Is Elementor Pro Worth It? Free vs. Pro

If you’ve spent hours designing a WordPress site for your small business, you know this: getting it to look perfect can feel like putting together a jigsaw puzzle — one where half the pieces are missing.

That’s why Elementor has become a lifesaver for countless site owners.

Now for the real question: is the free version enough? Or do you need Pro to unlock your site’s full potential?

After testing Elementor’s limits, reading through subreddits packed with user questions, and seeing how different sites work with either version, we have to say that the decision comes down to your specific needs (ugh, I know, right?)

To help you decide, we’ll compare the features, strengths, and limitations of both Elementor Free vs. Pro so you can skip the guesswork and start your web design process.

Let’s jump in!

What Is Elementor?

Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress website builders around today. It’s widely used among site owners and web designers for these reasons:

• Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows you to create custom layouts for pages and posts. With Elementor, you can customize your website without learning to code. However, even if you’re a developer or experienced WordPress user, there’s still plenty to gain from using the plugin.
• With Elementor, you won’t have to worry about the plugin slowing down your site. It’s optimized for speed and continuously releases new versions to improve performance.

Doesn’t WordPress already offer a website builder?

Well, technically, yes. The WordPress Full Site Editor is a page builder that is built into the WordPress core. It simplifies the process of creating and customizing posts and pages within your editor.

Alas, the default WordPress editor doesn’t offer nearly as many features as Elementor.

By using the page builder, you’ll get access to more customization options than you otherwise would using only the WordPress Full Site Editor.

What Are the Benefits of Using Elementor?

Why do so many users swear by Elementor? Let’s look at its standout benefits through the lens of building a website for your small business.

1. Intuitive Interface

Imagine you’re setting up a homepage for your small business website. You could hire a developer, but with Elementor, you don’t have to.

Anyone can create sleek, professional-looking pages using its drag-and-drop editor without writing a single line of code. You can highlight your services, showcase customer testimonials, and add stunning visuals — all on your own.

2. Real-Time Previews

As you build your homepage, every change you make will be updated instantly in Elementor’s editor. You won’t have to toggle between the backend and a preview window.

Want to tweak the layout of your hero section or adjust the color scheme for a seasonal promotion? You’ll see your changes live, saving time and ensuring everything looks perfect.

3. Widgets for Every Need

Your small business website needs more than just text and images. Elementor provides a robust library of widgets to help you create engaging content.

Add a contact form so customers can reach out, display a gallery of your products, or include an FAQ section to address common queries. These widgets make your site functional and user-friendly.

4. Time-Saving Templates

Don’t have the time to design each page from scratch? The templates provided by Elementor give you a great starting point.

Select a layout for your “About Us” page, customize it with your business’s story, and match the colors to your brand.

You can also save your designs as templates to reuse across multiple pages, providing you consistency throughout your website, irrespective of the WordPress theme.

5. Mobile Optimization

53% of all website traffic comes from phones, so your small business site needs to work perfectly well on mobile.

Elementor’s responsive design tools make it easy to optimize your website for mobile devices. For instance, you can hide less essential sections on mobile to keep your homepage focused and fast-loading for users on mobile devices.

6. SEO Integration

Your website’s design shouldn’t come at the cost of search engine visibility.

With Elementor’s compatibility with search engine optimization (SEO) plugins like Yoast SEO, you can optimize your pages while designing them.

Add keywords to your content, optimize image alt text, and structure your site for better rankings — all within the same workflow.

7. Beginner-Friendly Learning Tools

If you’re new to website building, Elementor offers built-in tutorials and documentation to guide you.

From setting up your first page to mastering advanced features like popups, these resources ensure you’re never stuck.

You’ll feel confident managing your website, creating landing pages, and making updates as your business grows.

A Quick Overview of Elementor Free vs. Pro

FeatureFree VersionPro VersionBasic Widgets40+ widgets90+ professional widgetsTemplates30+ basic templatesFull template libraryWooCommerce IntegrationBasicAdvanced store builderTheme CustomizationLimitedFull site editingSupportCommunityPremium 24/7Pop-up Builder❌✅Global Widgets❌✅Custom CSS❌✅

Price: Elementor Free stays at $0, while Elementor Pro starts at $59/year.

As with any freemium tool or service, the paid version offers more features and tools. That said, the free Elementor plugin is a robust tool with various elements and features to enhance your site.

The main difference between Elementor Free vs. Pro is that the paid version provides you with more widgets, premium support, and a full template library.

This may not be an issue even if you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or startup. For example, you may prefer the free version because the options will be less overwhelming. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the paid license hurting your budget.

That said, let’s take a closer look at each.

In the following sections, we’ll explore Elementor Free’s features, including its pros and cons, and then do the same for Elementor Pro.

Elementor Free: Features, Pros, and Cons

Elementor is a leading website-building platform in the WordPress community. It can be used by everyone, from beginners to professional developers. It boasts an intuitive visual builder that lets you control every aspect of your pages.

The best part is that you can add, customize, and modify elements without touching a single line of code. Let’s explore some of the specific features that you can use.

Feature: Over 40 Free Widgets

Elementor provides more than 40 free widgets that you can use to build your professional website.

Some of the most popular Elementor Widgets include:

• Heading
• Image
• Video
• Button
• Image Box
• Icon
• Image Gallery and Carousel
• Progress Bar
• Toggle
• Accordion

This is just the beginning. All the elements you would need for building basic pages on your site are included with the free plugin.

Plus, you can easily insert them using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor.

Feature: Live Drag-and-Drop Editor

One of the best features of the Elementor page builder is the live drag-and-drop theme editor. The intelligent interface lets you seamlessly add, customize, and move elements and modules on your pages.

You can create various layouts, and then insert any of the free widgets available from the Widget Library. Within the Elementor editor, you can easily edit and customize the settings of each widget by simply clicking on it.

Then a panel will open that lets you configure the various controls as well as change the typography, colors, spacing, etc.

Being able to see the changes you’re making in real time can enhance the site-building experience. You won’t have to waste time “previewing” your changes on the front end of your site like you would if you were only using the WordPress editor.

The drag-and-drop editor lets you create distinct pages with varying layouts that fit the intent of that particular page.

It’s incredibly easy to use, which makes it a great option for people who are new to website design.

The editor also includes a “Navigator” — a feature that helps you seamlessly switch between sections and inner sections of your page designs. The panel displays all elements and widgets on the page so you can move about and arrange them with ease.

Feature: Reusable Templates

Elementor offers an expansive template library. These pre-built layouts provide you with the foundation needed to create your pages with ease. With the free version, you have access to more than 30 templates.

This includes options for popular pages, such as your homepage, contact, and “About Us” pages. Elementor allows you to create custom layouts and designs, giving you more flexibility than many other options. Another handy feature is that it lets you create reusable templates.

This saves you time by eliminating the need to start from scratch every time you want to design a page that is similar to one you already have. You can use the reusable templates on any page.

This is really helpful if you want to create a consistent look and feel for your website or if you need to create multiple pages that have the same layout. Then, choose from the library of widgets to add additional functionality to your pages, such as contact forms, social media icons, and maps.

Feature: Website Kits

Another element that sets Elementor apart from other page builder tools is its website kits. The free version comes with five of them.

These website kits help you design every aspect of your site.

Similar to starter sites, the templates can be used on any page and make it easy to customize the essential pages of your website, including the homepage, blog posts, and 404 pages.

Elementor Free: Pros and Cons

One of the main advantages of Elementor is that you can download and use it for free. You get access to all of the features we just discussed without having to spend a dime.

It is also incredibly easy to install and use. Once activated, you can access the “Edit With Elementor” button on any page or post within WordPress.

But the downside is that you don’t get as many features as you would with the Pro version. For example, you won’t be able to use all of the templates from the Elementor library, nor will you get premium support.

The good news is that if you start using the plugin and find that you would benefit from these extra add-ons, you always have the option to upgrade directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Elementor Pro: Features, Pros, and Cons

The free Elementor plugin is not lacking in features. The Pro version, however, offers some additional features not included in the free version.

With a paid license, you get unlimited access to the template library. This is a bonus for large websites that are constantly adding new pages with unique requirements.

The drag-and-drop builder also lets you edit all areas of your site, including the header and footer. You can also design archive and single post pages. You can build custom post type templates and add dynamic content from custom fields from plugins such as Advanced Custom Fields.

Feature: Popup Builder

Another unique feature of Elementor Pro is the “Popup Builder.” This tool lets you create a wide variety of popups, including lead capture and subscription forms, exit intents, ad banners, and more:

The Popup Builder lets you display the element on specific pages using certain predefined parameters and triggers. You can also configure it to appear based on visitors’ actions, such as clicking on a button. It also lets you adjust how it displays, such as in fullscreen mode, a slide-in effect, or positioned at the bottom of the screen.

Feature: WooCommerce Store Builder

Another feature that you get with Elementor Pro that you don’t have access to with the free plugin is the WooCommerce Store Builder. Elementor Pro provides WooCommerce-specific widgets that simplify the process of designing and personalizing your storefront:

This includes widgets for:

• Add To Cart Button
• Product Price
• Product Title & Description
• Product Rating
• Breadcrumbs
• Upsells
• Product Stock

This feature makes it easy to build and customize every part of your online shop. You can use the visual editor to build your single product page, archive product page, and other store elements.

As with the widgets included with the free plugin, you can easily drag and drop the elements anywhere on the page. Then you can use the editor panel to the left to configure the settings. Note that these widgets are only available when you have WooCommerce installed and activated on your website.

Feature: Global Widgets

Elementor Pro users also get access to Global widgets. This feature lets you create a widget and set it to Global, meaning that any change you make to the individual widget will be applied to any other place it’s used on your site.

This can help you save a lot of time. For example, if you added a call to action (CTA) widget and wanted to change the typography of its colors, you wouldn’t have to edit it on each page that you placed it on. You can simply edit it once, and then the changes will automatically apply across all instances of it on your site.

Elementor Pro Features:

In addition, Elementor Pro features include:

• Exclusive Pro Kits
• Advanced motion effects
• Theme Builder
• Dynamic content
• Marketing automation and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integrations
• Over 90 professional widgets
• Custom CSS and custom code
• Premium support

The downside to Elementor Pro is that you need to pay a premium license. Pricing for the paid plugin starts at $59 per year. This includes all Elementor features, premium support, and more “Website Kits.”

Also, keep in mind that you may not need all the features that come with Elementor Pro. If most of the settings and extras appear unnecessary, a paid license might not be a worthwhile investment.

Elementor Free vs. Pro: Frequently Asked Questions

It’s probably fair to say that by now you know the difference between Elementor Free and Pro. But to make sure we’ve covered all essential aspects, let’s wrap up with some frequently asked questions.

What is the main difference between Elementor Free and Elementor Pro?

The main difference between Elementor Free and Pro is the number of templates and widgets you get access to. There are plenty of features available with the free plugin. However, if you’re looking for a more expansive set that includes super niche options, you might want to opt for Elementor Pro.

Can you use the Theme Builder with both versions?

The Theme Builder is available with both Elementor Free and Pro. But, Pro lets you customize every aspect of your theme, including the header and footer. With the free plugin, you’re restricted to your WordPress theme’s limitations.

Is support included with the free Elementor plugin?

Premium support is only included with Elementor Pro. This includes 24/7 support available through your dashboard. Even so, the free version has numerous resources, tutorials, and documentation to help you.

Does Elementor work with all WordPress themes?

Yes, Elementor is compatible with all WordPress themes (with respect to the standards set by WordPress Codex). This includes features such as the Theme Builder.

Can I use Elementor to create my own theme?

You can edit and customize every aspect of your theme using Elementor. You can also access pre-made Elementor templates. But you can only import or export entire themes with all of their parts.

Is it necessary to have both Elementor Free and Pro?

You can certainly use Elementor Free as a standalone plugin. If you opt to upgrade to Elementor Pro, you’ll first need to install the basic version.

Is Elementor Pro worth it?

At this point, hopefully, you have a better understanding of Elementor Free vs. Pro. The free plugin comes with everything you need to build a beautiful website and increase your conversion rate.

For those looking for more advanced features and functionality, the paid version may be well worth the money. Elementor Pro can be particularly helpful if you have an online store and want unlimited access to the WooCommerce-specific widgets.

Remember that you don’t need to start with Elementor Pro, especially if you’ve never used the plugin before. You can always start with the free version to see whether it’s something you’d like to commit to. If you enjoy using it and think it would be worth upgrading to unlock unlimited access, switching to the premium version is quick and easy!

Elementor Free vs. Pro: Which One Is Better for You?

Elementor is a powerful tool. Regardless of which version you choose, you’ll be able to leverage it to simplify and streamline building and designing your website pages.

Choose Elementor Free if:

• You’re a freelancer or a small business with basic needs, like a blog, portfolio, or informational site. For example, if you’re a photographer showcasing your work or a yoga instructor sharing schedules and updates, Free provides all the essentials.
• Budget is your top priority, and you’re okay with fewer customization options.
• Advanced features like dynamic content or WooCommerce-specific widgets aren’t critical to your goals.

Go for Elementor Pro if:

• You’re running an online store or a growing business with a need for advanced tools. For instance, Pro is perfect for e-commerce sites requiring WooCommerce widgets, like adding product galleries or custom checkout pages.
• You want full creative control, such as designing unique headers, footers, or landing pages tailored to specific campaigns or promotions.
• Your business heavily relies on lead generation or interactive elements. Features like the Popup Builder, global widgets, and custom CSS can make your site stand out while saving time and effort.

We recommend starting with the free version to try it. Plus, if you do decide to upgrade, Elementor offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can always try the Pro version for a month before deciding to continue or not.

Spin Up a Testing Environment and Try Elementor Yourself

When you’re new to website design, you’re likely looking for a user-friendly solution that’s affordable and helps you create your pages quickly. Fortunately, a website builder plugin such as Elementor can help.

As we discussed in this post, Elementor is a powerful WordPress tool that lets you easily build and customize pages for your website without touching a line of code.

While Elementor Pro gives you unlimited access to its full suite of features and templates, the free version is more than enough to provide you with a better experience for building and designing your site!

At DreamHost, our mission is to make your site management as simple and seamless as possible. That’s why we offer WordPress hosting designed specifically for WordPress users. Check out our DreamPress-managed WordPress hosting plans to learn more!

This page contains affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you purchase services through our link without any extra cost to you.