Elementor vs Kadence: Why I Switched (and What Changed)

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If you are building or rebuilding a WordPress site, the page builder you choose shapes how your site performs and how easy it is to update. I am going to walk you through what pushed me to switch, how the two compare, and when sticking with Elementor is perfectly fine.

Why I Built With Elementor in the First Place

When I started building websites, the default WordPress editor was pretty limited. If you wanted a custom layout without writing code, you needed a page builder, and Elementor was one of the best.

Its drag and drop editor let me design exactly what clients wanted. You could see the page take shape as you built it, which made it feel a lot less like a tech project.

It also had a huge community. If you got stuck, there was a tutorial, a Facebook group, or a forum thread with the answer. For a long time, that made Elementor an easy recommendation.

What Made Me Rethink Elementor

A few years ago, two things happened that changed how I build websites. Neither one was dramatic on its own, but together they made the decision for me.

The constant updates made it hard to teach clients

I teach my clients how to update their own websites. That is a big part of how I work, because you should never have to call a designer just to change a phone number.

Elementor was updating so often that the editor kept changing. Panels moved, settings got renamed, and new features showed up in places my clients did not expect.

For my clients who already felt uneasy about tech, that was a real problem. Every time they logged in, it felt like learning the tool all over again, and that is the opposite of what I want for them.

The site speed test that sealed the deal

I rebuilt a couple of client sites with Kadence as exact replicas of their Elementor versions. Same layouts, same content, same images.

The only real difference was the builder, and site speed improved tremendously. When the same website loads that much faster just by changing how it is built, it is hard to justify going back.

Speed is not just a nice extra. Google’s guide on why site speed matters shows how slow pages cost businesses visitors and sales, and speed can affect your search rankings too. This was a win my clients would actually feel.

What Changed in WordPress That Made the Switch Possible

The reason Kadence works so well now is that WordPress itself grew up. The block editor, also called Gutenberg, replaced the old classic editor and turned every piece of a page into a block you can move and style.

Kadence builds on top of that editor instead of replacing it. Kadence Blocks adds the design controls people used to need a page builder for, like rows, columns, spacing, and advanced layouts.

That means you get the flexibility without a whole second editor sitting on top of WordPress. If you want the full breakdown of how the pieces fit together, my beginner’s guide to the Kadence framework walks through it.

Elementor vs Kadence: How They Compare

Both tools can build a beautiful, professional website. The differences show up in how they feel to use and how the site performs over time.

Editing experience

Elementor opens its own visual editor, separate from the WordPress editor. You drag widgets onto the page and see the design come together live.

Kadence works inside the WordPress block editor you already have. Once you learn it, you are also learning WordPress itself, which makes every other part of your site feel more familiar.

Site speed

This is where I saw the biggest gap. My rebuilt Kadence sites loaded much faster than the same designs built in Elementor.

A lighter builder means less code loading on every page. That helps your visitors stick around and gives your SEO a better foundation.

Ease of learning for your team

Elementor has a friendly drag and drop feel, but frequent interface changes can make it hard to keep up. If you only log in every few months, that adds up.

Kadence follows the standard WordPress editing experience, so it stays more consistent. For my clients, that consistency is what makes updating their own site feel doable.

Updates and long-term maintenance

Every plugin needs updates, and that is a good thing. The more layers you add to a site, though, the more things there are to keep compatible.

Building with the block editor and Kadence keeps the setup leaner. Fewer moving parts usually means fewer surprises when it is time to run updates and maintenance.

Cost

Both have a free version that covers a lot, plus a paid Pro version that unlocks more design features. Pricing changes often, so check each one directly before you decide.

The bigger cost question is time. A builder that is easier for you to maintain and faster for your visitors usually pays for itself.

When Elementor Might Still Make Sense

Kadence is what I use and recommend, but that does not make Elementor a bad choice. A lot of people still build with it, and much of this comes down to preference.

You know your business better than any expert, me included. If Elementor is working for you, here are a few signs it may still be the right fit.

You already know it well

If you have used Elementor for years and can update your site without frustration, that comfort has real value. Switching means learning something new, so make sure the payoff is worth it for you.

Your site is running well

If your site loads quickly, converts visitors, and is easy to maintain, there may be no urgent reason to rebuild. Switching builders is a project, not a quick setting change.

You prefer a separate visual editor

Some people simply like Elementor’s live drag and drop style better than working inside the block editor. If that is how your brain works, that preference matters.

Thinking About Switching From Elementor to Kadence?

The most important thing to know is that there is no magic button. Pages built with Elementor do not convert into Kadence, so switching means rebuilding your pages.

When I moved my clients over, I rebuilt each site by hand. It takes time, but it is also a chance to clean up old pages, tighten your messaging, and fix what was not working.

Start with a strategy session

Before you rebuild anything, figure out whether it actually makes sense for your business. In a strategy session, we look at your current site, your goals, and your budget, and decide together if a switch is worth it.

Get a quote for the rebuild

If you already know you want to move to Kadence, I quote migrations as design projects since every page is rebuilt. Request a quote and tell me a little about your current site.

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