WordPress Classic Editor vs Gutenberg: A Detailed Comparison 2024 (Includes Infographic)

The digital landscape of WordPress is marked by two prominent editors: the Classic Editor and the Gutenberg Editor. As we step into 2024, understanding the nuanced differences between these editors becomes crucial for WordPress users aiming to optimize their web content creation process. This article presents a detailed comparison, highlighting the pros and cons of each editor, to help you decide which might be better suited to your needs.

The Gutenberg Editor: A Block-Based Revolution

Introduced as the new WordPress editor, the Gutenberg Editor has redefined content creation within the WordPress ecosystem. Its block editor system allows for the assembly of complex layouts and the integration of media-rich content seamlessly.

Pros:

• Advanced Features: Gutenberg offers an array of advanced options for content creation, from embedding URLs to inserting video and audio files, all achievable with minimal HTML knowledge.
• User-Friendly Interface: The drag-and-drop interface simplifies the creation of complex pages, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
• Full Site Editing: One of Gutenberg’s standout features is its capability for full site editing, allowing users to manipulate every aspect of their WordPress site with just a few clicks.

Cons:

• Learning Curve: The shift from a simple text editor to a block-based system can be daunting for some, requiring time to adapt.
• Complex Interface for Some Users: Those accustomed to the Classic Editor may find Gutenberg’s interface more complex, particularly when handling intricate layouts.

The WordPress Classic Editor: Simplicity and Familiarity

The Classic WordPress Editor has been the cornerstone of WordPress editing for years, known for its straightforward, Microsoft Word-like interface.

Pros:

• Simplicity: Ideal for basic content creation, the Classic Editor offers a familiar and easy-to-navigate interface.
• Stability: With fewer components to manage, it provides a stable environment for editing content.
• Plugin Support: The Classic WordPress Editor plugin enables users to revert to the traditional editing experience, ensuring compatibility with previous WordPress themes and plugins.

Cons:

• Limited Functionality: Compared to Gutenberg, it lacks advanced features for creating media-rich and complex layouts.
• Reliance on Shortcodes and HTML: For more sophisticated content, users may need to rely on shortcodes and custom HTML, increasing the complexity of content creation.

A Comprehensive Analysis of WordPress Gutenberg vs Classic Editor

This comparison aims to dissect the key differences and enhancements brought by Gutenberg, while also appreciating the simplicity and reliability of the Classic Editor. By examining user interface and experience, content creation dynamics, advanced features, and full site editing capabilities, we can offer valuable insights for users deciding between these two editing environments.

User Interface and Experience: Drag and Drop vs Traditional Layout

The Gutenberg Editor, known as the new WordPress editor, revolutionizes the user interface with its block editor system. It allows for the creation of complex layouts through a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, making it easier for users to arrange text, images, and media files directly within their posts and pages. This approach significantly enhances the web content creation process, enabling the construction of media-rich content with just a few clicks.

Conversely, the Classic Editor offers a traditional layout that many WordPress users have become accustomed to over the years. Its interface, reminiscent of standard word processing software like Microsoft Word, provides a straightforward and familiar editing experience. While it lacks the modern drag-and-drop capabilities, it remains a powerful tool for users who prefer a no-frills approach to content creation.

Content Creation Dynamics: Blocks vs Classic Toolbar

The Gutenberg block editor introduces a modular approach to content creation, where each piece of content—be it a paragraph, image, or video—is treated as a separate block. This block system empowers users to easily manipulate individual elements, offering an unprecedented level of control and flexibility. Furthermore, Gutenberg’s extensive library of blocks caters to a wide range of content types, from simple text and images to more complex elements like tables and buttons.

In contrast, the WordPress Editor utilizes a toolbar setup for content creation, providing a linear editing experience. Users can add and format their content using a familiar set of tools located at the top of the editor. While this method is less flexible compared to Gutenberg’s block-based approach, it excels in simplicity, making it ideal for straightforward text-driven content creation without the need for complex layouts or elements.

Advanced Features and Customization: A New Era with WordPress Gutenberg Editor

Gutenberg ushers in a new era of advanced features and customization options for WordPress users. Its rich array of blocks and the ability to easily embed URLs, edit images online, and insert audio files directly into posts enhance the potential for creating dynamic and interactive content. Additionally, the Gutenberg Editor supports full site editing, allowing users to customize not only their content but also their site’s headers, footers, and widgets—all within the same interface.

The Classic WordPress Editor, while dependable, offers limited functionality in terms of advanced features and customization. Users relying on the Classic Editor often need to supplement their editing capabilities with additional plugins or custom HTML to achieve the desired level of complexity and interactivity in their content.

Full Site Editing with Gutenberg: A Leap Towards Modern Web Design

One of the most significant advancements introduced by the Gutenberg Editor is the capability for full site editing. This powerful feature extends the block editor’s functionality beyond posts and pages, enabling users to design and customize their entire WordPress site. With full site editing, Gutenberg provides a comprehensive solution for users to create complex layouts, embed media content seamlessly, and tailor their website’s appearance to match their vision—all without leaving the WordPress editing environment.

The Classic WordPress Editor, on the other hand, is primarily focused on content creation for posts and pages. While it excels in providing a stable and efficient editing experience, it does not offer the same level of site-wide customization and design flexibility as Gutenberg.

To help you visually compare the features and usability of the WordPress Classic Editor and Gutenberg, we’ve created an infographic that breaks down the key aspects of each editor.

Choosing the Right Editor for Your WordPress Site

Content Creation Goals

If your aim is to create dynamic, media-rich content with ease, Gutenberg Editor’s advanced features and block editor system make it the superior choice. However, for straightforward blog posts or web pages, the Classic Editor’s simplicity could be more appealing.

Skill Level and Adaptability

Users comfortable with modern technology and eager to explore new content creation methods will likely find Gutenberg a powerful and versatile tool. In contrast, those preferring a straightforward, no-frills approach may opt for the Classic Editor.

Website Complexity

For websites requiring complex layouts and interactive elements, Gutenberg block editor system offers a more efficient solution. Traditional blogs and websites with simple content structures may not need the advanced capabilities of Gutenberg, making the Classic Editor a viable option.

Further reading: 15 Reasons Why WordPress is The Best CMS (Updated in 2024)

FAQs: Addressing Common Queries About Gutenberg and Classic WordPress Editor

The transition between WordPress editors has sparked numerous questions among the community. Here, we delve into some of the most common inquiries to provide clarity and guidance for users navigating the nuances of Gutenberg and the Classic Editor.

How does Gutenberg’s block editor enhance content creation in WordPress?

Gutenberg revolutionizes content creation in WordPress by introducing a block-based editing environment. This approach allows users to build posts and pages using individual blocks for each piece of content, including text, images, videos, and more. This modular system offers several advantages:

• Flexibility and Control: Users can easily rearrange and customize content blocks to create dynamic and visually appealing layouts.
• Efficiency: The block editor streamlines the addition of media-rich content, enabling users to insert, edit, and adjust images, galleries, and other media types directly within the editor without relying on shortcodes or custom HTML.
• Innovation: Gutenberg continuously introduces new blocks and features, empowering users to create complex, interactive content with minimal effort. Additionally, pairing Gutenberg with a headless CMS can offer even greater flexibility, allowing content to be distributed across multiple platforms while maintaining the ease of a block-based editing environment.

Can I still use the Classic Editor in WordPress in 2024?

Yes, the Classic Editor will remain available for users in 2024, primarily through the Classic Editor plugin. WordPress acknowledges the diverse needs of its user base and provides this plugin to ensure those who prefer the traditional editing experience for their WordPress development can continue working as they always have. The plugin offers a seamless way to revert to the Classic Editor interface, ensuring compatibility and comfort for its users.

What are the key differences between Gutenberg and the Classic Editor?

The key differences between Gutenberg and the Classic Editor lie in their editing interfaces, functionality, and approach to content creation:

• Editing Interface: Gutenberg uses a block-based editor allowing for the assembly of content with various blocks, whereas the Classic Editor provides a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface reminiscent of conventional word processors.
• Functionality and Flexibility: Gutenberg offers advanced features and flexibility, enabling the design of complex layouts and the incorporation of media-rich content without extensive coding knowledge. The Classic Editor, while simpler, limits users to a more linear editing experience.
• Customization and Compatibility: Gutenberg enhances site-wide editing and customization capabilities, affecting themes and plugins. The Classic Editor, being less intrusive, generally maintains better compatibility with older themes and plugins.

How does Gutenberg impact the use of WordPress themes and plugins?

Gutenberg impacts WordPress themes and plugins by necessitating them to be Gutenberg-compatible to fully leverage the editor’s advanced features and block-based design capabilities. Themes and plugins that embrace Gutenberg provide users with:

• Enhanced Customization: Themes designed for Gutenberg often include custom blocks and styles, offering deeper customization options and a more cohesive design experience.
• Extended Functionality: Plugins developed with Gutenberg in mind can add unique blocks and features to the editor, allowing users to add complex elements to their sites easily.

Is Gutenberg suitable for users with minimal coding knowledge?

Absolutely. Gutenberg is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to individuals with minimal to no coding knowledge. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and wide selection of pre-built blocks enable users to create professional-looking content and layouts without needing to write code. Additionally, Gutenberg’s regular updates aim to further simplify the content creation process, making it increasingly accessible to all users.

How can I transition from the Classic WordPress Editor to the Gutenberg Editor?

Transitioning from the Classic WordPress Editor to Gutenberg Editor can be a smooth process with the right preparation:

1. Familiarize Yourself: Spend some time exploring the Gutenberg interface and its array of blocks to understand how they work.
2. Experiment in a Staging Environment: Before making changes to your live site, experiment with Gutenberg in a staging environment to build confidence and ensure compatibility.
3. Use the Classic Block: Initially, you can use Gutenberg’s Classic block to mimic the Classic Editor within Gutenberg, providing a comfortable transition phase.
4. Access Resources and Tutorials: Leverage the multitude of online resources, tutorials, and community forums dedicated to mastering Gutenberg.
5. Gradually Transition Content: Start by creating new content with Gutenberg while keeping older content as is, or consider converting classic content block by block.

Further reading: 9 Annoying WordPress Issues and How To Fix Them

Conclusion: Embracing the Future of WordPress Editing

The choice between Gutenberg Editor and the Classic WordPress Editor ultimately depends on your specific needs, skill level, and content creation goals. While Gutenberg paves the way for a more interactive and visually engaging web experience, the Classic WordPress Editor remains a reliable choice for those valuing simplicity and familiarity. As WordPress continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable will ensure that your content creation process remains efficient, enjoyable, and aligned with your vision for your WordPress site. Using WordPress consulting services can also help you determine the best editor for your specific use case and optimize your content strategy accordingly.