Classic Widgets vs BlockArt Blocks

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

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 Widgets vs BlockArt Blocks: Key Statistics
Metric	Classic Widgets	BlockArt Blocks
Requires WP	4.9+	5.5+
Requires PHP	5.6+	7.4+
Tested up to WP	6.9.4	6.9.4
Plugin age	5 yrs	5 yrs

Quick Verdict

Classic Widgets is the data-driven winner. It boasts 2.0M+ active installs, which is 200x more installs than BlockArt Blocks. If your goal is to disable Gutenberg widgets and restore the classic widgets screen, this plugin is the proven choice. BlockArt Blocks serves a different purpose entirely, focusing on adding blocks to the block editor.

Feature Comparison: Classic Widgets vs BlockArt Blocks

Functional feature comparison
Feature	Classic Widgets	BlockArt Blocks
Primary purpose	Restores classic widget screens	Adds Gutenberg blocks for layouts
Block editor for widgets	Disabled	Enabled (adds blocks to it)
Customizer widget support	Enabled	Not applicable
Page building with blocks	Not applicable	Supported via dynamic blocks
Template library	Not included	Included
Target user	Users avoiding the block editor	Users embracing the block editor
Plugin tags	classic-widgets, disable, disable-gutenberg	block-editor, gutenberg-blocks, page-builder

Who Should Use Classic Widgets

Site owners who want to disable Gutenberg widgets and switch back to classic widgets WordPress. This plugin is trusted by 2.0M+ installs, making it the standard solution.
Anyone managing a multisite network where consistency matters. Classic Widgets works across all subsites, and its 95% five-star rating from 271 reviews confirms reliability.
Teams using the Customizer for widget placement. Classic Widgets restores that familiar interface, so you don't need to retrain editors on a block-based workflow.

Who Should Use BlockArt Blocks

Users building landing pages who want custom Gutenberg blocks without a full page builder. The plugin includes a template library to speed up layout creation.
Developers looking for the best Gutenberg blocks plugin WordPress offers when they need to add custom blocks to Gutenberg. BlockArt Blocks provides dynamic blocks for flexible layouts.
Editors who prefer the WordPress block editor and want more design options. The plugin's 88% five-star rating shows solid user satisfaction among block enthusiasts.

Community & Support

Classic Widgets holds a 95% five-star rating with only 2% one-star reviews from 271 total ratings. BlockArt Blocks shows an 88% five-star rating and 0% one-star reviews from 16 ratings. Both plugins have limited support thread data over the last two months, so we cannot draw conclusions about response times or resolution rates for either plugin.

Verdict: Classic Widgets or BlockArt Blocks for WordPress sites?

Pick Classic Widgets if you need to restore classic widgets in WordPress and disable the block editor for widgets. With 2.0M+ installs and a 95% five-star rating, it is the clear choice for that specific task.

Pick BlockArt Blocks if you want to expand the block editor with new layout tools. It serves a completely different audience, offering Gutenberg blocks for building pages.

The winner is Classic Widgets based on adoption and user satisfaction. BlockArt Blocks is a fine tool, but it solves a different problem. Choose based on your workflow, not on hype.

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 BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Widgets has 2.0M+ active installs while BlockArt Blocks has 10K+, meaning Classic Widgets is used on more sites.

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

Both plugins average 4.9/5 on WordPress.org — Classic Widgets from 271 reviews and BlockArt Blocks from 16 reviews.

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

BlockArt Blocks was last updated on Apr 2, 2026 and Classic Widgets on Dec 8, 2025, so BlockArt Blocks received the more recent update.

Q Are Classic Widgets and BlockArt Blocks both free?

Yes — both Classic Widgets 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 1. Is Classic Widgets or BlockArt Blocks better for WordPress sites?

Classic Widgets is better if you want to disable the block editor entirely and restore the old widget screens, which many users prefer for simplicity. BlockArt Blocks is better if you want to build modern, flexible layouts using the block editor, as it adds custom blocks for design. Your choice depends on whether you want to stick with the classic interface or embrace the new block-based editing experience.

Q 2. Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Classic Widgets or BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Widgets is easier for a beginner because you simply activate it and the old widget screen returns with no learning curve. BlockArt Blocks requires you to learn how to use the block editor and its new block options, which takes a bit more time. Most beginners who feel overwhelmed by the block editor prefer Classic Widgets for its instant familiarity.

Q 3. What is the biggest feature difference between Classic Widgets and BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Widgets removes the block editor from widgets and restores the traditional drag-and-drop interface, while BlockArt Blocks adds new custom blocks to the block editor for building pages. The core difference is that Classic Widgets simplifies by removing features, whereas BlockArt Blocks expands what you can do with the block editor. If you want more design control, you choose BlockArt Blocks; if you want less complexity, you choose Classic Widgets.

Q 4. Can you switch from Classic Widgets to BlockArt Blocks (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing your existing widget content because both plugins work with WordPress's standard widget storage. When you deactivate Classic Widgets, your widgets remain in the database and will appear in the block editor. Similarly, deactivating BlockArt Blocks simply removes its custom blocks, but your content stays safe.

Q 5. Which type of site should choose Classic Widgets, and which should choose BlockArt Blocks?

Classic Widgets is ideal for simple blogs, business sites, or multisite networks where you want a consistent, no-fuss widget area that everyone on the team already knows. BlockArt Blocks is better for design-heavy sites like portfolios, landing pages, or online stores where you need custom layouts and advanced block options. If your site relies on the classic editor and you dislike the block editor, go with Classic Widgets.