{"id":15158,"date":"2020-10-11T20:11:17","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T20:11:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.webmonkey.com\/?p=15158"},"modified":"2022-09-16T22:23:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-16T22:23:32","slug":"visual-composer-vs-wpbakery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.webmonkey.com\/visual-composer-vs-wpbakery\/","title":{"rendered":"Visual Composer vs. WPBakery WordPress Page Builder – Which is the Best?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Visual Composer vs. WPBakery is the great debate going on in WordPress DIY design. At first glance, it's easy to see why both plugins are highly recommended to improve a website's look and make it look more professional.<\/p>\n

However, there are both subtle and significant differences between the two programs, and depending on your goals, you may find one more advantageous than the other.<\/p>\n

You may also have budgetary issues to consider, such as whether you can afford the most advanced package, or if you can live without the convenient features that the free and low-cost plans do not include.<\/p>\n

In this guide, we will discuss the pros and cons and then share our final thoughts on making your choice.<\/p>\n

Are Visual Composer and WPBakery the Same Thing?<\/h2>\n

We might say that\u2019s a fair question, considering the similarities in the product and the fact the two programs are seemingly related in history. While they both share a history, these two products are not the same, and they perform different functions.<\/p>\n

If you look up comments on this great WordPress debate online. You might find a number of people claiming that both programs are the same, or are only slightly different, or are a deception by the company as if they are relaunching the same program by a different name. However, all this confusion stems from a simple name change and company evolution.<\/p>\n

The WPBakery plugin debuted first and became one of the most popular page builders for WordPress, particularly at the time when the competition was minimal. It was also called Visual Composer, back in the day, and was one of the first successful page builders.<\/p>\n

The creators originally sold the first Visual Composer and called it a Page Builder. When the company decided to sell the Visual Composer Website Builder, an altogether different plugin, they had many different marketing issues to contend with, including name confusion.<\/p>\n

The situation started when the creators of the original WPBakery (then called Visual Composer Page Builder, which was a plugin everyone liked) wanted to change the name to the Visual Composer Website Builder, the newer product.<\/p>\n

The creators also wanted to address two different markets: the lifetime license and the yearly license model, including more frequent updates and cutting-edge features.<\/p>\n

However, things got complicated since they had a lifetime license deal with the company Envato for releasing products. Adding powerful new features would also require higher production costs, sustainable with a yearly license model, but not a one-time for-life purchase.<\/p>\n

The creators could not sell another “Visual Composer” program outside the existing agreement. They saw no other choice but to create a new product entirely, while still honoring the original contract. Everyone agreed that a name change was required, so the Visual Composer Page Builder became the Visual Composer Website Builder.<\/p>\n

Here's a video on YouTube explaining the complex WPBakery<\/a> situation.<\/p>\n

Who Created Both Plugins?<\/h2>\n

Some say the company was called CodeCanyon, although the official company name is still Visual Composer, according to the official website. The founder and programmer of the group, Michael Makijenko, recently visited Reddit<\/a> to help make the situation clear to users and clarify some points.<\/p>\n

He also expressed an interest in moving away from the established marketplace to break new ground with a reimagining of Visual Computer, while also moving closer to the open-source community and the GPL license.<\/p>\n

Overview of WPBakery<\/h2>\n

Now at first glance, it seems like the newer product is, the better one. But many users still like WPBakery, and not just because of its price. Let's discuss the differences between each plugin.<\/p>\n

WPBakery is the original launch of Visual Composer Page Builder and is designed to fit with any WordPress theme. You can work with almost any WP theme and improve the page's elements by simply installing the WPBakery plugin. Buying the plugin gives you access to layout templates, add-ons, unique pages, and over 50 content elements to use.<\/p>\n

The plugin is a drag-or-drop style, meaning you don't have to learn complicated coding. A Skin-Builder lets you customize the colors of your website and other design or elements styling.<\/p>\n

The Template Library offers premium-quality templates and can improve the overall look of your website. Even though WPBakery is considered the older plugin, it is still updated for technical issues and even new templates.<\/p>\n

The Extendable API allows developers to work with the content elements smoothly. Even better, the plugin still had a dedicated support team to offer technical support. The Advanced Grid Builder lets you work with more complex grids on the page, such as portfolio display options or individual posts. Choose from over 40 styles with additional custom options.<\/p>\n

Layouts are mobile-ready and also display accurately on practically every modern device. The plugin is also compatible with multilingual translation, Yoast SEO, parallax effects, and works with image filters.<\/p>\n

WPBakery is by no means a turnkey solution. After all, add-ons for the plugin are everywhere, and you may need to buy your favorite add-on feature from a third party. The additional cost could be another $50 or less.<\/p>\n

Lastly, you can specify whether you want certain users (or groups) to have access to WPBakery or if you want to restrict privileges.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/p>\n