Comparison · checked September 2026
Divi vs Elementor
Choose Divi if you build many sites and want unlimited-site pricing at $89 a year or $249 lifetime. Choose Elementor if you want the free plugin, the largest ecosystem of add-ons and templates, and per-site plans. Both store designs in their own formats, so switching away later means rebuilding.
| Divi | Elementor | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $89/yr or $249 lifetime, unlimited sites; Divi Pro $277/yr | Free plugin; Pro from about $60/yr for 1 site up to 25 sites on Expert; Elementor One bundle from $228/yr |
| Free version | No | Yes (basic widgets; theme builder and forms need Pro) |
| Scale | 974,872 customers (Elegant Themes) | 10+ million active installs (WordPress.org) |
| Content format | Divi 5 (stable since Feb 2026) uses a block-style format instead of shortcodes | Elementor's own data format |
| If you deactivate it | Divi 4 leaves shortcodes in content; Divi 5 designs will not render without Divi | Advanced Pro designs stop displaying; designs return if reactivated |
| AI | Divi AI, Quick Sites, Divi AI Agent | Elementor AI, AI Site Planner, Angie (agentic AI plugin) |
Prices in USD, billed annually unless noted, as listed in September 2026. Prices change; check the official pages linked below.
Choose Divi if
- You build lots of client sites and want unlimited-site pricing
- You want a lifetime license
- You are already on Divi 4 and can migrate to Divi 5 on your schedule
Choose Elementor if
- You want to start free
- You want the biggest selection of third-party add-ons and template kits
- You only need one or a few sites
Divi 5 changed the lock-in story, partly
Divi 5 left beta on February 26, 2026 and replaced Divi 4's shortcodes with a block-style format modeled on WordPress's block architecture. Existing Divi 4 sites do not convert automatically; you opt in to the Divi 5 migrator.
Content no longer turns into raw shortcodes, but Divi's own modules still need Divi to render, so leaving Divi still means rebuilding the design. The same is true of Elementor designs.
The third option: core blocks
A block theme uses WordPress's own editor. Content is stored as standard block markup that stays readable with no plugin installed, and there is no builder license to renew per site.
Divi vs Elementor: common questions
Is Divi or Elementor cheaper?
For many sites, Divi: $89 a year or $249 lifetime for unlimited sites. For a single site, Elementor's free plugin or a one-site Pro plan can cost less.
Does Divi 5 still use shortcodes?
No. Divi 5 stores layouts in a block-style format instead of shortcodes. Divi 4 sites need to be migrated to get the new format.
What happens if I stop paying for Elementor Pro?
Elementor says the site cannot display the advanced designs made with Pro features when Pro is deactivated; the free plugin's designs keep working.
Should I use a page builder or the block editor?
If you need a site that is fast, portable and easy for clients to edit, the block editor with a good block theme is now a strong default. Page builders still offer more visual controls out of the box.