Starter Templates vs ShopBuilder 2026

At a glance

Plugin A

Starter Templates – AI-Powered Templates for Elementor & Gutenberg

The growing library of 300+ ready-to-use templates that work with all WordPress themes including Astra, Hello, OceanWP, GeneratePress and more

Rating

4.9/5

Active Installs 1.0M+

Author Brainstorm Force

Version v4.6.3

Last Updated Jun 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Plugin B

ShopBuilder – WooCommerce Builder For Elementor

WooCommerce builder for Elementor includes 80+ widgets, WooCommerce templates, quick view, compare, wishlist, shop & archive page builder and more.

Rating

4.7/5

Active Installs 10K+

Author RadiusTheme

Version v3.3.0

Last Updated Jun 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Full Comparison

📊 Data-Driven Review

Technical Specs

Starter Templates vs ShopBuilder: Key Statistics
Metric	Starter Templates	ShopBuilder
Requires WP	6.6+	5.5+
Requires PHP	7.4+	7.4+
Tested up to WP	7.0	7.0.1
Plugin age	9 yrs	4 yrs

Quick Verdict

Starter Templates is the clear winner for most WordPress users. The plugin has 100x more installs than ShopBuilder, reflecting its broader appeal for building pages with Elementor or Gutenberg. With a 98% five-star rating from 4743 reviews, it suits anyone who needs quick, theme-agnostic templates. ShopBuilder serves a narrower niche: Elementor users building a WooCommerce store from scratch. Pick Starter Templates for general site building; choose ShopBuilder only if your primary goal is a custom product page builder.

Feature Comparison: Starter Templates vs ShopBuilder

Functional features of Starter Templates and ShopBuilder
Feature	Starter Templates	ShopBuilder
Template library size	300+ ready-to-use templates	WooCommerce-specific templates (count not specified)
Supported page builders	Elementor and Gutenberg (block editor)	Elementor only
Theme compatibility	Works with Astra, Hello, OceanWP, GeneratePress, and more	Works with any Elementor-compatible theme
WooCommerce widgets	Not listed as a dedicated feature	80+ widgets for WooCommerce
Product page builder	Not listed as a dedicated feature	Shop and archive page builder included
Wishlist functionality	Not listed as a dedicated feature	Built-in wishlist widget
Quick view functionality	Not listed as a dedicated feature	Built-in quick view widget
Product comparison	Not listed as a dedicated feature	Built-in compare widget

Who Should Use Starter Templates

Site owners who want to import Elementor templates or Gutenberg starter sites without switching themes. The library of 300+ templates works with Astra, Hello, OceanWP, and GeneratePress, so you are not locked into a single ecosystem.
Developers helping clients build brochure sites, blogs, or landing pages. With 98% of reviewers giving it 5 stars, the plugin has a proven track record for delivering production-ready designs fast.
Anyone learning how to import starter templates in WordPress for the first time. The plugin's massive install base means tutorials and community solutions are plentiful for common setup questions.

Who Should Use ShopBuilder

Store owners who need a WooCommerce product page builder with dedicated widgets. ShopBuilder includes 80+ widgets for tasks like quick view, wishlist, and product comparison that Starter Templates does not offer.
Elementor users who want to build custom shop and archive pages without writing code. The plugin provides dedicated templates for WooCommerce-specific layouts.
Anyone searching for an Elementor WooCommerce wishlist plugin that integrates directly into the builder. ShopBuilder's wishlist and compare widgets are built-in, not added via a third-party tool.

Community & Support

Starter Templates holds a 98% five-star rating and only 1% one-star ratings from 4743 reviews. The support sample for this plugin is too small to draw conclusions. ShopBuilder shows 88% five-star ratings and 0% one-star ratings from 17 reviews. Its support sample is also too small for meaningful analysis. Both plugins maintain high satisfaction among reviewers who took the time to rate them.

Verdict: Starter Templates or ShopBuilder for WordPress sites?

Pick Starter Templates if you need a general-purpose template library for Elementor or Gutenberg. It has 100x more installs than ShopBuilder, works across multiple themes, and carries a 98% five-star score from 4743 reviewers. This is the right choice for blogs, business sites, and portfolios where WooCommerce is not the primary focus.

Pick ShopBuilder if you run a WooCommerce store and want to customize product pages, shop archives, and add wishlist or quick view features directly inside Elementor. Its 80+ widgets give you store-specific tools that Starter Templates lacks. But ShopBuilder serves a narrower audience, your decision hinges on whether you need a general site builder or a specialized WooCommerce builder for Elementor.

How this comparison was made

This comparison is AI-generated from live WordPress.org data. Install counts, ratings, versions and support statistics sync weekly, so the numbers on this page stay current. Content passes automated quality checks before publishing, and pages below our quality threshold are held for human review.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Q How many people use Starter Templates compared to ShopBuilder?

Starter Templates has 1.0M+ active installs while ShopBuilder has 10K+, meaning Starter Templates is used on more sites.

Q Which has better user ratings — Starter Templates or ShopBuilder?

Starter Templates averages 4.9/5 from 4,743 reviews, while ShopBuilder averages 4.7/5 from 17 reviews — Starter Templates has the higher average rating.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Starter Templates or ShopBuilder?

ShopBuilder was last updated on Jun 16, 2026 and Starter Templates on Jun 2, 2026, so ShopBuilder received the more recent update.

Q Are Starter Templates and ShopBuilder both free?

Yes — both Starter Templates and ShopBuilder are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.

Q Is Starter Templates or ShopBuilder better for WordPress sites?

Starter Templates is better for general WordPress sites that need a quick design foundation, especially if you use the Astra theme or the Block Editor. ShopBuilder is the clear winner if you run a WooCommerce store and need to customize product pages, checkout, and shop layouts with Elementor.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Starter Templates or ShopBuilder?

Starter Templates is easier for a beginner because you import a complete site design with one click and replace the content. ShopBuilder requires you to already have WooCommerce installed and understand Elementor editing to build individual store pages, which adds complexity.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between Starter Templates and ShopBuilder?

Starter Templates focuses on providing ready-made site templates for the Block Editor, Elementor, and the Astra theme, while ShopBuilder is specifically a WooCommerce builder for Elementor. The core difference is that Starter Templates gives you full website layouts, whereas ShopBuilder gives you granular control over WooCommerce product and cart pages.

Q Can you switch from Starter Templates to ShopBuilder (or the other way) without losing data?

You can use both plugins together without losing data because they serve different purposes. Starter Templates imports your initial site design, and ShopBuilder then lets you override WooCommerce templates, so switching is more about adding functionality rather than replacing it.

Q Which type of site should choose Starter Templates, and which should choose ShopBuilder?

Choose Starter Templates if you are building a blog, business site, or portfolio and want a fast, pre-designed layout. Choose ShopBuilder if you operate a WooCommerce store and need to design custom product pages, category pages, and checkout flows with Elementor.