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What is the difference between Kadence and Elementor? In this post we explain the most important elements of each builder, learn the key features and differences.
Before we recommend any add-on to our clients, we always analyze the scope of the website project and the short- and long-term business goals. If you are creating your site yourself, we recommend you do the same
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KadenceWP is a company responsible for developing themes and plugins that simplify the process of creating WordPress-based sites. Their offerings include:
Kadence Blocks is a WordPress plugin that extends the functionality of the Gutenberg editor by providing users with custom blocks to create aesthetically pleasing pages without programming.
After installing Kadence Blocks, you will be able to edit and design your posts or pages directly in the Gutenberg editor and then see the page design in a new browser tab.
Kadence blocks can be used on any website, regardless of the theme used, giving you more freedom to create regardless of the Kadence theme you choose.
Also check out Wix or Wordpress
Elementor is an advanced tool for building sites through drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to design and preview your site directly on the screen at the same time. This solution allows you to create both simple landing pages and more complex layouts without writing HTML or CSS code.
Its editing interface offers an alternative perspective to the standard Gutenberg editor, giving access to custom settings, widgets and features.
Elementor is compatible with various WordPress themes. It can be installed on any site, regardless of the chosen layout, which allows for flexible creation, independent of the theme the site is built on.
WordPress users had access to a traditional editor, however, it lacked the ability to add advanced elements, such as columns or buttons, without having to change themes or custom coding. Page creation tools such as Elementor, Beaver Builder and Divi have therefore gained popularity as accessible options for those looking to create their site, especially for those with less experience.
However, with the advent of the Gutenberg block editor, which regularly evolves, page-building tools are no longer as indispensable as they used to be. Many plug-ins are now designed with the Gutenberg experience in mind, making choosing the right tool a question of the pros and cons of each option....
See also:
Let's consider four key categories: usage, efficiency, value for money and support. My perspective will allow me to point out which plug-in excels in each of these categories and why I think so.
In terms of intuitiveness of use, Elementor dominates over other plug-ins. This is due to several reasons:
Elementor relies on a front-end interface, which makes what you see in the editing window very close to how the page looks in its actual view.
With Kadence, on the other hand, editing can be more complicated.
Since the page creation process takes place in the background of WordPress, you will need to open the page in a new tab to see the changes.
Although some of the editing elements in Kadence resemble a front-end editor, the live end result can differ significantly.
This is not so much a fault of Kadence itself, but of the WordPress/Gutenberg design, which unfortunately can make the process less convenient and require more frequent verification.
The limitations I encountered using Kadence Theme and Blocks can sometimes be annoying. For example, when I wanted to center the text in the product archive on the product page, the review stars remained left-justified, and there was no way to center them. I had to use additional CSS to fix this.
That's just one example, but I've been annoyed many times when even simple design changes required additional CSS inputs.
With Elementor, boundaries and limitations are virtually non-existent. You can freely customize every element of your site without interfering with the code.
When designing in both tools, Elementor's capabilities clearly outshine Kadence. With Elementor, you have much more freedom in editing, without having to report problems to support or interfere with style sheets.
Elementor clearly wins in terms of ease of use. However, it's worth considering the trade-off: do you prefer more features at the expense of some editing difficulty, or are you ready for fewer options but without the complexities of editing....
In the performance category, Kadence clearly takes control - that's undeniable.
Elementor, compared to Kadence, is a much bigger "player" in the plugin world. This means that sites built with Elementor often exhibit slower loading times, which can negatively affect user experience and, in some cases, SEO results.
During a recent redesign of my website in the fall of 2021, I created two different test versions of the homepage, one using Elementor and the other with Kadence, to test the difference in speed. The page created with Elementor scored 30 points lower on Google PageSpeed Insights than its counterpart with Kadence, even though both pages looked virtually identical.
This was a defining moment for me, but other aspects, like more reliable features or smoother and easier editing, may be more important to you than a few points in the site speed ranking.
If you decide to go with Elementor, it's worth reviewing the YouTube playlist created by the Elementor team. These videos will tell you how to design with site speed in mind to avoid lag issues caused by suboptimal web design skills.
It's also important to use optimization plugins, such as ShortPixel or WProcket, which will help you improve your site's speed regardless of the theme or plugin you choose.
If you want to deepen your knowledge of site speed optimization, it's worth taking a peek at iMark Interactive's course on the subject."
With cleaner and simpler code, Kadence is a much more efficient builder.
Both Kadence and Elementor provide free and paid versions of their plug-ins. Let's do a deeper comparison, focusing on the value of the free version alone, and then look at the differences and benefits of the professional versions.
Among free plug-ins, Kadence presents itself as a leader in terms of the value it offers users for free.
Kadence - Free version
With the combination of the free Kadence theme, Kadence Blocks plugin and Kadence Starter Templates plugin, you have the ability to easily create a fast, aesthetically pleasing and professional website.
Their collection of designs allows you to quickly install ready-made layouts in just three clicks. Many of these templates form a cohesive collection, making it easy to create a comprehensive site, including home pages, information pages, contact pages, service sections and more.
If you're in the beginning stages and need a basic site, these free tools allow you to create an aesthetically pleasing design without much effort!
When it comes to the free version of Elementor, there are many limitations to consider.
The biggest one is the lack of access to header and footer design tools, as well as editing the appearance of the blog page. This means that if you want to build an entire website using the free Elementor, you'll have to use themes such as Astra or Kadence that allow you to edit these elements - they are not available for editing without upgrading in Elementor.
In addition, in the free version you don't have the ability to add contact forms, which can be a limitation if you expect a comprehensive plugin to build your site.
Elementor zachęca do przejścia na wersję Pro, aby móc skorzystać z pełni funkcji, co, przyznam, jest naprawdę korzystne – kosztuje rocznie 49 USD za pojedynczą licencję.
So, in conclusion, in terms of the free version, Kadence offers more value.
But what about comparing the Pro version - how do Kadence and Elementor perform?
If we look at the paid versions, Elementor definitely stands out in terms of value for money.... Although both are extremely affordable and worth looking at.
You might want to consider the Kadence package, which offers access to Kadence Theme Pro, Kadence Blocks Pro and Pro Starter. You can also purchase just Kadence Blocks Pro without the theme, which costs $89 per year.
It's worth noting that the Essential Package, which includes the theme and plug-ins, costs $149 per year and allows for multiple websites.
Elementor offers a single site license for $49 per year. If you need more sites, an option covering up to 25 sites costs $199 per year.
If you are managing a single website, using Elementor Pro seems like a cheaper choice compared to Kadence Blocks Pro or the Kadence suite. However, with more sites, Kadence becomes more cost-effective, allowing you to create an unlimited number of sites for $149 per year.
Elementor has gained the upper hand in this category due to its richer features at the same price, but both options are worth considering!
See also plugins for Woocommerce that your online store should have.
When it comes to support and educational materials, in my opinion, both platforms are doing well, so in this category I put it as a tie.
KadenceWP offers premium email support to Pro users, which I think works very well. They also have an active and free Facebook group called Web Creator Community (by Kadence WP), where you can get help from other Kadence users. Although their support team responds quickly, it would be worthwhile to develop more tutorials and video documentation, which would further help users.
Elementor provides premium support for owners of the Pro version, which means you can ask any question by email and receive an answer within a day on average. I observed that Elementor used to have a reputation for poor support, but since the change in pricing structure I have noticed a significant improvement in the quality of support.Elementor also runs two active Facebook groups: Elementor Community and Elementor En Español. These communities are a great place to ask questions and get additional support from other Elementor users.When it comes to documentation and tutorial videos, Elementor does a great job. It provides a wide range of written tutorials and YouTube videos that demonstrate step-by-step how to use the features of the Elementor page builder plugin.
See our Wordpress care service and :
Ultimately, you need to determine what is key for you.
If your priority is the performance and speed of your site, then Kadence is a great choice.Is display ad revenue the main source of income for your blog?
If so, Kadence may be the best choice instead of Elementor.
If you want full control over the entire site without any restrictions, you'd better choose Elementor.Need more advanced features for your site design? Elementor will probably have what you need.
When you know what goals you want to achieve on your site, choosing a plugin will be easier. However, it's worth keeping in mind that there may be some trade-offs with both plugins in order to focus on priority features.
Keep in mind that learning to use both Elementor and especially WordPress can be a challenge, especially if you're just getting started with the technology.
If you prefer to design your site yourself, but need support, check out my DIY themes and templates. You'll find comprehensive site designs with video instructions to help you customize your site for your brand. Both sub themes for Kadence and templates for the full Elementor site are available.
On the other hand, if you prefer to hand over your website design to professionals, check out our web design services. We'll be happy to help you create the site of your dreams.
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