# Divi 5 Loop Builder vs Loop Extender vs Divi Ajax Filter vs Divi Machine

For a simple project (one CPT, a few ACF fields, one filter), **Divi 5 Loop Builder** or **Loop Builder + Loop Extender** is usually enough and keeps setup lighter. **Divi Ajax Filter** adds strong filtering UX and an Archive Loop workflow that includes richer archive controls. For highly dynamic builds with deeper ACF presentation needs (especially with the **ACF Item** module), repeater/video-heavy content patterns, map-based filtering, and broader module flexibility, **Divi Machine** is the most robust option. In short: start lightweight for simple loops, use Ajax Filter when filtering UX is the priority, and choose Divi Machine when the site is complex and ACF-driven.

## Scope notes (important)

- **Divi Ajax Filter has two practical modes in this comparison**:
  - **Loop Builder filtering mode** (filters controlling Divi 5 Loop Builder output)
  - **Archive Loop module mode** (using Divi Ajax Filter's own Archive Loop module)
- Some Divi Ajax Filter features (e.g. advanced pagination styles, no-results layout, grid/list switcher, map controls) are **Archive Loop module features**, not Loop Builder filtering-mode features.
- **Divi Machine includes Divi Ajax Filter capabilities plus Divi Machine-specific modules**, including **ACF Item** and other advanced content modules.

## Overview table

| Capability | Divi 5 Loop Builder | Divi 5 + Loop Extender | Divi Ajax Filter | Divi Machine |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|
| Simple loops (title, image, meta) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced query controls | ➖ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Front-end filter UI | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACF Item module | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Map filtering | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* / ✅ *(Archive Loop)* | ✅ |
| Complex ACF/repeater/video builds | ❌ | ❌ | ➖ | ✅ |
| Best for simple projects | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ |
| Best for complex/directory-style projects | ❌ | ➖ | ✅ | ✅✅ |

## Comprehensive table

Legend: **✅ yes**, **❌ no**, **➖ limited/conditional**

| Feature / Capability | Divi 5 Loop Builder | Divi 5 + Loop Extender | Divi Ajax Filter | Divi Machine |
|---|---:|---:|---:|---:|
| Core loop/listing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| CPT + taxonomy querying | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Author query filter | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Linked/related post query modes | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| ACF relationship query direction | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Include/exclude terms with stronger logic | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced custom field sorting | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Multi-level sorting | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| WooCommerce advanced query options | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Front-end filter module | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Search/reset/update UX controls | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| URL sync for filter state | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Active filter tags/chips | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dynamic result counts | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sorting menu on archive UI | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pagination | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Load more | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| Infinite scroll | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| No results text | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop + Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| No results custom layout | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| Grid/list switcher | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* | ✅ |
| Group posts by taxonomy | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* | ✅ |
| Show empty on initial load | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* | ✅ |
| Map filtering | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| Map pins for posts | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| Marker clustering/options | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ *(Archive Loop)* / ❌ *(Loop Builder mode)* | ✅ |
| Purpose-built ACF Item module | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| ACF source targeting (post/user/taxonomy/post-object) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Deep ACF output workflows (label/prefix/suffix/value formatting) | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Repeater/video-heavy content workflows | ❌ | ❌ | ➖ | ✅ |
| Dedicated carousel/post-slider ecosystem | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Complexity level | Low | Low-Medium | Medium | Medium-High |
| Best-fit: one CPT + simple filter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ➖ |
| Best-fit: complex ACF-driven site | ❌ | ➖ | ➖ | ✅✅ |

## Practical recommendation

- Use **Divi 5 Loop Builder** when you just need native loops and low complexity.
- Add **Loop Extender** when you need stronger query/sort logic but still want a lightweight setup.
- Use **Divi Ajax Filter** when interactive filtering UX is the priority.
- Choose **Divi Machine** when you need advanced ACF presentation (especially **ACF Item**), richer module depth, map workflows, and a more complete dynamic content stack.