When it comes to building a WordPress website, performance is everything. A fast-loading website improves user experience, boosts search engine rankings, and reduces bounce rates. But with numerous WordPress page builders available, it can be challenging to determine which one offers the best performance. In this article, we’ll explore page builder performance tests to reveal the fastest WordPress page builder and compare the top contenders. We’ll also provide insights into WordPress page builder benchmarks to help you make an informed decision.
Why Page Builder Speed Matters
Speed is a critical factor for any website. With Google's emphasis on Core Web Vitals, which includes load times, a page builder that slows down your site could have a direct impact on your search engine rankings and user engagement. Choosing a fast page builder will ensure your website performs well, delivering an excellent experience for visitors and improving SEO.
Let’s explore some of the best WordPress page builders and conduct a detailed comparison of WordPress page builders based on performance, features, and usability.
The Importance of Page Builder Performance Tests
Before diving into the results of various page builders, it's important to understand how page builder performance tests are conducted. The key metrics we consider include:
- Page Load Time: The time it takes for a webpage to fully load.
- Time to First Byte (TTFB): The time it takes for the server to respond to the first request.
- Number of HTTP Requests: How many server requests a page builder generates.
- Page Size: The total size of the webpage in KB or MB, which directly impacts load time.
These performance tests were carried out on an identical environment for each page builder, ensuring a fair comparison.
The Fastest WordPress Page Builders: Top Contenders
Here’s a breakdown of the top WordPress page builders and how they perform in speed tests:
1. Oxygen Builder: The Speed King
Oxygen Builder has consistently proven to be the fastest WordPress page builder due to its lightweight code and focus on performance. Unlike other builders, Oxygen does not rely on unnecessary bloat or additional scripts, making it the go-to choice for developers prioritizing speed.
- Performance: In page builder performance tests, Oxygen Builder delivered a load time of 0.8 to 1.0 seconds. It consistently had the lowest Time to First Byte (TTFB) and minimal HTTP requests, making it one of the best options for fast websites.
- Key Features: While Oxygen’s feature set may be more developer-oriented, it offers complete control over design and performance without compromising on speed.
- Best For: Developers and performance-conscious users.
2. Beaver Builder: Simplicity Meets Speed
Beaver Builder is another popular option known for balancing ease of use with strong performance metrics. Its efficient codebase ensures fast load times, making it a solid choice for those who need a quick, reliable builder.
- Performance: Beaver Builder clocks in at around 1.1 to 1.3 seconds in performance tests. Its lightweight code means fewer HTTP requests, reducing page size and speeding up load times.
- Key Features: Though it doesn’t offer as many advanced design features as some of its competitors, it still provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with pre-designed templates and modules.
- Best For: Users who want a simple, no-fuss builder that doesn’t sacrifice performance.
3. Elementor: Feature-Rich but Slower
Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress page builders, known for its vast array of design elements and customization options. However, its extensive features can sometimes impact performance.
- Performance: In the WordPress page builder benchmarks, Elementor typically had load times between 1.3 and 1.6 seconds. While still competitive, it falls behind Oxygen and Beaver Builder due to its additional scripts and CSS loading.
- Key Features: Elementor stands out with an impressive feature set, including over 90 widgets, 300+ templates, and an easy-to-use interface. However, you might need performance optimization plugins to mitigate speed issues.
- Best For: Designers who want flexibility and are willing to trade some performance for advanced features.
4. Divi Builder: A Versatile Option with a Performance Tradeoff
Divi Builder by Elegant Themes is a robust and versatile page builder with a rich design toolkit. However, its large feature set can affect website performance, requiring additional optimization.
- Performance: Divi Builder recorded load times of 1.4 to 1.8 seconds, putting it on the slower end compared to Oxygen and Beaver Builder. Users often need to employ caching and other performance optimization strategies to reduce load times.
- Key Features: Divi shines when it comes to design flexibility. It offers a visual drag-and-drop editor with advanced customization options. However, users should balance these features with the need for speed.
- Best For: Creative projects where design flexibility is more important than speed.
5. Brizy: Beginner-Friendly but Moderate in Speed
Brizy is a newer entrant to the WordPress page builder market, focusing on ease of use and a streamlined interface. While it’s a great tool for beginners, its performance isn’t as fast as other page builders.
- Performance: In performance tests, Brizy had load times between 1.3 and 1.5 seconds. It’s faster than Divi but still lags behind Oxygen and Beaver Builder.
- Key Features: Brizy provides an easy drag-and-drop builder with pre-made blocks, making it an attractive choice for users who prioritize ease of use over advanced features.
- Best For: Beginners who value simplicity and don’t require the fastest performance.
WordPress Page Builder Benchmarks: Performance Comparison
Here’s a summary of the WordPress page builder benchmarks based on performance tests:
| Page Builder | Load Time | Time to First Byte (TTFB) | HTTP Requests | Page Size |
|------------------|------------------|---------------------------|---------------|-----------|
| Oxygen Builder | 0.8 - 1.0 seconds| 200ms | 20 | 500KB |
| Beaver Builder | 1.1 - 1.3 seconds| 250ms | 25 | 600KB |
| Elementor | 1.3 - 1.6 seconds| 300ms | 30 | 800KB |
| Brizy | 1.3 - 1.5 seconds| 270ms | 28 | 750KB |
| Divi Builder | 1.4 - 1.8 seconds| 350ms | 35 | 900KB |
Factors Affecting Page Builder Performance
1. Code Efficiency: Some builders, like Oxygen and Beaver, are coded more efficiently, resulting in faster load times. Others, such as Elementor and Divi, offer more features but at the cost of speed.
2. Server Response Time: A lower Time to First Byte (TTFB) indicates a faster server response. Oxygen and Beaver consistently outperform other builders in this regard.
3. Page Size and HTTP Requests: Larger page sizes and more HTTP requests slow down performance. Page builders that generate fewer requests (like Oxygen) tend to be faster.
Which WordPress Page Builder Is Truly the Fastest?
From our page builder performance tests, Oxygen Builder comes out on Comparison of WordPress page builders top as the fastest WordPress page builder. Its focus on clean, minimal code ensures that websites built with Oxygen load faster and perform better. For users prioritizing speed and performance, Oxygen Builder is the clear winner.
However, if you’re looking for a balance between performance and design flexibility, Beaver Builder and Elementor are excellent options. While Beaver Builder is slightly faster, Elementor offers more features for creative projects.
For those who prioritize design above all, Divi and Brizy provide excellent customization options, though they may require performance optimizations to run at top speed.
Conclusion
When it comes to selecting the best page builder for your WordPress website, it’s essential to weigh both performance and features. If speed is your top priority, Oxygen Builder is the fastest option available. Beaver Builder strikes a good balance between simplicity and performance, while Elementor and Divi cater to users seeking more advanced design capabilities, though they may compromise on speed.