Switching from Kadence to WordPress Core blocks

I recently was asked about moving a site from using Kadence blocks to Core WordPress blocks. For context, Kadence blocks is a plugin that provides a set of custom blocks for common actions, from an advanced gallery to accordion functionality. A number of these custom blocks have equivalent blocks built right into any new WordPress installation but, in many cases, they are intentionally designed to do a bit more than what these WordPress provided blocks can do. What follows is a brief outline of how to approach switching over if you decide that’s best and a run down comparing the custom blocks to WordPress Core blocks.

High level steps

1. Make a backup of your site or confirm with your host that a backup exists.
2. Examine which blocks from Kadence you’re currently using.
3. Evaluate which features you’re using for those blocks and confirm if they work with Core blocks (see below).
4. Switch the content over, ideally with a plan in place to ensure you switch everything over properly before disabling the Kadence blocks.

Block comparison

Anywhere ⚠️ is used that indicates missing functionality in a default WordPress installation.

• Row Layout: can be recreated with the Row block which also supports padding, background colors, background image, borders, etc. They can also seamlessly be converted between Stack and Group blocks!
• Advanced Gallery: can be recreated as a Gallery block with the ability to individually style each image to your liking, including taking advantage of the new lightbox feature coming to WordPress 6.4. What’s missing are the various layout options, like Carousels and Sliders.
• Form ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress but work is underway to experiment with adding this functionality.
• Advanced Text ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress but, for themes with fluid typography in place like Twenty Twenty-Three, your content will automatically scale.
• Advanced Button: can be recreated with the Buttons block. Note that anytime you customize a button, when you create a new one in the same set, those same customizations will apply making for easy styling.
• Tabs ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress.
• Accordion: can be recreated with the Details block for most designs.
• Testimonials: can be recreated with a wide variety of blocks, including Columns and Images, or just pulled from the Patterns Directory, like this customer quote or this customer review. Once you have testimonials you like, remember that you can also save them as your own custom pattern for use across your site.
• Icon ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress but some aspects can be recreated by uploading icons to an Image block. Of note, SVG files aren’t officially supported for upload.
• Spacer/Divider: can be recreated with the Spacer block.
• Info Box: can be recreated with a wide variety of blocks, including Columns and Images but without animation that Kadence shows on their site.
• Icon List: there currently isn’t this functionality in the List block but there’s an issue open here by yours truly around exploring what adding different options might look like.
• Countdown ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress.
• Posts: can be recreated with the Posts List block with pattern options built into the block that offers up different layout options.
• Table of Contents ⚠️: there currently isn’t a comparable block built into WordPress but there is work underway to change that.
• Lottie Animation ⚠️: there currently isn’t comparable functionality.

Comparison chart

Here’s a quick run down of the above information simplified into a table:

Kadence block	Comparable default option
Row layout	✅ Row block
Advanced gallery	✅ Gallery block
Form	❌ In progress
Advanced Text	❌
Advanced Button	✅ Buttons block
Tabs	❌
Accordion	✅ Details block
Testimonials	✅ Use patterns/create your own
Icon	❌
Spacer/Divider	✅ Spacer block
Info Box	✅ Recreate with Core blocks
Icon list	❌ Under discussion
Countdown	❌
Posts	✅ Posts List block
Table of Contents	❌ In progress
Lottie Animation	❌

For any features you miss, feel free to open an issue in GitHub and it can be considered for future releases. To level up your knowledge of using blocks and the block editor, Learn WordPress is a solid starting point.

Final thoughts

I wanted to note a few things that Kadence blocks has built in the WordPress overall is continuing to develop:

• Responsive controls for device specific settings: intrinsic design principles are being pursued, along with basic responsive defaults for blocks.
• Typography Controls: the Font Library was originally slated for WordPress 6.4 but is now planned for WordPress 6.5.

Hope this helps with making the switch! Feel free to reach out for more information and guidance.