Choosing the right theme is the most time-consuming part in creating a website with WordPress because there are so many options available out there (tens of thousands). To save you time, I have crafted a list of the best WordPress themes you can choose from.
While WordPress already comes with a default theme, most users will usually install a new theme right after installing a WordPress website for various reasons. They mostly look for a theme that offers more features.
The more complex the website you want to create, the more features you need from your theme as well.
However, features are not the only aspect you need to look when picking a theme. You should also consider other aspects like compatibility with the plugins you plan to use, price, and etc.
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- How to Choose the Right Theme
- Classic Theme vs Block Theme?
- List of the Best WordPress Themes
- Conclusion
How to Choose the Right WordPress Theme
Features matter when picking a WordPress theme, but there are also several things you need to look. Plugin compatibility in particular. For instance, if you plan to use JetEngine to create dynamic content, then you should not pick Avada as JetEngine doesn’t support Avada.
Unless you want to use a page builder plugin, theme plays a vital role in controlling the design of your website.
You should pick a theme that offers a particular design feature.
A simple instance, if you plan to create a website with a sticky header, then you need to make sure that the theme you want to use offers an option to enable the behavior.
I highly recommend you pick a theme that offers limitless design controls over all parts of your site. From header, footer, archive pages, blog post template, to 404 page.
If you want to create a complex, dynamic website, also consider the ability to integrate your theme with dynamic content plugins like ACF or CPT UI.
Here are some key things you need to look when picking a theme for your WordPress project:
- Design options
- Compatibility with the plugins you plan to use
- Number of websites you want to build
- Documentation
- Pricing options (if you want to use a paid theme)
Tips to Pick the Right Theme If You Are an Agency
If you are an agency or freelancer who often create new websites for your clients, then you need to be smart when picking a theme. Especially if you want to use a paid theme.
We are in the era where subscription-based payment model is taking over the software industry.
If you don’t pick your theme smartly, you will end up spending more than you get.
Before you subscribe to a certain plan, be sure to carefully check how many sites you can use your subscription on because in most cases, theme developers limit plan usage by the number of sites.
I the developer offers a one-time purchase option, I strongly recommend you pick this option for a long-term save.
Classic Theme vs Block Theme
If you always catch up with the new WordPress releases, you will notice one thing.
What’s that?
Every new WordPress release always brings in new features to the block editor (a.k.a. Gutenberg). Users seem to be pushed to adopt the use of block editor on their websites.
In case you didn’t know, you can also use block editor to create the pages on your website — other than content (blog posts).
You can use it to create core pages like homepage, about page, contact page, and so on.
When you explore further on the block inserter, you will find a lot of blocks you can use to further design your page.
If you use a block theme, you can even go beyond editing pages. Instead of just editing pages, you can also design every single part of your theme. Header, footer, archive pages. You name it.
What is a Block Theme, By the Way?
Block-based theme — or simply block theme — is the type of WordPress theme that leverages block editor on the design process.
In a block theme, everything is done using block editor.
Want to design your header? You do it using block editor.
Want to design your footer? You do it using block editor.
And so on.
Literally anything is done via block editor.
In a block theme, you will have an extra feature called Site Editor (also called Full-Site Editor — FSE ). A centralized area where you can manage your custom templates on your site.
From here, you can access and edit your site parts.
While the idea of Full-Site Editor is great, in reality, users still need to depend on a plugin due to lock of design options of block editor.
Also, the user experience of block editor is not as joyful as a page builder. For most WordPress users, block editor is only good to produce content. Not to create pages or edit site parts.
and What is a Classic Theme?
Despite its name, a classic theme is not an old-fashioned, ancient theme.
In reallity, most WordPress themes available on WordPress.org or marketplaces like Themeforest and TemplateMonster are classic themes.
“Classic theme” is just a label given to themes that don’t leverage Site Editor. Classic themes don’t leverage Site Editor because some of them have their own customization features.
Some themes, such as Divi, even have a theme builder feature that offers more joyful customization experience and limitless design options..
On a classic theme, you can control the design of your site parts via Theme Customizer (Apperance -> Customize). Some themes offer a dedicated control panel for the same purpose.
It’s crucial to note that classic themes are also compatible with block editor. You still can use block editor to create content — to write blog posts. They just don’t leverage Site Editor to customize your site parts.
So, Should You Use a Block Theme or a Classic Theme?
If you enjoy the page editing experience offered by block editor, then using a block theme is a good fit. But you need to aware that you may need to install an extra plugin to achieve a certain design style.
Using a block theme is a great option if you need to create a website with a simple design.
Meanwhile, using a classic theme if a better suited option if you want to create a website with a more complex design.
As I mentioned above, some classic themes come with a built-in page builder plugin that offers more advanced design capability.
Also, you can use a classic theme if you prefer customizing your site parts via Theme Customizer.
Block theme is for:
- Those who enjoy the page editing experience of block editor
- Those who want to create a simple website
Classic theme is for:
- Those who want to create a website with a more complex design
- Those who prefer Theme Customizer instead of Full-Site Editor
List of the Best WordPress Themes
Here is the list of the best and most-used WordPress themes. I include the stat of the active websites built with each theme item. The data is from BuiltWith.
On the list (random order):
1. Divi
As an agency or freelancer, you want to create as many websites as possible with minimum possible budget. Right?
Well. That is the main thing you can achieve if you use Divi.
Divi is a paid classic theme. You can get it at $89 per year. If you prefer the one-time purchase option, you can also get Divi at $249. Whichever the payment option you choose, you will get lifetime updates of Divi.
The best part of being a Divi user is that you can install the theme on unlimited websites.
Divi itself is a WordPress theme from Elegant Themes. The company also offers extra useful services for agencies and freelancers. One of which is cloud storage — called Divi Cloud — which you can use store code snippets and templates.
You can simply download a code snippet or a template from the cloud to any site you build with Divi.
The Divi theme comes with lots of features. Including a built-in page builder which offers advanced design capability. Some key features available on Divi’s built-in page builder include responsive editing, conditional logic, advanced design options, and custom CSS.
Divi’s page builder also comes with design elements (called modules) to create both a contact form and email opt-in form — which you can connect with MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, MailPoet, and other email marketing tools.
Divi also comes with a theme builder feature which you can use to create custom templates for site parts like header, footer, archive pages, and so on.
Number of active websites built with Divi: 2,100,000+ (source)
Key Features of Divi:
- Page builder
- Theme builder
- Form builder
- Extensive dynamic content, including custom field and CPT
- Conditional logic
- Custom CSS
- Email marketing tool integration support
- JavaScript inserter
- Role manager to restrict design editing capability
Divi Pros:
- Simple pricing
- Excellent support
- Established ecosystem
- Extensible
Divi Cons:
- The page builder is a bit heavy
2. â Newspaper
Want to create a magazine-style site? If so, then you can try Newspaper.
Newspaper is one of the best-selling themes on Themeforest. Some big organizations that use this theme are UN, Best Buy, and Turkish Airlines. These organizations use Newspaper on their blog (not the main site).
Same as Divi, Newspaper also comes with a built-in page builder. However, Newspaper’s page builder is available as a plugin instead of as an integral part of the theme like Divi’s. The plugin is included in the bundle when you buy the theme.
The Newspaper’s page builder — called tagDiv Composer — is designed specifically to create a magazine-style page. It comes with several design elements to display content in a grid style.
Newspaper offers a dedicated control panel which you can use to customize your website.
In addition to tagDiv Composer, Newspaper also comes with a plugin called tagDiv Opt-In Builder. The plugin allows you to restrict your content to your members only. You can even charge your members to access the content.
The plugin supports payments via PayPal, Stripe, and bank transfer. Thanks to the plugin (tagDiv Opt-In), Newspaper can be a great theme if you want to start a new blog and plan to offer paid content.
With the plugin, you don’t need to rely on e-commerce platforms like Gumroad, Teachable to Lemon Squeezy. However, you need to make sure that Stripe is available in your country.
Number of active websites built with Newspaper: 100,000+ (source)
Key features of Newspaper:
- Page builder
- Membership
- Dedicated control panel
- JavaScript inserter
Newspaper Pros:
- Great to create a magazine-style site
- Capable of creating a paid membersite site
Newspaper Cons:
- Requires extra plugins to work properly
- The page builder is not smooth enough
3. â Hello
I bet you already know that Elementor is the most popular page builder plugin for WordPress. Although you can use Elementor on nearly all WordPress themes, using it on Hello can offer something different.
In a good way, of course.
Hello is a classic WordPress theme developed by Elementor itself. The theme is only usable if you pair it with Elementor page builder.
Using Hello is like having a blank painting canvas where you can draw anything you want. You can function it as a complementary component demanded by WordPress — a theme. The rest, you can do it with Elementor.
For your information, Elementor comes with Site Settings feature where you can set global settings and set site identity (logo, favicon, and site name).
Number of active websites built with Hello: 2,800,000M+ (source)
Key Features of Hello:
- Theme customizer
- Dedicated settings screen to disable unecessary features
Hello Pros:
- Super lightweight
- Optimized for Elementor
Hello Cons:
- Only usable if paired with Elementor
4. â GeneratePress
GeneratePress is a perfect option if you are looking for a lightweight theme. If you download the theme, you will find that size of the theme is only 1.1 MB. Way lighter than Divi.
But, it’s crucial to note that GeneratePress doesn’t offer as many features as Divi. It doesn’t offer a built-in page builder like Divi.
To customize your site parts, you need to go to Theme Customizer. Shortcuts are available in the GeneretePress settings screen to allow you to quickly go to a certain settings block in Theme Customizer.
GeneratePress has a font manager to allow you to set custom font on your website. It also offers more layout options, which is quite useful if you plan to use block editor to build the core pages of your website.
With GeneratePress, you will have options to disable unecessary elements when creating a page with with block editor. Including page title. You can also set your page layout. For instance, you can set a full-width layout — with or without sidebards.
GeneratePress is released as a free product. While you can use it for free, pro version is available to unlock more advanced features like sticky header, infinite scroll, and theme builder.
Number of active websites built with GeneratePress: 600,000+ (source)
Key Features of GeneratePress:
- Theme customizer (with more setting options)
- Setting shortcuts
- Font manager
- Ability to set page layouts
- Custom CSS
GeneratePress Pros:
- Super lightweight
- More design options
GeneratePress Cons:
- Requires extra plugin to create a more complex design
5. Kadence
Kadence has some things in common as GeneratePress. First, it is a classic theme that is optimized for block editor. That means, the customization process of your site parts can be done via Theme Customizer instead of Site Editor.
Second, Kadence also offers setting shortcuts accessible via a dedicated screen brought by theme theme. You can access the screen by going to Appearance -> Kadence on your WordPress dashboard.
Being a block editor-optimized theme, Kadence offers several page layout options you can choose from when creating a new page.
There are also options to enable/disable page title, enable/disable footer and footer, and so on.
Kadence also offers extensive font options you can choose from. Two header styles — sticky and transparent — are available on the free version of Kadence.
The free version of Kadence offers more features than GeneratePress. Still, you need to install an extra plugin to add more advanced design elements and apply advanced design styles to your site pages or site parts.
Number of active websites built with Kadence: 300,000+ (source)
Key Features of Kadence:
- Advanced Theme Customizer
- Advanced page setting options
- Setting shortcuts
- Extensive font library
- Custom CSS
Kadence Pros:
- More features on the free version
- Lighweight
Kadence Cons:
- Requires extra plugin to create a more complex design
6. Avada
Avada is one of the most popular paid WordPress themes. The theme has been installed on more than one million websites!
Same as the previous themes, Avada is also a classic theme. The business model of Avada is pretty similar to Newspaper whereby it is exclusively marketed via Themeforest.
The way Avada works is also similar to Newspaper. You need to install some plugins to be able to use the theme properly. The plugins are included in the theme bundle.
The plugins included in the bundle include a feature-rich page builder which comes with extensive design elements, advanced responsive editing, display conditions, animation effects, and so on.
Avada also comes with a form builder. Unfortunately, it only supports integration with HubSpot and Mailchimp.
Other notable features offered by Avada include popup builder, mega menu builder, and theme builder.
Number of active websites built with Avada: 500,000+ (source)
Key Features of Avada:
- Page builder
- Theme builder
- Form builder
- Popup builder
- Conditional logic
- Dedicated control panel
Avada Pros:
- Feature-rich
- Extensive dynamic content support
- Useful page builder
Avada Cons:
- Plugins are required to operate properly
- A bit heavy
7. â JupiterX
If you really enjoy using Elementor, yet still not sure to upgrade to the pro version due to its subscription-based payment, then you can try JupiterX.
JupiterX is a classic theme that leverages the power of Elementor as the most popular page builder. The theme offers the experience of building a WordPress website using Elementor Pro, but without using the actual Elementor Pro.
How come?
Artbees, the developer of JupiterX, develops a dedicated plugin that brings in extra Elementor widgets. In addition, the plugin also adds extra feature to allow you to create a popup, header, footer, and other areas of your site.
Sounds familiar?
Yes. The plugin plays the precisely same role as Elementor Pro. What sets it apart is that you don’t need to the make payment on a yearly basis like Elementor Pro. Instead, you only need to pay once to get JupiterX.
The most interesting part about JupiterX is that it offers a white-label feature to allow you to rebrand JupiterX with your own brand.
Number of active websites built with Jupiter: 100,000+ (source)
Key Features of JupiterX:
- Form builder
- Theme builder
- Popup builder
- White label
- Custom CSS
JupiterX Pros:
- Great editing experience thanks to Elementor integration
- Feature-rich
JupiterX Cons:
- Plugins are required to work properly
8. â Astra
Astra is one of the most-used WordPress themes. Astra, just like GeneratePress and Kadence, is a classic theme optimized for block editor.
With Astra, you have options to set page layouts and disable unecessary page elements when editing a page using block editor.
You also have more setting options on Theme Customizer. For instance, Astra offers a dedicated settings blocks aimed at customizing your site header and footer. Astra supports SVG logo for a sharper site logo.
Astra is integrated with Google Fonts, but you can set the fonts to be served from your server instead of from Google server. You can even preload them. This practice can help improve your site performance.
Number of active websites built with Astra: 2,700,000+ (source)
Key Features of Astra:
- Theme Customizer
- Setting shortcuts
- Ability to serve Google Fonts locally
- Advanced page settings
- Custom CSS
Astra Pros:
- Extensive design options on Theme Customizer
- Lightweight
Astra Cons:
- Requires extra plugins to unlesh the potential
9. â Blocksy
Blocksy is a classic WordPress theme that is optimized for block editor. Just like Kadence, GeneratePress, and Astra, this theme also offers more setting options on the block editor settings panel whereby you can set page layouts and disable the page elements you don’t need.
Although the theme is designed to make it easy for you to edit a page using block editor, it does not compromise the content writing experience.
You will have a different content area width (more compact) when writing a blog post, which delivers a more enjoyable writing experience.
Being a classic theme, Blocksy also offers site customization process via Theme Customizer. You will have more options here. Including the options designed for site performance like lazyload and an option to disable emoji script.
Number of active websites built with Blocksy: 300,000+ (source)
Key Features of Blocksy:
- Theme Customizer
- Setting shortcuts
- Advanced page settings
- Custom CSS
Blocky Pros:
- Extensive design options on theme customizer
- Cleaner interface
- White label on the pro version
Blocksy Cons:
- Requires plugins to unleash its potential
â 10. Neve
Neve is one of WordPress themes developed by ThemeIsle. It is a classic theme that is optimized for block editor. Thus, if you plan to use the native block editor of WordPress to build the pages on your website, the theme is worth trying.
However, just like other block editor-optimized themes on the list, you will also need to install an extra plugin if you want to create a page that has a complex design.
If the native WordPress blocks are enough for you, then Neve is a great plugin to use.
The theme adds extra page setting options accessible by clicking an icon on the top area of the settings panel. Some extra settings added by the theme include the options to set page layouts and the options to disable page elements.
On Theme Customizer, you will also find more setting options.
Number of active websites built with Neve: 200,000+ (source)
Key Features of Neve:
- Theme Customizer
- Setting shortcuts
- Advanced page settings
- Custom CSS
Neve Pros:
- Extensive design options on Theme Customizer
- Local font option
Neve Cons:
- Requires plugins to unleash its potential
11. Sydney
Sydney is another great theme to build a professional website with WordPress. It is a multi-purpose theme that you can use to create any type of website, regardless of the page builder you plan to use.
If you plan to use Elementor, the theme offers a dedicated plugin to enhance your editing experience.
Sydney is also a great theme if you prefer using block editor instead of a page builder. Although the theme doesn’t offer extra page settings like Astra, Kadence, or Blocksy, you can easily create a sidebarless page thanks to extra page template options.
Sydney itself is a classic theme. Meaning that you can customize your site parts via Theme Customizer. The theme offers a dedicated settings block on Theme Customizer to further customizer your header.
You can create a transparent header and set where it (the transparent header) to apply. The sticky header option is also available in case you want to enable it.
Number of active websites built with Neve: 100,000+ (source)
Key Features of Sydney:
- Theme Customizer
- Setting shortcuts
- Transparent header with display condition
- Sticky header
- Custom CSS
Sydney Pros:
- Extensive design options on Theme Customizer
- Advanced setting options for header
Sydney Cons:
- Requires plugins to unleash its potential
Conclusion – Which WordPress Theme You Should Use?
Being objective is the key to pick a WordPress theme. Before making a choice, always answer the following questions:
- What type of website you want to create?
- How many sites you want to create?
- Do you need a page builder?
- Do you need a particular feature?
After you get the answers over all the questions above, then you can go with the theme of your choice.
If you are an agency or freelancer, I strongly recommend Divi. Not because I joined its affiliate program, but indeed Divi is the best investment for agencies and freelancers.
Take a look at the following comparison table.
On the other hand. If you want to build a content-based online business with WordPress and plan to add a paid membership feature, then Newspaper is the best theme on the list for the particular need.
Hello is the perfect theme if you are an Elementor fan.
If you want to use a paid theme, always start from the free version when possible. If the free version is not available, you can try the backend demo if the developer offers it.
A little note if you want to leverage the WordPress native block editor to build your website. Make sure that the theme you want to use offers the options to set the page layout and disable/enable page elements — page title in particular.
Otherwise, you will end up spending most of your time tweaking your theme. Or even worse, you will end up installing too many plugins for basic things.
