When it comes to building a WordPress website, choosing the right page builder can make or break your project. Two of the most popular options are WPBakery Page Builder (formerly known as Visual Composer) and Divi by Elegant Themes.
Both tools promise to make designing websites faster and easier, but they approach the task differently—and the differences matter.
If you’re deciding between the two, the short answer is this: Divi is the better choice for most users. It’s more modern, more flexible, easier to use, and offers better long-term value.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into:
- What WPBakery and Divi are.
- Their features and differences.
- How they compare in usability, performance, pricing, and support.
- Why Divi consistently comes out on top.
By the end, you’ll see why thousands of designers, businesses, and bloggers prefer Divi as their go-to WordPress builder.
What Is WPBakery?
WPBakery Page Builder is one of the oldest WordPress page builders, originally launched as Visual Composer back in 2011.
Key facts about WPBakery:
- It uses a shortcode-based system to generate layouts.
- Offers both frontend and backend editing, though the backend editor is more widely used.
- Was bundled with many premium themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest, which boosted its popularity.
- Provides elements like grids, buttons, sliders, and forms.
For years, WPBakery was the de facto choice for WordPress page building. But its reliance on shortcodes, outdated UI, and lack of innovation have made it feel clunky compared to newer builders.
What Is Divi?
Divi is a modern WordPress theme and visual builder created by Elegant Themes. Since its launch in 2013, Divi has grown into one of the most popular page builders in the world.
Key facts about Divi:
- Comes as both a theme and a standalone builder plugin, so you can use it with any theme.
- Features a true front-end visual editor—what you see is what you get.
- Includes 200+ pre-made layout packs covering dozens of industries.
- Regularly updated with new features, speed improvements, and design options.
- Backed by one of the largest communities in WordPress.
Divi is built for the modern WordPress era: intuitive, powerful, and designed to scale.
WPBakery vs Divi: Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a high-level overview of how the two builders compare.
| Feature | WPBakery | Divi |
|---|---|---|
| Editor Style | Backend + limited frontend | Full visual front-end editor |
| Code Output | Shortcode-heavy | Clean, shortcode-free structure |
| Ease of Use | Steep learning curve, outdated UI | Beginner-friendly, intuitive |
| Design Flexibility | Limited modules and styling | Hundreds of modules, full customization |
| Templates | Basic templates | 200+ layout packs with industry-specific designs |
| Performance | Can be bloated due to shortcodes | Optimized for speed, constant updates |
| Pricing | ~$64 one-time (per site via ThemeForest) | $89/year or $249 lifetime (unlimited sites) |
| Support & Updates | Limited support, slower updates | Premium support + large community |
| Future-Proof | Legacy builder, losing popularity | Actively developed and growing |
Where WPBakery Falls Short
Let’s be fair—WPBakery helped pioneer drag-and-drop design for WordPress. But in 2025, it feels outdated. Here’s why:
1. Shortcode Dependency
Every element in WPBakery generates shortcodes. If you deactivate the plugin, your content turns into a mess of unreadable shortcodes.
Divi avoids this problem. If you deactivate Divi, your content remains clean HTML.
2. Clunky Editing Experience
WPBakery’s backend editor is functional but not intuitive. The frontend editor exists, but it’s slow and less refined compared to modern builders.
Divi’s visual editor lets you design in real time. You see exactly how your page will look, making it faster and easier to create professional designs.
3. Limited Design Options
WPBakery’s design options are basic. Customization often requires custom CSS.
Divi offers advanced styling controls out of the box:
- Global color systems.
- Responsive design controls.
- Transform and animation tools.
- Shape dividers, gradients, shadows, and more.
You can achieve complex designs without touching code.
4. Performance Issues
WPBakery’s shortcode-heavy structure often bloats page output, slowing down sites.
Divi has made major strides in performance:
- Built-in caching and minification.
- Dynamic CSS and JavaScript loading.
- Constant optimization in updates.
The result: faster load times and better Core Web Vitals.
5. Poor Future-Proofing
WPBakery’s development has slowed, and it hasn’t kept pace with the rapid evolution of WordPress. Many developers consider it a “legacy builder.”
Divi, on the other hand, is actively updated, with new features released regularly. It’s built to integrate with modern WordPress standards, like the Gutenberg editor.
The Advantages of Divi
Now, let’s highlight why Divi is the smarter long-term choice.
1. True Visual Editing
Divi’s editor is fully visual. You drag, drop, and edit directly on the page. No guessing, no backend interface—just real-time design.
This makes Divi approachable for beginners and efficient for professionals.
2. Powerful Design Tools
Divi includes features that designers love:
- Custom animations.
- Hover states.
- Shape dividers.
- Filters and effects.
- Dynamic content integration.
You can create stunning, modern designs without third-party add-ons.
3. Pre-Made Layout Packs
Divi includes 200+ layout packs with over 2,000 total page designs. These cover industries like restaurants, fitness, law firms, eCommerce, and more.
This means you can launch a professional site in hours, not weeks.
4. No Lock-In Penalty
Unlike WPBakery, Divi doesn’t leave shortcode clutter behind. If you ever switch, your content remains clean and usable.
5. Stronger Performance
Divi has been optimized for speed with each update. Features like dynamic CSS loading and conditional scripts mean your site only loads what it needs.
The result: leaner, faster websites.
6. Affordable Pricing
WPBakery costs ~$64 for a single site license. If you want to use it on multiple sites, you’ll need multiple licenses.
Divi costs:
- $89/year (unlimited sites), or
- $249 one-time lifetime license (unlimited sites).
For freelancers, agencies, or anyone managing more than one site, Divi is far more cost-effective.
7. Community and Support
Divi has one of the largest communities in WordPress:
- Facebook groups with tens of thousands of users.
- Endless tutorials and YouTube channels.
- Dedicated Elegant Themes support.
WPBakery’s community is smaller, and support options are limited.
Cost Comparison: WPBakery vs Divi
Let’s run a 3-year cost scenario for someone building multiple websites.
WPBakery
- $64 per site.
- 5 websites = $320.
- Limited updates after six months without renewing support.
Divi
- $249 one-time lifetime license.
- Unlimited websites.
- Ongoing updates and support included.
Divi wins for affordability, especially for developers and agencies.
Who Should Use WPBakery?
To be fair, WPBakery isn’t useless. It might be fine if:
- You bought a premium theme that bundles it in.
- You only need a simple site and don’t care about modern features.
- You’re comfortable working with shortcodes and custom CSS.
But for most people, WPBakery is more frustrating than helpful.
Who Should Use Divi?
Divi is ideal for:
- Beginners who want drag-and-drop simplicity.
- Designers who want full creative control.
- Agencies building multiple client sites.
- Businesses that need scalability, SEO, and performance.
- Anyone who values long-term investment and future-proofing.
Divi truly balances ease of use with professional power.
Final Verdict: Divi Is the Better Builder
When comparing WPBakery vs Divi, the choice is clear:
- WPBakery is a legacy tool weighed down by shortcodes, clunky UX, and limited innovation.
- Divi is a modern, visual builder that’s easy to use, packed with features, optimized for performance, and backed by a thriving community.
If you’re serious about building a website that looks great, performs well, and lasts for years, Divi is the superior choice.
