Drag and drop page builders have become immensely popular with WordPress users over the last couple of years. This should not come as a surprise.
Page builders allow anyone to build stylish and professional looking articles and website designs using a user-friendly interface. It helps developers create pages quickly and helps beginners create stylish pages they could not create on their own.
As the name suggests, you can build pages using a drag and drop system. And since drag and drop page builders are WordPress plugins, they can be used with any WordPress theme.
The first solution I recall reviewing years ago was Visual Composer. It is still popular to this day, however the market has become a lot more competitive. This is, of course, great news for WordPress users.
While the purpose of all of these page builders is the same (i.e. to help you create and style pages), they all work in different ways. It is down to you to determine which one fits your purpose.
Two key factors to look at are:
- Modules – Drag and drop page builders offer their own unique modules (sometimes referred to as blocks, elements, or widgets). It is important that you choose a solution that has everything you need, whether that be tables, styling, media support, or whatever.
- Interface – Many drag and drop builders take some time to understand how they work. However, some page builders with steep learning curves can prove to be the most efficient solution in the long term
In this article, I would like to share with you a collection of the best drag and drop page builders that are available for the WordPress platform.
Visual Composer – $28
Visual Composer is the best selling drag and drop page builder by a long way (it also holds the title of being the highest selling WordPress plugin on CodeCanyon). It is a feature packed page builder that allows you to style content in the frontend (i.e. your live website) or the backend (i.e. the post editor). The plugin is developer friendly and is responsive so all content looks great on mobile devices too.
Over 45 content modules are available in Visual Composer. This includes social media modules, post grids, media support, charts, and more. Widgets can be inserted into the content area too, which makes the possibilities of Visual Composer limitless. All modules can be styled using the included skin builder.
The core version of Visual Composer is fantastic, but you can extend it further by purchasing one of over 50 add ons that are available.
You may also consider the plugin Intense Site Builder; which retails at $24 on CodeCanyon. It offers 94 shortcodes and 17 custom post types. 140 animations and 4,900 icons are also included.
Intense Site Builder does not use a drag and drop interface. However, if you have Visual Composer and Intense Site Builder installed, you can insert shortcodes from Intense Site Builder into the Visual Composer editor. It is a great way of extending the functionality of Visual Composer even further.
Live Composer – $28
Live Composer is a beautiful responsive drag and drop page builder that allows you to style pages using a frontend editor. The main editor is displayed at the bottom of each page. From here you can style your page, insert modules, and load and save templates. Once you are familiar with the interface, you will be able to create complex pages in minutes.
Over 30 content modules are available including an accordion post box, sliders, galleries, and comments. Widgets can also be inserted into the page. Modules can be used to build dedicated pages such as blog indexes, staff pages, and testimonial pages.
Themify Builder – $39
Themify Builder is a user-friendly drag and drop page builder that allows you to style content at the frontend or backend of your website. It offers a lot of tools for building pages quickly. Pre-built layouts allow you to quickly load a particular type of page and then modify it to suit your needs. Specific parts of a page can also be saved and used easily later and the import and export tool makes it easy to copy layouts to another website.
It has a lot of cool styling options such as video backgrounds, Google font support, and a wide range of animations. 16 content modules are available. This includes maps, sliders, videos, and portfolio items.
Themify Builder is responsive and developer friendly. It is available at $39 from Themify. 9 add ons are also available for the plugin that allow you to extend its functionality further.
BeaverBuilder – From $99
BeaverBuilder is a drag and drop page builder that comes with over 15 page templates to help you build pages. It also has native support for custom post types and for WooCommerce. An import and export tool is available for transferring layouts to other websites.
The plugin comes packaged with a complimentary WordPress theme. Over 20 responsive content modules are available and there is support for widgets and shortcodes too. This helps you insert any type of content into your website.
A standard license for BeaverBuilder costs $99 and limits support to one website. The developer license retails at $179 and offers support for an unlimited number of websites. It also offers custom module support, original photoshop files, and white labelling.
VelocityPage – From $97
Developed by WordPress lead developer Mark Jaquith, VelocityPage helps you create a wide variety of pages such as landing pages, about me pages, content pages, and more. Pre-built pages are included with the plugin to help you develop pages quicker.
VelocityPage lets you modify pages in the frontend of your website. It has an intuitive system that makes it easy to style content and place content into columns. From a module point of view, it only offers essential modules such as media, header tags, and custom HTML. It does, however, offer support for the email marketing services MailChimp and Aweber.
The plugin costs $97 if you want support for one website, $167 for support with three websites, and $247 for support on an unlimited number of websites. The single license option is restricted to basic page templates, however the multi-site licenses offer advanced page templates. All licenses come with 12 months of support and updates.
MotoPress – From $29
MotoPress is an easy to use drag and drop page builder that has responsive layouts that look good on any device. The plugin also supports custom post types.
Once you launch the MotoPress content editor, your post editor will be replaced with a visual interface that allows you select from up to six different categories. 20 modules, such as post grids, Google Maps, and sharing buttons, are available in the first five categories. The last category allows you to insert widgets.
A personal license for MotoPress costs $29 and offers support and updates for one year for one website. The business license costs $79 supports up yo five websites and the developer license at $139 supports unlimited websites
For more information about MotoPress, check out my recent review.
ElegantBuilder – From $89
ElegantBuilder is an easy to use page builder that allows you to create stylish pages using drag and drop. The interface is displayed below your post editor.
It features 12 modules, including an image slider, tabbed content, and video embedding. While the plugin is simple to use, it is starting to show its age a little against its competitors.
ElegantBuilder is included with the Elegant Themes developer membership, which retails at $89, and the lifetime access membership, which retails at $249.
Drag and Drop Shortcodes – $29
Drag and Drop Shortcodes is a clean and professional looking drag and drop page building solution. The plugin is responsive and has support for shortcodes from other plugins.
It boasts a lot of interesting modules that you will not find in other solutions. This includes modules such as animation boxes, progress bars, PayPal buttons, and member only content. Parallax effects can also be applied to section backrgounds. And if you prefer, each module can be inserted directly into your content area using shortcodes.
Awesome Builder – $27
Like Drag and Drop Shortcodes, Awesome Builder allows you to create pages using drag and drop or using shortcodes. It has support for nested rows, background colors and images, and HTML5 video.
Over 25 responsive modules are included in the plugin. Modules range from styling options such as buttons and tabs, to social media integration and media embedding.
Azexo Composer – $23
Azexo Composer is a frontend page editor that allows you to animate modules. All modules are responsive so will look great on any device.
Over 25 modules are available. This includes galleries, carousels, and forms. Once you click on a particular part of a page, a small box will pop up that will allow you to move the module, modify it, delete it, or save it as a template.
Frontend Builder – $22
As the name suggests, Frontend Builder lets you create and style pages at the frontend of your website. It has a great looking interface that displays modules on the left hand side of the page and settings on the right hand side.
The plugin is responsive and supports animations and parallax, static, and video backgrounds. The included templating system allows you to save your layouts. There is a selection of over 40 modules, such as pricing tables, sliders, counters, and sidebars. A lot of styling modules are available too.
Frontend Builder can be purchased from CodeCanyon for $22. A few extensions are available for the plugin as well, such as WooCommerce Extension.
Massive Visual Builder – $33
Massive Visual Builder is a featured packed drag and drop page builder that contains 51 responsive content modules. Its user-friendly interface can be launched inside the WordPress post editor.
It features galleries, sliders, social media integration, and more. 12 pre made post modules are also available that help you insert blog posts into pages in many unique ways. For example, there are post grids, post carousels, and post sliders. A templating system ensures that every layout you create can be applied to other pages easily.
PT Builder – $19
PT Builder is a beautiful drag and drop page building plugin that has an easy to use visual interface. It features a templating system that allows you to save layouts for any WordPress post type.
14 modules are available. This includes a content slider, a post accordion, tabs, and an image slider. The modules are quite limited when compared with other page building solutions; however if you just need essential modules, you will find PT Builder to be a great solution.
GTheme – $22
GTheme is a developer friendly responsive page builder that can be used to create websites in HTML5 or WordPress.
It has a unique interface that integrates with the post editor. When you click the GTheme button at the bottom of your page, the interface will slide up. From here, you can choose from over 30 different modules and insert them directly into your content area.
PixGridder Pro Page Grid Composer – $22
The developer of PixGridder Pro likes to think of their plugin as a grid builder, rather than a page builder. The truth is that they both perform the same functions.
The plugin lets you split your post or page into multiple rows and columns and insert a range of modules such as tabs, post accordions, and galleries. Shortcodes from other plugins can also be inserted.
Ether Content Builder – $33
Ether Content Builder is a responsive drag and drop page builder with a user-friendly interface.
It contains over 40 modules and support for WordPress widgets. Each module is available in a dark style or a light style. This helps you integrate modules into darker WordPress themes. Modules include tables, post accordions, and tabbed content.
BrickLayer – $22
With over 20 modules to choose from, BrickLayer is a useful page builder that uses a responsive grid. It features a form building tool, templates, and Font Awesome icons.
Modules include tabs, galleries, and sliders. Shortcodes can also be inserted into the content area and you can use custom CSS to style your pages.
Superior – $22
Superior is a drag and drop page builder that offers 16 modules. Modules include a slideshow, price box, and image carousel.
Sadly, the plugin has never been updated since its release date of May 2014. The developer does appear to be responding to questions from customers, although it would be prudent to first look at solutions that are more actively updated.
Fast Page Layout – $17
Fast Page Layout might not be the best looking page building solution, however it does live up to its name of creating pages quickly.
It boasts over 55 modules and components to help you build pages. The component list includes many styling options, tables, buttons, forms, media integration, and more. Shortcodes can also be inserted.
Toolset – From $149
It would be wrong to label Toolset a drag and drop page builder. It’s not. It’s so much more. Toolset is a collection of tools that allows developers to create beautiful websites quickly and effectively.
The drag and drop layout interface allows you to add a range of useful modules into your page; such as sliders, products, and featured news. Other tools include a content engine, custom post type creator, and a user role manager. A Toolset Bootstrap theme is also included with the plugin.
A yearly license for Toolset retails at $149 and allows unlimited usage. A lifetime license is available that costs $295. It is the best option to buy if you plan on using the plugin more than a year. Toolset is specifically aimed at developers who create websites. It is a fantastic plugin, however if you are not a developer yourself, I recommend using a different drag and drop page building solution.
MiniMax – FREE / $35
MiniMax is a versatile drag and drop page builder that integrates with the WordPress post editor. It allows you to add up to six columns of contents to your pages.
The free version of the plugin comes with five modules: Accordion, CSS tab widget, image, rich text, and list sub-pages. 27 more modules are included in the pro version of the plugin. Widgets can also be inserted into layouts so that you can tap into the vast number of widgets available to WordPress users. Layouts can be exported, imported, and cloned. This is very useful if you are using the same layout across multiple pages or websites.
A single license of MiniMax Pro retails at $35. A five domain license costs $99 and an unlimited domain license costs $199. A modules pack is also available for $12.
Aqua Page Builder – FREE
Aqua Page Builder is a free drag and drop page builder that features a few basic modules. It uses the same kind of interface as the WordPress menu system, so you will feel right at home.
At first glance, Aqua Page Builder does not appear to offer much as there are only a few modules available and you can only place content into two columns. However, two modules help transform Aqua Page Builder a versatile page building solution. Namely, the visual editor module and the widgets module.
The visual editor module allows you to create rich content using the WordPress post editor and widget support extends functionality even further. Layouts can be saved as templates and applied to any page on your website.
Page Builder by SiteOrigin – FREE
Page Builder is a fantastic free drag and drop page builder solution that helps you create multi row and multi column pages on your website.
The concept behind Page Builder is that you can use the plugin to insert WordPress widgets into your pages. Six basic widgets are included with the plugin to help you get started: Gallery, image, video, post loop, button, call to action, list, price box, animated image, and testimonial. A SiteOrigin Widgets Bundle can also be downloaded free of charge from WordPress.org to add more widgets to your disposal.
WR Page Builder – FREE
Another stylish free drag and drop page builder to consider is WR Page Builder. It has a feature set that rivals many premium alternatives.
Rows and columns can be added easily through a visual interface. It has 22 responsive modules. These include a post carousel, pricing table, promotion box, button bar, and video. WordPress widgets and shortcodes are also supported; which means that there is little WR Page Builder cannot do. You can also add custom CSS code directly through the drag and drop interface.
Final Thoughts
The developers of drag and drop page builders recognize the importance of testing their products before buying. That is why they provide demos of their plugins.
If you want to find the right solution for your project, you need to do the necessary research and spend time building a page using the plugin in question. This will help you see firsthand what the plugin can do:
You should therefore take advantage of the demos provided by developers and check whether:
- You understand the visual interface and like the way it works
- The plugin includes the modules you need
I realise it may be a pain to you to spend ten or fifteen minutes with each plugin to test whether a plugin is suitable, particularly when the many premium WordPress products come with a 30 day money back guarantee. However, it is better to spend some time testing a plugin beforehand than struggling with it afterwards and requesting a refund.
If you are looking to create landing pages on your website, I recommend checking out Impact (free), Landing Pages Builder (free), Parallax Gravity (free and premium), Parallax One Page Builder WordPress Plugin (premium), and OptimizePress.
I hope you have enjoyed this look at WordPress drag and drop page builders. If so, I encourage you to subscribe to the aThemes newsletter 
Thanks,
Kevin
