15 Must-Have Block Plugins to Supercharge the Gutenberg Editor
The Gutenberg block editor's true power lies in its extensibility. While WordPress core blocks provide essential functionality, the ecosystem of block plugins transforms Gutenberg into a comprehensive page-building powerhouse. Whether you need advanced layouts, dynamic content, or specialized functionality, there's a block plugin to meet your needs.
This guide evaluates the top 15 block plugins based on features, performance, ease of use, and value. We'll help you choose the right plugins for your projects while avoiding bloat and conflicts.
Table of Contents
- Evaluation Criteria
- Top Block Collections
- Specialized Block Plugins
- Performance Impact Analysis
- Free vs Premium Comparison
- Installation and Setup Guides
Evaluation Criteria
How We Test Block Plugins
To ensure fair and comprehensive evaluation, we test each plugin against these criteria:
1. Feature Set
- Number and variety of blocks
- Unique functionality
- Design flexibility
- Integration capabilities
2. Performance Impact
- Page load speed
- Editor performance
- Database queries
- Asset optimization
3. User Experience
- Ease of installation
- Learning curve
- Documentation quality
- Support responsiveness
4. Code Quality
- Coding standards compliance
- Security practices
- Update frequency
- Compatibility
5. Value Proposition
- Free vs premium features
- Pricing structure
- License flexibility
- ROI for developers
Testing Methodology
// Performance testing script
function test_block_plugin_performance($plugin_slug) {
$metrics = array();
// Measure activation impact
$start_memory = memory_get_usage();
$start_time = microtime(true);
activate_plugin($plugin_slug);
$metrics['activation_time'] = microtime(true) - $start_time;
$metrics['memory_usage'] = memory_get_usage() - $start_memory;
// Test editor load time
$metrics['editor_load'] = measure_editor_load_time();
// Count registered blocks
$metrics['block_count'] = count(WP_Block_Type_Registry::get_instance()->get_all_registered());
// Measure frontend impact
$metrics['frontend_assets'] = count_enqueued_assets();
return $metrics;
}
Top Block Collections
1. Kadence Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: A comprehensive block collection focusing on advanced layouts and professional design.
Key Features: - 20+ custom blocks - Advanced row/column layouts - Form builder - Dynamic content - Global styles system
Standout Blocks: - Advanced Gallery with lightbox - Tabs and Accordions - Info Box with icons - Testimonial carousel - Advanced Button
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.2s - Editor performance: Excellent - Optimized asset loading - Conditional CSS loading
Pricing: - Free version: Core blocks available - Pro version: $89/year (unlimited sites)
Best For: Professional websites requiring advanced layouts without coding.
2. GenerateBlocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Lightweight, developer-friendly blocks focusing on layout and structure.
Key Features: - 4 powerful core blocks - Extensive customization - Minimal bloat - CSS grid support - Local/global styles
Core Blocks: - Container (advanced div) - Grid - Headline - Button
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.1s - Minimal editor impact - Tiny footprint (~50KB) - No jQuery dependency
Pricing: - Free version: All core blocks - Pro version: $39/year (500 sites)
Best For: Developers who want complete control with minimal overhead.
3. Stackable ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Feature-rich collection with beautiful pre-designed blocks and layouts.
Key Features: - 30+ blocks - 200+ block designs - Advanced styling controls - Motion effects - Responsive editing
Notable Blocks: - Advanced Columns - Card - Feature Grid - Timeline - Pricing Box
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.3s - Good editor performance - Smart asset loading - CDN option available
Pricing: - Free version: All blocks, limited designs - Premium: $69/year (1 site)
Best For: Agencies needing quick, professional designs.
4. Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Extensive block library from Brainstorm Force (Astra theme creators).
Key Features: - 30+ blocks - Pre-made templates - WooCommerce blocks - Schema markup support - White label option
Unique Blocks: - Content Timeline - Google Maps - WooCommerce Cart - Star Rating - Inline Notice
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.25s - Moderate editor impact - Selective loading available - Good caching support
Pricing: - Free version: 15+ blocks - Pro version: $59/year (unlimited sites)
Best For: Multi-purpose websites with diverse content needs.
5. CoBlocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Created by GoDaddy, focuses on page building and content creation.
Key Features: - 40+ blocks - Form builder - Typography controls - Shape dividers - Block animations
Creative Blocks: - Collage Gallery - Media Card - Services - Food & Drinks - Events
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.3s - Average editor performance - Full library loads by default - Optimization needed
Pricing: - Completely free - Open source
Best For: Content creators and bloggers.
Specialized Block Plugins
6. Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Create custom blocks with PHP, perfect for developers.
Key Features: - PHP-based block creation - No JavaScript required - Field group integration - Repeater field support - InnerBlocks support
Use Cases: - Client-specific blocks - Dynamic content blocks - Complex data structures - Custom post type integration
Code Example:
acf_register_block_type(array(
'name' => 'testimonial',
'title' => __('Testimonial'),
'render_template' => 'blocks/testimonial.php',
'category' => 'formatting',
'icon' => 'admin-comments',
'keywords' => array('testimonial', 'quote'),
));
Pricing: - Free version: Basic features - Pro version: $49/year (1 site)
7. Getwid ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Free block library with 40+ blocks and extensive template library.
Key Features: - No pro version - 40+ blocks - 350+ templates - MailChimp integration - Instagram feed
Standout Features: - Template library API - Custom post type blocks - Advanced slider options - Contact form with emails
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.35s - Heavy editor load - All blocks load by default - No conditional loading
Best For: Budget-conscious projects needing variety.
8. Essential Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Performance-focused blocks with unique features.
Key Features: - 40+ blocks - Modular architecture - Advanced animations - Saved templates - Global styles
Unique Blocks: - Parallax Slider - Typewriter Text - Interactive Promo - NFT Gallery - Woo Product Grid
Performance Impact: - Load time increase: ~0.2s - Modular loading - Good optimization - Block asset manager
Pricing: - Free version: Most blocks - Pro version: $39/year
9. Otter Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Lightweight collection by ThemeIsle with CSS animations focus.
Key Features: - 20+ blocks - CSS animations library - Lightweight design - WooCommerce integration - Form builder
Animation Features: - 50+ CSS animations - Scroll-triggered effects - Custom animation timing - Performance optimized
Best For: Sites needing subtle animations without JavaScript overhead.
10. WooCommerce Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Official WooCommerce blocks for e-commerce functionality.
Key Features: - Product grids - Cart and checkout blocks - Filter blocks - Mini cart - Customer account
E-commerce Blocks: - All Products - Product Categories - Featured Product - Product Search - Filter by Attribute
Integration Example:
<!-- wp:woocommerce/all-products {"columns":3,"rows":2,"alignButtons":true,"contentVisibility":{"image":true,"title":true,"price":true,"rating":true,"button":true}} /-->
Best For: Any WooCommerce store using Gutenberg.
11. Block Gallery ⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Specialized gallery and portfolio blocks.
Key Features: - 6 gallery types - Lightbox integration - Masonry layouts - Carousel options - Video galleries
Gallery Types: - Masonry - Carousel - Stacked - Collage - Offset - Auto-height
Best For: Photography and portfolio sites.
12. Ghost Kit ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Developer-focused blocks with advanced customization.
Key Features: - 20+ blocks - Custom CSS support - Display conditions - Extensions for core blocks - Templates manager
Developer Features: - Custom CSS per block - Visibility conditions - Responsive controls - Spacing component - Custom attributes
Best For: Developers needing granular control.
13. PublishPress Blocks ⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Content-focused blocks for publishers.
Key Features: - Content display blocks - Author boxes - Related posts - Content permissions - Reading time
Publishing Blocks: - Authors List - Content Display - Permissions - Checklist - Series Navigation
Best For: Multi-author blogs and content sites.
14. Toolset Blocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: Dynamic content blocks for custom post types.
Key Features: - Dynamic field blocks - View creation - Conditional logic - Custom searches - Relationship displays
Best For: Complex sites with custom post types.
15. MaxiBlocks ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overview: New player with 13,000+ patterns and AI integration.
Key Features: - Massive pattern library - AI-powered customization - Style cards system - Interaction builder - Cloud library
Innovative Features: - AI text generation - Pattern variations - Global styles sync - Breakpoint preview - Revision history
Best For: Rapid prototyping and AI-assisted design.
Performance Impact Analysis
Comparative Performance Data
Plugin | Load Time Impact | Editor Performance | Asset Size | Optimization |
---|---|---|---|---|
GenerateBlocks | +0.1s | Excellent | 50KB | Excellent |
Kadence Blocks | +0.2s | Excellent | 150KB | Very Good |
Essential Blocks | +0.2s | Very Good | 120KB | Very Good |
Stackable | +0.3s | Good | 200KB | Good |
CoBlocks | +0.3s | Average | 250KB | Average |
Getwid | +0.35s | Below Average | 300KB | Poor |
Performance Optimization Tips
// Disable unused blocks
add_filter('allowed_block_types_all', function($allowed_blocks, $editor_context) {
// Get all registered blocks
$registered_blocks = WP_Block_Type_Registry::get_instance()->get_all_registered();
// Define blocks to remove
$blocks_to_remove = array(
'coblocks/accordion',
'coblocks/alert',
// Add more unused blocks
);
// Remove unused blocks
$allowed = array_keys($registered_blocks);
$allowed = array_diff($allowed, $blocks_to_remove);
return $allowed;
}, 10, 2);
// Conditional asset loading
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', function() {
// Only load block assets if blocks are present
if (!has_block('kadence/advancedgallery')) {
wp_dequeue_style('kadence-blocks-gallery');
wp_dequeue_script('kadence-blocks-gallery');
}
});
Free vs Premium Comparison
Feature Comparison Matrix
Feature | Free Plugins | Premium Plugins |
---|---|---|
Basic Blocks | ✅ Full access | ✅ Full access |
Advanced Blocks | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Full access |
Block Designs | ⚠️ Basic only | ✅ All variations |
Support | ❌ Community only | ✅ Priority support |
Updates | ✅ Regular | ✅ Priority updates |
Commercial Use | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
White Label | ❌ No | ⚠️ Some offer |
Custom Development | ❌ No | ⚠️ Some offer |
ROI Calculation for Agencies
Time saved per project: 10 hours
Hourly rate: $100
Projects per year: 20
Annual time value: $20,000
Premium plugin cost: $200/year
ROI: 100x return
Installation and Setup Guides
Basic Installation Process
# Via WP-CLI
wp plugin install kadence-blocks --activate
wp plugin install generateblocks --activate
# Configure plugin settings
wp option update kadence_blocks_settings '{"enable_all":true}'
Optimal Configuration
1. Performance-First Setup
// Load only needed blocks
add_filter('kadence_blocks_enable_on_init', function($blocks) {
return array(
'kadence/advancedheading',
'kadence/rowlayout',
'kadence/button',
// Add only required blocks
);
});
2. Development Workflow
// package.json
{
"dependencies": {
"@kadenceblocks/blocks": "^3.0.0",
"@generateblocks/blocks": "^1.5.0"
},
"scripts": {
"setup-blocks": "wp plugin activate kadence-blocks generateblocks"
}
}
Conflict Resolution
// Resolve block conflicts
add_action('init', function() {
// If multiple button blocks exist, prioritize
if (WP_Block_Type_Registry::get_instance()->is_registered('kadence/button')) {
unregister_block_type('other-plugin/button');
}
}, 100);
Best Practices for Block Plugin Usage
1. Start Minimal
- Install one comprehensive plugin first
- Add specialized plugins as needed
- Avoid redundant functionality
2. Performance Monitoring
// Monitor block plugin impact
add_action('wp_footer', function() {
if (current_user_can('manage_options')) {
$block_count = count(WP_Block_Type_Registry::get_instance()->get_all_registered());
echo "<!-- Registered blocks: $block_count -->";
}
});
3. Regular Audits
- Review unused blocks quarterly
- Test performance impact
- Update optimization settings
- Remove redundant plugins
4. Documentation
- Document which blocks are used where
- Create block usage guidelines
- Train content editors
- Maintain compatibility matrix
Conclusion
The right block plugins can transform Gutenberg from a basic editor into a powerful page builder. However, success lies in choosing plugins that match your specific needs without compromising performance.
Key Recommendations: - For Developers: GenerateBlocks + ACF Blocks - For Agencies: Kadence Blocks or Stackable - For Bloggers: CoBlocks or Essential Blocks - For E-commerce: WooCommerce Blocks + GenerateBlocks - For Beginners: Getwid or Otter Blocks
Remember: More blocks don't always mean better results. Choose quality over quantity, optimize performance, and focus on plugins that enhance your workflow without adding unnecessary complexity.
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