# 11 Best Open Source Alternatives for Elementor Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/elementor Last updated: 2026-11-07 Looking for the best open source alternative for Elementor? Compare 11 verified free and open source alternatives to Elementor (Onlook, WebStudio, Builder) with license details, self-hosting requirements, and practical trade-offs. ## Elementor Overview & Subscription Cost - **Product**: Elementor - **Category**: [design](https://caniforkit.com/category/design) - **Paid Subscription Price**: $20/month per seat - **1-Seat Annualized Cost**: $240/year - **5-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $1,200/year - **10-Person Team Annualized Cost**: $2,400/year - **Can I Vibe-Code / Rebuild It Myself?**: NO (use a free alternative, save the tokens) - **Rebuild Verdict**: Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for Elementor or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 11 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Onlook. ## Verified Free & Open Source Alternatives | Alternative | Type | License | Runs On | GitHub Stars | Head-to-Head | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Onlook](https://caniforkit.com/fork/onlook) | Open Source | Apache-2.0 | Self-host | ★ 27.1k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-onlook) | | [WebStudio](https://caniforkit.com/fork/webstudio) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 9.2k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-webstudio) | | [Builder](https://caniforkit.com/fork/builder) | Open Source | MIT | Self-host | ★ 8.9k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-builder) | | [Plasmic](https://caniforkit.com/fork/plasmic) | Open Source | MIT AND AGPL-3.0 | Self-host | ★ 7.2k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-plasmic) | | [Webiny](https://caniforkit.com/fork/webiny) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 8k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-webiny) | | [Drupal](https://caniforkit.com/fork/drupal) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 4.3k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-drupal) | | [Frappe Builder](https://caniforkit.com/fork/frappe-builder) | Open Source | Open Source | Local | ★ 2.5k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-frappe-builder) | | [Silex](https://caniforkit.com/fork/silex) | Open Source | AGPL-3.0+ | Self-host | ★ 3k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-silex) | | [Vvveb CMS](https://caniforkit.com/fork/vvveb-cms) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 1.3k | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-vvveb-cms) | | [Ycode](https://caniforkit.com/fork/ycode) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 335 | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-ycode) | | [Nordcraft](https://caniforkit.com/fork/nordcraft) | Open Source | Open Source | Self-host | ★ 501 | [Compare vs Elementor](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-nordcraft) | ## In-Depth Alternative Profiles ### Onlook - **Fork Page**: [Onlook Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/onlook) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Onlook](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-onlook) - **Official Website**: https://onlook.dev/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/onlook-dev/studio - **License**: Apache-2.0 - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 27.1k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Onlook is an open-source desktop app that allows you to visually edit React applications and automatically write changes back to your code in real-time. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: It is narrower and more design-first, with less mature prompt-to-full-stack generation and deployment than Bolt's browser workspace. - **Installation**: Hosted signup, or self-host with Bun or Docker plus Supabase configuration - **Setup**: Hosted access may be gated; self-hosting needs Bun or Docker, Supabase and several environment variables - **Data Storage**: Project code lives in the workspace or sandbox; application metadata and assets use the configured Supabase instance ### WebStudio - **Fork Page**: [WebStudio Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/webstudio) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs WebStudio](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-webstudio) - **Official Website**: https://webstudio.is - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/webstudio-is/webstudio - **License**: AGPL-3.0+ - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 9.2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, self-host, real ops - **Summary**: Powerful no-code platform for building responsive websites. Combines visual editing with full HTML/CSS customization. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Webstudio has no portfolio-specific onboarding, discovery network or calm managed handoff comparable to Carbonmade. - **Installation**: Hosted signup or desktop app; alternatively export the project or deploy the self-hosted builder/site - **Setup**: The free cloud plan publishes only to a Webstudio subdomain; a free custom domain requires export or self-hosting - **Data Storage**: Projects and assets live in Webstudio Cloud when hosted there; export/self-host routes produce source or static assets under the user's deployment ### Builder - **Fork Page**: [Builder Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/builder) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Builder](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-builder) - **Official Website**: https://builder.io - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/builderio/builder - **License**: MIT - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 8.9k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Drag-and-drop interface for creating and optimizing digital experiences, with headless CMS and powerful integrations. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Contentful. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/BuilderIO/builder or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Plasmic - **Fork Page**: [Plasmic Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/plasmic) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Plasmic](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-plasmic) - **Official Website**: https://www.plasmic.app/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/plasmicapp/plasmic - **License**: MIT AND AGPL-3.0 - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 7.2k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, they host it - **Summary**: Open-source visual editor for building websites and web apps. Connect to any data source, design custom UIs, and ship production React code without leaving your stack. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Plasmic lacks Carbonmade's ready-made portfolio onboarding, project-presentation defaults and creative discovery network. - **Installation**: Hosted signup; optional npm-installed Plasmic CLI for React code generation and deployment in your own repository - **Setup**: Free hosted output keeps Plasmic branding; codegen/self-deployment requires a Node/React project and deployment workflow - **Data Storage**: Hosted projects and CMS records in Plasmic Cloud; codegen writes React components plus plasmic.json and plasmic.lock into the user's repository ### Webiny - **Fork Page**: [Webiny Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/webiny) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Webiny](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-webiny) - **Official Website**: https://webiny.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/webiny/webiny-js - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 8k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: A powerful, scalable platform for building custom websites and apps with serverless architecture, offering flexibility and cost-efficiency. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Contentful. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/webiny/webiny-js or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Drupal - **Fork Page**: [Drupal Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/drupal) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Drupal](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-drupal) - **Official Website**: https://new.drupal.org/home - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/drupal/drupal - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 4.3k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: A flexible and extensible content management system for creating dynamic websites and digital experiences - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Elementor. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/drupal/drupal or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Frappe Builder - **Fork Page**: [Frappe Builder Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/frappe-builder) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Frappe Builder](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-frappe-builder) - **Official Website**: https://frappe.io/builder - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/frappe/builder - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Local - **GitHub Stars**: 2.5k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: desktop, cross-platform, one-click install - **Summary**: Frappe Builder is an open-source, low-code website builder that enables users to create beautiful, responsive websites with an intuitive visual interface. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Community-driven open source project without dedicated enterprise SLAs. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/frappe/builder or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Download the native package or installer for your operating system. - **Data Storage**: All application data lives locally on your own machine. ### Silex - **Fork Page**: [Silex Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/silex) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Silex](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-silex) - **Official Website**: https://www.silex.me - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/silexlabs/silex - **License**: AGPL-3.0+ - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 3k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, they host it - **Summary**: An online tool for visually creating static sites with dynamic data. With the free/libre spirit of internet, together. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Silex supplies fewer polished portfolio templates and none of Carbonmade's discovery or portfolio-specific guidance. - **Installation**: Use the hosted editor with a GitLab login, install the desktop alpha, or run the official Docker setup - **Setup**: The stable hosted route starts with a GitLab account; the desktop build is still labelled alpha - **Data Storage**: Project JSON and assets in GitLab, FTP or local storage; publishing produces ordinary static HTML, CSS and JavaScript ### Vvveb CMS - **Fork Page**: [Vvveb CMS Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/vvveb-cms) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Vvveb CMS](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-vvveb-cms) - **Official Website**: https://www.vvveb.com - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/givanz/Vvveb - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 1.3k - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Vvveb is a feature-rich open source CMS for building websites, blogs, and ecommerce stores with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Elementor. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/givanz/Vvveb or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Ycode - **Fork Page**: [Ycode Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/ycode) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Ycode](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-ycode) - **Official Website**: https://www.ycode.com/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/ycode/ycode - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 335 - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Build, manage, and host custom websites with a visual drag-and-drop builder and CMS. Self-host free or use managed cloud hosting. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Elementor. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/ycode/ycode or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ### Nordcraft - **Fork Page**: [Nordcraft Profile](https://caniforkit.com/fork/nordcraft) - **Head-to-Head Comparison**: [Elementor vs Nordcraft](https://caniforkit.com/vs/elementor-vs-nordcraft) - **Official Website**: https://nordcraft.com/ - **Source Code Repository**: https://github.com/nordcraftengine/nordcraft - **License**: Open Source - **Runs On**: Self-host - **GitHub Stars**: 501 - **Maintenance Activity**: nov 2026 - **Supported Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host - **Summary**: Visual web development engine combining design and development tools. Build immersive, interactive web experiences with component-based framework, real-time collaboration, and powerful visual editor. - **The Catch vs Elementor**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Elementor. - **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/nordcraftengine/nordcraft or deploy with Docker Compose - **Setup**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables. - **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is the best free alternative to Elementor? The top free alternative to Elementor is Onlook (open source, Apache-2.0). Onlook is an open-source desktop app that allows you to visually edit React applications and automatically write changes back to your code in real-time. Other popular Elementor replacements include WebStudio, Builder, Plasmic. ### How much does switching from Elementor to a free alternative save? Elementor starts at $20/month per seat ($240/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Onlook saves $1,200 per year in software subscription fees. ### What is the catch when switching away from Elementor? While Onlook replaces core Elementor features without subscription fees, the real-world trade-off is: It is narrower and more design-first, with less mature prompt-to-full-stack generation and deployment than Bolt's browser workspace. ## Related - [design Software Category Hub](https://caniforkit.com/category/design) - [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives) - [Self-Hosted Software Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted) - [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)