At a glance
User Role Editor
User Role Editor WordPress plugin makes user roles and capabilities changing easy. Edit/add/delete WordPress user roles and capabilities.
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.
Full Comparison
Technical Specs
| Metric | User Role Editor | BlockArt Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Requires WP | 4.4+ | 5.5+ |
| Requires PHP | 7.3+ | 7.4+ |
| Tested up to WP | 7.0 | 6.9.4 |
| Plugin age | 16 yrs | 5 yrs |
Quick Verdict
BlockArt Blocks is the winner for most WordPress site owners. Its 88% five-star rating and 0% one-star reviews signal exceptionally high user satisfaction. User Role Editor serves a specific need for access control, but BlockArt Blocks addresses the more common task of building pages with the block editor. If you are adding content or building layouts, pick BlockArt Blocks.
Feature Comparison: User Role Editor vs BlockArt Blocks
| Feature | User Role Editor | BlockArt Blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Edit, add, and delete user roles and capabilities | Enhance the WordPress editor with Gutenberg blocks |
| Gutenberg block library | None | Yes, dynamic blocks for building layouts |
| Template library | None | Yes, sections and full-page templates |
| Custom role creation | Yes, add custom user roles | None |
| Capability editing | Yes, granular per-role control | None |
| Page builder blocks | None | Yes, landing page and section building |
| Role deletion | Yes, delete user roles | None |
| Access control for WooCommerce | Yes, edit user roles for WooCommerce | None |
Who Should Use User Role Editor
- Site owners who need to edit user roles in WordPress with precision. User Role Editor has 700K+ active installs, making it the most trusted tool for this job.
- Multisite managers who want to add custom user roles in WordPress for different network sites. 85% of its reviewers gave it a perfect 5-star rating.
- Developers who need to delete user roles in WordPress programmatically or via the UI. The plugin supports both methods out of the box.
Who Should Use BlockArt Blocks
- Content creators who want the best Gutenberg blocks plugin for WordPress to build landing pages without a separate page builder. 88% of reviewers rated it 5 stars.
- Designers who need to add custom blocks to Gutenberg for unique layouts. BlockArt Blocks ships with a template library for fast site building.
- Anyone frustrated with the default block editor who wants Gutenberg blocks for building landing pages with zero coding. The plugin has 0% one-star reviews.
Community & Support
User Role Editor has a 5-star rating of 85% and a 1-star rating of 8%, based on 287 reviews. BlockArt Blocks shows a 5-star rating of 88% and a 1-star rating of 0%. Both plugins were updated recently, User Role Editor on May 21, 2026 and BlockArt Blocks on Apr 2, 2026.
Verdict: User Role Editor or BlockArt Blocks for WordPress sites?
Pick User Role Editor if your site needs strict access management. It has 70x more installs than BlockArt Blocks and is the standard for editing user roles. You need it for membership sites, client portals, or WooCommerce stores where you must control what each user can do.
Pick BlockArt Blocks if you build pages, posts, or landing pages. It solves a more universal problem, creating content that looks good, and its 0% one-star rate shows almost no users regret the choice. For 9 out of 10 WordPress site owners, BlockArt Blocks is the better daily driver.
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 User Role Editor compared to BlockArt Blocks?
User Role Editor has 700K+ active installs while BlockArt Blocks has 10K+, meaning User Role Editor is used on more sites.
Q Which has better user ratings — User Role Editor or BlockArt Blocks?
BlockArt Blocks averages 4.9/5 from 16 reviews, while User Role Editor averages 4.5/5 from 287 reviews — BlockArt Blocks has the higher average rating.
Q Which is more actively maintained — User Role Editor or BlockArt Blocks?
User Role Editor was last updated on May 21, 2026 and BlockArt Blocks on Apr 2, 2026, so User Role Editor received the more recent update.
Q Are User Role Editor and BlockArt Blocks both free?
Yes — both User Role Editor 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 Is User Role Editor or BlockArt Blocks better for WordPress sites?
User Role Editor is better if you need to control who can do what on your site, like limiting access to posts or plugins. BlockArt Blocks is better if you want to build pages with custom layouts and design elements. They solve completely different problems, so the right choice depends on whether you need user management or page building.
Q Which is easier to set up for a WordPress beginner — User Role Editor or BlockArt Blocks?
BlockArt Blocks is easier for a beginner because you just install it and start adding blocks to your posts and pages right away. User Role Editor requires you to understand WordPress user roles and capabilities, which takes a bit more learning. Most beginners will find BlockArt Blocks more intuitive from the start.
Q What is the biggest feature difference between User Role Editor and BlockArt Blocks?
User Role Editor focuses on security and access control, letting you edit existing user roles or create new ones with specific permissions. BlockArt Blocks is a collection of Gutenberg blocks for designing content, like buttons, columns, and image galleries. One manages users, the other manages page layouts.
Q Can you switch from User Role Editor to BlockArt Blocks (or the other way) without losing data?
Yes, you can switch between them without losing data because they do not overlap in what they save. User Role Editor stores user permission settings in the WordPress database, and BlockArt Blocks stores block content in your posts and pages. Deactivating one plugin will not affect the other's data.
Q Which type of site should choose User Role Editor, and which should choose BlockArt Blocks?
Choose User Role Editor for membership sites, WooCommerce stores, or any site where you need to restrict what editors, contributors, or customers can see or do. Choose BlockArt Blocks for blogs, business sites, or portfolios where you want to create visually rich pages without coding. Most sites will benefit from one or the other, but rarely both.
More Page Builders & Editors Comparisons
Ultimate Addons for Elementor vs Template Kit
Essential Addons for Elementor vs Unlimited Elements For Elementor
Premium Addons for Elementor vs Royal Addons for Elementor
Live Composer vs Selection Lite
Advanced Editor Tools vs Copy Anything to Clipboard for WordPress
Happy Addons for Elementor vs Template Kit
Widget Content Blocks vs Events Tracker for Elementor
Live Composer vs ShopBuilder