As a website designer and developer, I have used Divi for a variety of projects, and while it has many benefits, it also has its drawbacks. In this article, I will outline the pros and cons of using Divi to help you decide whether it is the right choice for your next project.
Pros of Divi:
User-Friendly Interface
Divi has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to design their websites without having any coding knowledge. The drag-and-drop feature of the theme allows you to add elements and modules to your page with just a few clicks. You can easily edit and customize the layout, fonts, colors, and other design elements to match your brand’s aesthetic.
Divi Builder interface
Pre-made Layouts and Templates
Divi comes with over 2,000 pre-made layouts and templates that you can use to kickstart your website design. These templates are designed by professional designers, and you can customize them to match your brand’s style and requirements. This feature is particularly useful for beginners who are not familiar with web design and need a starting point.
Divi pre-made layouts
Multi-Purpose
Divi is versatile and can be used to design a variety of websites, including blogs, portfolios, eCommerce stores, and more. The theme is compatible with most WordPress plugins and has a wide range of customization options, making it suitable for almost any type of website.
Responsive Design
Divi’s responsive design feature ensures that your website looks great on all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. You can preview your website in different screen sizes and adjust the design elements accordingly.
Regular Updates
Divi is regularly updated with bug fixes and improvements. The updates are free, and you can easily update the theme from the WordPress dashboard. This ensures that your website remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features.
Cons of Divi:
Cost:
Divi is a premium theme that requires a yearly subscription. The cost of the subscription can be expensive for some users, especially those on a tight budget, and overall it belongs to the cheaper builders on the market. Elementor, the most popular WordPress builder, is more expensive. However, there is still a lifetime option available, which can be a great choice for many users as it allows you to invest only once.
As for February 2023, the yearly subscription is $89 and the lifetime deal costs $249. However, Elegant themes run a sale couple of times a year so there is a chance to get Divi cheaper.
Shortcodes
Divi uses shortcodes to add design elements to your page. While shortcodes are a convenient way to add functionality, they can be difficult to edit or transfer to another platform. However, Divi has announced that they will get rid of the shortcodes with the upcoming release of Divi 5.0, which unfortunately doesn’t have an ETA launch date.
Limited Design Control
While Divi’s drag-and-drop interface is convenient, it can limit your design control. You may not be able to customize certain design elements or layouts, which can be frustrating for advanced users. Additionally, Divi hasn’t been updated with many new features recently, which means it lacks behind other competitors, such as Bricks Builder. I personally miss flexbox and CSS grid layout options in Divi.
Read the comparison between Divi Theme and Bricks Builder.
Dependency on the Theme
Divi is a powerful theme, but it also means that your website’s design is dependent on it. If you decide to stop using the theme, you may have to redo your website’s design using another theme or code manually. Additionally, Divi has poor integration with Advanced Custom Fields and no integration with the ACF repeater field, which can be very powerful and is well integrated into other page builders like Bricks.
ACF Repeater field interface
Bloatware
Divi is a feature-packed theme, which means it has a lot of features that you may not use. This can make your website slow, as the theme loads all its features, whether you use them or not.
It’s always possible to optimize your Divi site for great performance but it generally requires more work than some other tools, such as Zion Builder, Bricks, and Oxygen.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Divi is a popular WordPress theme that has many benefits, including a user-friendly interface, pre-made layouts and templates, multi-purpose functionality, responsive design, and regular updates. However, there are also some drawbacks to consider, including the cost, the use of shortcodes, limited design control, dependency on the theme, and bloatware. Despite these disadvantages, Divi is still a good choice for many users, especially beginners who need a starting point to design their website. It is also versatile and can be used to design a variety of websites.
Ultimately, the decision to use Divi depends on your personal preferences and requirements. If you are on a tight budget, you may find the yearly subscription cost prohibitive. If you are an advanced user looking for more design control, you may prefer to use another theme or page builder. However, if you value ease of use and convenience, and are willing to invest in a powerful and feature-packed theme, then Divi may be the right choice for you.
