Elementor and Bricks are the two page builders most WordPress projects end up choosing between. Both let you build pages visually without writing markup, but they pull in different directions. Elementor puts breadth and approachability first. Bricks puts speed and control first.
A note on bias: Bricks is the builder we use on our own WordPress builds (here's the rest of our stack). We've tried to keep this comparison fair, and for plenty of sites Elementor is the better choice.
Elementor in brief
Elementor is the familiar default. It's a plugin you run alongside a theme, with a drag-and-drop editor, a large widget library and a theme builder for headers, footers and templates. There's a free version, and Elementor Pro adds the theme builder, dynamic content and more widgets. Its biggest strength is its ecosystem: more templates, tutorials, third-party add-ons and people who already know how to use it than any other builder.
Bricks in brief
Bricks is the performance-first alternative. It's installed as a theme rather than a plugin, and it's built on a deliberately lean codebase. It leans toward "visual coding": you work with real HTML structure and CSS classes in a visual editor. Dynamic data, query loops and conditions are built in. There's no free version.
Where they differ
Speed
Bricks outputs lighter markup and is built around fast page loads, which tends to show up in Core Web Vitals. Elementor's breadth can add weight to a page. A disciplined Elementor build with caching narrows the gap, but you have to work at it. On content-heavy pages that render many elements, the difference compounds.
Dynamic content
This is where Bricks pulls furthest ahead. If your site pulls from custom fields, custom post types and queries, Bricks lets you bind almost any element to that data and loop over query results without extra plugins.
Elementor Pro handles dynamic content through dynamic tags and its loop features. For more complex queries and conditional logic, many Elementor builds add third-party add-ons or custom code. That works, but it's more pieces to install, license and keep updated.
Developer control
Bricks gives you more direct control over structure and markup, which developers tend to prefer when output quality matters. Elementor trades some of that control for approachability.
Design flexibility
Elementor wins on sheer volume of widgets and templates, so you can assemble a lot from pre-built parts. Bricks gives you fewer ready-made pieces and more control over how you build your own.
Learning curve
Elementor is easier to pick up, and there's far more help available when you get stuck. Bricks asks more up front, especially if you're not used to thinking in classes and HTML structure, and rewards you with more control.
Ecosystem
Elementor's third-party add-on market is much larger. With Bricks you rely more on the core product and a smaller, developer-leaning community.
Pricing model
Elementor Pro is sold as a yearly subscription tiered by number of sites. Bricks has been sold as a one-time license. For an agency, or anyone running several sites over a few years, the difference in pricing model can add up. Both change their plans from time to time, so check current terms on each site before you buy.
At a glance
| Elementor | Bricks | |
|---|---|---|
| Installs as | Plugin | Theme |
| Free version | Yes | No |
| Page weight | Heavier unless carefully built | Lean by design |
| Dynamic data | Pro features, plus add-ons for complex cases | Built in |
| Learning curve | Gentle | Steeper |
| Ecosystem | Very large | Smaller |
Which to pick
- Choose Elementor if ease of use matters most, if the people maintaining the site already know it, or if you want the biggest library of templates, add-ons and tutorials.
- Choose Bricks if performance and clean output matter most, if the site runs on custom fields and queries, and if you're comfortable with a steeper start.
Neither is better for every site. The right answer depends on who will maintain the site and what it needs to do.
FAQ
Which is better for beginners? Elementor, thanks to its interface and the amount of help available.
Can I switch from Elementor to Bricks easily? Not really. They store layouts differently, so plan a switch as a rebuild, not a conversion.
Is Bricks better for SEO? Both can produce SEO-friendly pages. Bricks' lighter output can give it an edge on page speed, which feeds into Core Web Vitals.
Which is better for WooCommerce? Both support building WooCommerce templates. Elementor has more ready-made commerce widgets and add-ons.
Can I use third-party add-ons with both? Yes, though Elementor's add-on market is much larger.
Need a hand?
If you're not sure which fits, or you're stuck partway through a build in either, we can help. We build and rebuild WordPress sites in web development, and hand over the code and accounts in your name. Book a 30-minute call.