress, page builders play a crucial role in making website design accessible to everyone from complete beginners to seasoned developers.
Among the myriad of options, Elementor and Spectra (formerly known as Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg) stand out as two popular choices.
These tools allow users to create stunning websites without needing deep technical knowledge, but each has its unique strengths. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Elementor vs. Spectra and help you determine which one is the best fit for your website-building needs.
What is Elementor?
Elementor, launched in 2016, is one of the most widely-used drag-and-drop page builders for WordPress. With over five million active installations, it’s easy to see why Elementor has become so popular.
The platform offers a visual editor that allows users to design websites in real-time, with no coding required.
Elementor comes in two versions: a free version, which includes basic widgets and page templates, and Elementor Pro, a paid upgrade that unlocks advanced features such as theme building, WooCommerce integration, custom post type support, and a wider array of widgets and design elements.
Its vast flexibility and extensive library of design tools make it a favorite among web designers who want complete creative control over their site.
What is Spectra?
Spectra, previously known as Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg, is a plugin developed by Brainstorm Force (the creators of the popular Astra theme). It extends the capabilities of the Gutenberg editor, the default WordPress block editor, by adding extra blocks, templates, and customization options to help users create dynamic, visually appealing websites.
Unlike Elementor, which operates as a standalone page builder, Spectra works within the native Gutenberg editor, making it more lightweight and faster.
It offers both free and paid versions, with the premium version providing additional blocks, pre-designed templates, and advanced customization features.
Comparing Elementor vs. Spectra
To make an informed decision, let’s break down the key features of Elementor and Spectra and compare them side by side.
1. Ease of Use
- Elementor: Elementor has a drag-and-drop interface, making it highly intuitive for beginners. The left-side panel contains all the widgets and customization options, while the live preview of your page is on the right. This real-time editing feature allows you to see changes as you make them, which is one of Elementor’s most user-friendly aspects.
- Spectra: Spectra operates within the Gutenberg editor, which WordPress users are already familiar with. If you’re used to working with blocks, the learning curve is minimal. Spectra enhances Gutenberg by adding more block options, making it easier to create sophisticated layouts without overwhelming new users.
2. Design Flexibility
- Elementor: Elementor is known for its unparalleled design flexibility. It offers an extensive range of widgets everything from basic elements like text, images, and buttons to advanced ones like forms, sliders, and countdown timers. Elementor Pro extends this even further, allowing you to design headers, footers, archives, and custom post types.
- Spectra: Spectra also provides a variety of blocks, including advanced ones like content timelines, price tables, and testimonials. However, because it’s built on Gutenberg, its flexibility is somewhat more limited compared to Elementor’s. Still, Spectra’s tight integration with WordPress core ensures that you’re working with a stable and future-proof solution.
3. Performance and Speed
- Elementor: While Elementor offers powerful design capabilities, its feature-rich nature can sometimes slow down page load times. Users often need to optimize their sites to counter the potential bloat that comes with using many widgets and elements. However, Elementor has made significant strides in improving its performance in recent updates.
- Spectra: Spectra’s integration with Gutenberg makes it a more lightweight solution. Because it doesn’t require a separate page builder and works within the native WordPress editor, pages built with Spectra tend to load faster. Spectra is an excellent option for those who prioritize speed and performance, especially for users who want to keep their websites as fast as possible.
4. Theme and Template Options
- Elementor: Elementor has a robust library of pre-designed templates that can be easily customized to suit your needs. Additionally, Elementor Pro allows you to create your own custom headers, footers, and page templates, which you can save and reuse across your site.
- Spectra: Spectra also offers a collection of pre-designed block templates, though its selection isn’t as large as Elementor’s. However, Spectra works exceptionally well with the Astra theme, which offers a variety of free and premium starter templates optimized for speed and performance.
5. Third-Party Integrations and Add-ons
- Elementor: One of Elementor’s biggest strengths is its massive ecosystem of third-party add-ons and integrations. There are numerous plugins developed by third parties that extend Elementor’s capabilities even further, giving you access to additional widgets, styling options, and functionality. Additionally, Elementor integrates seamlessly with popular marketing tools like Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Zapier.
- Spectra: Spectra doesn’t have as many third-party add-ons as Elementor, but it integrates smoothly with all the essential WordPress plugins, including WooCommerce, LearnDash, and LifterLMS. Because it’s built on Gutenberg, it benefits from any future improvements to WordPress itself, making it a more “future-proof” solution.
Pricing
- Elementor: The free version of Elementor is packed with enough features to build a basic website, but many users opt for Elementor Pro to unlock more advanced tools. Elementor Pro starts at $59 per year for one website and goes up depending on the number of sites and features you need.
- Spectra: Spectra offers a free version with many useful blocks and features. For more advanced functionality, Spectra Pro starts at $47 per year, making it a more affordable option than Elementor for users who want enhanced customization without the higher price tag.
Who Should Choose Elementor?
Elementor is ideal for users who want complete creative control over every aspect of their website. If you’re a designer, developer, or anyone who needs advanced customization options and doesn’t mind paying for premium features, Elementor Pro is an excellent choice. It’s also great for creating complex websites with custom post types, headers, footers, and dynamic content.
Who Should Choose Spectra?
Spectra is perfect for users who prefer a lightweight, performance-oriented solution that integrates seamlessly with Gutenberg. If you’re looking for a fast and simple way to build pages without the need for a separate page builder, Spectra is a fantastic option. It’s particularly well-suited for users who prioritize speed and ease of use over extensive design capabilities.
Q&A
1. Can I use both Elementor and Spectra on the same website?
Yes, you can technically use both Elementor and Spectra on the same WordPress site, but it’s not recommended. Combining two-page builders can lead to conflicts and increased resource usage, which could slow down your website.
2. Does Spectra work with all WordPress themes?
Spectra works with most WordPress themes, but it’s optimized for use with the Astra theme, which offers additional customization options and better performance when used together.
3. Is Elementor more beginner-friendly than Spectra?
Elementor’s drag-and-drop interface is highly intuitive and easier for beginners to pick up quickly. Spectra, while also beginner-friendly, might require some familiarity with the Gutenberg block editor.
4. Can I use Spectra to build eCommerce websites?
Yes, Spectra integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce, allowing you to create eCommerce websites using the Gutenberg block editor.
5. Which builder is better for SEO?
Both Elementor and Spectra can be optimized for SEO, but Spectra’s lighter footprint and faster loading times give it a slight edge in performance-related SEO factors.
6. Is Elementor better for creating complex websites?
Yes, Elementor’s wide range of widgets, advanced features, and theme-building capabilities make it a better choice for creating more complex websites with custom layouts and dynamic content.
