Classic Editor vs Selection Lite

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

Selection Lite

The Selection Lite Elementor widgets pack of items! This is just the initial version of a huge product we're excited to bring to the world.

Rating

0.0/5

Active Installs 10K+

Author merkulove

Version v1.17

Last Updated Mar 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Full Comparison

📊 Data-Driven Review

Technical Specs

Classic Editor vs Selection Lite: Key Statistics
Metric	Classic Editor	Selection Lite
Requires WP	4.9+	5.0+
Requires PHP	5.2.4+	7.4+
Tested up to WP	7.0	7.0
Plugin age	9 yrs	5 yrs

Quick Verdict

Classic Editor is the clear winner for most WordPress users. With 9.0M+ active installs, it has 900x more installs than Selection Lite. Classic Editor solves a specific, universal problem: restoring the original editing experience after the Gutenberg update. Selection Lite targets a much narrower audience of Elementor users who need widget packs. If you need to disable Gutenberg or switch back to the classic editor, choose Classic Editor. Selection Lite only makes sense if you specifically need Elementor header and footer templates.

Feature Comparison: Classic Editor vs Selection Lite

Core feature differences between Classic Editor and Selection Lite
Feature	Classic Editor	Selection Lite
Primary function	Enables the previous classic editor with TinyMCE and Meta Boxes	Elementor widgets pack including header and footer templates
Editor type	WordPress classic editor (TinyMCE)	Elementor page builder widgets
Compatibility with Gutenberg	Suppresses the block editor entirely	Works alongside Gutenberg via Elementor
Meta Box support	Full support for the old-style Edit Post screen	Not applicable
Plugin extension support	Supports all plugins that extend the classic screen	Extends Elementor specifically
Template types included	None (editor replacement only)	Header and footer templates
Version status	Mature, stable plugin	Initial version of a larger product

Who Should Use Classic Editor

Site owners who manage custom post types and need the classic interface for all of them. The plugin supports enabling the classic editor for custom post types without extra code, which is why 95% of its 1242 reviews give it 5 stars.
Teams running WooCommerce stores who want to keep product editing simple. Many merchants prefer the classic editor for WooCommerce product pages because Meta Boxes for inventory, shipping, and attributes render predictably.
Anyone who needs a reliable way to restore the classic editor after a Gutenberg update. With 9.0M+ installations, this plugin is the standard solution for that task.

Who Should Use Selection Lite

Elementor users who want pre-built header and footer templates without coding them from scratch. The plugin delivers exactly that: a widgets pack of items for site structure.
Developers building client sites with Elementor who need a lightweight, initial-version plugin for header and footer layouts. It's a starting point for a larger product.
Site owners who specifically searched for an Elementor custom header footer builder and want a free option. Selection Lite targets this niche, with related searches like "elementor header footer" seeing 120 monthly searches.

Community & Support

Classic Editor shows clear community engagement. In the last 2 months, it received 13 support threads with 1 resolved, a 8% resolution rate. The ratings breakdown is decisive: 95% of reviewers gave 5 stars, while only 1% gave 1 star. This indicates most users find the plugin works as advertised. Selection Lite's support sample is too small to draw any conclusions, so no meaningful comparison can be made there.

Verdict: Classic Editor or Selection Lite for WordPress sites?

Pick Classic Editor if you need to disable Gutenberg or switch back to the classic editor in WordPress. It has 9.0M+ installs and a 95% 5-star rating from 1242 reviews. It's the proven solution for anyone wondering how to use classic editor in WordPress after the block editor update.

Pick Selection Lite only if you are an Elementor user who specifically needs header and footer template widgets. It's an initial version of a larger product, so expect limited scope. It does not replace an editor or change how you write content. For the vast majority of WordPress sites, Classic Editor is the correct choice.

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 Selection Lite?

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

Q Which is more actively maintained — Classic Editor or Selection Lite?

Classic Editor was last updated on May 28, 2026 and Selection Lite on Mar 24, 2026, so Classic Editor received the more recent update.

Q Are Classic Editor and Selection Lite both free?

Yes — both Classic Editor and Selection Lite 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 Selection Lite better for WordPress sites?

Classic Editor is better if you need to stick with the familiar WordPress editing screen, especially for custom post types or WooCommerce product pages. Selection Lite is better if you use Elementor and want a dedicated library of header, footer, and template packs. For most general sites, Classic Editor solves a specific editing preference, while Selection Lite solves a design and layout need.

Q 2. Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Editor or Selection Lite?

Classic Editor is easier for a beginner because it activates instantly and returns the editor to the simple, classic WordPress writing screen with no extra steps. Selection Lite requires you to have Elementor installed first and then browse its template library, which adds a layer of complexity. Most beginners who just want to write posts will find Classic Editor more straightforward.

Q 3. What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Editor and Selection Lite?

Classic Editor is purely about changing the editing interface to the older WordPress editor, disabling the block editor (Gutenberg). Selection Lite is a template pack for Elementor that provides pre-built headers, footers, and page templates, and it has nothing to do with the editing interface itself. One controls how you edit content, the other provides ready-made design elements.

Q 4. Can you switch from Classic Editor to Selection Lite (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing your existing content because they work on completely different parts of WordPress. Classic Editor affects the editing screen only, while Selection Lite provides template blocks for Elementor. Your posts, pages, and product data remain untouched when you activate or deactivate either plugin.

Q 5. Which type of site should choose Classic Editor, and which should choose Selection Lite?

Classic Editor is for sites where you want to keep the original WordPress writing experience, such as blogs, news sites, or WooCommerce stores that need the classic product editor. Selection Lite is for sites built with Elementor that need quick, professional header and footer designs without building them from scratch. If you don't use Elementor, Selection Lite offers no benefit.