Classic Widgets vs Style Kits for Elementor

At a glance

Plugin A

Classic Widgets

Enables the previous "classic" widgets settings screens in Appearance - Widgets and the Customizer. Disables the block editor from managing widgets.

Rating

4.9/5

Active Installs 2.0M+

Author Tonya Mork

Version v0.3

Last Updated Dec 2025

Source WordPress.org ↗

Plugin B

Style Kits for Elementor

Power-up your Elementor workflow with global theme style presets, container-based patterns, and more global design controls.

Rating

4.7/5

Active Installs 10K+

Author AnalogWP

Version v2.6.5

Last Updated May 2026

Source WordPress.org ↗

Full Comparison

📊 Data-Driven Review

Technical Specs

Classic Widgets vs Style Kits for Elementor: Key Statistics
Metric	Classic Widgets	Style Kits for Elementor
Requires WP	4.9+	6.0+
Requires PHP	5.6+	7.4+
Tested up to WP	6.9.4	7.0.1
Plugin age	5 yrs	7 yrs

Quick Verdict

Choose Classic Widgets if you want to disable Gutenberg widgets and restore the classic WordPress widget screen. It holds 2.0M+ active installs, which is 200x more installs than Style Kits for Elementor. Style Kits for Elementor is a specialized tool for Elementor users who need global theme style presets and container patterns. For most WordPress site owners, Classic Widgets delivers a simpler, more widely trusted solution.

Feature Comparison: Classic Widgets vs Style Kits for Elementor

Core functional differences between Classic Widgets and Style Kits for Elementor
Feature	Classic Widgets	Style Kits for Elementor
Primary function	Restores classic widget screens and disables the block editor for widgets	Adds global style presets and container patterns for Elementor
Target page builder	Native WordPress (no page builder required)	Elementor only
Global design controls	None (uses WordPress default widget system)	Adds global theme style presets and design system controls
Container patterns	Not supported	Provides container-based patterns
Block editor impact	Disables block editor for widgets entirely	No impact on block editor
Customizer widget support	Restores classic widget panels in the Customizer	No Customizer widget changes
Plugin tags	Classic-widgets, disable-gutenberg, editor, gutenberg	Design-system, elementor-addons, global-styles, patterns
Multisite readiness	Works on multisite networks (switch back to classic widgets WordPress)	Works on multisite with Elementor installed

Who Should Use Classic Widgets

Site owners who want to disable Gutenberg widgets and restore classic widgets in WordPress. 95% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, reflecting strong satisfaction with this single-purpose fix.
Teams managing multisite networks who need a consistent widget experience. Classic widgets for multisite WordPress setups work without extra configuration.
Developers or agencies maintaining older client sites that rely on classic widget workflows. The plugin has 2.0M+ installs, proving its reliability for this use case.

Who Should Use Style Kits for Elementor

Elementor users who need a design system with global theme style presets. 86% of reviewers gave it 5 stars, showing strong approval for its design controls.
Designers building multiple Elementor sites who want reusable container patterns. The plugin provides container-based patterns that speed up layout work.
Teams looking for an elementor global styles solution without writing custom CSS. Style Kits for Elementor adds global controls directly into your Elementor workflow.

Community & Support

Classic Widgets earned 95% 5-star ratings from 271 total reviews, with only 2% of users leaving 1-star. Style Kits for Elementor holds 86% 5-star ratings, and 5% of its reviews are 1-star. The support data for both plugins comes from a small sample of threads (5 open for Classic Widgets, 1 open for Style Kits for Elementor over 2 months), so no meaningful comparison of support responsiveness is possible.

Verdict: Classic Widgets or Style Kits for Elementor for WordPress sites?

Pick Classic Widgets if you need to disable block editor for widgets and return to the traditional widget interface. It serves 2.0M+ sites and holds a 95% 5-star approval rate. This is the right choice for anyone asking "how to disable Gutenberg widgets in WordPress" or looking to restore classic widgets in WordPress.

Pick Style Kits for Elementor if you already build with Elementor and want global theme style presets or container patterns. Its 86% 5-star rating reflects solid value for Elementor-focused designers. But for general WordPress sites, Classic Widgets wins on adoption, ratings, and straightforward utility.

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 Widgets compared to Style Kits for Elementor?

Classic Widgets has 2.0M+ active installs while Style Kits for Elementor has 10K+, meaning Classic Widgets is used on more sites.

Q Which has better user ratings — Classic Widgets or Style Kits for Elementor?

Classic Widgets averages 4.9/5 from 271 reviews, while Style Kits for Elementor averages 4.7/5 from 44 reviews — Classic Widgets has the higher average rating.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Classic Widgets or Style Kits for Elementor?

Style Kits for Elementor was last updated on May 18, 2026 and Classic Widgets on Dec 8, 2025, so Style Kits for Elementor received the more recent update.

Q Are Classic Widgets and Style Kits for Elementor both free?

Yes — both Classic Widgets and Style Kits 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 Is Classic Widgets or Style Kits for Elementor better for WordPress sites?

Classic Widgets is the clear winner if you want to disable the block editor and restore the old widget screens. Style Kits for Elementor is better if you use Elementor and want a design system with global styles and patterns. Your choice depends entirely on whether you need to remove Gutenberg or enhance Elementor.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Widgets or Style Kits for Elementor?

Classic Widgets is easier for a beginner because you just activate it and the old widget interface returns immediately with no configuration needed. Style Kits for Elementor requires you to already have Elementor installed and then learn its global style settings and pattern library. Most beginners will find Classic Widgets simpler if their goal is just to get back the classic editor.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Widgets and Style Kits for Elementor?

Classic Widgets focuses on removing the Gutenberg block editor from widgets, giving you back the traditional WordPress widget screen. Style Kits for Elementor adds a design system, global styles, and patterns specifically for Elementor users. One removes a feature, the other adds a feature set for a specific page builder.

Q Can you switch from Classic Widgets to Style Kits for Elementor (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing data because they work on completely different parts of WordPress. Classic Widgets only changes the editing interface for widgets, while Style Kits for Elementor adds design tools to Elementor. Your existing widget content and Elementor designs will remain intact when you switch.

Q Which type of site should choose Classic Widgets, and which should choose Style Kits for Elementor?

Choose Classic Widgets if you run a site that doesn't use Elementor and you want to keep the classic widget interface without Gutenberg. Choose Style Kits for Elementor if your site is built with Elementor and you need consistent global styles and reusable patterns. A site using a classic theme with no page builder should pick Classic Widgets.