Page builders have transformed the way websites are designed, eliminating the need for complex coding and making web development accessible to everyone. But which page builder reigns supreme when it comes to performance and page speed?
A couple of years ago, Elementor faced significant criticism for slowing down websites. Meanwhile, alternatives like Bricks Builder and the WordPress Classic Editor have gained traction for their lightweight structure and efficiency.
But has Elementor improved? Has the landscape of page builders changed? To find out, we conducted performance tests comparing Elementor, Bricks Builder, and WordPress Classic Editor. The results might surprise you!
Comparison of Page Builders
How Page Builders Have Evolved
A few years ago, Elementor had a bad reputation—it was blamed for poor page speeds and bloated websites. The issue? Elementor added too many DOM elements (Document Object Model elements), which increased page load times.
Bricks Builder, on the other hand, positioned itself as a lightweight and high-performance alternative. And, of course, the WordPress Classic Editor remained a minimalistic choice for purists who preferred speed over fancy design options.
But that was then. Let’s see how things have changed!
Testing Methodology
To keep things fair, we designed a simple test. We created a basic webpage with only a heading and an image—nothing fancy, no complex menus or interactive forms.
- The same page structure was duplicated across all three platforms: Elementor, Bricks Builder, and WordPress Classic Editor.
- We ran tests over two days to ensure accuracy and avoid anomalies.
- No performance-enhancing plugins were used—just the raw performance of each page builder.
Now, let’s get to the results!
Performance Scores: The Results
The Lighthouse performance test revealed some surprising improvements:
| Page Builder | Mobile Score | Desktop Score |
|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 100 | 100 |
| Elementor Pro | 99 | 100 |
| WordPress Classic Editor | 98 | 98 |
| Breakdance | 98 | 98 |
Key Takeaways:
- Bricks Builder scored 100 across the board—proving it’s still the most lightweight and efficient option.
- Elementor Pro has significantly improved, scoring 99 on mobile and 100 on desktop.
- WordPress Classic Editor remains solid but not perfect—scoring 98 on both platforms.
- Breakdance Builder, a newer competitor, matched WordPress Classic Editor’s performance.
Clearly, Elementor has come a long way from the days of slow load times!
DOM Elements Analysis
While Elementor scored almost perfectly, it still renders more DOM elements than Bricks and the Classic Editor.
Why does this matter? The DOM count affects how complex and heavy a webpage is. A higher DOM count means:
✔ More elements for the browser to load.
✔ Increased processing time.
✔ Potentially slower page speeds.
Comparing DOM Elements Rendered:
- Bricks Builder: Minimal DOM elements (faster and more efficient).
- WordPress Classic Editor: Also lightweight, with fewer elements.
- Elementor Pro: Renders the most DOM elements, meaning it’s still somewhat heavier.
Despite this, Elementor has clearly optimized its backend, making it faster than before!
Chasing Requests and Optimization
Another key factor in page speed is chasing requests—the order in which page elements are loaded.
| Page Builder | Number of Chasing Requests |
|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 5 |
| WordPress Classic Editor | 6 |
| Elementor Pro | 25 |
What Does This Mean?
- Bricks and the Classic Editor keep things minimal, reducing unnecessary loading delays.
- Elementor Pro still has more chasing requests, meaning more elements load separately, potentially causing a slight lag.
To optimize page speed, reducing chasing requests is crucial!
Impact of Performance Plugins
So, can Elementor Pro overcome its higher chasing requests and DOM complexity? Yes!
Using performance plugins like PhastPress, we optimized Elementor’s page. The results?
| Page Builder | Chasing Requests Before | Chasing Requests After Optimization |
|---|---|---|
| Elementor Pro | 25 | 6 |
Key Observations:
✔ After applying PhastPress, Elementor’s chasing requests dropped from 25 to just 6!
✔ The DOM count remained the same, but performance significantly improved.
✔ Optimizing chasing requests boosts speed and improves user experience.
This shows that Elementor is no longer inherently slow—with the right optimization, it can be just as fast as its competitors!
Conclusion and Future Considerations
What We Learned
What’s Next?
If you’re building a WordPress site, consider:
No matter which builder you choose, performance optimization is key!
FAQs
Is Elementor still slow compared to Bricks Builder?
Not anymore! While Elementor used to have performance issues, recent updates and optimizations have made it much faster. With the right performance plugin, Elementor can match Bricks Builder’s speed.
What’s the best page builder for SEO?
Bricks Builder and Elementor Pro both offer SEO-friendly features, but Bricks may have a slight edge due to its lighter structure. However, Elementor’s customization options make it great for SEO-focused sites.
Does WordPress Classic Editor perform better than page builders?
In raw performance, yes—it’s lightweight and fast. But it lacks the visual design flexibility that modern page builders offer.
Can performance plugins really improve Elementor?
Absolutely! As shown in our tests, using a tool like PhastPress can dramatically reduce chasing requests, boosting Elementor’s speed.
Should I switch from Elementor to Bricks Builder?
If your main concern is speed, then yes, Bricks might be a better fit. But if you love customization and design flexibility, stick with Elementor and optimize it for speed.
What is a chasing request in web development?
A chasing request refers to the order in which page elements load. Fewer chasing requests mean a faster, smoother page experience.
Which page builder is best for beginners?
Elementor Pro is the easiest to use, offering drag-and-drop simplicity. Bricks is great for developers, while WordPress Classic Editor is best for coding enthusiasts.
At the end of the day, the best page builder depends on your needs—speed, flexibility, or simplicity. Which one are you using? Let us know in the comments!