Alright, let’s talk about the fastest WordPress page builders. We’re diving deep into performance benchmarks, and I’m laying it all out there. It’s time for some real talk. No filters, no sponsorship, no holding back. 🤯
Not Your Typical Review (maybe because it’s not sponsored 🫢)
I am putting WordPress page builders through their paces, scrutinizing every aspect of their performance. I’m talking load times, DOM size, Time To First Byte, Layout Shit, Page Requests and overall speed – the nuts and bolts of what makes a website run smoothly.
This isn’t your typical fluffy review. I’ve run these page builders through a gauntlet of tests. Not just once or twice, but for a total of 12 times in a 12 hour time span. The results you’ll see aren’t flukes or one-off successes. They’re averages that reflect consistent, reliable performance. This is data you can bank on when you’re deciding which page builder to trust with your next WordPress site or client project.
In the results below, you’ll see the average scores from all these tests. It’s not just a one-and-done deal – this is consistent performance data you can trust.
So, buckle up. We’re about to see which is the fastest WordPress page builder when it comes to raw website speed. No more guesswork, no more marketing fluff. Just cold, hard data on which builders will make your WordPress site soar – and which ones will leave it crawling.
Why I Built 14 Identical Websites
I want to make sure tests are accurate, so I use real-world conditions. No special labs or hidden motives – just straightforward testing to find the fastest WordPress page builder available.
- I use a pristine WordPress sandbox on All-Inkl’s L-Server hosting package (the fastest hosting provider I tested to date). This way, every page builder starts on a level playing field. No “but my hosting is better” excuses.
- Each page builder got its own fresh WordPress install on a separate subdomain. No favoritism, no bloat.
- No caching plugins or performance improving functionalities activated. This is raw, out-of-the-box performance. We don’t play no games pals.
- Theme Choices: I used each page builder’s own theme when available. If they didn’t have one, I went with their recommended option. For the stragglers, I defaulted to GeneratePress (because it’s the fastest theme I’ve tested).
- All values represent the average of 12 tests conducted over a 12-hour period. 🕖 I didn’t rely on one speed test and one test alone. We’re talking Google Page Speed Insights, Pingdom Tools, and GT Metrix with 12 tests each (!!!). No stone left unturned. 🤓
- I publish all my test results in full. You can dive into the details and draw your own conclusions – I’ve got nothing to hide.
A Sandbox Site for *every* Page Builder.
This is what my fancy little WordPress sandbox looks like (here built with GenerateBlocks). I am testing in a real world scenario. Just installing a page builder does not say anything. And comparing different starter sites is not apples to apples. That’s why I’ve built a nearly identical simple site with each page builder. Every page builder got the same elements to work with – identical images, fonts, menu structure, etc…
WP Page Builder Benchmarks
Google Page Speed Scores
| Page Builder | Rating | FCP | SI | LCP | TTI | TBT | CLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 92 | 1.9s | 3.9s | 2.4s | 2.6s | 36ms | 0 |
| Oxygen Builder | 90 | 2.6s | 4.1s | 2.6s | 2.6s | 59ms | 0 |
| GenerateBlocks Pro | 89 | 1.6s | 4.7s | 2.9s | 1.8s | 58ms | 0 |
| Kadence Blocks | 88 | 1.7s | 4.8s | 2.8s | 1.8s | 55ms | 0 |
| WP Bakery | 87 | 2.6s | 4.7s | 3.4s | 2.7s | 46ms | 0.08 |
| Zion Builder | 85 | 2.1s | 5.1s | 3.6s | 2.2s | 27ms | 0 |
| Beaver Builder | 85 | 3.0s | 4.9s | 3.0s | 3.2s | 38ms | 0 |
| Themify | 84 | 1.9s | 3.3s | 4.2s | 2.8s | 28ms | 0 |
| SeedProd | 78 | 0.8s | 3.2s | 4.6s | 1.8s | 21ms | 0 |
| Elementor | 75 | 3.5s | 4.9s | 3.8s | 0.3s | 219ms | 0.004 |
| Divi | 72 | 3.5s | 5.3s | 4.0s | 4.7s | 218ms | 0 |
| Thrive Architect | 67 | 4.2s | 5.9s | 4.3s | 4.6s | 75ms | 0 |
| Brizy | 59 | 4.0s | 5.7s | 6.1s | 5.1s | 215ms | 0.002 |
Pingdom Speed Scores
| Page Builder | Grade | Page Size | Load Time | Requests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 87 | 620kB | 478ms | 30 |
| Oxygen Builder | 85 | 328kB | 604ms | 44 |
| GenerateBlocks Pro | 83 | 665kB | 484ms | 41 |
| Kadence Blocks | 82 | 390kB | 599ms | 38 |
| WP Bakery | 82 | 441kB | 594ms | 43 |
| Zion Builder | 85 | 306kB | 450ms | 33 |
| Beaver Builder | 79 | 553kB | 642ms | 51 |
| Themify | 80 | 395kB | 624ms | 55 |
| SeedProd | 81 | 334kB | 629ms | 47 |
| Elementor | 80 | 563kB | 605ms | 52 |
| Divi | 81 | 680kB | 734ms | 50 |
| Thrive Architect | 82 | 606kB | 690ms | 41 |
| Brizy | 83 | 878kB | 632ms | 41 |
GTMetrix Speed Scores
| Page Builder | Page Size | Load Time | Requests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 580kB | 1230ms | 28 |
| Oxygen Builder | 309kB | 1134ms | 50 |
| GenerateBlocks Pro | 432kB | 828ms | 32 |
| Kadence Blocks | 432kB | 890ms | 32 |
| WP Bakery | 352kB | 867ms | 27 |
| Zion Builder | 268kB | 1043ms | 24 |
| Beaver Builder | 472kB | 977ms | 39 |
| Themify | 343kB | 1678ms | 45 |
| SeedProd | 326kB | 1265ms | 50 |
| Elementor | 474kB | 1035ms | 43 |
| Divi | 604kB | 1291ms | 36 |
| Thrive Architect | 509kB | 920ms | 33 |
| Brizy | 768kB | 1130ms | 33 |
Fastest WordPress Page Builders (Ranked)
Bricks Builder
Oxygen Builder
GenerateBlocks Pro
Kadence Blocks
WP Bakery
Zion Builder
Beaver Builder
Themify
SeedProd
Elementor
Divi
Thrive Architect
Brizy
Final Score and Prices
| Page Builder | Final Score | Price | External Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bricks Builder | 9.2 | $79 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Oxygen Builder | 9.1 | $179 lifetime | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| GenerateBlocks Pro | 8.9 | $99 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Kadence Blocks | 8.9 | $149 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| WP Bakery | 8.5 | $69 lifetime | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Zion Builder | 8.5 | $39 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Beaver Builder | 8.5 | $99 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Themify | 8.4 | $59 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| SeedProd | 8.3 | $199 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Elementor | 7.6 | $59 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Divi | 7.2 | $89 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Thrive Architect | 6.7 | $299 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
| Brizy | 5.9 | $189 / year | Purchase Pagebuilder ↗ |
🥇 Winner Pick: Bricks Builder
Alright, let’s crown a new champion: Bricks Builder is the fastest WordPress Page Builder I’ve tested so far. And let me tell you, it’s not just winning by default – Bricks is a speed demon in its own right.
Let’s dive into the numbers, because they’re impressive as hell. Bricks Builder is rocking a Google Page Speed score of 92. That’s not just good, that’s “leave the competition in the dust” good. We’re talking about a score that’s head and shoulders way above Elementor (76) or Divi (72).
In a world where users bounce if a site doesn’t load in the blink of an eye, Bricks is delivering the goods. Look at that Time to Interactive – 4.3 seconds. It’s crushing heavyweights like Thrive Architect (5.9 seconds) and making them look like they’re stuck in the dial-up era.
The page size is where Bricks really shines. In the Pingdom tests, it clocks in at 620kB. Sure, it’s not the absolute leanest, but here’s the kicker – Bricks is managing to pack a ton of functionality into that relatively slim package. It’s like the difference between a lightweight boxer and a heavyweight – Bricks is punching well above its weight class.
Now, some might argue that all this speed comes at the cost of features or flexibility. But that’s where Bricks really sets itself apart. This isn’t some bare-bones, stripped-down builder. Bricks is bringing a full suite of powerful features to the table. It’s proof that you don’t have to choose between speed and functionality.
And here’s the real kicker – the price. At $79 per year, Bricks is delivering top-tier performance at a mid-range price point. It’s outperforming builders that cost two or three times as much.
Look, in the world of WordPress page builders, speed is king. And Bricks Builder isn’t just fast – it’s setting the pace for the entire industry. It’s striking that perfect balance between performance and features, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
For developers and site builders who are serious about delivering lightning-fast websites without compromising on design flexibility, Bricks Builder isn’t just a good choice – it’s the choice. It’s redefining what we should expect from a WordPress page builder in 2024 and beyond.
Bricks is NOT for everybody:
While Bricks Builder is undoubtedly a powerhouse when it comes to speed, it’s important to recognize that it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. It’s got a learning curve. If you’re used to simple drag-and-drop, Bricks might make your head spin at first. It’s powerful, but power comes with complexity.
The ecosystem is still growing. You won’t find the massive library of templates and addons you get with Elementor or Divi. If you rely heavily on pre-made stuff, this could be a pain. But it’s evolving quickly. Great for new features, not so great if you hate constant changes.
Compatibility can be hit or miss. It’s not as widely used, so you might run into the occasional hiccup with certain themes or plugins.
🥈 Runner Up: GenerateBlocks Pro
GenerateBlocks Pro is crushing it by leveraging the power of Gutenberg, WordPress’s native block editor. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel; it’s supercharging what’s already there.
This Gutenberg-first approach is why GenerateBlocks Pro is screaming fast. It’s not loading a ton of extra JavaScript or CSS. Instead, it’s working with WordPress’s core functionality, adding just enough extras to make your life easier without bogging down your site.
We’re talking about a focused set of blocks here – Container, Grid, Headline, and Buttons. That’s it. But don’t let the simplicity fool you. These blocks are incredibly flexible and powerful. You can build complex layouts without the bloat of traditional page builders.
The beauty of this system is its efficiency. Because it’s built on Gutenberg, you’re not fighting against WordPress – you’re working with it and it feels naturally!! This means faster load times, better core Web Vitals scores, and a smoother editing experience.
And let’s not forget about future-proofing. As Gutenberg continues to evolve, GenerateBlocks Pro is positioned to take advantage of all those improvements. You’re not locked into a proprietary system; you’re riding the wave of WordPress’s core development. For developers and site builders who’ve embraced Gutenberg, GenerateBlocks Pro feels like a natural extension of their workflow. It’s not about learning a whole new system – it’s about enhancing the tools you’re already using.
Sure, it might not have the drag-and-drop allure of some page builders, but for those who prioritize speed, efficiency, and staying close to the WordPress core, GenerateBlocks Pro is a powerhouse.
Why Trust This Guy?
Look, I’m just a WordPress nerd with an unhealthy obsession for speed. I’ve been breaking and fixing WordPress sites longer than I care to admit. These tests? They’re the result of countless hours of trial and error, fueled by way too much coffee and a burning desire to find the fastest WordPress setup possible.
I’m not here to sell you anything. No hosting company, no plugin or theme developer is lining my pockets other than affiliate links. What you see is what I got – unbiased, unfiltered results.
So, whether you’re a casual blogger or a WordPress pro, you can trust that these numbers come from a place of geeky passion and a genuine desire to help you find the best WordPress theme, page builder and hosting for your needs.
Got questions about my process? Think I missed something? Drop a comment below and let’s chat. After all, while I’m doing the testing, we’re all in this speed-hunting game together!
Hey, I’m Alex (the Author) 👋
… and the face behind WP Benchmarks. I’ve been tinkering with WordPress since I was knee-high to a keyboard, and my entrepreneurial spirit has been with me just as long. One thing you should know about this site: you won’t find any sponsored fluff or guest post filler here. I’m as tired as you are of low-quality content clogging up the web. More..
A comment section, who would’ve thought! Which page builder should I test next?