Spectra vs WPBakery Page Builder
Updated 5 Oct 2026. 25 features compared side by side.
Gutenberg block library and visual builder from Brainstorm Force, with free blocks, patterns and popups plus a Pro add-on for dynamic content and loops.
Long-running premium drag-and-drop builder with front-end and back-end editors, a grid builder and role manager, sold as a one-time lifetime licence.
Choose Spectra if…
- You need theme builder and popup builder
- You also want built-in forms and display conditions
- You want the more complete feature set (78/100 vs 57/100)
- You want to start with a free version
Choose WPBakery Page Builder if…
- You need WooCommerce builder
- You want the lower entry price ($59/yr vs $69/yr)
- You prefer the more widely used option
Spectra includes 6 features that WPBakery Page Builder lacks, including Built on the block editor, Popup builder and Built-in forms; WPBakery Page Builder has 1 that Spectra lacks, including WooCommerce builder. Both include 14 of the 25 features we track. 3 features are not yet verified for one or both plugins.
At a glance
Feature comparison
Click a screenshot to see both plugins side by side.
Spectra WPBakery Page BuilderEditing8/87/8
Visual editing happens in the block editor canvas, not on the live front end.
Front-end editor with drag and drop and inline text editing.
Adds blocks and extensions to Gutenberg rather than a separate editor.
Uses its own front-end and back-end editors, storing content as shortcodes.
Desktop, tablet and mobile settings per block; responsive visibility conditions in Pro.
Responsive column and visibility settings per device; fewer per-breakpoint style controls than modern builders.
Global styling defaults in free; advanced Global Styles listed as a Pro extension.
Skin Builder sets colours and spacing for the builder; no global colour/font token system.
Container block builds flexbox layouts with nesting.
Row and column grid with equal-height and content position options; no flexbox container element.
Custom classes and CSS variables on blocks; no full per-block CSS editor confirmed.
Custom CSS from the builder or in advanced settings.
Relies on core WordPress post revisions and editor undo.
Relies on WordPress post revisions; no dedicated builder history panel confirmed.
ZipAI writing/page assistant works in the editor; full AI site generation needs higher toolkits.
WPBakery AI helps generate content and code; included with licences.
Elements & templates5/53/5
Free pattern library; premium kits need the Essential Toolkit or higher.
100+ predefined templates plus a downloadable cloud template library.
Dozens of blocks: sliders, tabs, timelines, price lists, maps, testimonials and more.
50+ built-in content elements plus 250+ third-party add-ons.
Free popup builder with triggers; advanced popup options in Pro.
No popup builder; available through third-party add-ons.
Form block for contact and newsletter forms with reCAPTCHA; login/register blocks in Pro.
No native form element; embeds Contact Form 7, Gravity Forms and Ninja Forms.
Free block entrance animations; motion effects and advanced animation in Pro.
CSS entrance animations and parallax backgrounds on rows and elements.
Theme & dynamic5/64/6
No own template builder; use the Site Editor or Astra Pro's site builder bundled with Pro.
No header, footer or archive template builder in the plugin.
Post fields, author data, post/term meta and featured images in supported blocks.
Grid Builder and ACF element show post data and custom fields; no general dynamic tags.
ACF fields, including repeaters, usable via Pro dynamic content and Loop Builder.
Use ACF fields on pages, posts and grid elements.
Loop Builder designs custom post listings with filters and pagination.
Grid Builder designs custom post, portfolio and media grids.
Hide blocks by login state, role, browser, OS or day; pricing page lists advanced conditions in Pro.
No rule-based display conditions beyond device visibility.
Compatible with WooCommerce but has no product, cart or checkout template blocks.
WooCommerce shortcodes available as elements; no product or checkout template builder.
Performance & workflow2/64/6
Loads CSS only for blocks used on a page; Google Fonts can be served locally.
Shortcode-based output; v9.0 added smarter asset loading and smaller frontend assets.
Saved as standard block markup with no shortcodes or proprietary format.
Content is stored as shortcodes that remain if the plugin is removed.
No role-based editing restrictions found in Spectra's documentation.
Role Manager controls which roles can use the builder and on which post types.
White-label is not listed for Spectra; Astra Pro's white label covers only Astra products.
No white-label option is listed.
Open-source code on GitHub, but no developer API documentation was found.
Documented API for building custom elements; Shortcode Mapper for plugin shortcodes.
No cloud library for saving your own designs across sites was confirmed.
Cloud template library from WPBakery; your own templates are saved per site.
Statuses: Yes Pro Add-on Partial 3rd-party No ?
Pricing compared
Spectra Freemium
| Free | $0 |
|---|---|
| Spectra Pro | $69 per year, 3 sites |
| Essential Toolkit + AI | $299 per year, 10 sites |
| Business Toolkit + AI | $429 per year, 1000 sites |
WPBakery Page Builder Premium
| Regular | $82 lifetime, 1 site |
|---|---|
| 5 Sites Bundle | $299 lifetime, 5 sites |
| 10 Sites Bundle | $592 lifetime, 10 sites |
| Support Plus | $59 per year, 1 site |
Downloads trend
Spectra
66,152 downloads last week
WPBakery Page Builder
No WordPress.org download data (premium-only plugin).
Verdict
Spectra scores higher on our feature checklist (78/100 against 57/100) and includes theme builder, popup builder and built-in forms that WPBakery Page Builder does not. WPBakery Page Builder still has the edge on WooCommerce builder. Only Spectra has a free version. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Biggest differences
Spectra: partial. WPBakery Page Builder: not included. No own template builder; use the Site Editor or Astra Pro's site builder bundled with Pro.
Spectra: not included. WPBakery Page Builder: partial. WooCommerce shortcodes available as elements; no product or checkout template builder.
Spectra: included. WPBakery Page Builder: third-party. Free popup builder with triggers; advanced popup options in Pro.
Spectra: included. WPBakery Page Builder: third-party. Form block for contact and newsletter forms with reCAPTCHA; login/register blocks in Pro.
Spectra: included. WPBakery Page Builder: not included. Hide blocks by login state, role, browser, OS or day; pricing page lists advanced conditions in Pro.
Spectra: included. WPBakery Page Builder: not included. Adds blocks and extensions to Gutenberg rather than a separate editor.
Written from the feature, pricing and install data on this page, not from hands-on testing. How we compare.
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Spectra vs others
FAQ
Which is better, Spectra or WPBakery Page Builder?
Spectra scores higher on our feature checklist (78/100 against 57/100) and includes theme builder, popup builder and built-in forms that WPBakery Page Builder does not. WPBakery Page Builder still has the edge on WooCommerce builder. Only Spectra has a free version. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Which has more features?
Spectra includes 20 of the 25 features we track, against 18 for WPBakery Page Builder. Feature count is only part of the picture; check which of the differences matter to you.
Is Spectra free?
Spectra has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $69/yr.
Is WPBakery Page Builder free?
WPBakery Page Builder is premium only. Paid plans start at $59/yr.
Feature data last changed 5 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit to Spectra or WPBakery Page Builder. Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you; it never affects our data or rankings.