What is the best way to create a filterable list or grid with WP bakery as default page builder

Hi everyone, I'm building a brand directory for my site. I'm looking at a lot of different options and trying to figure out the best way to do it. Any insight is much appreciated!

Here's what I'm looking for. All A-Z listings are displayed by default with custom filters across the top of the page (including drop down filters).

I also need to customize the listing format/styling. My site theme uses WP Bakery so I want to avoid adding the bloat of another page builder like elementor. But I've found the WP Bakery Grid Builder lacks responsiveness and customisation, at least for list format.

Also interested in options to connect to external data source like google sheets or airtable.

So far here's the tools and options I'm looking at:

1. Geodirectory – Looks powerful but not sure how much I can customise the listings
2. ACF + ?
3. Filter Everything Pro + ?
4. Essential Grid + ?
5. Display Posts plugin
6. One of the above options + hire a dev for customisation

And here's some examples of directory style pages I'd like to model:

• https://thecreativeindependent.com/
• https://directory.goodonyou.eco/
• https://craftsmanship.net/artisans-directory/artisans-list/
• https://fashionunited.com/companies