Bottom Line:
Elementor is a yearly subscription that you have to pay for, while Thrive Architect gives you updates for a lifetime.
By the way, Elementor is really well-made and works great for building entire websites. If you go for Elementor Pro, you’ll have even more power because it lets you create cool headers, footers, and post templates that change dynamically.
Elementor also has a bunch of extra plugins made by other people that you can use to add more features to it.
Thrive Architect is more focused on marketing stuff. It has special features like timed content, pop-up boxes, and it works really well with other plugins made by Thrive.
All in all, Thrive Architect stands head-to-head with Elementor Pro and justifies this comparison.
Table of Contents
Key Differences about Thrive Architect & Elementor: Quick View
- User Interface and Ease of Use: Thrive Architect is user-friendly and simple, while Elementor offers more design options but can be harder to learn for beginners.
- Pre-designed Templates: Elementor has landing page templates that increase conversions and generate leads for marketing. They also have templates for blogs, e-commerce, and more, making it suitable for any website.
- Content Locking and Conversion Elements: Thrive Architect excels in marketing features like content locking, countdown timers, testimonials, and lead generation forms. Elementor has basic marketing elements, while Thrive Architect specializes in conversion-focused pages and A/B testing.
- Pricing: Prices vary with plan and number of websites. Elementor has a Pro version with advanced features for a yearly subscription. Pricing varies by plan.
- Third-Party Integrations: This product prioritizes its own marketing and conversion plugins, while Elementor offers more third-party integrations for greater compatibility.
- Community and Support: Thrive Themes and Elementor both offer robust support systems with active communities, including knowledge bases, forums, tutorials, and third-party extensions.
- Updates and Development: Thrive Themes focuses on fewer products, while Elementor has a bigger team and more frequent updates.
About Thrive Architect?
Thrive Architect is a powerful visual page builder plugin for WordPress, developed by Thrive Themes. It provides users with a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to create stunning and professional-looking web pages without any coding knowledge.
Thrive Architect offers a wide range of pre-designed templates and customizable elements that allow you to build landing pages, sales pages, blog posts, and other types of content with ease. It focuses on providing a seamless user experience with its intuitive interface and extensive library of conversion-focused elements.
About Elementor
Even though it was introduced quite recently in 2016, Elementor has rapidly conquered the web page builder user base.
With over 5 million active downloads and counting, it wins the popularity contest by a country mile. It is also absolutely free to download and use, which explains its huge popularity. A paid version named Elementor Pro comes with beefed-up features compared to the free one.
Set Up & Installation
The first thing that I looked upon was the setup and ease of installation
Setting up the Elementor was fairly easy for me.
Here is a quick guide to set up Elementor:
Getting started with Elementor is a breeze. Search for the plugin, install the free version from the plugin market, and upgrade to a paid plan if you use its advanced features.
On the other hand, with Thrive Architect, you’ll need to purchase the plugin externally and upload the downloaded zip file from Thrive Themes. Although the process is relatively simple, it’s still easier to start with Elementor than Thrive Architect.
Ease-of-use
Thrive Architect was made for those who wanted to build stunning websites without the need for coding. It has the drag & drop option that web designers just love. Lately, it has started providing more advanced options to ensure that its features are not limited.
However, this has compromised its user-friendliness somewhat and made it slightly more convoluted. You will have to take some time and get to know its features better before commencing the web page design.
Elementor also has a drag-and-drop interface which makes it a joy to use. Like Thrive Architect, Elementor also requires no coding and can be used by an absolute beginner to create beautiful web pages.
It comes with right-click options and keyboard shortcuts, making it massively user-friendly and increasing accessibility.
Thrive Architect vs Elementor: Key Features & Benefits
1. Drag & drop editor
The drag & drop option will let you build a website easily as the name suggests. It is the fastest way to customize a website without the need for back-end coding.
Thrive Architect contains hovering buttons that will expand into a sidebar with a single click. You can select the required designs and drag them onto the main panel. You can also resize this window and move it around wherever you want.
Elementor has a toolbar on the left side of the screen containing many templates and designs. You can drag & drop any option as you please to customize your web page.
2. Designer templates
The designer-made templates simplify building a website since they are pre-made and ready to use. These templates can be further customized to suit your style of the brand.
Thrive Architect offers 294 pre-made designs and 100+ full website packs with new layouts added weekly.
These full website layout packs offer several different templates in a particular niche for various pages like:
- Home
- Support
- Blog
- Contact
Elementor boasts a comprehensive selection of over 300+ designer-made templates for a variety of niches. But they are all single-page templates and they can’t match the full website pack that Thrive Architect has to offer.
However, they have started to launch full website packs and could match Thrive Architect in years to come.
3. Widgets
Widgets are stand-alone user interfaces that will increase the aesthetic appeal and provide functionality to your website.
Thrive Architect provides you with a plethora of options to choose from on the widget front.
You can also install Thrive Architect widgets to build your own widgets or combine existing widgets to create intricate widgets.
Given below are a few widgets that are available to choose from in Thrive Architect:
- Follow me widget
- Popular posts widget
- Recent posts widget
- Call to action widget
- Counter widget
- Countdown widget
- Content reveal
- Guarantee boxes
- Pricing tables
- Content boxes
And much more.
Elementor offers over 90+ widgets ranging from basic elements to advanced widgets available only on the Pro version. You also have the option to add third-party widgets or even build your own if need be.
Given below are a few of the built-in widgets available to choose from in Elementor:
- Icon box
- Sound Cloud
- Counter
- Accordion
- Menu anchor
- Countdown
- Gallery
- Flip box
- Author box
- Breadcrumbs
- Sitemap
- Upsells
- Product stock
- Menu cart
And much more…
4. Theme builder
Theme builder allows you to edit every part of your website without the need for coding. This means you won’t have to settle for WordPress default themes and can create your own headers, footers, and blogs.
There is not much to separate from Elementor and Thrive Architect when it comes to theme building. Both plugins are quite powerful and offer plenty of customization. Theme builder can be used to:
- Modify the header & footer to personalize your website according to the brand needs.
- Customize the layout of blog posts on your website by designing new templates.
- Create a 404-page template to provide your viewers with a more user-friendly experience.
- Create a unique template for archive posts.
- Design your own personalized search pages to set your brand apart.
5. External plugin support
Third-party extensions can customize and improve the page builders further to suit your style of branding.
Thrive Architect is feature-filled and hence, does not have a large market that churns out extensions to further enhance Thrive Architect. Most of the applications you will need are built-in & a decent number of extensions are still available.
Listed below are a few third-party plugins that are made available for Thrive Architect:
- Drip
- ConvertKit
- iContact
- Mailpoet
- HubSpot
- Mandrill
- reCaptcha
- KickTipp
- Zapier
Elementor is free, and this would automatically attract a large market of third-party plugin developers. Plenty of developers are producing various plugin extensions to cover every need you could think of.
This makes Elementor a bit more versatile than Thrive Architect. Listed are a few external plugins that are made available for Elementor:
- NavMenu addon for Elementor
- Hotel booking & Elementor integration
- Anywhere Elementor
- Elementor addon elements
- StylePress for Elementor
- Powerpack
- Envato elements
Which Pricing Plan Will I Choose in Thrive Architect vs Elementor?
Thrive Architect does not offer free version. However, they do have one-time payment plans. The plans differ based on the number of websites. Thrive Architect comes with three purchasing plans:
Thrive Architect, a standalone version of WordPress’s highly potent page builder plugin, is available annually for $99. As a part of this package, you are provided with hundreds of conversion-focused page templates, each equipped with tutorialized copy to guide you through the process.
This not only allows you to build an engaging and efficient website, but also aids in driving conversions, thereby delivering optimal value for your investment.
For a more comprehensive experience, you can also avail of our Thrive Suite package, which gives access to all the other plugins in our suite (including Thrive Architect and Thrive Optimize).
This package costs $299 annually and guarantees that your website will be up-to-date with cutting-edge technology, allowing you to maximize the potential for conversions.
For those who are looking for the ultimate tool to help them get the best results out of their websites, we offer a special bundle that includes both Thrive Architect and Thrive Optimize.
This package costs just $199 per year and helps you optimize your landing pages even further with A/B testing capabilities. With this combination of plugins, you’ll be armed with the tools you need to get maximum conversions from your website.
Thrive Architect also has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with the product.
Elementor is free to download and use with no annual fees as well. This makes it a godsend for those who want to design a web page on a budget.
- Essential Plan
For just USD 59/year, the Essential Plan gives you access to 1 Pro Website. This plan includes all the features you need to build beautiful websites with no code editor, including drag & drop capabilities.
- Expert Plan
For just USD 199/year, the Expert Plan gives you access to 25 Pro Websites. This plan also has all of the features available in the Essential Plan plus additional options such as 100+ website designs, 100+ widgets and theme builder.
- Agency Plan
For just USD 399/year, the Agency Plan gives you access to up to 1000 Pro Websites. This plan is perfect for web design agencies needing a powerful page builder to quickly and easily create dozens of beautiful websites quickly and easily.
All the features included in the Essential and Expert Plans are also available in the Agency Plan. Additionally, you get access to WooCommerce builder, form builder, popup builder and loop builder for advanced website-building capabilities.
Furthermore, all plans include: motion effects, dynamic content tools and collaboration tools to help you create high-quality websites with ease. Moreover, Elementor offers premium support and brand voice features designed to ensure your websites look professional and polished.
Verdict: Being a frugal-minded penny hoarder, I would choose free above everything else. Thrive Architect is not expensive at all, but Elementor wins this round for obvious reasons.
Design & Usability
Thrive Architect has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to quickly build pages with drag-and-drop elements. It also offers plenty of options when customizing the look and feel of your website, including fonts, colors, and backgrounds.
Elementor Pro’s design is more complex than Thrive Architect’s, but the extra features and options make it a powerful tool for creating websites. It also has an intuitive interface that is easy to use, making it great for those just starting page building.
Templates & Elements
Both Thrive Architect and Elementor Pro offer plenty of templates and elements to choose from when building your website. Thrive Architect has a wide selection of templates to choose from, as well as various elements such as buttons, social media icons, and more.
Elementor Pro also has a large selection of templates, but the focus is more on providing elements for creating custom designs. It offers an extensive library of widgets and assets that can be used to create unique webpages.
Block & Modules:
Blocks and modules are essential components in both Elementor and Thrive Architect, offering a range of design options. However, there are subtle distinctions between the two.
Elementor boasts a broader array of general modules and specialized elements tailored for portfolios, including features like testimonial carousels. This diversity can be particularly advantageous if your website requires these specific functionalities.
Conversely, Thrive Architect excels in providing an extensive collection of landing page templates. These templates are designed with marketing and conversion in mind, making it a robust choice for businesses looking to create compelling landing pages.
Furthermore, Thrive Architect grants users more creative freedom when it comes to incorporating full-width elements into their designs. This flexibility can be valuable if you have a specific vision for your website’s layout.
Ultimately, both tools are highly capable, and your choice should depend on your unique website design requirements.
Thrive Architect vs Elementor: Pros & Cons
While both these tools might have some advantages and disadvantages, let’s find the pros and cons of Elementor vs Thrive Architect.
Thrive Architect
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Elementor
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Learning Offered by Thrive Architect vs Elementor:
Elementor
However, Elementor, one of the leading WordPress page builders, has been well-known for its commitment to providing a wealth of educational resources and support to its users.
Elementor’s approach to education primarily involved offering an extensive documentation library, video tutorials on their official YouTube channel, a vibrant community forum for user interactions, and various online courses and tutorials created by third-party educators.
This robust educational ecosystem empowered Elementor users to master the page builder and easily create stunning websites.
Elementor may have introduced new educational initiatives or platforms, so visiting its official website for the latest information on educational resources and offerings is advisable.
Thrive Architect:
Thrive University is an online educational platform offered by Thrive Themes, specializing topics in WordPress themes, plugins, and marketing tools. It is designed to empower individuals and businesses by providing various educational resources focused on website design, conversion optimization, and more.
This platform offers a comprehensive library of video tutorials, courses, webinars, and downloadable guides, all aimed at helping users create and optimize websites that drive results.
Thrive University covers using Thrive Themes’ products effectively, implementing conversion-focused strategies, and improving online marketing skills.
It’s a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced website owners looking to enhance their online presence and achieve their goals.
Quick Links:
- Elementor Vs Wpbakery
- Elementor free vs Elementor Pro
- Beaver Builder vs Elementor
- How to Setup a CPA Landing Page With Elementor
My Verdict:
In this comparison Thrive Architect and Elementor , no one was able to land a knockout punch.
This is a difficult comparison, and I believe it will come down to pricing for some.
Thrive Architect comes with lifetime updates, whereas Elementor is a yearly licensing fee
It’s also worth noting that Elementor is far more polished and well-suited to comprehensive website construction.
Elementor Pro also has the ability to generate dynamic headers, footers, and post templates, which makes it more powerful
Elementor also has a plugin ecosystem that allows it to increase its capabilities.
Thrive Architect has a strong marketing focus, including capabilities like scheduled content, popup boxes, and deep integrations with Thrive’s other plugins.
Elementor is a WordPress plugin that lets you create your own unique website design with just a few clicks. It takes the hard work out of web design, making it easy for anyone to do it. You can also download templates from the Elementor website, or hire a designer to build a site for you.
There are things that I figure Elementor ought to further develop like you can’t utilize it perfectly with other WordPress subjects that have diverse primary page builders like WPBakery or Beaver Builder.
Now and again sites seem broken on different browsers like Microsoft Edge or Firefox.