When deciding between Gutenberg blocks VS ACF, it is crucial to understand the difference between them. In this blog, we will analyze both blocks’ features and compare them so that you can make an informed decision yourself.
WordPress is one of the world’s leading website builders. Its user-friendly interface caters to all users, including non-technical ones. Similarly, you can make simple websites, personal blogs, complex sites, online stores, and portfolios. There are also thousands of themes and plugins (both free and premium) available for customization that help you create your ideal website. Due to its flexibility and numerous features, WordPress powers 43.4% of websites in the world.
The blocks in WordPress allow you to build visually appealing as well as dynamic pages. The most popular blocks in the platform are Gutenberg blocks and Advanced Custom Field (ACF) blocks. They help to add content or functionality like images, videos, paragraphs, galleries, and other custom features to your site. Likewise, their intuitive interface allows you to create stunning pages and sites without coding.
Both Gutenberg and ACF blocks have advantages. However, they also have limitations. So, let’s explore them both in detail and understand which one is best for your WordPress site!
Introduction to Gutenberg Blocks
Gutenberg is the default WordPress editor, and it was launched in 2018. It revolutionized the entire platform and replaced the classic editor. The classic or original WordPress editor had a test/ HTML function. Gutenberg has simple drag-and-drop blocks that allow you to create layouts according to your requirements. Similarly, it will enable users to build visually appealing pages and posts without coding or relying on other tools. It made it easier for beginners as well as experienced developers to tailor their ideal blogs and websites. Moreover, it is free.
Gutenberg has an easy-to-use and responsive interface. Each block is easily customizable and manageable. You can add, rearrange, or remove the blocks without much problem. Similarly, it has a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) visual interface. It allows users to preview the changes in real time. Gutenberg has a built-in block library that includes layout blocks, text and media blocks, and embed blocks. It also supports Full Site Editing (FSE), enabling users to design headers, footers, sidebars, and other elements using blocks. The custom block setup created by the users can be saved and reused as Reusable Blocks.
The key advantages of the Gutenberg blocks are as follows:
User-friendly
Gutenberg is user-friendly and offers visual editing. Hence, users can preview the changes in the content layout in real time. The drag-and-drop functionality makes it easier for users to add, remove, or customize blocks. There is no need for coding knowledge, making it suitable for beginners. Each individual block operates independently, allowing greater control of content design and structure.
Built-in features
Gutenberg is the default WordPress editor; it is integrated into the platform. Therefore, there is no need to install additional plugins for basic functionalities. Gutenberg Blocks comes with a built-in library that consists of core blocks. These include text (headings and paragraphs), media (images, videos, and galleries), layouts (columns and buttons), and embeds (social media like YouTube, X, and more).
Full Site Editing (FSE)
Another advantage of Gutenberg blocks is that they allow complete site editing when paired with block-based themes. It allows users to customize their websites from headers, footers, sidebars, and templates. There is no need for coding to do the full-site editing. As a result, even non-technical users can customize and manage their websites.
SEO-friendly
One crucial advantage of Gutenberg blocks is that they are SEO-friendly. Gutenberg generates clean and optimized HTML output that search engines can easily understand. Similarly, it supports rich multimedia content, which aids in increasing user engagement metrics. Higher engagement positively impacts SEO. As a result, the content is more likely to rank higher in search engines.
Introduction to Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a powerful WordPress plugin that allows users to create custom fields for pages, posts, custom post types, taxonomies, users, and more. The plugin helps users create unique and detailed layouts, which enhances overall website performance. It also supports dynamic data display for advanced layouts. Similarly, one can build additional content editing fields. From designing simple to complex websites, ACF offers highly customizable and flexible functions.
ACF has a free and premium version. The free version does not include advanced features; only the premium version, ACF Pro, includes them. ACF blocks are built using PHP and ACF’s Block API. Thus, there is no need for extensive JavaScript knowledge. The ACF blocks are rendered using PHP templates, providing full HTML output control. Users can create the blocks, which will appear with native blocks in the editor. These custom blocks are also reusable. The ACF blocks have powerful features that cater to developers and content managers. Developers with some PHP knowledge can use the blocks’ advanced features. However, the ACF is beginner-friendly and also caters to beginners without technical expertise.
The key advantages of Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) are as follows:
Intuitive interface
ACF has an intuitive interface that makes adding custom fields in WordPress easy. It has a simple drag-and-drop functionality. Its straightforward dashboard for creating and managing custom fields also makes it beginner-friendly. Similarly, it is easy to define and configure field types and add them to your posts or pages. ACF also visually connects fields to WordPress content types.
Highly customizable
One of the advantages of ACF is that it is highly customizable and flexible. It supports more than 30 field types, including text, images, sliders, relationships, galleries, and other content blocks. Additionally, you can mix and match the fields to meet your requirements. It also allows you to apply conditional logic to fields. You can also add these custom fields to posts, pages, custom post types, users, taxonomies, custom admin pages, etc.
Scalability and reusability
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) are suitable for small to large projects. It can create and manage complex content structures for large projects. Similarly, it can also handle thousands of custom fields and field groups on a website without compromising its efficiency. After creating a custom field block, you can reuse or clone it for multiple posts, pages, or templates. Thus, ACF is scalable and reusable for efficient development.
Extensibility with Add-ons
Another advantage of ACF is that it is extensible with add-ons. It allows users and developers to enhance its functionality beyond the core functions. Add-ons like ACF Extended allow advanced functionalities like custom field management, improved field settings, and new field types. These add-ons also enable seamless integration with third-party tools that further enhance the functionality.
Gutenberg Blocks VS ACF: Comparison
Let us compare Gutenberg blocks VS ACF features to understand the most suitable one for your WordPress website.
Ease of use
The first feature of comparison between Gutenberg and ACF is their ease of use.
Gutenberg has an intuitive and visual interface. Its drag-and-drop function is easy to use, even for beginners. You do not have to be a full-fledged developer to create appealing layouts and designs for your site. Since it is the default WordPress editor, it comes with several pre-built blocks. You can use them to construct basic content without the need for customization. Gutenberg offers real-time editing. Thus, users can preview the changes while designing posts and pages.
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) is a plugin, and users must first install it on WordPress. Although it is also simple to use, users may need some coding knowledge to utilize the advanced features. ACF is better suited for developers rather than beginners. You will need the help of a developer to set up the fields. However, after that, you do not need coding knowledge to enter content. The plugin has a user-friendly back-end interface, and the fields are straightforward. The learning curve of ACF is slightly steeper than that of Gutenberg.
Customization
Gutenberg allows users to create custom blocks with specific layouts and content structures. You can create Reusable Blocks that can be saved and used again in the future. However, there are limited customization options available. It is possible to create blocks for rich content and complex logic, but it requires coding. Most blocks are self-contained components, so users can handle complex content easily. Its integration with Full Site Editing (FSE) allows users to design an entire website.
Compared to Gutenberg, ACF is highly customizable. It is more flexible, and users can create any custom fields. Similarly, it also supports a variety of field types. These field types include text, images, dates, repeaters, and relationships. From building flexible content layouts to complex data and custom workflows, ACF offers complete customization. Moreover, developers can also integrate fields using PHP for themes and templates. The ACF Pro add-ons further allow users to add features like flexible content fields, option pages, and repeater fields.
Performance and speed
Another feature we will compare between Gutenberg and ACF are performance and speed. The Gutenberg Blocks are rendered when your web page loads. Therefore, custom blocks with complex logic or dependencies may slow down the page’s loading speed. The custom blocks with JavaScript can also make the page heavy. Similarly, the blocks relying on third-party libraries or APIs can also increase the load times. Custom blocks with complex layouts can affect Gutenberg’s performance, slowing it down. However, it is possible to optimize them to enhance the performance.
The performance of ACF depends on its implementation. The block manages structured content but adds minimal overhead to the back end of WordPress. Hence, the custom fields are lightweight and do not weigh down the website. Likewise, developers can write optimized code for custom template controls. It helps optimize the site and leads to a faster loading speed. However, ACF’s complex templates can cause sites to slow down. Without proper optimization, they will negatively affect the website’s overall performance. Developers must code the complex or dynamic data for enhanced performance.
Integration
WordPress integrates Gutenberg as the default block editor. As a result, it is compatible with almost all the latest WordPress themes and plugins. This is a huge advantage for the users. It is compatible with any WordPress theme that supports the block editor. Gutenberg Blocks also seamlessly integrates with almost all WordPress plugins to extend its functionality. There are a few plugins that do not fully integrate with the editor, which can cause issues with custom block layouts or interactions. Developers can also create custom blocks that can integrate with the themes.
ACF is also compatible with most WordPress themes and plugins. It allows users to create custom fields that easily integrate with WordPress themes. However, it requires manual integration with themes. Developers can integrate themes manually by adding custom fields to templates. ACF is also compatible with most plugins on the platforms. Popular plugins such as WooCommerce and The Events Calendar can integrate with ACF easily. These integrations allow users to add field options or custom content management features.
Price
Let us also compare the price between Gutenberg blocks VS ACF. Gutenberg blocks are free, so it is a budget-friendly option. You may need the assistance of a developer to build custom Gutenberg blocks, which will incur a fee. Also, note that many third-party plugins have premium versions.
Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) has a free and premium version. The free version only provides basic custom fields. Meanwhile, the premium version has various planks, which are as follows:
Personal: $39, includes all PRO features and unlimited updates per year for 1 website.
Freelancer: $99, includes all PRO features and unlimited updates per year for 10 websites.
Agency: $149, includes all PRO features and updates per year for unlimited websites.
Gutenberg Blocks VS ACF: The Final Verdict
It is now time for the final verdict on Gutenberg blocks VS ACF and which to choose for your WordPress websites. But before that, let us look at a summary of the comparison between the two:
| Factors | Gutenberg Blocks | Advanced Custom Fields |
| Ease of use | Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface. | PHP integration and developer-friendly. |
| Customization | Moderately customizable. | Highly customizable. |
| Performance | Heavy reliance on JavaScript or external libraries can slow the page’s loading speed. | Lightweight and fast, but the complex field structures can impact the speed. |
| Compatibility | Works best with block-enabled WordPress themes and plugins. | Compatible with all WordPress themes and plugins. |
| Extensibility | Custom blocks are extendable with the help of JavaScript. | Extendable with ACF add-ons. |
| API Complexity | High. | Medium to low. |
| Target audience | Ideal for content creators and developers with a focus on front-end layouts. | Ideal for developers looking to create complex data structures and custom workflows. |
| Price | Free. | Free and premium versions (ACR Pro). |
Gutenberg blocks and ACF both have advantages and limitations. The ultimate decision on which one to choose for your WordPress website depends on your requirements and needs.
The Gutenberg blocks are great for visually building pages and layouts. Their simple functionality and minimal need for coding make them suitable for beginners without extensive knowledge. Similarly, they are especially ideal for content creators and developers with a greater focus on front-end layouts. Gutenberg allows its users to design layouts, templates, and Reusable blocks. Since it is the default WordPress editor, it is free. However, its limited customization features make it suitable only for basic sites.
Meanwhile, ACF is great for structured content management with the use of custom fields. It does require some learning, as ACF requires coding for theme integration. It is best suited for developers looking to manage complex data and advanced functionalities. ACF is ideal for websites that require custom fields, structured data, and integration with theme templates. It integrates with any WordPress theme and plugin. As ACF Pro is a premium plugin, you will have to pay for advanced features. Hence, it is suitable for users with a flexible budget.
Final Say
Whether you choose the basic simplicity of Gutenberg blocks or go for the advanced features of ACF, you can create an appealing and engaging WordPress website that matches your requirements. So, Gutenberg blocks VS ACF- which one do you think is ideal for your site?
We hope you will find our blog helpful in your quest for finding the ideal block builder. If you need further help creating a website, optimizing, or implementing any website solutions, Sampression is here for your service. For further queries, visit our website or contact us!