Why Divi?
I’m a big fan of the Divi website builder by Elegant Themes.
Here is why I like it compared to other builders:
- I want a builder that works on WordPress – the world’s largest content management system, with 43% of all websites built on its platform. (about 595 million sites)
- I want sites that are easy and intuitive for my clients to update themselves. Because I have a “teach them to fish” attitude about all websites.
- I want a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor that anyone who is familiar with Microsoft Word or PowerPoint will understand.
- I want sites where I can build templates and create style sheets without coding.
- I want a builder with a fixed cost and not recurring variable costs that I have to pass along to my clients.
- I want sites that allow a variety of design options and compatible plugins.
- I want sites that are superior for SEO and Advertising tracking than all-in-one builders/hosts like Wix or Squarespace.
Divi does have drawbacks, mainly in terms of speed, as it can be resource-intensive. And there are also design limitations that require custom programming to override.
Still, among the hundreds of website themes and tools, I think Divi is the best bet. See 5 Best WordPress Page Builders in 2026 (Expert Picks) for additional details.
Divi 5 – A Newly Transformed System
The new Divi 5 aims to address some longstanding issues and promises:
- 2X Faster Page Speeds (Great for SEO)
- A More Responsive Visual Builder (Great for Updating the Site)
- Reduced Memory Usage
- Improve Third-Party Integration
- More Flexibility With Design
- The Ability to Create Design Presets and Custom Design Variables
Here’s what they say about the differences between Divi 4 and 5.
Update- Divi 5 finally works (mostly)
On 7/13/26, Divi 5 has finally arrived (according to Elegant Themes).
I can confirm it’s been a challenging couple of months working through bugs and fixes. But now I have both migrated and created several new websites using Divi 5, and it is truly superior to Divi 4 and keeps getting better with new features. See below for some of the trials and tribulations I went through this year.
Divi 5 Release Timeline- A History of Delays
The latest version of Divi came out on 2/26/26. Originally, it was supposed to launch in 2025, but there were still too many bugs in the beta version being tested. Due to these bugs, I didn’t start building new sites in Divi 5 until 2026. And I can say, it still has lots of bugs and a way to go before it is fully functional.
A Forced System Upgrade – Resistance is Futile or at Least Dangerous
Divi says it will stop supporting Divi 4 at the end of 2026. That means no more security patches or upgrades. But, based on the ongoing delays and issues with Divi 5, I wouldn’t be surprised if they extended this deadline.
The issue is that when the Divi developer stops supporting Divi 4 completely, there won’t be any security updates anymore, and eventually, the websites will be vulnerable to potential attacks, get slower, and not be compatible with mobile devices.
What Does this Mean for Divi 4 Websites?
In order to keep your website secure and functional, you must upgrade.
There is a migration tool to facilitate upgrades from Divi 4 to 5, but it is riddled with issues, the biggest being that many plugins break in the transition. Something that should take 1 hour is now taking 4 to fix. So until the migration tool has improved functionality, I won’t be migrating many sites to the new system, as it is impossible right now to accurately estimate the amount of time required for the switch.
For sites older than 4 years (my site included), I recommend a rebuild rather than migrate, as so much technology and best practices for website design for mobile devices and ADA-Accessibility have evolved in the past.
It’s no fun to be forced to make an extra expense, but websites are composed of software, a mechanical thing that requires maintenance, and occasionally, complete system upgrades are required.
Why Software Upgrades?
Every piece of software out there is continually making upgrades and improvements. And older versions of the hardware (old computers and phones) eventually aren’t supported anymore
Ever had to upgrade Windows? 7, 8.1 & 10
Or your phone’s operating system? (Anyone in love with Apple Liquid Glass?)
Even Divi’s biggest competitor, Elementor, just came out with a brand new version called Elementor One, and their users are also being forced to upgrade – and it is a much more expensive subscription model.
If you have a website built with Divi 4 in 2026, you’d best be making plans for the migration to Divi 5 by the end of the year.
I can help evaluate your Divi 4 site and let you know if a migration or rebuild on Divi 5 is recommended, and I can facilitate this upgrade with as little friction and as affordably as possible.
Constellation Creative provides affordable websites, SEO/AEO, digital marketing, and advertising with a data-driven strategy.
Contact us today to learn how we can help your business or organization meet your growth goals.
Notice: AI was not used in writing this blog.
This blog article was written entirely by a real human being, Maresa Thompson, the old-fashioned way, with research and writing skills. AI was only used for spelling and grammar (so if you find any errors, blame the computer).