Loop builder is what makes WordPress special. Especially for those who don't have adequate programming knowledge (PHP in this case).
With loop builder, you can create a complex dynamic website without needing to touch a single line of code. All you need is to understand the structure of WordPress content beyond blog posts and pages.
Loop builder is a feature available in WordPress core. Meaning that it is not necessary to install a plugin to use it.
If you prefer using a plugin, however, then you can pick one of the advanced loop builder plugins on the list below.
Shortcuts ⤵️
- When can you use a loop builder
- Before you install a loop builder plugin
- List of advanced loop builders for WordPress
- Summary
When Can You Use a Loop Builder?
Not every WordPress project needs a loop builder. If you use WordPress to create a simple landing page, for instance, then using loop builder is not necessary.
The best example when you want to use a loop builder is when you want to create a dynamic website with some custom content and to repeat/loop the content on a page.
Let's say you want to create a property listing website with the following content and layout:
That's one of the best examples of how loop builder is used on a WordPress project.
The main concept of loop builder is to create a design layout, complete with the content, and loop it multiple times on the same page.
The content itself is pulled from a content type on your website. It can be default post type (blog posts), custom post type, and etc.
Not only can you add the main data/field associated with the post type like the title, but you can also add other fields like link and taxonomy. You can even add custom fields you created with ACF and the similar plugins.
Before You Install a Loop Builder Plugin
One crucial thing you need to know before you install a loop builder plugin is that WordPress already has a built-in loop builder feature.
As I mentioned above, loop builder is one of the core features of WordPress. If you enjoy building a WordPress website using Gutenberg, you can explore it further first before you install a loop builder plugin.
You can pair the use of WordPress built-in loop builder with Site Editor.
The WordPress built-in loop builder already has some basic features, including pagination. Unfortunately, the content fields that it supports are still limited.
You can only add pre-defined content fields to your loop items. There is no option to add custom fields.
Also, since WordPress built-in loop builder works on Gutenberg, you have limited design options compared when you use a dedicated loop builder plugin.
Advanced Loop Builders for WordPress
| Key highlights | Pricing | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementor Pro | Requires template creation. Beginner friendly visual editor. | From $60/year |
| Divi 5 | Simpler workflow. Best pricing for agencies and freelancers | From $89/year |
| Mosaic | Super affordable | From $39/year |
| Bricks Builder | Simple workflow, more pagination style options | From $79/year |
1. Elementor Pro
Elementor doesn't need another introduction. It is the most visual page builder plugins for WordPress and most WordPress users already know about it.
What most WordPress users may not know is that Elementor comes with a powerful loop builder feature which is useful to create a dynamic website. This feature is part of Elementor Pro.
To use Elementor loop builder, first you need to create a loop template. You can then use the template you have created on a regular page using one of the widgets that Elementor offers:
- Loop Grid
- Loop Carousel
Yup, you can display your dynamic content in a carousel format to make your design more alive.
On your loop template, you can add any content you want. The best part is that you can connect the content with ACF, Pods, JetEngine and other custom field plugins that Elementor supports.
When adding a loop template, you can set how many items to be displayed on initial load. Then you can allow visitors to lead more templates by setting the pagination.
Elementor itself offers several pagination styles for its loop builder. From a simple numerical pagination, load on click, to infinite scroll.
Pros of Elementor Pro Loop Builder:
- Complete control over design
- Supports default post type and custom post types
- Supports integration with ACF and similar plugins
- Allows to display loop items in a carousel
- Multiple pagination styles
Cons of Elementor Po Loop Builder:
- Requires template creation
2. Divi 5
Divi used to be narrated as a heavy visual builder with a clunky editor. This narration is no longer relevant with the release of Divi 5.
Divi has undergone a total overhaul in version 5. It now has a modern, cleaner and lighter editor.
You can now use Divi to create a complex dynamic website without needing to rely on a third-party extension thanks to its built-in loop builder.
Unlike Elementor, the loop builder feature of Divi doesn't require template creation. You can loop any item directly inside the editor without needing to exit first.
In the settings panel, you will find a setting option called Loop Element. When you enable this option, the element will be looped. Including the child elements.
If you enable the option on a column, for instance, the column and all elements inside it will be looped. As easy as that.
For the loop content itself, you can select default post type or custom post types. There are also some filtering options you can use to filter your content.
The loop builder feature of Divi 5 also supports integration with ACF to give you more flexibility regarding the content.
For pagination, Divi offers a dedicated module called Pagination which you can connect with looped elements. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer many pagination options like Elementor. You can only use a next-and-previous navigation.
Pros of Divi 5 Loop Builder:
- Doesn't require template creation
- Total control over design
- Supports multiple post types (default post type and custom post types)
- Supports integration with ACF
- Multiple filtering options
Cons of Divi 5 Loop Builder:
- Lack pagination style options
3. Mosaic
Mosaic is a relatively new page builder plugin for WordPress. Just like Elementor and Divi, it also comes with a loop builder feature to make the creation of dynamic websites a lot easier.
The workflow of Mosaic loop builder is pretty similar to WordPress built-in loop builder where it has a dedicated element, called Loop, which you can use to create a loop. The difference, you can add more elements to the loop apart from the predefined ones.
Also, Mosaic allows you to pull dynamic content from ACF and the similar plugins other than default dynamic content of WordPress (post title, post meta, featured image, etc.)
The best part of using Mosaic is that it is relatively more affordable than Elementor Pro and. You can get Mosaic at only $39 per year. You can even use it for free for your first year.
Pros of Mosaic Loop Builder:
- Simple workflow
- Full control over design using its visual editor
- More affordable
- Supports multiple post types
- Supports integration with ACF
Cons of Mosaic Loop Builder:
- Doesn't support dynamic link
- Lack pagination style options
4. Bricks Builder
Bricks is another visual page builder for WordPress that comes with a loop builder feature. The workflow of Bricks loop builder is pretty similar to Divi's where you are not required to create a loop template like Elementor.
Instead, you only need to enable the loop Query Loop option on the settings panel and the items will be looped.
Bricks loop builder also comes with advanced filtering options. You can include or exclude posts based on certain criteria.
To allow you to build complex dynamic websites with this feature, Bricks also supports integration with ACF just like other loop builders above.
Pros of Bricks Loop Builder:
- Simpler workflow
- Full control over design
- More pagination style options
- Advanced filtering options
- Supports integration with ACF
Cons of Bricks Loop Builder:
- A bit pricey. Especially to build multiple sites
Summary
WordPress remains the best solution to build a dynamic website if you have no programming background. It comes with a built-in loop builder feature which is super useful to loop/repeat items on a page.
If you are not interested in using WordPress built-in loop builder, then you can use one of the plugins on the above list, which offers more design control. They are great solutions to build a complex dynamic website visually.
All loop builder plugins on the above list allow you to populate your loop items with dynamic data. Be it the default dynamic data of WordPress or dynamic data from ACF and the similar plugins.
