Gutenberg vs Classic Editor: Which One is Best for Your WordPress Site?

Since Gutenberg’s introduction in WordPress 5.0, it has transformed how websites are created and managed. But even now, many users remain loyal to the Classic Editor for its simplicity.

If you’re trying to decide between these two powerful WordPress editors, this article is for you.

Hi, I’m Anurag Pandey, a WordPress enthusiast and web developer with years of experience helping businesses and individuals build dynamic responsive websites. My passion lies in simplifying the complexities of web design and web development making it accessible for everyone.

When I’m not exploring the latest WordPress features, I’m busy building custom solutions for my clients. You can connect with me or my team at ControlF5 for expert WordPress development services.

Now, let’s explore the comparison and help you decide which editor suits your needs.

What is the Classic Editor?

The Classic Editor is the traditional WordPress editor that many of us grew up using. It’s simple, clean, and resembles a basic word processor.

You can write content, format text, embed media, and even add custom HTML or shortcodes when needed.

If you prefer a minimalistic approach to content creation like blogs or case studies or even more simple website design, the WordPress Classic Editor is a great choice.

Key Features of the Classic Editor:

• A familiar, no-frills interface.
• Basic text formatting options.
• Dependence on plugins or custom coding for advanced features.

Want to give it a try? Download the Classic Editor Plugin.

What is the Gutenberg Block Editor?

Introduced in WordPress 5.0, Gutenberg is a revolutionary block-based editor that lets you create rich, multimedia pages without coding. With WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor, every piece of content—text, images, buttons, or videos—is treated as a block, making it easier to customize layouts.

This flexibility is a huge leap forward for WordPress users who want professional-looking pages with minimal effort.

Key Features of the Gutenberg Editor:

• Drag-and-drop interface for arranging blocks.
• Built-in multimedia support.
• Integration with Full-Site Editing (FSE).

Curious about how to get started? Check out my guide: How to Create a WordPress Website Using Gutenberg

Classic Editor vs Gutenberg: A Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s a quick breakdown of how these two WordPress Editors stack up:

What’s New in WordPress 6.7?

With the release of WordPress 6.7, the WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor has received several exciting updates that make it even more powerful:

1. Full-Site Editing (FSE) Enhancements

You can now customize your entire website—headers, footers, and templates—directly from the Gutenberg interface. WordPress 6.7 has refined FSE, adding more intuitive controls and layout options.

Learn all about Full-Site Editing (FSE) in Gutenberg in our latest blog!

2. Fluid Typography

With better support for fluid typography, text scales dynamically across devices. This makes websites more responsive and improves user experience.

3. Zoom-Out View

Gutenberg now offers a “zoom-out” feature, letting you see a bird’s-eye view of your entire page layout. This is a great addition to managing complex designs.

4. Twenty Twenty-Five Theme

The new default Twenty Twenty-Five theme for WordPress 6.7 is built specifically for Gutenberg, offering better compatibility, speed, and flexibility.

Image courtesy of WordPress.org

5. Block Library Upgrades

New blocks and enhancements make designing even more intuitive. Improved global styles ensure consistency across your website.

For a deeper dive into these features, read my article: What’s New in WordPress 6.7.

Who Should Use the Classic Editor?

The Classic Editor WordPress is perfect for users who:

• Want a simple, distraction-free environment for writing content.
• Manage blogs or websites with minimal design requirements.
• Are used to the old WordPress interface and prefer its simplicity.

However, keep in mind that support for the Classic Editor is likely to decline over time as Gutenberg becomes the standard.

Who Should Use Gutenberg?

The WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor is ideal for:

• Users who want advanced design layouts without coding.
• Bloggers, designers, and developers who work with multimedia content.
• Anyone looking to future-proof their website, as Gutenberg continues to evolve.

How to Build a Blog in Gutenberg

Building a blog in Gutenberg is straightforward and fun! Here’s a quick guide to get you started:

Step 1: Install a Gutenberg-Compatible Theme

Use a theme designed for Gutenberg, like Twenty Twenty-Five. These themes are optimized for the Block Editor.

Step 2: Plan Your Blog Layout

Decide how you want your blog posts to look—add a title, content sections, images, and a call-to-action.

Step 3: Use Blocks to Create Content

Start adding blocks for paragraphs, headings, images, and more. Drag and drop them into place, and style them to your liking.

Step 4: Customize the Design

Play around with Gutenberg’s global styles to set consistent fonts, colors, and spacing for your blog or website design.

Want more detailed instructions? Read my guide: How to Create a WordPress Website Using Gutenberg.

I am sharing some of the best premium block editor plugins for WordPress design.

These plugins expand the capabilities of the Gutenberg Block Editor, making it easier to create stunning, professional responsive websites design:

1. Kadence Blocks
2. Stackable
3. wpspectra (Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg)
4. Getwid
5. CoBlocks
6. Otter Blocks
7. GreenshiftWP
8. Qubely
9. GenerateBlocks Pro
10.Advanced Gutenberg

Conclusion: Which Editor is Best for You?

The choice between Gutenberg and the Classic Editor depends on your needs and preferences:

• If you prefer simplicity and a no-frills writing environment, the Classic Editor might be the way to go.
• If you want more design options and are ready to design WordPress’s future, the Gutenberg Block Editor is your best bet.

Personally, I recommend WordPress Gutenberg for its flexibility and continuous updates. With features like Full-Site Editing and fluid typography, it’s clear that Gutenberg is here to stay.

Need Help?

Whether you’re transitioning to Gutenberg or just starting with WordPress, I’m here to help. Feel free to reach out to me or my team at ControlF5 for custom WordPress development.

Let’s build an amazing WordPress website together!