Bricks vs WPBakery

Bricks prioritizes clean code output from the start. This approach significantly improves website speed and SEO rankings. Tons of unused code won't slow down your website built with Bricks. WPBakery is a legacy builder that relies heavily on shortcodes. Users frequently report that WPBakery severely harms overall site performance. Migration difficulty is high due to the shortcode dependency. This is the biggest technical difference between the two tools. Bricks is built for speed; WPBakery is built for simplicity at the expense of speed. If Core Web Vitals matter, Bricks is the only modern choice here. Agencies building high-traffic, competitive sites should invest in Bricks. Low-volume personal sites might tolerate WPBakery's performance constraints.

Bricks provides unparalleled control with native support for Flexbox and CSS Grid. You can establish your own class systems and spacing controls. Bricks allows you to visually customize every part of the site, including header and footer. WPBakery focuses on an element-based drag-and-drop workflow. It is less flexible for complex layouts needing precise control. You use the editor on both the front and back end easily. Developers prefer Bricks because Flexbox allows modern web design techniques. WPBakery often forces designers into pre-defined structural boxes. Bricks helps create truly unique designs, while WPBakery excels at assembling pages from pre-structured components quickly.

Bricks features the native Query Loop Builder and supports dynamic data tags. You can visually query the database to display complex post structures easily. It also allows developers to write custom PHP queries directly. WPBakery uses the Advanced Grid Builder to display posts and portfolios. It offers over 40 predefined styles to showcase content dynamically. This is sufficient for basic dynamic needs, but lacks granular control. For building complex real estate listings or custom post type sites, Bricks is necessary. WPBakery is limited to display based on its pre-bundled styles. Bricks minimizes the need for third-party dynamic content plugins. WPBakery often requires additional plugins for advanced data handling.

Bricks offers three annual plans starting at $79/year for one site. The Ultimate Lifetime plan is $599 one-time for unlimited sites and support. All Bricks plans include the full feature set. WPBakery starts at $69 for a single-site lifetime license. This low fee only includes free core updates forever. Premium features like AI, templates, and support cost $59 annually to renew after the first year. The Bricks Lifetime deal is better long-term as it includes perpetual support and updates. WPBakery's support quality drops significantly if you do not renew annually. Bricks offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, providing ample testing time. WPBakery includes only a 15-day refund window.

WPBakery is designed for non-technical users seeking fast results. Its drag-and-drop interface works seamlessly with virtually any WordPress theme. You can use either the front-end or back-end editor as needed. Bricks is powerful but requires a conceptual understanding of Flexbox and CSS Grid. The workflow is streamlined but less intuitive for absolute beginners. There is no back-end editor component. WPBakery offers immediate access to the Template Library which aids rapid deployment. Bricks requires building more custom layouts from scratch but offers better customization. If you are intimidated by developer tools, WPBakery is the easier starting point. However, Bricks provides the better long-term scalability.

Bricks is the only builder offering unlimited custom breakpoints. This ensures pixel-perfect responsive design across all devices. It uses a strong desktop and mobile-first approach. WPBakery automatically creates responsive, mobile-ready layouts. It requires working within standard size constraints and breakpoints. It does not provide the same granular control as Bricks. For designers needing precise control over unique tablet or large screen views, Bricks is essential. WPBakery's responsiveness is functional but often lacks refinement. This feature makes Bricks a robust tool for professional web designers. WPBakery is fine for simple blogs but struggles with high-fidelity mockups.

WPBakery includes WPBakery AI to help draft content and code effortlessly. It also gives immediate access to a constantly updated premium Template Library. AI and the library are free for the first year. Bricks does not currently include dedicated generative AI tooling. It relies on its strong native features and community-driven resources. Bricks prioritizes building custom layouts over using template shortcuts. If you need speedy content generation, WPBakery provides the built-in AI assistant. Bricks users would need a separate AI subscription. WPBakery's offerings speed up initial project deployment significantly. Bricks focuses on the quality of the final, custom-coded output.

Bricks provides a specialized WooCommerce Builder out-of-the-box. You can visually customize every part of the online store. This includes product pages, checkout, cart layouts, and archive pages. WPBakery is fully compatible with WooCommerce for standard shop pages. It is easy to use for adding product grids and basic store elements. Its focus is compatibility, not deep visual design customization. Agencies building bespoke e-commerce experiences need Bricks' deep customization. WPBakery works well if you only need the shop functionality without heavy visual redesign. Bricks provides the tools to enhance sales through seamless visual design. WPBakery provides functional integration.