At a glance
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.
Live Composer – Free WordPress Website Builder
Page builder for WordPress with drag and drop header/footer editing, responsive settings, and animations. Compatible with Gutenberg block editor.
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | Classic Editor | Live Composer |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 4.9+ | 6.0+ |
| Requires PHP | 5.2.4+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 6.9.4 |
| Plugin age | 9 yrs | 11 yrs |
Quick Verdict
Classic Editor is the clear winner for most WordPress sites. It holds 9.0M+ active installs, which is 900x more than Live Composer. For anyone asking how to switch back to classic editor in WordPress, this plugin provides the most reliable path. Its 95% five-star rating over 1242 reviews confirms that users trust it for stability. If you need a drag and drop page builder for specific pages, Live Composer has a place, but Classic Editor wins on proven reliability and adoption.
Feature Comparison: Classic Editor vs Live Composer
| Feature | Classic Editor | Live Composer |
|---|---|---|
| Editing interface | TinyMCE with Meta Boxes (old-style Edit Post screen) | Frontend drag and drop builder |
| Gutenberg compatibility | Replaces Gutenberg entirely | Compatible with Gutenberg block editor |
| Header/footer editing | Not built in (relies on theme or other plugins) | Drag and drop header/footer editing |
| Responsive settings | Not built in (relies on theme) | Built-in responsive settings |
| Animations | Not built in (relies on other plugins or theme) | Built-in animation options |
| Landing page creation | Uses standard WordPress editor | Frontend page builder with drag and drop |
| Plugin compatibility | Supports all plugins that extend the classic Edit Post screen | Works alongside Gutenberg blocks |
Who Should Use Classic Editor
- Teams running WooCommerce stores who need classic editor for WooCommerce product pages specifically, the plugin preserves the familiar product data meta boxes that many extensions rely on.
- Developers who manage custom post types and need to enable classic editor for custom post types without rewriting field integrations, the plugin handles this with one setting.
- Anyone who values high user satisfaction, 95% of 1242 reviewers gave it 5 stars, and only 1% gave 1 star.
Who Should Use Live Composer
- Users who want to build landing pages visually without touching code, the frontend builder lets you see changes in real time, and it's a practical answer to how to build a landing page in WordPress.
- Site owners who need drag and drop header footer WordPress customization without buying a premium theme, this feature is built into the free plugin.
- Designers who need per-element responsive settings and animations from one plugin, Live Composer bundles these options, which Classic Editor does not include.
Community & Support
Classic Editor shows strong community engagement. Over the last 2 months, the support forum handled 13 threads with 1 resolved (8%). The ratings distribution is heavily positive: 95% of reviewers left 5 stars, and only 1% left 1 star. This suggests the plugin is stable and the support team, while not hyperactive, addresses the most critical issues. Live Composer's support sample is too small to draw conclusions from, so we cannot compare resolution rates meaningfully. The 79% five-star rating versus 9% one-star rating indicates a more polarized user base than Classic Editor.
Verdict: Classic Editor or Live Composer for WordPress sites?
Pick Classic Editor if you need to disable Gutenberg WordPress-wide, restore classic editor after Gutenberg update, or maintain compatibility with existing plugins. With 9.0M+ installs and 95% five-star reviews, it is the proven solution for stability. It is also the best classic editor alternative WordPress has for sites that cannot risk layout breakage from block-based editing.
Pick Live Composer if your primary need is a visual builder for specific landing pages or custom headers and footers. It offers frontend editing, animations, and responsive controls that Classic Editor lacks. However, its 79% five-star rating and 9% one-star rating show more mixed satisfaction than Classic Editor's 95% and 1%.
For 9 out of 10 WordPress sites, Classic Editor is the right call. It has 900x more installs, a vastly higher satisfaction rate, and solves the most common problem: how to use classic editor in WordPress after the Gutenberg update.
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 methodologyFrequently Asked Questions
Q How many people use Classic Editor compared to Live Composer?
Classic Editor has 9.0M+ active installs while Live Composer has 10K+, meaning Classic Editor is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — Classic Editor or Live Composer?
Classic Editor averages 4.9/5 from 1,242 reviews, while Live Composer averages 4.4/5 from 212 reviews — Classic Editor has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — Classic Editor or Live Composer?
Live Composer was last updated on Jun 4, 2026 and Classic Editor on May 28, 2026, so Live Composer received the more recent update.
Q Are Classic Editor and Live Composer both free?
Yes — both Classic Editor and Live Composer 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 Live Composer better for WordPress sites?
Classic Editor is better if you want a familiar, distraction-free writing experience that works with the default block editor and Gutenberg. Live Composer is better if you need a drag-and-drop page builder for designing custom layouts directly on the front end. The right choice depends on whether you prioritize simple content editing or visual design control.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Editor or Live Composer?
Classic Editor is easier for a beginner because it activates instantly and returns the familiar editing screen most users already know from older WordPress versions. Live Composer requires learning its drag-and-drop interface and front-end editing tools, which adds a steeper learning curve. For someone just starting out, Classic Editor is the simpler, more straightforward option.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Editor and Live Composer?
The biggest difference is that Classic Editor provides a traditional text-based editing experience, while Live Composer is a full front-end page builder with drag-and-drop capabilities. Classic Editor focuses on writing and basic media insertion, whereas Live Composer lets you build complex page layouts visually without touching code. This makes Live Composer a design tool and Classic Editor a writing tool.
Q Can you switch from Classic Editor to Live Composer (or the other way) without losing data?
Switching from Classic Editor to Live Composer is generally safe because Live Composer can work with existing content created in the classic editor. However, switching from Live Composer back to Classic Editor may cause layout issues, as shortcodes and custom blocks from Live Composer won't render properly in the classic editor. It is best to test the switch on a staging site first to avoid losing your design work.
Q Which type of site should choose Classic Editor, and which should choose Live Composer?
Classic Editor is ideal for blogs, news sites, or any site where you primarily write text and want a simple, reliable editing experience. Live Composer is better suited for business sites, landing pages, or portfolios that require custom layouts and visual design control. Choose Classic Editor for content-focused sites and Live Composer for design-heavy sites.
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