Themify Builder is a page builder plugin that comes bundled with all Themify themes.
The core page builder plugin is free to use on any site regardless of theme, but they also offer the Themify Builder Pro plugin that is billed as a theme builder plugin (as opposed to page builder). This has the capability to edit any part of the theme - pages, posts, header, footer, sidebar, etc.
Free Plan Limitations
As mentioned, the free version of the Themify Builder plugin is only capable of creating / editing pages or posts, the paid version allows editing the entire theme.
Additionally, while the core Builder plugin comes with a few standard user interface elements, there is an Addon bundle (not available with the free plan) that extends these to add elements such as pricing tables, WooCommerce products, sliders etc. In total, the Addon Bundle adds another 25 interface elements to the Builder plugin.
Features
Front end & Back end editors - as with a couple of other page builders, Themify Builder includes both a back end editor (for modifying pages in the admin area of WordPress), and a front end editor for editing posts in place as you see them.
Layout Grid - allows splitting content into any number of rows & columns, including nested columns.
Layout Parts - think of layout parts as reusable templates. Update the layout part, and that will be updated wherever it's used on the site.
Responsive - where would we be without responsivity these days?
Pricing
There is only one pricing plan for Themify Builder Pro - $69. This is not a subscription, although support will only last for one year, and you will not be able to update the plugin after that point.
So although it is a one time fee, to keep the plugin updated you would need to renew annually. A renewal with a 30% discount.
Additionally, if you wish to use their Addon Bundle, that would set you back another $39.
Conclusion
Themify Builder is a reasonable if somewhat rudimentary option, and can be cost effective if you're an agency, however the requirement for yearly renewals if you want to keep the plugin updated, means that in the long run something like Divi might be more reasonable in that situation.
As opposed to Themify, Elementor offers more in-depth tools for web developers with its basic package, including the ability to create custom CSS and a suite of custom widgets, plus far more widgets and page templates.
The plugin also offers a sequence of learning tools and video tutorials for the plugin through its “Elementor Academy” support system.
Just as Themify does, Elementor also offers a free-to-use plan providing a small sample of its library of widgets and templates with premium plans starting at $49 per year for one website.
However, Elementor quickly becomes far more expensive when running the plugin on multiple websites - Themify Builder Pro is usable on an unlimited number of sites with a single license - Elementor can run up to $1000/year if you plan on using it on a lot of sites..
Divi is a popular WordPress theme and page builder that features their “advanced visual builder” as one of the plugin’s main selling points.
The builder plugin features a similar drag-and-drop interface with real-time feedback and custom CSS. Divi features a number of add-ons included with all of its premium packages suited for different sites, including functions for adding email subscriptions and social media sharing.
Divi features two different payment plans with both offering the same content at a yearly rate of $89 per year and a one-time payment of $249 for lifetime access.
BeaverBuilder offers a similar drag-and-drop page builder plugin, usable on an unlimited number of sites with a single license.
The plugin makes versatility one of its core marketing angles, claiming to be usable for anything from blogs to company landing pages. BeaverBuilder allows its users to create custom code, like HTML, CSS, and PHP, for their websites as well as being compatible with other WordPress themes like Astra and Genesis.
BeaverBuilder also provides their own theme-based add-on for their page builder in “Beaver Themer,” sold separately from the standard BeaverBuilder package. BeaverBuilder does not feature a free-to-use plan, and its premium plans range from $99/year for their “Standard” package up to the $399/year “Agency” package.
Visual Composer features a selection of more than 200 page templates and more than 300 web elements offering a variety of functions to web developers. This is far more than you will get with Themify.
Along with the standard drag-and-drop page builder, the plugin allows users to create custom widgets to be used within the builder as well as compatibility with several other popular plugins.
Visual Composer’s premium plans also feature access to a wide range of visual elements including stock images, GIF integration, and an in-app marketplace featuring more templates and extensions.
Just as Themify Builder does, Visual Composer also features a free-to-use plan, featuring a small selection of the site’s library and a sampling of the page builder functionality.
WPBakery has been around for a very long time, and has been used in millions of websites.
The plugin is sold on CodeCanyon, so doesn't offer a free or trial version, but because of that they also don't have a subscription plan - a single license at $45 will buy you lifetime access to use the plugin on a single website.
WPBakery does have more content elements and layout templates than Themify Builder, but it is showing it's age now.
Compared to Themify Builder Pro, WPBakery does not offer any editing functionality outside of they page as Builder Pro does, so no editing headers or footers.
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