The release of Divi 5 by Elegant Themes marks a significant step forward for the popular WordPress theme. With this new version comes questions, especially for those of us using Divi for our own sites or for clients. Should you jump to Divi 5 right away, or is sticking with Divi 4 the better option? Let’s break it down.
It’s important to understand that both Divi 4 and Divi 5 are powerful tools, but they cater to slightly different needs and stages of development right now. Deciding which to use depends largely on your current projects and comfort level with new technology.
When to Consider Staying with Divi 4
Divi 4 remains a solid and practical choice, particularly for existing websites and users who rely heavily on the established ecosystem.
- Existing Websites: If you have websites that were built using Divi 4, Elegant Themes recommends continuing to use Divi 4 on them for now. There’s no immediate rush to migrate existing sites to Divi 5, and you can transition later when Divi 5 is fully ready.
- Heavy Reliance on Third-Party Extensions: If your workflow or projects heavily depend on smaller third-party extensions and modules available within the Divi Marketplace, Divi 4 ensures strong compatibility. While Divi 5 does support backward compatibility for Divi 4 modules, some third-party extensions may not yet work seamlessly as developers are still updating them for Divi 5.
- Avoiding Alpha Software: Divi 5 is currently in its Alpha Phase. If you prefer to avoid potential bugs or want to stick with a familiar, stable interface for ongoing projects, Divi 4 is suitable.
- Maintaining Legacy Sites: Developers managing legacy sites will find Divi 4’s compatibility with established plugins beneficial for keeping projects running smoothly without immediate migration.
- No Need for Cutting-Edge Features (Yet): For users who don’t immediately need Divi 5’s advanced features, Divi 4 offers a dependable platform.
When to Embrace Divi 5
Divi 5, with its modern architecture and innovative features, is positioned as the future of Divi. It’s a compelling choice if you’re ready to explore a forward-thinking platform, especially for new builds.
- New Website Builds: Elegant Themes recommends using Divi 5 on any new website builds.
- Advanced Features and Performance: If optimal performance and advanced features are top priorities for your projects, Divi 5’s modern codebase and robust toolset make it an excellent fit.
- Complex Layouts and Responsive Design: Projects requiring complex layouts or sophisticated responsive designs can significantly benefit from Divi 5’s features like nested rows, customizable breakpoints, and a preset-based design system.
- Streamlining Workflows: Developers and agencies looking to streamline their design processes can leverage Divi 5’s Design Variables for faster and more efficient branded website launches.
- Early Adopters & Feedback: Divi 5 is made for early adopters who are comfortable with alpha software and eager to provide feedback to help shape its development.
- Modern Design Tools: Designers seeking contemporary tools like Design Variables, Nested Rows, and Customizable Breakpoints to create precise, modern designs that align with industry standards will appreciate Divi 5.
- Long-Term Scalability & Future-Proofing: For teams focused on projects requiring long-term scalability and future-proofing, Divi 5’s forward-looking architecture and development roadmap are appealing. It positions users to stay ahead in the evolving web landscape.
Backward Compatibility and The Future
One important aspect is Divi 5’s backward compatibility, meaning most Divi 4 extensions should still work in Divi 5. However, as mentioned, some third-party extensions might not yet be fully optimized.
The future of Divi 5 is promising, with an ambitious roadmap including features like Flexbox Layouts, relative colors with HSL support, performance enhancements, and improved WooCommerce integration. Elegant Themes plans bi-weekly updates with a full release targeted for Q4 2025 or Q1 2026. The development is collaborative and user-driven, incorporating feedback and bug fixes. Divi 5 aims to improve performance and compete with other leading builders by aligning with WordPress’s block-based future and optimizing its codebase.
Our Recommendation
The shift from Divi 4 to Divi 5 is an inevitable evolution. For now, we recommend keeping websites built on Divi 4 on that version, especially if you rely on many third-party plugins.
However, for new website builds, particularly those with more advanced needs or where performance is critical, exploring Divi 5 offers the chance to leverage its transformative potential. The earlier you become familiar with it, the quicker you can improve your workflow efficiency in the long run.
We encourage you to dive in and test Divi 5 yourself to experience its capabilities firsthand and stay updated on its evolution through the official Divi blog and resources. Making the right choice depends on your specific project requirements and your readiness to adopt the latest technology.
