12 of the Best Plugins for Extending the Block Editor

The Block Editor caused quite a stir when it was included in the release of WordPress 5.0. Despite the controversy, it's opened doors for new kinds of development and helped to streamline editing and publishing for users. That said, there are still many ways it can be improved. These block plugins include additional content elements that can make crafting posts and pages faster and easier than ever.
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The Block Editor has made online publishing easier for WordPress users of all skill levels. However, it only includes the most basic elements needed to create posts and pages.

Fortunately, several new block plugins have emerged. These handy little tools can open new doors for users who want to create more complex features and layouts right from the default WordPress editor.

In this post, we’ve collected ten of the best plugins you can use to extend the Block Editor. Let’s get started!

Kadence Blocks – Gutenberg Page Builder Toolkit

Kadence Blocks

Kadence Blocks prioritizes the creation of layouts with rows and columns. It even enables you to adjust their padding, add backgrounds and overlays, and modify their vertical alignment so everything looks just right.

Some of the blocks included are:

  • Row Layout
  • Advanced Gallery
  • Tabs
  • Accordion
  • Testimonial
  • Info Box
  • Icon List

In addition to the free version, you may want to consider Kadence Blocks Pro. It includes additional blocks such as Image Overlays and Split Content. You’ll also gain entry to a library of pre-built sections and layouts. Licenses start at $89 per year.

You can learn more about it in our Kadence review.

Extendify

Extendify, responsive WordPress patterns and templates

Extendify is a standout here, as the plugin focuses on providing a beautiful pattern library that lets you add beautiful sections of Gutenberg blocks to your page in a jiffy.

You can easily sort through the wide catalog of patterns, and even view the entire library with images and copy from a specific industry β€” all to help you build and publish faster than ever.

Block patterns include:

  • About us
  • Call to action
  • Features
  • Headlines
  • Headers
  • Footers
  • Pricing Tables
  • & More

Extendify is free to use for up to ten imports a month, with pro access for as little as $7/month.

Gutenberg Blocks – Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg

The Gutenberg Ultimate Addons plugin.

From the developers that brought you the amazing Astra theme, Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg is the most highly rated of the block plugins on this list. It seeks to provide a page-builder-like experience in the Block Editor.

When you download Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg, you gain access to several blocks including:

  • Table of Contents
  • Advanced Columns
  • Call to Action buttons
  • Content Timelines
  • Info Boxes
  • Post Layouts
  • Price Lists

This plugin is completely free to download and use, with no strings attached. Support for Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg via documentation and a ticketing system is available on its official website.

Stackable – Gutenberg Blocks

The Stackable Gutenberg plugin.

In addition to several advanced blocks that make drafting custom layouts a breeze, Stackable comes with advanced effects for taking your site design to the next level. Hover animations, background gradients, and more can help spruce up your pages.

This plugin’s blocks include:

  • Container
  • Separator
  • Accordion
  • Image Box
  • Video Popup
  • Notification
  • Expand/Show More

You can use all of the above for free. However, there’s also a premium version. It offers more than 50 layouts, additional effects, and a CSS Customizer for styling individual blocks. Pricing starts at $49 per year.

Lazy Blocks

The Lazy Blocks plugin.

Created to help developers build their own custom blocks, Lazy Blocks is an alternative to Block Lab and requires some coding knowledge. It combines drag-and-drop editor controls and custom HTML to build your own pre-defined content elements.

Lazy Blocks includes the following controls:

  • Repeater
  • Textarea
  • Code Editor
  • Rich Text
  • Inner Blocks
  • Color Picker
  • Date and Time Picker

This plugin is free to download and use.

Gutenberg Blocks and Template Library by Otter

The Gutenberg Blocks and Template Library by Otter.

In addition to several blocks, this plugin includes nine customizable page templates. You can modify their existing elements or add new ones to tweak the format and make it work for you.

Gutenberg Blocks and Template Library includes the following blocks, among others:

  • Section
  • Service
  • Button group
  • Pricing
  • Testimonial
  • Google Map
  • About the Author

Like many on this list, this plugin is 100% free to use.

Gutenberg Blocks Plugin – Ultimate Blocks

The Ultimate Blocks plugin.

Designed with bloggers and marketers in mind, Ultimate Blocks is geared towards making content that converts. It’s also optimized for speed and search engines to keep your site running smoothly.

Ultimate Blocks includes a handful of unique elements that may prove useful. Some of them include:

  • Image Slider
  • Content Filter
  • Click to Tweet
  • Countdown
  • Progress Bar
  • Star Rating
  • Styled List

This is another free plugin, so there’s no need to worry about your budget. With no real drawbacks, Ultimate Blocks is an easy way to take your content up a notch and increase engagement.

Advanced Gutenberg Blocks – Qubely

The Advanced Gutenberg Blocks plugin by Qubely.

This Block Editor “toolkit” contains a wide range of features for improving your editing experience. On top of the custom blocks it offers, Qubely provides pre-built sections and layout packs.

Its blocks include:

  • Rows
  • Counters
  • Button groups
  • Contact Forms
  • Teams
  • Timelines
  • Post Grids

The premium version starts at $39/year. Alternatively, there’s also the free version.

Page Builder Gutenberg Blocks – CoBlocks

The CoBlocks plugin.

CoBlocks is a lightweight plugin with a hefty list of additions for the block editor. One of the more extensive options for enhancing your editing capabilities, it has more than two dozen ready-made elements for your posts and pages. It also enables layout and design functionality to mimic that of a page builder.

Some blocks of note include:

  • Author Profile
  • Carousel Gallery
  • Food & Drink (for restaurant menus)
  • GIF
  • Hero Content
  • Logos & Badges
  • Social profiles

Despite its impressive list of content options, CoBlocks is completely free.

Getwid Gutenberg Blocks 

Getwid boasts one of the biggest libraries of blocks, plus a collection of beautiful templates pre-designed for different purposes. It’s highly praised for tons of customization settings and the ability to seamlessly integrate with the default styles of any theme. One more unique thing of Getwid is its four post-related blocks: they allow you to feature dynamically sourced content of your posts, pages or custom post types in a list, grid, slider or custom layout. It’s, furthermore, a gem for developers thanks to a free design boilerplate.

Some notable Getwid blocks include:

  • Section (Container)
  • Image Hotspot
  • Advanced Heading
  • Banner
  • Google Maps
  • Custom Post Type
  • Mailchimp

The plugin is completely free to use, including some features that are commonly offered as premium (e.g. the Image Hotspot block, the Template Library of Gutenberg designs, etc.).

ZeGuten

ZeGuten

Meet the ZeGuten plugin – a brand new block builder for Gutenberg WordPress editor. This tool is a completely modern approach to creating any kind of website – from a cozy blog to a multipurpose store. Create your own way of posting with 5 stylish blog layouts. Enrich your pages with parallax effect, custom shape background, and 8 types of gradients. Promote your content with attractive banners and blurbs. Some of the blocks included are:

  • Banners
  • Carousel
  • Countdown Timer
  • Circle Progress
  • Headings
  • Icon list
  • Image Comparison
  • Progress Bar
  • Advanced map
  • Blurbs
  • Posts
  • Sections

You are able to use column blocks to arrange elements in responsive layouts. Moreover, you can set the page interface on various devices.

The plugin costs $37.

Atomic Blocks – Gutenberg Blocks Collection

The Atomic Blocks plugin.

Our final pick of the available block plugins is Atomic Blocks. In addition to some content types you won’t find in other options listed in this post, it has a corresponding theme. Built for Block Editor compatibility and customization, the Atomic Blocks theme integrates neatly with the unique elements the plugin provides.

Custom blocks include:

  • Section & Layout
  • Newsletter
  • Container
  • Inline notice
  • Accordion
  • Spacer & Divider
  • Drop cap

Both Atomic Blocks and its theme are completely free. If you’re launching a new WordPress site and are looking for affordable options for building your site quickly and easily, these tools might make the perfect combo.

Conclusion

The Block Editor has provided new opportunities for WordPress developers, and many of them have jumped at the chance to create new blocks. Their extensions have made it easier than ever to publish high-quality web content.

There are many block plugins you might consider adding to your WordPress installation. Developers can discover new possibilities with Block Lab, CoBlocks brings new content options to users of all levels, and Gutenberg Blocks and Template Library even includes entire page templates.

Do you have any questions about extending the Block Editor? Let us know in the comments section below!

Will Morris is a staff writer at WordCandy. When he’s not writing about WordPress, he likes to gig his stand-up comedy routine on the local circuit.

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