Free vs. Premium Elementor Blog Templates – Which Should You Use?
Are you ready to learn about the free vs. premium Elementor blog templates? Which is best for use?
Creating a visually appealing and functional blog is essential for engaging readers and improving SEO. Elementor, a popular WordPress page builder, offers a wide range of free and premium blog templates to help you design your site quickly.
But which one should you choose—free or premium? This detailed comparison will explore the differences, pros and cons, and when to use each type. We’ll also provide examples and references to help you make the best decision.
What Are Elementor Blog Templates?
Elementor blog templates are pre-designed layouts that allow you to create blog pages, archive pages, and single post layouts without coding. These templates are built using Elementor’s drag-and-drop editor, making customization easy.
Types of Elementor Blog Templates
- Free Templates – Available in the Elementor library or from third-party sources.
- Premium Templates – Part of Elementor Pro or sold by third-party developers (e.g., Astra, Hello Theme).
Free vs. Premium Elementor Blog Templates – Key Differences
| Better structured for SEO (schema markup, faster loading) | Free Templates | Premium Templates |
|---|---|---|
| Design Quality | Basic layouts, limited styling options | Advanced designs, more customization |
| Customization | Limited widgets & settings | Full control with dynamic content & advanced widgets |
| Support & Updates | Community-based (no official support) | Priority support & regular updates |
| Unique Layouts | Fewer unique designs | Exclusive, modern, and niche-specific designs |
| Dynamic Content | Not available | Supports dynamic content (custom fields, ACF) |
| SEO Optimization | Basic | Better-structured for SEO (schema markup, faster loading) |
| Price | Free | 49–49–199/year ( Elementor Pro or third-party) |
Pros and Cons of Free Elementor Blog Templates
Pros
- No Cost – Ideal for beginners or small blogs with a tight budget.
- Easy to Use – Simple drag-and-drop functionality.
- Good for Testing – Useful for experimenting before investing in premium templates.
Cons
- Limited Features – Fewer widgets and styling options.
- Common Designs – Many blogs use the same free templates, reducing uniqueness.
- No Advanced Functionality – Missing dynamic content, custom loops, and advanced queries.
Example of a Free Template
- “Blog Grid” (Default in Elementor) – A simple grid layout with basic typography and spacing.
Pros and Cons of Premium Elementor Blog Templates
Pros
- Professional Designs – Sleek, modern, and niche-specific layouts (e.g., food blogs, tech blogs).
- Advanced Customization – Dynamic content, custom loops, and WooCommerce integration.
- Better Performance – Optimized for speed and SEO.
- Exclusive Widgets – Post navigation, related posts, and advanced galleries.
Cons
- Cost Involved – Requires Elementor Pro or a third-party purchase.
- Learning Curve – More features mean a steeper learning curve for beginners.
Example of a Premium Template
- “Newsletter Blog” ( Elementor Pro) – Includes subscription forms, featured posts, and advanced typography.
When Should You Use Free vs. Premium Templates?
Choose Free Templates If:
- You’re just starting and want a simple blog.
- You have a limited budget.
- You need a basic layout without advanced features.
Choose Premium Templates If:
- You run a professional blog or business website.
- You need dynamic content (e.g., custom fields, related posts).
- You want unique, high-converting designs.
Top Sources for Elementor Blog Templates
Free Templates
- Elementor Template Library (Built-in free options)
- Envato Elements Free Section (Limited freebies)
- Mc Starters Elementor Templates
- Astra Starter Templates (Free blog layouts)
Premium Templates
- Elementor Pro ($49/year) – Best for dynamic content.
- Astra Pro ($59/year) – Lightweight and fast.
- Hello Theme + Elementor (Free theme, paid templates)
Conclusions
If you’re serious about blogging, investing in a premium template will save time and improve your site’s professionalism. However, if you’re testing ideas, free templates are a great starting point.
Free Version: Basic drag-and-drop editor, 40+ widgets, and essential templates.
Pro (Paid) Version: Advanced features like theme builder, popup builder, custom CSS, WooCommerce widgets, dynamic content, and 300+ premium templates.
Yes, for simple websites (blogs, small business sites).
No, if you need advanced design control (custom headers, footers, WooCommerce integration, dynamic content).
Yes, if you need professional designs, faster workflow with premium templates, or WooCommerce support.
No, if you only need basic page editing.
Astra (Lightweight, highly customizable)
Hello Elementor (Minimal, built specifically for Elementor)
OceanWP (Flexible with good free features)