Oxygen Builder vs Gutenberg: Introduction

This handbook provides a practical comparison between Gutenberg (WordPress’s integrated Block Editor) and Oxygen Builder. Each tool has unique strengths suited for different types of projects and customization needs.

Our objective is to provide you with a detailed look at what each builder offers, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your specific needs and preferences. This guide does not suggest a “best” option but instead presents the unique strengths and limitations of both Gutenberg and Oxygen. By understanding these differences, you can determine which tool is the right fit for your project, whether you’re a beginner looking for simplicity or a developer in need of extensive customization.

Overview of Gutenberg

Gutenberg was introduced with WordPress 5.0, transforming content editing by shifting to a block-based system, where every content element, text, image, and widget, is organized into blocks. This structure improves layout control and brings consistency and modularity to site design.

Over time, Gutenberg has expanded to include Full-Site Editing (FSE), enabling control over site-wide elements like headers, footers, and templates. With its extensive plugin ecosystem, Gutenberg offers great flexibility and customization, allowing teams to implement complex layouts and functionalities efficiently while staying fully integrated with WordPress.

Overview of Oxygen Builder

Oxygen Builder takes a unique approach by removing the traditional WordPress theme layer and replacing it with a dedicated site editor that centralizes design functions. This approach allows Oxygen to handle every visual and structural aspect directly within its framework. However, this complete override of WordPress’s default structure can lead to a proprietary setup, making it less adaptable for projects that require integration with WordPress’s broader ecosystem.

Oxygen’s emphasis on direct control over design output can be powerful for specific customization needs but may limit flexibility in plugin compatibility and long-term extensibility compared to Gutenberg’s more open-ended framework.

This handbook delves into the features, extensibility, performance, and ease of use of each builder, giving you a balanced view of what works best for your project’s scale and design requirements.