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Disable Gutenberg

By Jeff Starr

Content Management / Blog & Article Publishing

Disable Gutenberg Review - In-Depth Analysis

Disable Gutenberg Block Editor and restore the Classic Editor. This plugin allows selective disabling of Gutenberg for posts, pages, roles, and more.

Performance Overview

WPS Score

7.13/10

User Rating

5/5 (based on 731+ reviews)

Active Installations

600,000+

Update Frequency

Below Average It is calculated using the weighted average of same category plugins.

Security Score

1 / 10 (Very Low Risk) It is calculated using the weighted average of all versions.

What It Does

This plugin disables the new Gutenberg Editor (aka Block Editor) and replaces it with the Classic Editor. You can disable Gutenberg completely, or selectively disable for posts, pages, roles, post types, and theme templates. Plus you can hide the Gutenberg nag, menu item, and more!

The Disable Gutenberg plugin restores the classic (original) WordPress editor and the Edit Post screen. So you can continue using plugins and theme functions that extend the Classic Editor. Supports awesome features like Meta Boxes, Quicktags, Custom Fields, and everything else the Classic Editor can do.

Easy to Use: Just activate and done! The default plugin settings are configured to hide all traces of the Gutenberg Block Editor, and fully restore the original Classic Editor. Further options for customizing when/where Gutenberg is enabled are available in the plugin settings.

Fully configurable, enable or disable Gutenberg and restore the Classic Editor wherever is necessary. This plugin does not collect or store any user data. It does not set any cookies, and it does not connect to any third-party locations. Thus, this plugin does not affect user privacy in any way.

Comparing to Alternatives

Disable Gutenberg is a focused plugin designed to disable the Gutenberg block editor in WordPress, offering a straightforward alternative to other editor management plugins.

Top alternatives

Disable Gutenberg

Strengths

Effectively disables Gutenberg editor site-wide or selectively.
Lightweight with minimal configuration required.
Maintained by a reputable developer, Jeff Starr.
Compatible with various WordPress setups and plugins.

Weaknesses

Limited to disabling Gutenberg without additional editor customization features.
May require complementary plugins for full classic editor experience.
Lacks advanced user interface for granular control compared to some alternatives.

User Sentiment Analysis

User comments highlight strong appreciation for the plugin's simplicity and effectiveness in disabling Gutenberg, often citing frustration with the block editor itself.

Positive highlights

'First plugin to install on each new website' - Anonymous User
'A must-have for full WP functionality' - kolakube
'Thank you Jeff for this fantastic plugin.' - Anonymous User
'Simple and fast' - mcdeth
'So happy this plugin exists.' - PandamusRex

Common complaints

Some users find it annoying that disabling Gutenberg is still necessary in 2025.
Limited features beyond disabling Gutenberg.

Weaknesses

No built-in support for switching between editors beyond disabling Gutenberg.
Does not address Gutenberg-related content formatting issues directly.

Who Should Use This?

Best for

Users who prefer the classic WordPress editor and want a reliable way to disable the Gutenberg block editor entirely.

Not ideal for

Users looking for advanced editor customization or those who want to use Gutenberg with enhanced features.

Pricing & Value

Free version includes

The free version effectively disables the Gutenberg editor across the site or selectively, providing essential functionality for users wanting to avoid Gutenberg.

Pro version

Offers additional features such as granular control over where Gutenberg is disabled, compatibility options, and priority support.

Final Verdict

Disable Gutenberg is a straightforward and dependable plugin for users seeking to disable the Gutenberg editor without hassle.

Its simplicity and reliability make it a top choice for those frustrated by Gutenberg, though it lacks advanced customization features.

Other Notable Features

Here are a few other notable features of this free Disable Gutenberg plugin.

Disable Gutenberg

Classic Editor

Block Editor

Screenshots

FAQ

Yes. When Gutenberg is active, the plugin disables it (depending on your selected options) and replaces with the Classic Editor. Otherwise, if Gutenberg is not active (like with older versions of WordPress), the plugin does nothing. So it is safe to activate on any WordPress site.