The comparison
The comparison as Page Builder Sandwich wrote it.
Page Builder Sandwich works within WordPress's block editor, while Elementor swaps that editor for a drag-and-drop canvas of its own. Page Builder Sandwich can also be used in its own full-screen editor, and it stores plain blocks. The result is lighter pages that still read fine if the plugin is removed.
- Page Builder Sandwich's strengths
- Every page is stored as standard WordPress blocks, which means no single builder holds your content captive.
- Measured on one shared test page, it added +0.5 kB and made no outside requests. Elementor's free plugin added +156.4 kB plus 3 requests to servers belonging to other companies.
- You get the accessibility checker inside the free plugin.
- With Pro, Elementor pages can be turned into blocks, and the original page stays untouched.
- Elementor's strengths
- Elementor offers a live visual drag-and-drop canvas with wide name recognition among WordPress users.
- Its big free plugin comes with plenty of widgets covering headings, images, buttons and galleries.
- Shared ground
- Each is a visual page builder for WordPress, with a free plugin alongside paid plans.
- Each one gives AI tools a way into your site so they can help with the work.
- Differences
- Elementor works outside the block editor, whereas Page Builder Sandwich works within it.
- For every page, Page Builder Sandwich brings in only the styles for the blocks used there, served from your own site.
- Its MCP server hands AI agents such as Claude 150 tools, and they stay within your WordPress permissions.
