7 Best WordPress Theme Builders — Which One’s Right for You?

Having a website or two continues to be in fashion this year, but knowing how to make one is a class that not too many people are eager to take.

WordPress theme builders continue to make it possible to build a website from the ground up without knowing a line of code.

A couple of years ago, that would’ve been impossible. But today, they’re the future. WordPress theme builders are rolling out, each easier to use than the last.

So I’ve risen to the occasion and gathered only the most superior WordPress theme builders to help you make a decision on which to invest in.

But before I do that, I need to clear one thing up; the difference between WordPress theme builders and page builders.

Theme Builders vs. Page Builders: Differences Explained

If you’ve been using WordPress for a while, you’re probably familiar with some of the most popular page builders.

You may also know that if you search for WordPress theme builders on Google, you’ll probably get quite a few results alluding to page builders.

However, the two are not the same.

They share specific terms like “user-friendly” and “drag-and-drop,” but they have two fundamental differences.

1. How They Work

A page builder lets you create and edit pages and blog posts. That is, you can customize different pages for different purposes without knowing anything about coding.

However, there are some elements on every page that you cannot customize. You’re only allowed to make changes to the general content area of your website. If you want to delve deeper, you’ll need a theme builder.

A theme builder allows you to customize elements that you wouldn’t usually be allowed to — for example, headers, footers, page layouts, search pages, menus, archives, etc. You can choose a template and customize every element should you feel the need.

Ordinarily, if you needed to do these things on a regular WordPress theme, you’ll have to have a relatively deep understanding of coding.

But, since WordPress theme builders allow customizations as easily as page builders, all you need is the money to afford a premium service.

2. What They Affect

The second difference refers to their effects. Page builders only allow users to make changes on one page at a time.

But theme builders can make changes that carry across every single page in a website. For example, a header or logo change on the homepage will be effected across every other page.

3. How They’re Packaged

All WordPress page builders are plugins. However, this cannot be said for WordPress theme builder. Some are plugins, and some page builders have added theme builder functionality to their package.

But some theme builders are built as actual WordPress themes. They work by replacing your original theme and allow you to eliminate the need for an extra plugin.

We’ll be seeing examples of every type within this list of top WordPress theme builders. So, let’s check them out.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase with my link. Thank you.

Top 7 WordPress Theme Builders 2021

1. Thrive Theme Builder

Thrive Theme Builder is a theme recently released by Thrive Themes as part of its suite of WordPress tools. I’ve named it my best WordPress theme builder because of its broad functionality.

Thrive Themes also has a WordPress page builder plugin called Thrive Architect which works great with the Thrive Theme builder.

Although Thrive Theme Builder is a theme, it’s more like a blank slate that allows you to create your own unique theme. However, it is a theme, and so, you can only have one theme throughout your editing.

The name of this builder’s theme is called ShapeShift. But it’s not as much a theme as it is a base. Just like its name, ShapeShift can be anything you want it to be.

Key Features

• Unlimited Design: There’s almost nothing sacred within the Thrive Theme Builder. Everything is changeable and subject to your wishes. You can choose a template and customize elements that you don’t like, or you can decide on a blank space and fill in the gaps yourself.

Each page has a template, and each element has design options as well. You’re not limited to font and background colors. You can change sidebars, blog post layouts, page layouts, menus, search pages, 404 messages, archive pages, and many, many more.

And if you don’t want to pick a template, you can create an infinite number of new templates and implement them across your entire website whenever you want.

• Site Wizard: Because there are quite a lot of options available, Thrive Themes added the Site Wizard, which will automatically show you how to custom everything by leading you to set up a new site. In gaming, it’s also known as a tutorial.
• Intuitive UI: The Thrive Theme Builder resembles the Thrive Architect page builder quite a lot when it comes to the user interface. The theme is laid out so well that it’s easy to find everything you need, even with dozens of options in play.
• Click to Change: No need to look for a menu option to change an element. Click on it to produce options for change.
• Integrated with WooCommerce: WooCommerce can be integrated with Thrive Theme Builder. Once you do, you even get templates and options for new page types like products, shop, account, cart, etc.

Pricing

One license of the Thrive Theme Builder costs $67. Three licenses are $97, and five, $127. Each license allows you to use the builder on one site. Each plan comes with lifetime updates and a year’s support.

Alternatively, you can become a Thrive Themes Member for $19/month (billed yearly) and get access to Thrive Themes eight other tools and 25 licenses for Thrive Themes Builder.

2. Elementor Pro

Elementor is one of the most widely used WordPress tools around. It’s a page builder plugin that allows users who pay for the premium version (Elementor Pro) to customize their own themes.

Elementor Pro is different from other WordPress theme builders because, at its core, it’s still a page builder plugin. According to reviewers, the main difference is that it has now branched out into theme building and is doing a good job.

Elementor Pro’s theme builder allows users to customize as much as most other theme builders. You can change the page layouts, blog post layouts, header, footer, search page, etc.

Key Features

• Customization: As we said above, you can customize almost all elements. Customize your header, footer, single posts, archive pages, and more with templates or without. Dynamic content is supported, so you’ll be able to create page templates using it.
• Build Templates: You can create new templates for different elements and use them in specific places across your site. You can also design special templates for particular uses like categories, tags, posts, etc. It’s also possible to attach conditions to their use. Plus, with the release of Elementor 3.0 last year, you can manage templates from all elements from one interface.
• Third-Party Themes: TheElementor Pro theme builder does NOT offer a theme with the software. You still need a theme to edit for it to work. This is both a pro and a con. It’s a pro because some people enjoy their themes but only want to change a few parts. It’s also a con because it cannot give the same freedom that a themed theme builder has.
• Conditional Display: You can choose where to display specific templates with Elementor Pro’s include/exclude display options.
• Add-ons: Please remember that Elementor Pro is first and foremost a page builder. It comes with several features that you can use to build new pages with pre-made templates. There’s also a WooCommerce integration through WooCommerce Builder and even a Pop-up Builder.

Pricing

The Elementor plugin is available, but you’ll need to pay for the Premium Elementor Pro to access the theme builder. There are three plans. All come with a year’s support and updates.

One site license is $49, and you can get three for $99. A thousand licenses cost $199.

After a year, you get a 25% discount to continue receiving support and updates.

3. Divi

Divi is a flagship theme created by Elegant Themes. It’s software that combines a theme and a page builder into one, much like Elementor.

The page builder is also available as a standalone product, and it’s known as Divi Builder. You can use it as a drag-and-drop builder if you already have a theme.

But when the Divi Theme Builder was released with Divi 4.0, the Divi Theme Builder could only be used with the Divi theme. It cannot be used with third-party themes.

But because it also comes with a page builder plugin, it has a host of other features and third-party extensions that can only be used with the page and theme builder combo.

Key Features

• Customization: Divi uses an intuitive front end editor. This feature allows users to build custom elements like post templates, headers, footers, category pages, product templates, search pages, and more. You’ll also be able to create pages and templates with dynamic content.
• Template Options: If there’s one thing Elegant Themes is known for, it’s new templates. Every once in a while, there’s a new design set available for use. These new templates plus the hundreds more available means that Divi users have a huge variety when selecting a template for any feature.
• Theme Builder Packs: Divi’s Theme Builder Packs are sets of full-site, pre-made templates. In essence, they take away half the work of making your own template while saving you time.
• Page Builder Perks: Page builders and theme builders work well together, and Divi is a good example of that. The Divi combo allows you to build great pages with over 46 content modules (some made for WooCommerce) and pre-designed page layouts available. In this way, it’s easy to build great pages within a short time. Split testing is also available so you can compare different designs or pages.
• Perks of the Club: Like Thrive Themes, Elegant Themes has a membership club that offers every product Elegant Themes has created for WordPress. These tools can be easily integrated with the Divi Builder and offer helpful functions like email marketing or social sharing.

Pricing

Unlike the Divi Builder, you cannot buy the Dive Theme Builder as a standalone product. It’s a package included in the Elegant Themes membership and other products from the same team.

You can pay $89 for one year’s updates and support and $249 for a lifetime package + support and updates.

4. Beaver Builder + Beaver Themer

You may have already inferred from the equation in the heading that this is another one of our WordPress theme builders that are page builders.

Beaver Builder is a page builder plugin that’s been around for a long time. It’s gained a reputation for being steady, stable, and reliable. Now it’s taken a step further to add a theme builder to its services. Its official name is Beaver Themer.

The Beaver Builder is compatible with most WordPress themes. In the same line, the Beaver Themer also allows users to customize third-party themes.

However, this feature is only available on the premium version of Beaver Builder.

Key Features

• Customization: Use the Beaver Themer to create custom headers, footers, blog posts, different types of pages, and custom posts on thousands of third-party WordPress themes.
• Unlimited Templates: Create templates for different elements without worrying about breaching a limit. Add dynamic content within templates for better effect.
• Display Conditions: Choose where the templates will be displayed.
• User-friendly: Because the Beaver team created both the page and theme builder to work with a frontend editor, it’s extremely easy to navigate. The fact that it comes with several modules and page layouts is also a plus.

Pricing

The Beaver Themer add-on is a WordPress theme builder plugin on its own. You’ll need to purchase the Standard version of Beaver Builder at $99/year to access it.

Other versions with access include Pro for $199/year with the Beaver Builder theme and Agency for $399.

Upon renewal, customers get a 40% discount.

5. Brizy Pro

Brizy’s a pretty young theme builder, but it does have some strength if it’s made it to this list. Brizy has a free version, but its theme builder is only available on Brizy Pro, its premium option. Right now.

This theme builder uses a frontend visual page builder to create great pages. You can make changes to over 26 elements with the theme builder, and you can do it inline.

However, the theme builder itself is still a work in progress, with only the header and footer currently supported.

This might be an issue for larger brands, but it works fine for a simple, personal site.

Key Features

• Inline Editing: Brizy takes away some of the frustration editing elements through a menu and allows users to do it inline and see results in real-time.
• Template: The same frontend editor allows you to create custom templates for the header, footer, various pages, and the pop-up builder.
• Display Conditions: Choose where templates will appear for optimum positioning.
• Brizy Sync: A cloud storage for all your templates and page blocks. This way, you can save a template and use it on multiple websites without needing to import or export.
• Integrations: Built-in email marketing and WooCommerce integration.

Pricing

Brizy offers three plans.

Personal — $49/year for three sites, a year’s support, and updates.

Studio — $99/year for unlimited sites, a year’s support, and updates.

Lifetime — $299 one-time fee for unlimited sites, lifetime updates, and support (limited-time plan).

6. Oxygen

Oxygen is a unique theme builder in that it’s not really suited for casual users who want the freedom to change their site’s elements.

It works much better as a builder for custom content sites because you can easily insert dynamic content from custom fields or native WordPress information.

The dynamic content can be added in looks, and you can also set conditions for a display to hide it unless certain conditions are fulfilled.

These features are pretty advanced and uncommon and look great if you’re building a site based on custom content.

Oxygen looks like a theme and acts as a theme, but it’s actually a WordPress theme builder plugin.

But while it’s a plugin, it completely replaces any third-party theme you use and replaces it. You cannot use it to customize any third-party themes because it is the theme.

Though this plugin uses drag-and-drop editing, it’s still the most complicated theme builder on this list.

I recommend it for advanced users or developers. These people will probably have the easiest time figuring out how Oxygen works and using it to customize websites.

Key Features

• Page Building: Oxygen has a frontend visual editor that works well for page building. You can use it to create custom headers and footers and create designs for blog post templates, search pages, and more. However, the panel with the page structure has many unfamiliar terms that most non-developers can’t decode.

Again, too technical for the average Joe but right up a web developer’s alley.

• Gutenberg Blocks: This is a feature unique to Oxygen. Users can create their own custom blocks through Gutenberg (block editor integration). They can then use these blocks while building a page.
• Dynamic Content: Use native WordPress information or custom field to add dynamic content. This content can be added in repeaters or loops and given conditions for display.
• Familiar Elements: Oxygen still retains well-known page building elements like pre-made layouts and website packs, header, footer, text styles, and more.

Pricing

All plans are a one-time fee with lifetime support and updates. It also allows unlimited licenses so it can be used for both personal and client sites.

A lifetime plan is $99. For WooCommerce or Gutenberg integration, you’ll need to pay $179 and $199, respectively.

A 60-day money-back guarantee is available for all plans. Try the demo version here.

7. Themify Builder Pro

And here’s the last of on my list of WordPress theme builders, Themify Builder. It’s another page builder plugin that comes with a theme builder in premium versions.

Themify isn’t a new plugin, but it’s only recently improved upon its theme builder’s features. Themify has many themes that you can use on your site, but it also works on several third-party WordPress themes.

Key Features

• Customizations: Builder Pro now allows users to create custom headers, footers, posts, 404 pages, archive pages, search pages, custom post types, and more. You can also add dynamic content for more effect.
• Themes and templates: Pre-designed templates are available for all customizable elements. You can also add a new theme and import templates from a pre-designed theme to speed up your theme building.
• Pro Theme: Templates that you create are associated with a Pro Theme. If you switch the themes, all templates associated with the new theme will be activated and the previous one, gone. But Pro Themes and templates are saved and can be accessed, imported, or exported whenever you want.
• Display Conditions: Choose where you want a template to appear.
• WooCommerce: There are pre-designed templates WooCommerce pages and over 30 modules available to create new templates.

Pricing

There are three plans.

Single Themes — $59 + one year’s support and updates.

Master Club — $89 + new themes, add-ons, and plugins with one year’s support and updates.

Lifetime Club — $249 + lifetime access to all themes, add-ons, plugins, support, and updates.

Themify Builder has a 30-day refund policy.

7 WordPress Theme Builders: Which is the Best? (Conclusion)

So, which of these WordPress theme builders is the best?

To answer your question, you’ll have to answer a couple of mine.

• Do you already have a website?
• Have you used any WordPress theme builders before?
• Would you consider yourself someone with advanced knowledge in coding?
• Do you need a theme builder for your personal websites or client use?

Now, for the answers.

If you already have a website with a theme, builders that work with third-party themes like Elementor Pro, Beaver Themer, and Themify Builder Pro are your best bet.

If you don’t have a website, I recommend Thrive Theme Builder for an easy setup.

Are you experienced with WordPress theme builders? Then, you can use software with steeper learning curves like Divi.

For developers or coders who need theme builders to create websites for their clients, Oxygen is a great choice. It requires a little more work but is also extremely flexible if you know how to work it.

But, if you’ve never used a theme builder or never built a website, Thrive Theme Builder will give you a very gentle but productive start. You can check out my full Thrive Theme Builder review.