Elementor and Elementor Pro are powerful page builders for WordPress, offering an easy way to create beautiful, functional websites without needing to know how to code. Elementor and Elementor Pro provide a user-friendly interface that allows both beginners and experienced developers to design websites efficiently. These tools have revolutionized the way websites are built by offering a visual, drag-and-drop method that eliminates the need for manual coding.
What is the difference between elementor and elementor pro?
To better understand the differences between Elementor and Elementor Pro, let’s compare their features side by side.
| Feature | Elementor (Free) | Elementor Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-Drop Editor | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Designed Templates | Yes | Yes |
| Basic Widgets | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Widgets | No | Yes |
| Theme Builder | Limited | Full |
| Popup Builder | No | Yes |
| WooCommerce Builder | No | Yes |
| Global Widgets | No | Yes |
| Custom CSS | No | Yes |
| Marketing Integrations | No | Yes |
| Motion Effects | Basic | Advanced |
| Dynamic Content | No | Yes |
| Role Manager | No | Yes |
| Custom Fonts/Icons | No | Yes |
As you can see, Elementor Pro provides a significant number of additional features that can greatly enhance your website’s functionality and design.
Elementor
Elementor is a widely used plugin for WordPress that allows users to create pages using a drag-and-drop interface. It was first released in 2016 and has quickly become one of the most widely used page builders due to its user-friendly interface and powerful features.
What is Elementor?
Elementor is a free WordPress plugin that allows you to design your website visually. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can create complex layouts and designs without needing to write any code. This makes it accessible for beginners and a time-saver for experienced developers.
Key Features of Elementor
- Drag-and-Drop Editor: Elementor’s visual editor lets you drag and drop elements to create your web pages. Elementor lets you see exactly how your page will look as you build it.
- Pre-Designed Templates: Elementor provides an array of ready-made templates that serve as excellent starting points for your design journey. These templates cover different types of pages, such as home pages, about pages, and contact pages.
- Responsive Design: Elementor ensures your website looks great on any device, whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. You can tailor your design to fit various screen sizes.
- Basic Widgets: The free version of Elementor includes basic widgets like text, images, videos, buttons, and more. These widgets are the building blocks for your pages.
- Theme Builder: Even with the free version, Elementor allows you to customize some aspects of your theme, like headers and footers.
- Ease of Use: Elementor is known for its easy-to-use interface, which makes it a favorite among beginners and professionals alike.
- Regular Updates and Support: Elementor provides regular updates to improve the plugin and add new features. There is also a supportive community and extensive documentation to help you troubleshoot and learn.
Who Should Use Elementor?
Elementor is ideal for individuals or small businesses who want to create a professional-looking website without hiring a developer. It’s perfect for bloggers, freelancers, and small business owners who need a functional website on a budget.
Elementor Pro
While Elementor offers a lot for free, Elementor Pro takes your website-building capabilities to the next level. Elementor Pro is a premium add-on for Elementor that adds many advanced features and widgets.
What is Elementor Pro?
Elementor Pro is the paid version of Elementor that unlocks a whole suite of additional tools and features designed to make your website stand out. It requires an active Elementor installation and builds upon the functionality of the free version.
Key Features of Elementor Pro
- Advanced Widgets: Elementor Pro includes advanced widgets such as forms, slides, posts, portfolios, price tables, countdown timers, and more. These widgets are essential for creating dynamic and interactive websites.
- Theme Builder: The Theme Builder feature in Elementor Pro allows you to design your entire website, including headers, footers, archive pages, and single post templates. This level of customization is not available in the free version.
- Popup Builder: Create custom popups with Elementor Pro’s Popup Builder. You can design popups for lead generation, promotions, or notifications with ease.
- Global Widgets: Save your widgets as global widgets and reuse them across your site. Any changes made to a global widget will automatically update everywhere it’s used.
- Custom CSS: Elementor Pro allows you to add custom CSS to your elements directly from the editor, giving you more control over your design.
- Integration with Marketing Tools: Elementor Pro integrates with popular marketing tools like MailChimp, HubSpot, Zapier, and more, making it easier to connect your website with your marketing efforts.
- WooCommerce Builder: If you run an online store, Elementor Pro’s WooCommerce Builder helps you design custom product pages, category pages, and shop pages, tailored to your specific needs.
- Advanced Motion Effects: Add animations and motion effects to your elements to create a more engaging user experience.
- Dynamic Content: Elementor allows you to showcase dynamic content sourced from custom fields and plugins such as Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), Toolset, and Pods.
- Role Manager: Control who can access Elementor on your WordPress site. This feature is especially useful for larger teams with multiple editors.
- Custom Fonts and Icons: Elementor Pro allows you to upload your own fonts and icons, ensuring your website’s design is unique and aligned with your brand.
Who Should Use Elementor Pro?
Elementor Pro is perfect for those who need more advanced features and customization options for their website. It’s ideal for freelancers, agencies, and businesses that require a professional-looking website with custom functionality. If you need forms, popups, WooCommerce integration, or advanced design capabilities, Elementor Pro is worth the investment.
Benefits of Using Elementor
- For Beginners
- Ease of Use: The drag-and-drop feature makes it easy for anyone to build a website, regardless of their experience level.
- Pre-Designed Templates: Start with a professional design and customize it to fit your needs.
- No Coding Required: Create complex layouts and designs without writing any code.
- Regular Updates and Community Support: Benefit from continuous improvements and a helpful user community.
- For Professionals
- Advanced Customization: With Elementor Pro, you can fully customize your website to meet specific client needs.
- Time-Saving Features: Global widgets, theme builders, and custom CSS allow for more efficient workflows.
- Marketing Integrations: Easily connect your website to marketing tools to enhance your business operations.
- Role Manager: Manage access to Elementor features for team members, ensuring smooth collaboration.
- Unique Designs: Custom fonts and icons help you maintain a consistent brand identity.
Deciding Between Elementor and Elementor Pro
When deciding whether to use Elementor or upgrade to Elementor Pro, consider the following:
- Your Budget
- Elementor: If you have a limited budget, the free version of Elementor offers plenty of features to create a basic yet professional website.
- Elementor Pro: If you have the budget for a premium tool, Elementor Pro offers advanced features that can save you time and provide more functionality.
- Your Website Needs
- Basic Website: For a simple blog or informational website, Elementor’s free version might be sufficient.
- Advanced Website: For e-commerce sites, membership sites, or any website that requires custom forms, popups, or dynamic content, Elementor Pro is the better choice.
- Your Experience Level
- Beginners: If you’re just starting out, Elementor’s free version is a great way to learn the ropes of website building.
- Experienced Users: If you’re a web developer or designer looking for advanced features and customization options, Elementor Pro will meet your needs better.
How to Get Started with Elementor and Elementor Pro
Installing Elementor
- Go to Your WordPress Dashboard: Navigate to Plugins > Add New.
- Search for Elementor: Type ‘Elementor’ in the search bar.
- Install and Activate: Click ‘Install Now’ and then ‘Activate’ to add Elementor to your WordPress site.
Upgrading to Elementor Pro
- Purchase a License: Visit the Elementor website and choose the Elementor Pro plan that suits your needs.
- Download the Pro Plugin: After purchasing, download the Elementor Pro plugin from your Elementor account.
- Install Elementor Pro: Go to Plugins > Add New and upload the Elementor Pro zip file you downloaded.
- Activate Elementor Pro: After installation, activate the plugin and enter your license key.
Conclusion
Elementor and Elementor Pro are powerful tools that can help you create stunning websites with ease. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, these tools offer features that cater to various needs and skill levels. By understanding the differences between Elementor and Elementor Pro, you can make an informed decision about which tool is best for your project. If you’re on a budget and need basic features, Elementor’s free version is an excellent choice. However, if you require advanced features and greater customization, upgrading to Elementor Pro is well worth the investment.