📊 Data-Driven Comparison · Updated 2026

Disable Gutenberg or Selection Lite? How to Choose the Right One

Honest Breakdown

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By PluginMatch Editorial
· ⏱ 3 min read
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DI
Disable Gutenberg

500K+ installs

WP.org rating 5.0/5
SE
Selection Lite

10K+ installs

WP.org rating 0.0/5

At a glance

Plugin A

Disable Gutenberg

Disable Gutenberg Block Editor and restore the Classic Editor and original Edit Post screen (TinyMCE, meta boxes, etc.).

Rating
5.0/5
Active Installs 500K+
Author Jeff Starr
Version v3.3.1
Last Updated Apr 2026
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

Full Comparison

Technical Specs

Disable Gutenberg vs Selection Lite: Key Statistics
MetricDisable GutenbergSelection Lite
Requires WP4.9+5.0+
Requires PHP5.6.20+7.4+
Tested up to WP7.07.0
Plugin age8 yrs5 yrs

Quick Verdict

Disable Gutenberg is the clear winner for WordPress users who want to turn off the block editor and restore the classic editing experience. It has 500K+ active installs, which is 50x more installs than Selection Lite. Disable Gutenberg is a focused tool for a single, high-demand task. Selection Lite is a different product entirely: it adds Elementor widgets, not editor controls. If your goal is to disable the block editor, pick Disable Gutenberg.

Feature Comparison: Disable Gutenberg vs Selection Lite

Core functional differences between Disable Gutenberg and Selection Lite
Feature Disable Gutenberg Selection Lite
Primary function Disable Gutenberg Block Editor and restore the Classic Editor (TinyMCE, meta boxes) Elementor widgets pack including header and footer templates
Editor restoration Restores the original Edit Post screen Does not modify the default editor
Target page builder Works independently of page builders Requires Elementor to function
Header/footer control Not included Included via Elementor widgets
Template system No template system Offers header and footer templates
Plugin tags block-editor, classic-editor, editor, gutenberg elementor, header-and-footer, pack, selection, templates
Version maturity Stable, single-purpose plugin Initial version of a larger product

Who Should Use Disable Gutenberg

  • Site owners who want to restore classic editor WordPress workflows. Disable Gutenberg is trusted by 500K+ sites, making it the most popular solution for this task.
  • Teams managing WooCommerce stores who need the classic editor for WooCommerce products. The plugin keeps meta boxes and custom fields visible without extra configuration.
  • Anyone who values community trust. 99% of its 732 reviews are 5-star ratings, indicating consistent satisfaction over time.

Who Should Use Selection Lite

  • Elementor users who want a dedicated header and footer builder. Selection Lite provides Elementor header footer templates out of the box.
  • Developers building sites with Elementor who need a widgets pack. The plugin ships with a collection of Elementor widgets in its initial version.
  • Users who prefer a visual, drag-and-drop approach for site chrome. Selection Lite lets you design headers and footers directly inside Elementor's interface.

Community & Support

Disable Gutenberg has a strong track record with its user base. 99% of its 732 reviews are 5-star ratings, while only 1% are 1-star. This rating distribution shows that the vast majority of users find the plugin works as advertised. Support data for Disable Gutenberg is based on a sample too small to draw conclusions, so we do not cite it here. Selection Lite has no publicly available rating breakdown or support thread data to report.

Verdict: Disable Gutenberg or Selection Lite for WordPress sites?

Pick Disable Gutenberg if your priority is to disable Gutenberg block editor and restore classic editor WordPress functionality. It has 500K+ installs and a 99% 5-star rating from 732 reviews, proving it solves this specific problem reliably. Pick Selection Lite if you already use Elementor and need a custom header footer builder with extra widgets. These two plugins serve entirely different purposes. For the task of removing the block editor, Disable Gutenberg is the data-driven winner.

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 Disable Gutenberg compared to Selection Lite?

Disable Gutenberg has 500K+ active installs while Selection Lite has 10K+, meaning Disable Gutenberg is used on more sites.

Q Which is more actively maintained — Disable Gutenberg or Selection Lite?

Disable Gutenberg was last updated on Apr 17, 2026 and Selection Lite on Mar 24, 2026, so Disable Gutenberg received the more recent update.

Q Are Disable Gutenberg and Selection Lite both free?

Yes — both Disable Gutenberg 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 Is Disable Gutenberg or Selection Lite better for WordPress sites?

For sites that need to remove the block editor and restore the classic editing experience, Disable Gutenberg is the clear choice. Selection Lite is a template and header-footer pack for Elementor, so it solves a completely different problem. You should pick the one that matches your goal, not compare them as direct competitors.

Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — Disable Gutenberg or Selection Lite?

Disable Gutenberg is easier for a beginner because it works immediately after activation with no configuration needed. Selection Lite requires you to use Elementor and understand template systems, which adds complexity. Most beginners who just want the old editor back will find Disable Gutenberg simpler.

Q What is the biggest feature difference between Disable Gutenberg and Selection Lite?

Disable Gutenberg focuses entirely on disabling the block editor and restoring the classic WordPress editor. Selection Lite provides Elementor-based header, footer, and template packs for site design. One controls how you write content, the other controls how your site looks.

Q Can you switch from Disable Gutenberg to Selection Lite (or the other way) without losing data?

Yes, you can switch between them without losing your content because neither plugin stores data in your posts or pages. Disable Gutenberg only changes which editor loads, and Selection Lite provides design templates. Your actual text and media remain untouched when you deactivate either plugin.

Q Which type of site should choose Disable Gutenberg, and which should choose Selection Lite?

Choose Disable Gutenberg if you want to remove the block editor from your entire site, including WooCommerce products, and prefer the classic editing interface. Choose Selection Lite if you build sites with Elementor and need pre-made header, footer, and template packs to speed up your design work.