AI December 5, 2025

# Gemini Pro 2.5 vs Claude for Widget Generation

We tested both models for generating Elementor widgets from natural language. The results challenged our assumptions about which AI is "best" for code generation. Spoiler: context matters more than raw capability.

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METRIC
GEMINI PRO 2.5
CLAUDE
Initial Code Quality
9/10
8/10
WordPress Conventions
7/10
9/10
Elementor API Accuracy
6/10
8/10
Iteration Speed
10/10
7/10
Context Window Usage
Excellent
Good
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SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON VIDEO

Watch both models generate the same testimonial widget from identical prompts

## The Test Setup

We gave both models the same task: generate a fully functional Elementor widget for displaying customer testimonials. The widget needed:

- Editable customer name, title, and quote fields
- Image upload for avatar
- Star rating control (1-5)
- Responsive styling with Elementor controls
- Proper WordPress i18n support

Same prompt. Same requirements. Different results.

## Round 1: Initial Generation

Gemini Pro 2.5 produced cleaner code out of the gate. The structure was elegant, the naming conventions were consistent, and it even added comments explaining what each section did.

    // Gemini's output
    class Testimonial_Widget extends \Elementor\Widget_Base {
        public function get_name() { return 'ht_testimonial'; }
        public function get_title() { return esc_html__('Testimonial', 'hustle-elementor'); }
        // ... well-structured code continues

Claude's initial output was functional but verbose. It included more edge case handling but at the cost of readability.

Key Observation

Gemini's code was prettier. Claude's code was more defensive. For a WordPress plugin that could be installed on any server, Claude's paranoia might actually be the better choice.

## Round 2: WordPress Integration

This is where things got interesting. Gemini's beautiful code had a problem: it didn't follow WordPress coding standards. The escaping was inconsistent, the text domains were sometimes missing, and the action hooks were in the wrong order.

Claude, despite its verbose style, got the WordPress stuff right. Every output was escaped. Every string was translatable. The hooks fired in the correct sequence.

## Round 3: Elementor API Accuracy

Both models hallucinated some Elementor controls that don't exist. But Claude was more likely to stick to core controls, while Gemini invented creative-but-nonexistent options.

    // Gemini invented this (it doesn't exist)
    $this->add_control('avatar_shape', [
        'type' => \Elementor\Controls_Manager::SHAPE, // NOT A THING
    ]);

    // Claude used this (it does exist)
    $this->add_control('avatar_radius', [
        'type' => \Elementor\Controls_Manager::SLIDER,
    ]);

## Round 4: Iteration Speed

Here's where Gemini crushed it. When we asked for changes, Gemini responded with full updated code in about 3 seconds. Claude took 8-10 seconds and often gave partial updates that required follow-up prompts.

For rapid prototyping and live demos, Gemini's speed is a genuine advantage.

## Our Recommendation

Use both. Seriously.

1. Prototype with Gemini - Get the structure right fast
2. Refine with Claude - Fix the WordPress integration
3. Ship with Morph - Make quick edits without regenerating

That's exactly how Hustle Elementor works. Gemini for generation, Claude for review, Morph for edits. The best tool for each job.

The Real Winner

The model that works best is the one with the most context about your specific codebase. Our interview-driven workflow from api-dev-tools helps both models perform better by giving them real requirements instead of vague prompts.

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