Everyone has faced this dilemma: which WordPress theme to choose to create a website that is professional, modern, and easy to manage? Among the multitude of solutions available, one name consistently comes up: Divi.
But Divi is not just any theme. It’s a
✦ In this guide, we will explore the Divi theme for WordPress in detail: its origin, how it works, its strengths, and also the criticisms it has faced over the years. We will see why the arrival of Divi 5 marks a major turning point, and how this new momentum can put Elegant Themes back among market leaders.
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Table of Contents
- Divi: What is it?
- The Context: Market Share Loss and Competition
- Discovering the Divi WordPress Theme
- Customization and Design with Divi
- Performance and Security
- Divi 5: the Big Comeback
- The Elegant Themes Ecosystem
- Price of the Divi Theme for WordPress
- Divi FAQ
- Conclusion: should You Bet on Divi in 2025?
Divi: What is it?
The Divi theme is the flagship product of Elegant Themes. Unlike a simple graphic overlay, it directly integrates the Divi Builder, a visual drag-and-drop builder that allows you to design a website intuitively.
Divi comes in two forms:
- The Divi theme: a complete WordPress theme, including the builder.
- The Divi Builder plugin: which can be installed on any other WordPress theme to benefit from the editor’s power without changing the design (see the article “Divi theme and the Divi Builder plugin“)
❖ Divi’s main added value is clear: making site creation accessible to beginners while offering advanced options to developers. Whether it’s a personal blog or an agency website, Divi adapts thanks to its flexibility.
while offering advanced options to developers
The Context: Market Share Loss and Competition
For years, Divi dominated the WordPress builder market. But with the arrival of Elementor, the situation changed:
- A very comprehensive free version that attracted a huge user base.
- A modern and fast interface, considered smoother than Divi 4’s at the time.
- A dynamic extension ecosystem, enriched by many third-party developers.
For its part, Divi began to suffer from a reputation as a heavy solution: loaded code, omnipresent shortcodes, and sometimes lagging performance. This led some users to alternatives like Bricks or Oxygen, which are lighter and performance-oriented.
✦ To address these criticisms and remain competitive, Elegant Themes decided to reinvent its flagship product with Divi 5, a complete architectural overhaul.
Discovering the Divi WordPress Theme
Overview
Divi is based on a simple and visual hierarchy:
- Sections (in blue): the basic blocks that structure the page.
- Rows (in green): which organize columns within sections.
- Modules (in gray): the actual content elements (text, image, video, form, etc.).
This logic allows for building complex pages without ever losing sight of the overall organization.
Key Features and Modules
Divi offers a wide range of powerful features to customize every content element:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Visual Builder | Real-time modifications, directly on the page. |
| Theme Builder | Creation of custom templates for headers, footers, posts, etc. |
| Divi Library | Saving modules, sections, or complete pages for easy reuse. |
| Pre-designed Layouts | Over 2000 available templates, distributed in complete site packs. |
| Responsive Editing | Specific adjustments for each device (desktop, tablet, mobile). |
| Split Testing (Divi Leads) | Integrated A/B tests to optimize conversions. |
Divi includes over 40 standard modules (text, image, gallery, testimonials, slider, WooCommerce, etc.).
Advantages of Divi
- Speed: thanks to the layout library and drag-and-drop functionality.
- Accessibility: no mandatory code, even though everything remains customizable.
- Total flexibility: every parameter (typography, colors, margins, animations) can be adjusted.
- Value for money: a subscription provides access to Divi and other Elegant Themes products on an unlimited number of sites.
Customization and Design with Divi
Customization Tools
Each element has three tabs:
- Content → adding text or media.
- Design → style, colors, typography, spacing.
- Advanced → display conditions, CSS classes, visibility options.
Design Options
- Colors: global variables, gradients, integrated eyedropper.
- Typography: Google Fonts library, fine-tuned settings (weight, letter spacing, line height).
- Spacing: intuitive management of margins and padding by dragging the mouse.
- Hover effects: each property can be modified on hover to create micro-interactions.
Plugin Integration
Divi is compatible with most WordPress extensions, including e-commerce plugins like WooCommerce, to offer more customization options. There is also a specific ecosystem:
- Third-party modules (Divi Supreme, Divi Essential).
- Child themes to save time.
- Advanced extensions like Divi Machine, which allows for managing dynamic content.
Performance and Security
Performance Optimization
Elegant Themes has integrated performance tools into its WordPress theme to improve page loading speed:
- Dynamic CSS: only necessary styles are loaded.
- Critical CSS: essential CSS is loaded first.
- JavaScript Optimization: deferred or asynchronous scripts.
With these improvements, a well-configured Divi site can compete with the best in terms of performance.
Security and Updates
- Regular audits by Sucuri.
- Frequent updates with security patches.
- 24/7 Customer Support and an active community.
Divi 5: the Big Comeback
Divi 5 is the most ambitious update ever launched by Elegant Themes. It’s a complete code rewrite, designed to correct Divi’s historical weaknesses.
The Big Promises
- Light and modern code (React, Web Components).
- A powerful API for third-party developers.
- Full backward compatibility, ensuring that existing sites will continue to function.
- A redesigned interface, smoother and more intuitive.
Divi 5 aims to become an essential benchmark again for the next ten years.
The Elegant Themes Ecosystem
With an Elegant Themes subscription, access is not limited to Divi. The ecosystem includes:
- Extra Theme (content-rich magazines and blogs).
- Bloom (email opt-in plugin).
- Monarch (social sharing plugin).
And complementary services:
- Divi AI (content and image generation via AI).
- Divi Cloud (layout backup and synchronization).
- Divi Teams (team permission management).
- Divi VIP (priority support).
- Divi Hosting (optimized hosting with Divi pre-installed).
Price of the Divi Theme for WordPress
Divi is available only under an Elegant Themes license, with two plans:
| Offer | Price | Sites Included | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $89 / year | Unlimited | Small projects or tests |
| Lifetime | $249 (one-time payment) | Unlimited | Freelancers, agencies, long-term |
Compared to Elementor ($199/year for 25 sites), Divi remains significantly more competitive.
Divi FAQ
What is the Price of the Divi Theme for WordPress?
Two options: $89 per year or a $249 lifetime license, with an unlimited number of sites and templates.
Is Divi Better than Elementor?
Elementor attracts with its free version and rich ecosystem. Divi stands out for its value for money, unlimited sites, and the promise of Divi 5.
How to Install Divi on WordPress?
Download the file from your Elegant Themes account, then install it via WordPress → Appearance → Themes.
Is Divi Suitable for E-Commerce?
Yes, thanks to its WooCommerce modules and the Theme Builder for customizing menus and product pages.
Will Divi 5 Really be a Game-Changer?
Yes. It brings modernized code, improved performance, and compatibility with older websites.
Conclusion: should You Bet on Divi in 2025?
Divi has had a tumultuous journey. After dominating, it was criticized for its slowness and surpassed by competitors. But with Divi 5, Elegant Themes offers an ambitious overhaul: modern code, increased performance, and a long-term vision.
✦ In 2025, betting on Divi is a strategic choice:
- for freelancers, it’s a simple and powerful solution;
- for agencies, an unbeatable investment thanks to the unlimited offer;
- for entrepreneurs, a way to create a professional website without technical dependence.
Divi is not just a theme: it’s a complete ecosystem preparing to write a new chapter.
❖ The time has come to take the plunge: Discover Divi.
