With over 60 million websites powered by WordPress, it‘s no surprise that there are thousands of WordPress themes available. But how do you pick the right one for your website?
After testing hundreds of free and premium WordPress themes, I‘ve handpicked the 31 best and most popular options for 2023 based on design, features, customization options, popularity, performance and more.
Contents
1. Astra
Astra is one of the fastest loading free WordPress themes, making it a top choice for building any kind of website. With its simple and minimalist design, Astra provides a solid foundation to create beautiful websites.
Some key features include:
- Mobile responsive design
- Customizable design and layout
- Works with all major page builders
- Built-in integration for WooCommerce
- Translation ready
- SEO optimized
- Fast performance
Astra also has a library of ready-made starter sites so you can quickly launch blogs, business sites and online stores.
2. Newspaper
Newspaper is a popular WordPress theme for building news, magazine and blog websites. The sleek layout provides a seamless reading experience on all devices.
Some standout features:
- Multiple unique demos for news, fashion, travel, etc
- Infinite scroll, drop caps and ad spaces
- Social media integration
- Full compatibility with WooCommerce
- GDPR compliance for EU visitors
Newspaper stands out with its stylish design and engaging layout. The custom widgets and tools help you tailor the theme to your niche.
3. Storefront
Storefront is the perfect theme for WooCommerce websites. Designed by WooCommerce themselves, it seamlessly integrates with all major eCommerce plugins and features.
Notable features:
- Mobile-friendly responsive design
- Customizer options for layout, design and typography
- Product galleries, widgets and styling for shop, cart, checkout, etc
- Demo content importer
- Translation ready with RTL support
- Fast performance with optimized code
Storefront takes care of all the basic eCommerce layouts so you can focus on selecting products and growing your online business.
4. Divi
With the power of Divi Builder included, the Divi theme by Elegant Themes is one of the most flexible options out there. You can create any custom page and layout without touching code.
Key highlights:
- Frontend visual builder with drag and drop editing
- Over 800 premade layouts and templates
- Design options for typography, colors, backgrounds, etc
- Libraries for buttons, images, icons, etc
- Real-time design preview when editing
- Works with all post types including WooCommerce
Divi offers endless customization possibilities for crafting beautiful, functional websites exactly the way you envision them.
5. GeneratePress
GeneratePress is a lightweight WordPress theme built for speed. The sleek design and minimalist look make it suitable for any type of website.
Notable features:
- Extremely fast load times
- Easy customization with Live CSS editor
- Compatible with popular page builders
- Integrated with Schema.org markup for SEO
- WooCommerce ready with complete eCommerce templates
- Translation ready and RTL supported
- Free and premium versions available
GeneratePress is the perfect theme if you want a simplified theme that doesn‘t compromise on quality or speed.
6. OceanWP
OceanWP is one of the most versatile free multipurpose WordPress themes. It comes with a library of demos for different niches like business, eCommerce, blogging, etc.
Some useful features include:
- Drag and drop Elementor page builder
- Prebuilt custom pages and templates
- WooCommerce integration with shop templates
- Social media integration
- Translation ready with RTL support
- SEO optimized code and schema markup
- Fast performance
OceanWP is the ideal theme to start a website for any purpose and industry.
7. Sydney
Sydney is a flexible WordPress theme that can be adapted for business, blogging and eCommerce websites. The responsive design provides a polished look on all devices.
Key features:
- Custom page templates
- Header and menu options
- Page builder integration
- Social media and newsletter integration
- Blog post templates and widgets
- WooCommerce support
- GDPR compliance for EU laws
- Localization and translation ready
Whether you‘re creating a simple blog or online store, Sydney provides all the essential features and customization options in a user-friendly package.
8. Zakra
Zakra is a versatile multipurpose WordPress theme built for speed and customization. You can use it to create business websites, online stores, blogs, magazines and more.
Notable features include:
- Lightweight and fast performance
- Fully responsive design
- Custom page templates and widget areas
- Drag and drop page builder integration
- Social media integration
- WooCommerce compatible
- Translation ready
Zakra is beginner-friendly and provides a solid foundation to build any website design without bloating your site.
9. Neve
Neve is a free multipurpose WordPress theme that‘s suitable for blogs, shops and business websites. It has a minimalist design that focuses on your content.
Some useful features:
- Fast loading performance
- Responsive design on mobile devices
- Multiple blog layout options
- Custom widgets and typography settings
- WooCommerce integration
- Translation and RTL ready
- GDPR compliant
Neve offers a great combination of aesthetics, features and performance. The pro version unlocks additional customization settings and Typekit fonts.
10. Enfold
Enfold is a premium WordPress theme focused on building feature-rich websites. It comes with 200+ premade demos spanning different niches like business, restaurants, agencies, etc.
Key features:
- Drag and drop builder for layouts and templates
- 40+ custom widgets for features like sliders, forms, maps, etc
- WooCommerce integration with flexible shop templates
- Detailed documentation and video tutorials
- Parallax backgrounds, animations and effects
- SEO optimized with quick load times
With demos, widgets and tools for almost everything, Enfold powers website that convert visitors into customers.
11. The7
The7 is a popular theme for creating creative business and eCommerce websites. The modern and minimalist design looks great on any device.
It comes with:
- 30+ premade demos for inspiration
- Drag and drop template editor
- WooCommerce integration with shop templates
- Advanced theme options panel
- SEO and speed optimization
- Documentation and video tutorials
The7 provides the tools to build a visually stunning website that represents your brand.
12. Jupiter
Jupiter is a premium multipurpose theme focused on flexibility and ease of use. You can create blogs, shops and business websites without needing to code.
Notable features:
- Intuitive drag and drop builder
- Ready-made templates and demos
- Responsive design across devices
- Detailed theme documentation
- WooCommerce integration
- Social media and newsletter integration
- SEO optimized code
Jupiter simplifies building websites while still offering deep customization of design, features and functionality.
13. Flatsome
Flatsome is one of the most popular eCommerce themes for WooCommerce stores. But it‘s also suitable for creating blog, business and magazine websites.
Some useful features:
- Beautiful modern design
- Custom page layouts and templates
- Drag and drop builder for editing pages
- Advanced header and menu options
- Fullscreen image sliders and galleries
- SEO optimized with fast performance
- Demo importer with ready sites
Flatsome helps you create high-converting online stores with all the right layouts, widgets and styles for products, checkout, cart and more.
14. Avada
As one of the longest running WordPress themes, Avada offers an expansive set of options to build professional websites. It works for businesses, online stores, agencies and more.
Some highlights:
- 100+ ready-made website demos
- Fusion drag and drop builder
- 500+ template pages for every use case
- Advanced design and customization settings
- Animation effects and interactive elements
- Detailed documentation and video tutorials
- SEO optimized code
Avada is the ultimate theme for building complex, custom websites with advanced designs and functionality.
15. OceanWP
OceanWP is a fast, minimalist theme that works well for blogs, shops and business websites. It has a free version along with premium extensions for added features.
Key features:
- Lightweight and optimized for speed
- Intuitive customizer options
- Multiple header, footer and layout options
- Advanced menu settings and widgets
- Built-in integration with major page builders
- WooCommerce support for online stores
- SEO enhancements and schema markup
OceanWP focuses on providing a streamlined theme to launch WordPress sites quickly while still maintaining flexibility.
16. GeneratePress
GeneratePress is a lightweight WordPress theme optimized for speed and performance. The minimalist design can work for any website.
Some useful features:
- Extremely fast load time
- Simple customization with Live CSS editor
- Works with all major page builders
- Integrated Schema.org markup for SEO
- Complete WooCommerce templates
- Translation ready and RTL supported
- Free and premium versions
GeneratePress eliminates bloat so you get a simplified theme that doesn‘t compromise on quality or speed.
17. Astra
Astra is one of the most lightweight WordPress themes, making it perfect for blogs and all types of websites. The simplified design is easy to customize.
Key features:
- Optimized for speed
- Responsive design
- Header, footer and layout options
- Works with all major page builders
- Custom widgets and menus
- WooCommerce ready
- Translation and RTL supported
- Free and pro versions
Astra offers a lean theme with all the essential features to launch WordPress sites quickly while keeping load times fast.
18. Hestia
Hestia is a multipurpose WordPress theme suitable for small businesses, blogs, portfolios and online stores. The modern design looks great across devices.
Some useful features:
- Unique homepage layouts
- Customizable headers and menus
- Drag and drop page builder integration
- Multiple blog layouts
- WooCommerce support
- Social media integration
- SEO optimized code
- GDPR compliance
Hestia bundles the latest web design trends in an easy-to-use package to create stunning websites.
19. Shapely
Shapely is a free WordPress theme designed for blogs and small business websites. The clean layout and bold imagery create an engaging platform to share ideas and stories.
Notable features:
- Drag and drop editor for customization
- Quality gallery templates
- Unique homepage layouts
- Custom menus and widgets
- Featured posts and projects
- WooCommerce integration
- Translation ready
- SEO optimized
Shapely provides an affordable theme to launch a blog or simple website while conveying your brand creatively.
20. Sydney
Sydney is a versatile WordPress theme suitable for business, blogging and WooCommerce websites. The modern design looks great across devices.
Some useful features:
- Prebuilt page templates
- Custom header design
- Page builder integration
- Blog post display options
- Social media integration
- WooCommerce support
- Translation ready
- Fast performance
Sydney is an easy-to-use theme providing all the essential features to build a professional website on a budget.
21. PopularFX
PopularFX is one of the most customizable free WordPress themes for creating blogs, magazines and news sites. The sleek and engaging design offers an immersive reading experience.
Some key highlights:
- Newspaper or grid-style blog layouts
- Video, gallery and slider templates
- 100+ custom widgets
- Powerful theme options panel
- Featured content display
- Social sharing and follow buttons
- Ad space customization
- Translation ready
PopularFX allows you to fine tune every aspect of your blog or publication to stand out and keep readers engaged.
22. Activello
Activello is a free multipurpose theme that works for any small website. The minimalist design keeps the focus on your content.
Useful features:
- Lightweight and fast loading
- Featured posts slider
- Social media menus
- Custom backgrounds
- Color options
- Multiple menus
- WooCommerce integration
- Translation ready
Activello provides a stripped back theme with just the essential options to create a fast and functional website.
23. Twenty Twenty
Twenty Twenty is the default WordPress theme showcasing the block editor features. The clean typography and spacious design allow your content to shine.
Key features:
- Block-powered templates
- Responsive, mobile-first design
- Custom color schemes
- Easy to customize fonts and styles
- Built-in social media icons
- Showcase images and media
- Core theme updates
Twenty Twenty is a great way to get familiar with using the WordPress block editor to build flexible page designs.
24. Zakra
Zakra is a lightweight, fast WordPress theme for blogs, shops and business sites. The minimalist design provides a modern backdrop for your content.
Notable features:
- Optimized for speed
- Custom page templates
- Multiple footer widget areas
- Social media menus
- WooCommerce integration
- Translation ready
- RTL supported
- Free and pro versions
Zakra eliminates bloated code to provide a lean theme optimized for WordPress performance.
25. Bigwigs
Bigwigs is a modern multipurpose theme suitable for business and blogging websites. The visually engaging elements showcase your content creatively across devices.
Some useful features:
- Custom homepage layouts
- Featured posts slider
- Portfolio templates
- Testimonial section
- Social media integration
- Custom menus and widgets
- WooCommerce support
- GDPR cookie consent
Bigwigs bundles stylish design trends in an easy-to-customize theme for small websites and blogs.
Conclusion
I hope this overview of the best WordPress themes for 2023 gives you a starting point to choose a theme aligned with your website vision.
The right theme sets the foundation with the layout, design and features needed to bring your ideas to life online. Each of these popular themes excel in their own niches and purposes.
Once you select a theme, you can further customize it to suit your brand and needs. The goal is to have a theme that disappears in the background while your content shines.
Let me know if you have any other questions on getting started with these themes!
