By Devport Team | Last updated: 2025-07-12 | 12 min read

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

  1. Evaluation Criteria
  2. Top Block Collections
  3. Specialized Block Plugins
  4. Performance Impact Analysis
  5. Free vs Premium Comparison
  6. 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

2. Performance Impact

3. User Experience

4. Code Quality

5. Value Proposition

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

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

4. Documentation

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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