We’re often asked which platform is the best for creating landing pages. Our answer is always “it depends on your needs!” Each platform has its strengths and weaknesses. It takes a strong understanding of both your options and your needs to pick the right one.
We illustrated this point with a 'Landing Page Builder Battle' at EvolveDrupal Atlanta 2024. Developers were challenged to create a web page in just five minutes using either Drupal Layout Builder, Drupal Paragraphs, WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg), WordPress Elementor, or Webflow. On top of being a whole lot of fun, this competition highlighted the unique capabilities and limitations of each platform. It also underscored the practical implications of choosing the right tool for different projects.
Curious what we learned? We’ve packed it all into this guide, which examines the pros and cons of each of the five page builders that battled it out at EvolveDrupal. Read on to find out who won and discover the best tool for you.
Drupal Layout Builder
Drupal Layout Builder is a core module in Drupal that lets admins customize content layouts without needing to dive into code. Its visual layout editor allows admins to design pages using a drag-and-drop interface.
Pros
- Effortless integration. Because it's part of Drupal core, Layout Builder works seamlessly with other Drupal functionalities.
- Highly customizable. It offers extensive capabilities to customize layouts for individual pieces of content or entire content types.
- Accessibility. Drupal prioritizes accessibility and Layout Builder is no exception, allowing admins to create better content for all users including those with disabilities.
- Regular updates. Along with other Drupal core and contributed modules, Layout Builder is continuously improved upon by the Drupal community.
Cons
- Complexity. There can be a steep learning curve for users who are unfamiliar with Drupal.
- No live preview. Unlike WordPress Gutenberg or Elementor, Layout Builder doesn’t offer a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface.
- Performance. Heavy use of Layout Builder on complex sites can impact performance without proper optimization.
Drupal Paragraphs
Paragraphs is a Drupal module that replaces the basic body field with a set of customizable paragraph types, offering a cleaner way to manage content chunks.
Pros
- Flexibility. Users can add different types of content (images, text, videos) and arrange them with ease.
- Reusable components. Paragraphs lets you define types of components that are reusable across different pages, or even across different websites within a multi-site configuration. This reusability not only speeds up the content creation process but also helps maintain consistency across your digital presence.
- Content control. Paragraphs break content into discrete components that can be individually edited and arranged. This modular approach simplifies content management and enhances the editorial workflow.
- Regular updates. As with LayoutBuilder, the Drupal community makes ongoing contributions to improve Paragraphs.
Cons
- No live preview. Paragraphs doesn’t have a WYSIWYG interface, while Wordpress Block Editor and Elementor do.
- Potential overhead. Managing an extensive library of paragraph types can become a cumbersome task.
- Less design control. Paragraphs gives you less control over the layout compared to Layout Builder. But there is a Layout Paragraphs module that lets you benefit from the layout control capabilities of Layout Builder in Paragraphs. It does this by using the underlying API of Layout Builder.
WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg)
The default block editor for WordPress, colloquially referred to as the Gutenberg editor, introduced to make adding rich content to websites more accessible and enjoyable.
Pros
- Modern block editor. The block editor offers a more intuitive and media-rich editing experience.
- Extensibility. Developers can create custom blocks, enhancing flexibility.
- Core integration. Being a part of WordPress core, the block editor is well-maintained and receives regular updates.
- User-friendly interface. A clean and straightforward interface simplifies the content creation process.
- Flexibility. It easily integrates with a wide range of themes and plugins designed.
- Regular updates. The block editor is continuously improved upon by the WordPress community.
- Live preview available. The block editor offers a WYSIWYG interface, allowing you to see changes in real-time as you edit.
Cons
- Mixed reception. Some users find the transition to block-based editing confusing.
- Limited layout options. The block editor is more restrictive in layout design compared to page builders like Elementor.
- Plugin dependencies. It often requires additional plugins to extend functionality to match other builders.
WordPress Elementor
Elementor is a powerful WordPress page builder plugin that offers a high degree of design flexibility with a drag-and-drop interface.
Pros
- Intuitive design interface. WordPress Elementor makes designing websites straightforward, even for those without coding skills.
- Template and widget variety. Comes with numerous widgets and templates that can be customized extensively.
- Responsive design controls. Users can tweak settings for different devices directly from the editor.
- Third-party add-ons. Supported by a wide array of third-party add-ons for additional functionality.
- Live preview available. WordPress Elementor offers a WYSIWYG interface, allowing real-time viewing of changes as you edit.
- Regular updates. It’s continuously improved upon by plugin developers.
Cons
- Plugin dependency. Elementor relies on being compatible with the active WordPress theme and other plugins, which can sometimes lead to conflicts.
- Performance issues. It can become heavy and potentially slow down site performance due to extensive feature sets.
- Cost. While there is a free version, premium features require a paid subscription.
Webflow
Webflow is a standalone tool that combines website design and development in one platform. It allows users to design, build, and launch responsive websites visually. It also handles hosting and can export clean code.
Pros
- All-in-one solution. It combines design, development, and hosting in one platform.
Visual CSS styling. Webflow allows designers to style elements visually, which is then automatically converted into clean code. - Advanced animations. It supports sophisticated animations and interactions.
Complete design freedom. Webflow offers extensive design control without needing to write code. - Responsive by default. Designs are automatically responsive, which is excellent for mobile optimization.
Cons
- Learning curve. New users may find the interface and abundance of options overwhelming.
- Cost. Webflow can be more expensive than other solutions, especially for hosting.
Choosing Your Page Builder Champion
The choice between Drupal, WordPress, and Webflow tools boils down to specific project requirements, your technical comfort, and the scale of your digital ambitions. Below is a summary of what we think are the best use cases for each tool.
- Drupal Layout Builder – Best for complex, content-heavy websites needing deep customization.
- Drupal Paragraphs – Suitable for sites where structured, multi-use content is needed without layout concerns.
- WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg) – Great for content creators and bloggers who need an intuitive system integrated into WordPress.
- WordPress Elementor – Perfect for WordPress users who need detailed design control without deep coding.
- Webflow – Best for designers who want total design freedom and the ability to launch a site within one platform.
So who won the battle? Webflow emerged victorious for the ease of quickly assembling a functional website in 5 minutes. Although Drupal might still pose a learning curve for newcomers, its continuous evolution promises even more accessible and enhanced user experiences.
Wishing you’d caught the Page Builder Battle in real life? Join us at the next EvolveDrupal! Our next stop is Montreal on June 14, 2024. Come along for more live demonstrations and dozens of insightful sessions. It's a great opportunity to see digital tools in action and network with other professionals in the field.
Register for EvolveDrupal Montreal 2024 or sign up for future updates.