Classic Editor vs BlockArt Blocks

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

BlockArt Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks, Page Builder Blocks ,WordPress Block Plugin, Sections & Template Library

Enhance the power of your WordPress editor with the dynamic Gutenberg blocks by BlockArt Blocks. Build any layout imaginable.

Rating

4.9/5

Active Installs 10K+

Author BlockArt

Version v2.3.0

Last Updated Apr 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Full Comparison

📊 Data-Driven Review

Technical Specs

Classic Editor vs BlockArt Blocks: Key Statistics
Metric	Classic Editor	BlockArt Blocks
Requires WP	4.9+	5.5+
Requires PHP	5.2.4+	7.4+
Tested up to WP	7.0	6.9.4
Plugin age	9 yrs	5 yrs

Quick Verdict

Classic Editor is the clear winner for most WordPress sites. The plugin has 9.0M+ active installs, which is 900x more than BlockArt Blocks. If you need to disable Gutenberg entirely, maintain the old TinyMCE writing experience, or support legacy plugins, Classic Editor is your only reliable choice. BlockArt Blocks serves a niche audience of users who want to stay in the block editor but need extra layout blocks. For the vast majority of site owners asking how to switch back to classic editor in WordPress, the answer is Classic Editor.

Feature Comparison: Classic Editor vs BlockArt Blocks

Feature comparison between Classic Editor and BlockArt Blocks
Feature	Classic Editor	BlockArt Blocks
Editor Type	TinyMCE with Meta Boxes, old Edit Post screen	Extends the Gutenberg block editor
Default WordPress Behavior	Replaces the block editor with the classic interface	Keeps the block editor, adds new block types
Custom Post Type Support	Per-post-type setting to enable classic editor for custom post types	Works with any post type that uses the block editor
Plugin Compatibility	Supports all plugins that extend the classic Edit Post screen	Compatible with plugins that extend the block editor
Layout Building	No built-in layout blocks; relies on shortcodes or page builders	Provides Gutenberg blocks for building any layout imaginable
User Role Settings	Allows per-user and per-role editor selection	No user role controls; blocks appear for all editors
Page Builder Integration	Works with classic page builders (Elementor, Beaver Builder, etc.)	Functions as a lightweight page builder inside Gutenberg
Learning Curve	Familiar interface for users accustomed to pre-5.0 WordPress	Requires comfort with the block editor workflow

Who Should Use Classic Editor

Site owners who want to restore classic editor after Gutenberg update without retraining their entire team, 95% of its 5-star ratings confirm user satisfaction with this approach.
Anyone running a WooCommerce store who needs classic editor for WooCommerce product pages, especially when using legacy product meta boxes or custom fields.
Developers managing sites with dozens of custom post types who need to enable classic editor for custom post types individually, a feature built directly into the plugin.

Who Should Use BlockArt Blocks

Users who want to stay in the block editor but need gutenberg blocks for building landing pages without installing a full page builder plugin.
Content creators looking for the best gutenberg blocks plugin WordPress offers for adding advanced sections, columns, and templates to the native editing experience.
Site builders who need to add custom blocks to Gutenberg for specific layouts, rather than replacing the entire editor with a third-party builder.

Community & Support

Classic Editor shows active support management with 13 threads handled over 2 months. However, only 1 of those 13 threads was resolved, giving an 8% resolution rate. The rating profile is strong: 95% of reviewers give it 5 stars, while just 1% assign 1 star. BlockArt Blocks has zero open threads in the same 2-month period, which means its support sample is too small to draw any meaningful conclusion. The plugin maintains an 88% 5-star rating with 0% 1-star ratings from its smaller user base.

Verdict: Classic Editor or BlockArt Blocks for WordPress sites?

Pick Classic Editor if you need a proven solution to disable Gutenberg and return to the familiar writing screen. With 9.0M+ installs and a 95% 5-star approval rate, it is the standard answer for anyone searching how to use classic editor in WordPress.

Pick BlockArt Blocks if you want to enhance the block editor with extra layout blocks and you already enjoy the Gutenberg workflow. Its 88% 5-star rating shows strong approval among its niche audience.

The data is clear: Classic Editor is the classic editor alternative WordPress users trust at scale. For the question of how to switch back to classic editor in WordPress, this plugin has dominated the space since Gutenberg launched. BlockArt Blocks serves a specific purpose, but Classic Editor solves a far more common problem for the majority of site owners.

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 BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Editor has 9.0M+ active installs while BlockArt Blocks has 10K+, meaning Classic Editor is used on more sites.

Q Which has better user ratings — Classic Editor or BlockArt Blocks?

Both plugins average 4.9/5 on WordPress.org — Classic Editor from 1,242 reviews and BlockArt Blocks from 16 reviews.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Classic Editor or BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Editor was last updated on May 28, 2026 and BlockArt Blocks on Apr 2, 2026, so Classic Editor received the more recent update.

Q Are Classic Editor and BlockArt Blocks both free?

Yes — both Classic Editor and BlockArt Blocks 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 Classic Editor or BlockArt Blocks better for WordPress sites?

If you need to keep the old writing experience exactly as it was before Gutenberg, Classic Editor is the better choice. BlockArt Blocks is better if you want to build modern layouts with a block editor but need more design options than the default blocks provide.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Editor or BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Editor is easier for a beginner because it activates with one click and instantly gives you the familiar toolbar from older WordPress versions. BlockArt Blocks requires you to learn how to use Gutenberg blocks first, which adds a small learning curve for a new user.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Editor and BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Editor removes the block editor entirely and gives you a single text field with a toolbar, just like the old WordPress. BlockArt Blocks adds extra block types to the Gutenberg editor, so you get more layout and design tools without leaving the block interface.

Q Can you switch from Classic Editor to BlockArt Blocks (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them safely because both plugins work with standard WordPress content. Classic Editor stores your content as HTML in the classic block, and BlockArt Blocks stores content as standard Gutenberg blocks, so your text and images stay intact when you deactivate one and activate the other.

Q Which type of site should choose Classic Editor, and which should choose BlockArt Blocks?

Sites with many custom post types or WooCommerce product pages that rely on the old meta boxes and custom fields should stick with Classic Editor. Sites that want to build visually rich pages with columns, buttons, and galleries should pick BlockArt Blocks because it gives you those extra block options right in the editor.