If you use WordPress and Elementor, you may have heard about the Pro Elements WordPress plugin. It is a third-party plugin designed to provide additional Elementor features, including advanced widgets, theme-building tools, forms, popups, and dynamic content.
Many WordPress users are interested in Pro Elements because they want more design flexibility without paying for an Elementor Pro subscription. However, before installing it, you should understand what the plugin offers, how it differs from the official Elementor Pro product, and what risks to consider.
In this guide, we will explain what Pro Elements is, explore its main features, show you how to install it, and discuss whether it is a suitable choice for a personal website or a business website.
What Is the Pro Elements WordPress Plugin?
Pro Elements is a community-maintained, third-party WordPress plugin that adds professional features to the Elementor page builder. It is designed to provide functionality commonly associated with Elementor Pro.
The project is available through its official website and GitHub repository.
Unlike the official Elementor Pro product, Pro Elements is not developed or supported as an official Elementor product. It is a separate project based on Elementor Pro’s GPL-licensed code.
The plugin is intended for users who want access to additional Elementor functionality without purchasing an official Elementor Pro subscription.
Is Pro Elements the Same as Elementor Pro?
No. Although the two products can offer similar functionality, they are not the same product.
Elementor Pro is the official paid product developed by Elementor. It provides advanced website-building features, official product updates, and access to support according to the applicable subscription terms.
Pro Elements is a separate third-party project that provides selected professional Elementor features. It does not give you an official Elementor Pro license or access to Elementor Pro’s customer support.
If you want to understand how the plugin is commonly used, read our related guide on how to activate Elementor Pro-style features using Pro Elements.
What Features Does Pro Elements Offer?
Pro Elements is designed to extend Elementor’s capabilities, allowing users to create more advanced WordPress websites without writing code for every design element.
The exact features depend on the version you install and its compatibility with Elementor.
Advanced Elementor Widgets
Widgets are the building blocks you use to create pages in Elementor. The free version of Elementor includes basic elements, while advanced website designs may require additional functionality.
Pro Elements can provide extra widgets and controls associated with Elementor Pro.
These features can help you create more flexible layouts, improve the appearance of pages, and build more advanced website designs.
Theme Builder
The Theme Builder is useful when you want to customize parts of your WordPress website beyond individual pages.
Depending on the available features in your installed version, Pro Elements can provide tools for creating templates for areas such as:
- Website headers and footers
- Single blog posts
- Blog archive pages
- Search results
- Other supported theme parts
For example, you could design a custom blog post layout and use it across multiple posts rather than manually designing every article.
Popup Builder
Popups can be used for announcements, newsletter subscriptions, promotional messages, and other website interactions.
Pro Elements includes popup-related functionality intended to provide additional control over how these elements appear.
Depending on the supported features, you may be able to customize popup layouts and configure display conditions or triggers.
Use popups carefully, particularly on mobile devices. Too many interruptions can make a website harder to use.
Form Builder
Forms are useful for collecting information from website visitors.
Pro Elements can provide form-building functionality associated with Elementor Pro. Depending on the version, available options may include multiple form fields and actions after submission.
Possible use cases include:
- Contact forms
- General inquiry forms
- Lead-generation forms
- Newsletter signup forms
- Multi-step forms
Before relying on a form for business inquiries, test the entire process. Confirm that submissions reach the correct email address and that any integrations work as expected.
WooCommerce Builder
If you operate an online store, WooCommerce-related design features can be particularly useful.
Pro Elements aims to provide additional tools for customizing WooCommerce layouts. Depending on the installed version, supported features may include product templates, product archives, and other store-related elements.
However, WooCommerce compatibility should be checked before using the plugin on a live store. A problem with a product template or checkout-related layout can affect customers and sales.
Dynamic Content and Custom CSS
Dynamic content allows website elements to display information from WordPress rather than relying entirely on manually entered text.
For example, a template can display a post title, featured image, or other supported content automatically.
Pro Elements also offers advanced styling functionality, including global styles and custom CSS features, depending on the version.
These tools can be useful for developers who need consistent designs across multiple pages.
Motion Effects and Advanced Styling
Additional design options may include motion effects, scrolling effects, mouse effects, and advanced styling controls.
These features can help you create more interactive designs, but they should be used carefully. Excessive animations and scripts can affect performance, accessibility, and the mobile experience.
If website speed matters to you, see our guide to the best WordPress optimization plugins.
Pro Elements vs Elementor Free vs Elementor Pro
Understanding the differences between these options can help you decide which one fits your website.
| Feature | Elementor Free | Pro Elements | Official Elementor Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Uses Elementor | Yes |
| Basic widgets | Yes | Yes, through Elementor | Yes |
| Additional Pro-style widgets | Limited | Available, depending on version | Yes |
| Theme-building features | Limited | Supported features vary | Yes |
| Popup functionality | Limited | Supported features vary | Yes |
| Form-building features | Limited | Supported features vary | Yes |
| WooCommerce design tools | Limited | Supported features vary | Yes |
| Official Elementor Pro license | No | No | Yes |
| Official Elementor Pro support | No | No | Available under applicable terms |
This comparison is a general overview rather than a guarantee that every feature is identical across products. Check the current feature list and compatibility information before choosing.
For official information about the paid product, visit Elementor’s website.
How to Install the Pro Elements WordPress Plugin
If you decide to try Pro Elements, use a verified source and test the plugin before adding it to an important website.
Step 1: Back Up Your Website
Before installing any plugin that changes your page builder, create a complete backup of your WordPress website.
Your backup should include the database, WordPress files, themes, plugins, and media uploads.
A backup gives you a recovery option if the installation causes compatibility problems or changes the appearance of your pages.
Step 2: Install Elementor
Pro Elements is designed to work with Elementor, so you need a compatible version of Elementor installed and activated first.
In your WordPress dashboard:
- Go to Plugins → Add New Plugin.
- Search for Elementor Website Builder.
- Install the official Elementor plugin.
- Activate it.
You can also find the official plugin through the Elementor website.
Step 3: Download Pro Elements From a Verified Source
Visit the official Pro Elements project website and review its current download instructions.
You can also inspect the project’s GitHub repository to review its source code, release information, and documentation.
Avoid downloading a file simply because an unfamiliar website labels it as Pro Elements. A misleading ZIP file could contain modified or malicious code.
Step 4: Upload the Plugin to WordPress
If you obtained a plugin ZIP file from a verified source, open your WordPress dashboard and go to:
Plugins → Add New Plugin → Upload Plugin
Choose the ZIP file, select Install Now, and wait for the installation to finish.
If the project provides a different installation method for its current release, follow its official instructions instead.
Step 5: Activate the Plugin
After installation, select Activate Plugin.
Open the installed plugins page and confirm that both Elementor and Pro Elements are active.
If WordPress displays an error, do not repeatedly reinstall the plugin without checking the cause. The issue may be related to an incompatible version, a missing dependency, or a PHP error.
Step 6: Test the Available Features
Open an existing Elementor page or create a test page.
Check whether the additional widgets and controls are available in the editor. If you need theme templates, forms, or popups, test those features separately.
Before using Pro Elements on a live website, check that:
- Existing pages still display correctly.
- The Elementor editor opens normally.
- Headers and footers work as expected.
- Forms submit successfully.
- Mobile layouts remain responsive.
- No PHP or JavaScript errors appear.
For a business website, performing these checks on a staging site is preferable.
Is Pro Elements Safe to Use?
The answer depends on the source of the plugin, the version you install, its maintenance, and the way you use it.
Pro Elements is an identifiable open-source project, and its published licensing information describes it as a GPL-licensed derivative project. However, that does not mean every website distributing a file under the same name is trustworthy.
Download From the Official Project
The first safety step is verifying the source.
Use the official Pro Elements website or its GitHub repository to find project information and download instructions.
Avoid unfamiliar download sites that offer modified versions, bundled installers, or files with unclear origins.
Check Updates and Compatibility
Elementor and WordPress change over time. A third-party plugin that relies on Elementor’s internal functionality may need updates when the underlying software changes.
An incompatible version can cause:
- Widgets to disappear.
- The Elementor editor to stop working.
- Page layouts to break.
- PHP errors or a white screen.
- Forms or popups to malfunction.
- Conflicts with other plugins.
Check the project’s current release information before updating WordPress or Elementor, especially if your website depends on Pro Elements.
Understand the Support Limitations
Pro Elements is not an official Elementor product. You should not expect the same support arrangements as an official Elementor Pro subscriber.
If a feature breaks, you may need to investigate the problem yourself or rely on the project’s available documentation and community resources.
For a website that generates income, the time required to troubleshoot a third-party plugin is worth considering.
Keep Your Website Backed Up
Even a plugin obtained from a legitimate source can introduce compatibility problems.
Maintain regular backups, use strong WordPress administrator credentials, and keep WordPress, Elementor, and other plugins updated when compatible updates are available.
For important websites, test major updates on a staging site before applying them to production.
Is Pro Elements Legal to Use?
Pro Elements describes itself as a derivative project distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3 (GPLv3).
The GPL permits certain rights to use, modify, and redistribute covered software, subject to the license’s conditions. However, that does not automatically settle every question involving trademarks, branding, third-party services, or other applicable terms.
If you plan to use Pro Elements commercially, review the project’s licensing information and source repository and consider any requirements that apply to your particular use.
It is important to distinguish the plugin’s license from an official Elementor Pro subscription. Installing Pro Elements does not give you an official Elementor Pro account or license.
If you need official Elementor Pro features, updates, or support, review the options available directly from Elementor.
Pro Elements vs Cracked Elementor Pro
These terms are sometimes used interchangeably online, but they do not necessarily refer to the same thing.
Pro Elements is a separate third-party project that publishes its own source code and licensing information.
A cracked or nulled Elementor Pro plugin generally refers to an unauthorized or modified copy intended to bypass the paid product’s licensing or activation mechanisms.
The distinction matters because an unknown modified plugin can contain malicious code or other unwanted changes.
However, you should still evaluate Pro Elements independently. Do not assume that any plugin is safe solely because it is described as free or open source.
Does Pro Elements Include Templates and Template Kits?
This is an important limitation to understand before installing the plugin.
The current Pro Elements project website distinguishes between the features provided by the plugin and the templates or template kits that are not included.
If you need ready-made page designs, you may need to obtain templates separately or use another template library.
You can also explore our guide to free Elementor add-on plugins for alternatives that offer additional widgets, design features, or template-related functionality.
Check the current project information before assuming that a template library or premium template collection is included.
Can Pro Elements Slow Down Your WordPress Website?
Installing Pro Elements does not automatically mean your website will become slow. Performance depends on the features you use, the scripts and styles loaded, your hosting environment, and the overall website design.
However, advanced widgets, animations, popups, and complex templates can add extra assets or processing.
To keep your website responsive:
- Use only the widgets and effects you need.
- Avoid unnecessary animations.
- Optimize images before uploading them.
- Test important pages on mobile devices.
- Measure performance before and after installing new plugins.
- Remove plugins you no longer use, after checking their dependencies.
You can use tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights to measure performance and identify possible problems.
Remember that removing a plugin may affect existing layouts if those pages depend on its widgets or templates. Check dependencies before deactivating or uninstalling it.
What Should You Do If Pro Elements Stops Working?
If the plugin stops working after an update, take a methodical approach instead of immediately making multiple changes to your live website.
Check the Plugin and Elementor Versions
Review the current Pro Elements release information and confirm that your installed Elementor version is supported.
A version mismatch is one possible reason for editor errors or missing functionality.
Test for Plugin Conflicts
If the issue continues, test the site on a staging environment. Temporarily disabling other plugins can help identify a conflict, but avoid doing this on a live store or business website without a recovery plan.
Check WordPress Error Logs
PHP errors and JavaScript console messages can help identify the source of a problem. If you are unfamiliar with debugging, ask a WordPress developer to investigate before changing production files.
Restore a Backup if Necessary
If the update has seriously damaged your website and you cannot resolve the problem, restoring a recent backup may be the quickest recovery option.
Keep a backup from before the update so that you can return to a working version.
Should You Use Pro Elements on a Business Website?
The answer depends on how much risk you are willing to accept and how important website reliability is to your business.
When It May Be Worth Trying
Pro Elements may be worth testing if you are:
- Learning WordPress development.
- Experimenting with Elementor features.
- Building a personal website.
- Testing layouts on a staging site.
- Working on a project where official support is not essential.
In these situations, you may be comfortable testing the plugin and troubleshooting compatibility issues when necessary.
When the Official Elementor Pro Product May Be Better
Consider the official product if you are:
- Building websites for paying clients.
- Running an online store.
- Managing a website that generates revenue.
- Depending on advanced Elementor features every day.
- Looking for official product support.
- Prioritizing predictable updates and long-term maintenance.
The official product is not automatically free from bugs, but it offers a different support and product relationship from a third-party project.
For a business website, the cost of a subscription may be reasonable when compared with the time and potential disruption caused by a plugin conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pro Elements a free WordPress plugin?
Pro Elements is a GPL-licensed third-party project intended to provide additional Elementor functionality. Check the official project website for the current version and download information.
Is Pro Elements an official Elementor plugin?
No. Pro Elements is a separate community-maintained project. It is not the official Elementor Pro product.
Do I need Elementor to use Pro Elements?
Yes, Pro Elements is designed to work with Elementor. You should install and activate a compatible version of the official Elementor plugin first.
Does Pro Elements provide all Elementor Pro features?
Not necessarily. The available functionality can differ by version, and not every official product feature or service is guaranteed to be available. Check the project’s current feature list before relying on a specific tool.
Does Pro Elements include template kits?
The current project website lists templates and template kits as items that are not included with the plugin. Check the project’s current documentation for any changes.
Is Pro Elements safe for WordPress?
Its safety depends on the code, source, version, and maintenance. Obtain it from a verified project source, review its licensing and update information, and test it before installing it on an important website.
Can I use Pro Elements for client websites?
You should evaluate the plugin’s licensing, security, compatibility, and support limitations before using it for clients. If a client website depends on reliable updates and official support, the official Elementor Pro product may be a better fit.
Does Pro Elements require an Elementor Pro license?
Pro Elements is designed to provide additional functionality without requiring an official Elementor Pro subscription. However, it does not create or provide an official Elementor Pro license.
Can I uninstall Pro Elements after using it?
You can deactivate and uninstall the plugin through WordPress, but pages that rely on its widgets or templates may lose some functionality or display incorrectly. Check your website carefully and create a backup before removing it.
Final Verdict: Is Pro Elements Worth Using?
Pro Elements can be useful for experimenting with advanced Elementor features, but it is not a replacement for an official Elementor Pro license in every situation.
The plugin offers additional functionality that may help you build more flexible WordPress layouts without purchasing an Elementor Pro subscription. Its third-party nature, compatibility requirements, support limitations, and lack of included template kits are important factors to consider.
If you are learning WordPress or testing a personal website, it may be worth exploring. If you manage a business website or build sites for clients, carefully compare the potential savings with the cost of maintenance and troubleshooting.
Whatever you choose, download plugins from verified sources, maintain backups, and test updates before applying them to your live website.
For further reading, explore our guides to free Elementor add-on plugins and WordPress website optimization.
