Why juggle two tools when one should do it all? Because as WordPress Bricks freelancer, I’ve learned one-size-fits-all is a myth. I’ve refined my approach around two powerful tools: Bricks Builder and GeneratePress. Each represents a distinct philosophy in WordPress development, and I’ve found that choosing the right one for each project leads to superior results. While both deliver exceptional performance, they represent fundamentally different approaches to website building that serve distinct client needs.
Bricks Builder vs. GeneratePress: Core WordPress Building Styles
The biggest distinction isn’t about speed or hooks—both Bricks and GeneratePress are lightning-fast and offer extensive customization options. The fundamental difference is in how you build websites with them.
GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks embraces WordPress’s native Gutenberg editor. It provides a clean, lightweight theme foundation that pairs perfectly with the block editor, allowing you to leverage the WordPress core experience that’s continuously improving. When clients need a future-proof solution that stays firmly within the WordPress ecosystem, GeneratePress is my recommendation.
WordPress Bricks Builder takes a completely different approach with its own building system. Rather than working with Gutenberg, it provides an alternative editing experience with a comprehensive framework for development. Both systems can achieve pixel-perfect designs, but Bricks offers a workflow that gives developers more direct control over the entire site structure. Its system of classes, variables, and components appeals to those who want to approach WordPress development more holistically, similar to modern frontend frameworks. The choice isn’t about design limitations – it’s about development philosophy and whether you prefer working within the WordPress core ecosystem or with a more specialized system that provides greater architectural control.
GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks for Content-First WordPress Sites
As a freelance WordPress developer crafting custom solutions, I lean on GeneratePress when clients crave simplicity without sacrificing future-proof flexibility. It’s my go-to for teams already at ease with the Gutenberg block editor, delivering a seamless native WordPress experience that empowers non-techy editors to thrive — no hand-holding required.
GeneratePress truly shines for content-focused websites where the writing experience matters most. Blog-heavy sites, news portals, and documentation websites benefit from the distraction-free writing experience that Gutenberg provides, enhanced by GenerateBlocks’s clean design foundation.
This approach is particularly valuable for organizations with editorial teams who may have limited technical experience. Writers and editors can focus on content creation using the familiar WordPress interface without needing to learn a specialized builder system. For teams where multiple people need to publish regularly, this reduced learning curve can significantly improve workflow efficiency.
GeneratePress also provides a more consistent experience for clients who want to handle frequent content updates themselves. Since both pages and blog posts use the same block editor, there’s no context-switching required. This is a significant advantage over Bricks where you’d typically use the Bricks Builder interface for pages but switch to the WordPress block editor for regular blog posts. When clients need to manage both types of content regularly, having a single editing interface throughout the site eliminates confusion and streamlines their workflow.
The GeneratePress approach also makes sense for clients who want to future-proof their websites against the evolving WordPress ecosystem. As Gutenberg continues to mature and expand its capabilities, GeneratePress-built sites naturally benefit from these improvements without major rebuilds.
Why Bricks Builder Rules for Complex WordPress Designs
For clients needing custom WordPress websites with intricate designs, Bricks is my secret weapon – its visual editing system tackles complex layouts and interactive elements that would be cumbersome to build in Gutenberg. This gives me freedom to create designs that would require extensive custom code in a Gutenberg environment (which is possible though).
Bricks excels for websites with unique visual identities that don’t easily fit into block patterns. Custom agencies, creative product landing pages, and branded experiences benefit from the extensive controls Bricks provides with the ability to create custom interactions.
Bricks is particularly well-suited for tech-savvy clients who are familiar with or enjoy the Webflow experience. The visual editing approach feels familiar to anyone who has used modern design tools, making it accessible for clients with some technical comfort. These clients typically appreciate the direct visual feedback and design-oriented workflow that Bricks provides.
Bricks is particularly valuable for websites with expansion plans or the potential need for unique features in the future. If a client anticipates adding a WooCommerce shop, membership functionality, or custom application-like features down the road, Bricks provides the flexibility to accommodate this growth without hitting technical limitations. Its robust framework allows for seamless scaling and complex functionality without requiring a rebuild when business needs evolve. For forward-thinking businesses that might start with simple requirements but have ambitions for more sophisticated digital experiences, Bricks offers a foundation that won’t become a limitation later.
Bricks vs. GeneratePress — Code Quality Comparison
Something worth emphasizing is the code quality of both tools. GeneratePress produces exceptionally clean HTML output that follows WordPress standards perfectly. It’s lean, semantic, and optimized for both performance and accessibility.
Bricks also generates clean code, though with its own structural approach. For developers who inspect the output, both tools show a commitment to quality that puts them well above many alternatives in the WordPress ecosystem.
This clean code foundation means both solutions work seamlessly with my selected plugin stack. I never worry about compatibility issues with either GeneratePress or Bricks. This consistency across projects saves me countless troubleshooting hours.
When it comes to performance, both GeneratePress and Bricks deliver consistently 95+ on PageSpeed Insights thanks to their lean, clean code. Plugin synergy is just as seamless, whether I’m pairing them with my plugin stack (SEOPress, ACF Pro, Perfmatters, WSForms), compatibility never falters. This reliability lets me focus on crafting tailored solutions without wrestling with technical hiccups.
My Take on Each Tool
If you’re asking for my honest opinion, here’s my take: GeneratePress delivers the most efficient path to a high-quality website when working with Gutenberg. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel but instead enhances what WordPress already does well.
Bricks, on the other hand, offers the most enjoyable building experience I’ve found in WordPress. Its innovative approach simply makes the design process more intuitive and efficient than stacking blocks could ever be. For visually demanding projects, this translates directly to better results in less time.
Both tools deliver exceptional performance because they’re built with clean code principles. The choice isn’t about which is “better” in absolute terms.. it’s about which approach better serves your specific goals.
The Project Determines the Tool
When you hire me for your WordPress project, I won’t push you toward either solution based on personal preference. Instead, I’ll evaluate your specific needs, your team’s capabilities, and your long-term goals to recommend the right foundation.
This pragmatic approach ensures you get a website that not only looks great and performs well today but continues to serve your business effectively for years to come.
If you’re looking for a a WordPress Bricks freelancer or a GeneratePress expert who understands how to choose the right tool for your specific situation rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all solution, let’s talk about your project.
