Platform · website builder
Visual page builder plugin for WordPress
The verdict
A WordPress plugin for building pages and themes visually, with a free tier and Pro upgrades. Built for site owners and agencies who want layout control inside WordPress.
What it is
Elementor adds a visual, drag-and-drop builder to WordPress, including theme building, popups and a widget library. It has a free version and a Pro tier, and now native AI for text, image and code. It lives inside the WordPress plugin universe, so it inherits that ecosystem and its conflicts. It suits owners and agencies who want design control on WordPress without writing code.
Strengths
- Visual building and theme control on WordPress without writing code
- Large widget library plus a wide set of third-party Elementor add-ons
- Native AI helps generate text, images and code inside the editor
Trade-offs
- Heavier page output than performance-focused builders, which can slow sites
- Sits inside WordPress, so it inherits plugin-conflict and update overhead
- Many useful features sit behind the Pro tier rather than the free plugin
Best for
Agencies and owners building client sites visually on WordPress with reusable templates
Not for
Users who want a standalone hosted builder, or developers chasing the leanest page output
The AI ecosystem
A large set of third-party Elementor add-on plugins plus native Elementor AI for text, image and code. Lives within the broader WordPress plugin universe.
Pricing
Free Elementor plugin; Pro plans roughly $59-$399/yr by site count. Elementor Host (managed hosting) sold separately. Pricing varies by promotion.
Free
Free$0
- basic editor
- WordPress plugin
Pro (Essential)
Custom
- widgets
- theme builder
- popups
Elementor Host
Custom
- managed WordPress hosting
What people build with it
Frequently asked
- Is Elementor free?
- There is a free Elementor plugin. Pro adds the theme builder, more widgets and popups, with annual plans by site count.
- Does Elementor have AI?
- Yes. Elementor AI can generate text, images and code inside the editor, alongside third-party add-ons.
- Elementor or Divi?
- Both are top WordPress builders; Elementor has a larger add-on ecosystem, while preferences often come down to workflow and output weight.
- Does Elementor slow down a site?
- Its output is heavier than performance-focused builders, so large pages need optimization to stay fast.
- Do I need WordPress to use Elementor?
- Yes. Elementor is a WordPress plugin and runs inside a WordPress site.