Classic Editor vs Vertical Timeline Widget

At a glance

Plugin A

Classic Editor

Enables the previous "classic" editor and the old-style Edit Post screen with TinyMCE, Meta Boxes, etc. Supports all plugins that extend this screen.

Rating

4.9/5

Active Installs 9.0M+

Author WordPress.org

Version v1.7.0

Last Updated May 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Plugin B

Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor

Use a vertical timeline widget for Elementor to showcase your journey, story, milestones, or roadmap directly inside Elementor.

Rating

4.8/5

Active Installs 10K+

Author Satinder Singh

Version v2.7.5

Last Updated Jun 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Full Comparison

📊 Data-Driven Review

Technical Specs

Classic Editor vs Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor: Key Statistics
Metric	Classic Editor	Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor
Requires WP	4.9+	5.2+
Requires PHP	5.2.4+	7.2+
Tested up to WP	7.0	7.0.1
Plugin age	9 yrs	8 yrs

Quick Verdict

Classic Editor wins this comparison. It has 9.0M+ active installs, which is 900x more than Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor. If you need to disable Gutenberg and restore the classic WordPress editing screen, Classic Editor is your only real option. Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor solves a very specific design task, but it serves a completely different purpose. For sheer utility and proven reliability, Classic Editor is the clear choice.

Feature Comparison: Classic Editor vs Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor

Core functional features of both plugins
Feature	Classic Editor	Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor
Primary purpose	Replaces the block editor (Gutenberg) with the classic TinyMCE editor and meta boxes	Adds a vertical timeline widget for Elementor to display milestones, stories, or roadmaps
Editor type	Classic WordPress editor (TinyMCE) with old-style Edit Post screen	Elementor widget, used inside the Elementor page builder interface
Content display	Standard post/page editing with meta boxes, custom fields, and visual/text tabs	Renders a vertical timeline with entries for dates, titles, descriptions, and images
Plugin compatibility	Supports all plugins that extend the classic Edit Post screen (e.g., ACF, Yoast SEO meta boxes)	Works exclusively within Elementor; requires Elementor (free or pro) to function
Target user	Site owners who prefer the classic editor or need to disable Gutenberg for custom post types	Elementor users building visual timelines for company history, events, or project roadmaps
Custom post type support	Can enable classic editor for specific post types via settings	Timeline widget can be added to any Elementor-built page, including custom post type archives
Learning curve	Familiar to anyone who used WordPress before version 5.0	Requires basic Elementor knowledge to add and configure the widget

Who Should Use Classic Editor

Site owners who want to disable Gutenberg and restore the classic editor for all posts and pages, a move trusted by 9.0M+ users worldwide.
Teams managing WooCommerce product pages who need the classic editor for WooCommerce product pages, since 95% of reviewers rate Classic Editor 5 stars for reliability.
Developers who need to enable classic editor for custom post types without breaking existing meta box layouts, backed by 1242 total reviews.

Who Should Use Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor

Elementor users who want to add a vertical timeline to Elementor for a company history page or project roadmap, with 92% of reviewers giving it 5 stars.
Freelancers building client sites who need a free elementor vertical timeline widget free option that integrates directly inside the Elementor builder.
Designers creating multi-entry timelines for portfolios or event schedules, a widget that serves a specific visual purpose with no extra coding.

Community & Support

Classic Editor shows clear support data. Over the last 2 months, 13 support threads were opened with 1 resolved, giving an 8% resolution rate. The rating profile is strong: 95% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, while only 1% gave 1 star. This indicates a mature plugin with a satisfied user base, though support response times could improve. For Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor, the support sample over the same period is too small to draw conclusions, and its rating breakdown shows 92% 5-star and 4% 1-star ratings from its user base.

Verdict: Classic Editor or Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor for WordPress sites?

Pick Classic Editor if you need to disable Gutenberg and restore the classic editor for WordPress across your entire site or for specific post types. It has 9.0M+ installs and a 95% 5-star rating, making it the proven solution for anyone asking how to switch back to classic editor in WordPress.

Pick Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor if you are an Elementor user who specifically needs to add a timeline widget for Elementor to display milestones or a company history. It serves a narrow design need and does that well, with 92% of reviewers satisfied.

For the vast majority of WordPress site owners, Classic Editor is the winner. It solves a widespread problem with massive adoption, while Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor solves a niche task. Choose based on your actual editing workflow, not on hypothetical feature overlap.

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 Classic Editor compared to Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Classic Editor has 9.0M+ active installs while Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor has 10K+, meaning Classic Editor is used on more sites.

Q Which has better user ratings — Classic Editor or Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Classic Editor averages 4.9/5 from 1,242 reviews, while Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor averages 4.8/5 from 26 reviews — Classic Editor has the higher average rating.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Classic Editor or Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor was last updated on Jun 10, 2026 and Classic Editor on May 28, 2026, so Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor received the more recent update.

Q Are Classic Editor and Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor both free?

Yes — both Classic Editor and Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor are free to install from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Some features may require a paid upgrade offered by the plugin author.

Q 1. Is Classic Editor or Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor better for WordPress sites?

Classic Editor is better if you need to stick with the old WordPress editing experience, especially for WooCommerce product pages or custom post types. Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor is better if you build visually rich, timeline-based layouts and already use the Elementor page builder. They solve entirely different problems, so your choice depends on whether you need an editing interface or a specific content widget.

Q 2. Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Editor or Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Classic Editor is easier for a beginner because it simply replaces the block editor with the familiar old editor you already know from earlier WordPress versions. Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor requires you to have Elementor installed and understand its drag-and-drop builder, which adds an extra learning curve. Most beginners find the Classic Editor plug-and-play approach simpler.

Q 3. What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Editor and Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Classic Editor is a full replacement for the WordPress block editor, letting you write posts and pages in the traditional TinyMCE interface. Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor is a single-purpose widget that adds a visual timeline layout to pages built with Elementor. One controls how you edit all content, the other adds a specific design element to your site.

Q 4. Can you switch from Classic Editor to Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing data because they operate on different parts of your site. Classic Editor changes how you edit existing posts and pages, but your content remains intact in the database. Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor only affects pages where you place the timeline widget, so uninstalling it leaves your other content untouched.

Q 5. Which type of site should choose Classic Editor, and which should choose Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor?

Sites that rely on custom post types, WooCommerce product pages, or users who hate the block editor should choose Classic Editor. Sites that want to display a chronological story, company history, or project milestones in a visual layout should choose Vertical Timeline Widget for Elementor. If you need both, you can install both plugins since they serve different purposes.