Themes have always been my favorite thing about WordPress and what inspired me to start writing about it over a decade ago. They make it easy to change your website’s appearance, so much so that I’ve changed the look of my own WordPress website more times than I can count.
But there lies the problem. There are hundreds of WordPress themes for every possible use case. So, how do you choose the best WordPress theme for your website?
If it sounds like hard work, don’t worry. I’ve tested some of the most popular WordPress themes to make your decision much easier.
Table of Contents
What Is a WordPress Theme?
A WordPress theme is a pre-designed template that dictates the overall look and feel of your website. It controls everything you see on the front end, including the layout, colors, typography, and more. WordPress themes typically allow you to change your site’s appearance without writing code.
You’ve likely noticed that web design trends change often. What was cutting-edge five years ago looks outdated nowadays. Changing your WordPress theme helps you keep up with new trends and ensure your website’s design stays fresh and relevant. It can also help when you’re rebranding or when you want to improve user experience.
In the past, switching to a new look involved hiring a website developer, which was costly and time-consuming. However, during my testing of the best WordPress themes, I found the process much easier. I just needed to choose a theme that worked for my site, install it, and activate it. Now, that’s far quicker than searching for a developer or coding a theme from scratch.
How I Tested the Best WordPress Themes
When researching the best WordPress themes for this roundup, my main focus was on practicality and user experience. I wanted to make sure I was recommending themes that were both easy to set up and highly customizable, regardless of your technical skills. For this reason, I chose popular WordPress themes that have:
- Easy setup options like 1-click demo imports, point-and-click customization options, and clear documentation.
- Mobile responsive layouts that adapt to mobile, desktop, and tablet screen sizes.
- Free WordPress theme options and budget-friendly pricing.
With that being said, let’s go over the best WordPress themes I’ve used and tested before.
Best WordPress Themes for Any Type of Website
- Best for No Code: SeedProd
- Best for Marketers: Thrive Themes
- Best for Flexibility: Divi
- Best for Performance: Astra
- Best for WooCommerce: Storefront
- Best for Small Business: Hestia
1. Best WordPress Theme for No Code: SeedProd
As someone who’s built their fair share of websites, I’ve learned that speed is non-negotiable. A slow-loading site can lead to frustrated visitors and lost conversions. So, when I heard about SeedProd‘s reputation for performance, I was intrigued to see if it lived up to the hype.
I’m happy to report that SeedProd delivered on the speed front, but it was the WordPress theme builder that really caught my attention. Now, I’m not a developer by any means. Coding isn’t my strong suit. But SeedProd’s drag-and-drop theme builder made creating a custom WordPress theme surprisingly intuitive.
Within minutes, I was experimenting with layouts, tweaking colors and fonts, and adding elements without ever having to write a single line of code.
SeedProd also offers pre-made theme kits, which provide a great starting point for those who want a little design inspiration.
Beyond the theme builder, I was impressed by SeedProd’s seamless integrations with WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads.
Setting up an online store was remarkably straightforward, making it a great option for eCommerce businesses.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop theme builder
- Pre-made theme kits
- WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads support
- Customizable headers, footers, and typography
- AI-powered design assistant
Strengths
- Building a custom theme was far easier than I expected, even without coding knowledge.
- The pre-made theme kits provide a helpful starting point for design inspiration.
- Seamless eCommerce integrations simplify the process of building an online store.
Weaknesses
- The free version doesn’t allow for theme-building
- You’ll need the Elite version for eCommerce support
Pricing
For SeedProd’s theme builder, you’ll need the Pro version starting at $199 per year.
WordPress Sites Using SeedProd
- Visser Labs
- Stacey Corrin (Yep, that’s me)
- Duplicator
2. Best WordPress Theme for Marketers: Thrive Themes
As a marketer, I’m always looking for ways to make my websites work harder. It’s not enough to just look pretty — I need a site that drives results. That’s why I was so impressed by Thrive Theme Builder.
This isn’t just another theme; it’s like having a marketing team built right in. The drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to customize every part of your site, and there are tons of pre-built elements designed to boost conversions – things like attention-grabbing buttons, email signup forms, and testimonials.
What I love most is that Thrive Theme Builder helps you create a consistent brand experience. You can design elements once and use them across your entire site, saving tons of time.
And if you’re not sure what works best, the built-in A/B testing (using Thrive Optimize) lets you compare different versions to see what your audience responds to.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor
- Pre-designed templates for every page element
- Lots of options for buttons, forms, and other marketing essentials
- Create elements once and use them everywhere on your site
- Test different versions of your site to see what works best
Strengths
- Makes it easy to create websites that look great and get results.
- Gives you lots of control over your site’s design without needing to code.
- Helps you build a strong, consistent brand across your entire website.
Weaknesses
- It might take a little time to learn all the features, especially if you’re new to website building.
- There’s no free version available
Pricing:
Thrive Theme Builder is part of the Thrive Suite. To use it as a standalone builder, you’ll need a Thrive Build Plus plan, which includes Thrive Theme Builder and Thrive Architect and starts at $179 per year.
WordPress Sites Using Thrive Themes
3. Best WordPress Theme for Flexibility: Divi
I used to think you had to choose between an easy-to-use theme and one that gave you design freedom. Then, I discovered Divi, and it changed my perspective on what a WordPress theme could be.
Divi’s flexibility is off the charts. The heart of the platform is its incredible visual builder, which lets you create almost any layout with simple drag-and-drop actions.
Need to adjust a column width? No problem. Want to fine-tune the spacing between elements? Easy. Divi puts you in complete control, all without requiring any coding knowledge.
But the real magic happens when you combine this flexibility with Divi’s vast library of pre-built modules, sections, and full-page layouts. These pre-designed elements provide a fantastic starting point for any project, allowing you to quickly piece together a stunning website without starting from scratch.
And the best part? Divi doesn’t lock you into their designs. You can customize every aspect of those pre-built elements or even create your own from the ground up. That’s the beauty of Divi—it grows with you.
Key Features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop visual builder
- Massive library of pre-built modules, sections, and layouts
- Granular control over design elements and settings
- Responsive editing for seamless mobile optimization
Strengths
- Offers remarkable flexibility to build any type of website you can imagine.
- Provides a vast library of pre-designed elements to speed up the design process.
- Caters to both design novices and experienced developers with its intuitive interface and advanced customization options.
Weaknesses
- The sheer number of features can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially for users who prefer a more minimalist approach.
Pricing
Yearly access to Divi starts at $89. Lifetime access is available for $249.
WordPress Sites Using Divi
4. Best WordPress Theme for Speed: Astra
I’ve always been drawn to simplicity when it comes to WordPress themes. I want something that looks great out of the box, is easy to customize, and doesn’t slow my site down with bloat. Astra delivers on all of these fronts and more.
What struck me most about Astra is how lightweight and fast it is. This theme is built for speed, which is crucial in a world of instant gratification. Pages load quickly, and the overall browsing experience is smooth and seamless.
Astra’s simplicity doesn’t mean sacrificing design flexibility. The theme integrates seamlessly with popular page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, giving you the freedom to create any layout you like.
And if you’d rather start with a pre-designed template, Astra offers a stunning library of starter sites that cater to a wide range of niches and industries.
But what truly sets Astra apart is its dedication to user-friendliness. The theme options are well-organized and easy to navigate, even if you’re new to WordPress. You won’t find yourself lost in a maze of confusing settings or struggling to make simple changes.
Key Features
- Lightweight and blazing-fast performance
- Seamless integration with popular page builders
- Extensive library of pre-designed starter sites
- User-friendly customization options and settings
Strengths
- Provides the perfect balance between simplicity, speed, and design flexibility.
- Offers a wide range of pre-built starter sites to kickstart your project.
- User-friendly interface makes customization a breeze, even for beginners.
Weaknesses
- The sheer number of customization options, while generally a good thing, might feel a bit overwhelming for users who prefer an ultra-minimalist approach.
Pricing
Astra offers a free version with basic features. Pro plans, which include more advanced features and premium starter sites, start at $59 per year.
WordPress Sites Using Astra
5. Best WordPress Theme for WooCommerce: Storefront
If you’re starting an online store with WooCommerce, choosing the right theme is crucial. You need something that looks good, works seamlessly with WooCommerce, and makes it easy for customers to buy your products. That’s where Storefront comes in.
Built by the same team behind WooCommerce, Storefront is like the theme WooCommerce was meant to have. It just works. Right out of the box, you get a clean and simple design that puts your products front and center.
But Storefront is more than just a pretty face. It comes with built-in features that make running your online store a breeze. Need to show different options for a product, like colors or sizes? Easy. Want to create a sense of urgency with a sale countdown? Storefront has you covered.
Plus, Storefront is built to make sure your store loads quickly and ranks well on Google. And let’s face it, who doesn’t want more customers finding their store?
Key Features
- Works perfectly with WooCommerce and all its features.
- Clean, customizable design that puts your products first.
- Built-in tools to help you run your online store smoothly.
- Makes your store load quickly and show up in search results.
Strengths
- The easiest and most reliable way to build a WooCommerce store.
- Offers plenty of design options without being complicated to use.
- Helps you attract more customers with a fast, SEO-friendly website.
Weaknesses
- Might not be the best choice if you want a very unique or highly customized store design.
Pricing
Storefront is a free WordPress theme. You can buy extra features and designs if you want to take your store to the next level.
WordPress Sites Using Storefront
6. Best WordPress Theme for Small Business: Hestia
While rounding up the best WordPress themes for this article, I knew I had to include one specifically designed for those who love one-page websites. Hestia, known for its clean design and ease of use, immediately came to mind.
As I dug in, I was impressed by how simple Hestia made it to create a professional-looking one-page website. You can choose from several pre-made starter sites covering various industries—a great way to kickstart your design.
From there, Hestia’s page builder makes it easy to customize everything – colors, fonts, layouts, you name it.
Despite its user-friendly approach, Hestia doesn’t skimp on features. You can create a truly unique website without needing any coding knowledge.
And because it’s built with speed and mobile responsiveness in mind, your site will load quickly and look great on any device.
Key Features
- Beautiful pre-made starter sites for one-page websites.
- Simple drag-and-drop customization.
- Easily change colors, fonts, and layouts.
- Loads fast and looks great on any device.
Strengths
- Get a professional-looking one-page website up and running quickly.
- Easy to customize, even if you’re a beginner.
- Your website will look great on phones, tablets, and computers.
Weaknesses
- Not the best choice if you need a website with multiple pages.
Pricing
Hestia has a free version with basic features. The premium version, Hestia Pro, offers more options and costs $69 per year.
WordPress Sites Using Hestia
More Popular WordPress Themes
I’ve limited this review to what I think are the very best WordPress themes to save you from decision paralysis. But for the curious readers, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of other WordPress themes to choose from.
You’ll find them in the following WordPress themes roundups for different industries:
- Best Portfolio WordPress Themes
- Best eCommerce WordPress Themes
- Best Real Estate WordPress Themes
- Best Responsive WordPress Themes
WordPress Theme Features You Need
Choosing the best WordPress theme can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Knowing what to look for makes all the difference. And trust me, as someone who’s tested more themes than I can count, not all themes are created equal.
Here are the must-have features to keep in mind (and why they’ll make your life as a website owner so much easier):
1. Easy Theme Options (No Coding Degree Required!)
A great theme lets you customize the design without needing to be a tech whiz. Look for themes with user-friendly options panels that make it a breeze to change colors, fonts, layouts, and other elements.
2. Starter Sites and Templates (Because Who Has Time to Start from Scratch?)
Having a head start can save you time and effort. Many themes now offer pre-designed starter sites or templates that you can import with a single click.
Think of them as stylish blueprints for your website, ready to be customized with your content and branding.
3. Mobile Responsiveness (It’s a Mobile-First World)
It’s not enough for your website to look good on a desktop; it needs to adapt seamlessly to all screen sizes – phones, tablets, laptops, you name it. Make sure your chosen theme is fully responsive, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
4. Design Flexibility (Don’t Be a Design Clone)
You’re unique, and your website should reflect that. Look for themes that give you granular control over the design, allowing you to customize everything from colors and fonts to layouts and spacing.
The goal is to create a website that truly represents your brand.
5. Speed and Performance (Slow Sites = Sad Visitors)
Page speed is crucial, both for user experience and SEO. Choose a theme that’s built with performance in mind. It should load quickly, use optimized code, and be compatible with caching plugins to ensure your site is as fast as can be.
6. Stellar Support (Help When You Need It)
Even with the most user-friendly themes, questions might pop up. Look for a theme developer that offers excellent documentation, helpful tutorials, and responsive customer support.
Knowing you have a helping hand available can make all the difference.
Start with a Custom WordPress Theme
I hope this guide has helped you find the best WordPress themes for your website.
WordPress themes are an excellent solution for quickly building a WordPress site. However, for a truly unique result, I recommend creating mobile responsive themes using SeedProd, the best WordPress theme builder.
Before you leave, you may find the following WordPress tips and guides helpful:
- How Much Does a Custom WordPress Theme Cost?
- How to Easily Add Font Awesome to Your WordPress Theme
- How to Export a WordPress Theme (+ Import to Another Site)
- How to Change WordPress Theme Without Losing Content
Thanks for reading! We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment with any questions and feedback.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally written in August 2023 but has since been updated for comprehensiveness.
