Picking the right WordPress theme is key to making your website. For a lot, free WordPress themes are a great start, giving good features and options to change stuff without costing much. This guide looks at the top free WordPress themes out there, helping you pick one that fits what you need, no matter if you're a blogger, a person running a business, or making a portfolio.
Why Pick a Free WordPress Theme?
Free WordPress themes are great for both new and skilled creators. They bring low-cost choices but still keep key parts you need.
Perks of Free WordPress Themes
- Save Money: Like the name says, free themes are free, making them good for those who watch their spending.
- Help From Others: Lots of free themes get help from the busy WordPress community, giving you places to talk and guides to fix usual problems.
- Many Options: With so many themes in the WordPress list, you'll find one that fits your site’s idea well.
Download of Free WordPress Themes
- Less Change: A lot of free themes don't let you change them much, unlike the costly ones.
- Sometimes No Updates: At times, the ones who make these free themes may not update them often. This can cause problems with how well they work or keep you safe.
How to Pick the Best Free WordPress Theme
With a lot of options out there, picking the right theme can be tough. Here are some hints to make it easier.
Main Things to Check For
- Responsiveness: Make sure the theme looks good on all devices, both big (like desktops) and small (like phones).
- SEO Optimization: A theme with simple code and built-in SEO boosts your spot in search results.
- Page Speed: Themes that don't use much space speed up your site, making it better for users.
How to Check Themes
- Read Reviews: What people say can tell you much about how good and trusty a theme is.
- Check for Plugin Match: Make sure the theme works with key plugins, like WooCommerce or Elementor.
- Try the Demo: Look at how the theme works before you set it up to check if it's what you expect.
The Best Free WordPress Themes for 2024
Here’s a curated list of the top free WordPress themes for various purposes.
Best Themes for Bloggers
Astra
Astra is a known WordPress theme that's fast, easy to change, and fits well with many page builders. Below is a short look at its good and bad points:
Pros:
- Light and Quick: Astra is built for speed, taking up just 50 KB at the front end, which gets sites to load in under 0.5 seconds.
- Lots of Changes: You can change Astra a lot. It lets you pick from many colors, different headers and footers, and also supports Google Fonts, so you can make your site just right.
- Works Well with Builders: Astra works well with big page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg. This makes it easy to design your site.
- Ready to Use Designs: Astra comes with over 300 ready-made designs. This makes setting up a site for any use or job fast.
Cons:
- Few Features in Free Version: The free version works, but for more cool features and top starter templates, you need to buy Astra Pro or better packages.
- Might Slow Down with Page Builders: Some page builders, like Elementor, add extra CSS and JavaScript. This could slow down your site and make it run less well.
- Less Help for Free Users: If you use the free version, expect slower help or less support. Paying Pro users get more attention.
- Hard for Newbies: Although it's easy to use, new users might feel swamped by all the ways you can change things at first.
GeneratePress
Offers simplicity, speed, and customization options tailored for content creators.
Pros:
- Light and Quick: GeneratePress is made for speed, with a small size of about 7.5 KB, making websites load fast and run well.
- Many Ways to Change It: The theme has a setup that lets you pick the parts you want. It has ways to change the layout, colors, and text style, letting users set up their sites just how they need.
- Works with Page Builders: GeneratePress works well with big page builders like Elementor and Thrive Architect, which makes it easy to shape your website.
- Fast Help Team: The theme has a quick-help team ready to fix problems fast through forums and email.
Cons:
- Basic Tools in No-Cost Option: The no-cost option works, but for high-end tools and ways to shift looks, one must pay more.
- No Drag-and-Drop: GeneratePress lacks built-in drag-and-drop, which can be hard for users who want an easy, see-as-you-go editing way.
- More Pay for More Use: Users might have to buy more items, like GenerateBlocks Pro, to get high-level block uses, making it cost more.
- Hard Start for New Users: Even with its easy-to-use setup, new users may feel too much with all the custom options at start.
Best Themes for Businesses
Neve
Perfect for startups, Neve offers fast performance and modern design.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Light and Quick: Neve is made for speed. A fresh WordPress load with Neve is just about 28 KB, way less than the usual 300 KB for most themes. This makes sites load fast and work well.
- Big Starter Site List: Neve has more than 120 ready-to-go demo sites for both free and paid versions. This lets users set up all sorts of websites fast.
- Works Well With Page Tools: Neve works great with well-known page tools like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg. This makes it easy to shape your website as you want.
- Mobile-First and AMP Ready: Neve puts mobile first and backs Google AMP. This means quick load times and great working on phones and other small screens.
Cons:
- Few Color Choices in Free Version: The free form of Neve lets you change just the main and second colors. If you want more color choices, you need to pay for the top version.
- Need to Pay for More Features: The free form works fine, but to get cool extras like the Elementor Booster, WooCommerce Booster, and special layouts, you must buy the top form.
- Less Help for Free Users: If you use the free form, you get less help. Top users get the best help first.
OceanWP
Provides seamless WooCommerce integration and multi-purpose templates.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Lots of Ways to Change It: OceanWP lets you make many changes so your website fits what you need. You can pick from many layouts, make your own top and bottom parts, and use different design styles.
- Works Well with Page Tools: This theme works well with known page tools like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg. This makes it easy to shape how your website looks.
- Ready for Online Stores: OceanWP is good for web shops. It works well with WooCommerce and has things like a cart popup, a bar to add items while you move, and a fast look mode.
- Looks Good on All Devices: The theme changes its size for all screens, making sure it looks good on computers, tablets, and phones. This makes using it nice on any device.
Cons:
- Hard Setup: The setup can be tough, with many steps. You might see error notes or pages that won't load.
- Speed Worries: OceanWP is usually quick, but may lag behind faster themes like Astra. It makes more web calls and has bigger page sizes, which may slow it down.
- Need for Plugins: To use all its parts, you may have to add many plugins. This could make your site slow and the setup harder.
- Tricky Prices: It has different plans for pro and e-commerce that may confuse new users. It can be hard to know which plan fits best.
Best Themes for Portfolio Websites
Zakra
This theme’s clean layout is ideal for showcasing creative portfolios.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fast Load Times: Zakra is made to be quick, making sites load faster and giving users a better time on the site.
- Lots of Starter Sites: With over 65 starter sites, free and paid, Zakra lets you set up different types of sites fast.
- Works Well with Page Builders: Zakra fits well with top page builders like Elementor, so you can make a site easily without coding.
- Looks Good on Any Device: The theme works great on all devices and follows SEO rules to get seen more on search sites.
- Ready for Online Stores: Zakra works with WooCommerce, so you can start an online store smoothly.
Cons:
- Need to Pay for More Features: The free form works, but you need to pay if you want to use the top features and top starter sites.
- Hard for New Users: Even with its easy layout, new users might feel too much with all the ways you can change it in the start.
- Less Help Without Pay: If you use the free form, you get less help. Quick help is only for those who pay for the pro form.
Hestia
A one-page theme with a professional design and easy customization.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Cool Style: Hestia has a fresh, clean look that fits many websites well.
- Works with Page Builders: This theme works well with top page builders like Elementor and Gutenberg. It makes changing your website easy.
- Ready for Online Shops: Hestia has strong support for WooCommerce, so you can set up shop online fast.
- Looks Great on All Devices: The theme looks good on all screens and follows SEO rules to help people find your site.
- Edit Live: With Hestia, you can change your site live using the WordPress customizer, so you can see your changes as you make them. No need to code.
Best Themes for E-commerce
Storefront
The official WooCommerce theme, offering a seamless online shopping experience.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Easy WooCommerce Fit: As the main theme for WooCommerce, Storefront works with it very well. It makes sure all built-in parts work with no faults.
- Fast and Light: Storefront aims to be light. This makes sites load fast, gives a better user feel, and can help grow how many sales you make.
- Works on All Devices: This theme changes its size no problem. It makes sure your online shop looks good and works right on big screens, small screens, and on phones.
- Ready for All Users: Storefront meets rules that make your site easy to use for those with disabilities.
- Easy to Change: Storefront keeps things easy but lets you change many things. Use the WordPress Customizer to switch up the design, colors, and more without having to write code.
Cons:
- Simple Start Look: The first look of Storefront is very plain, which might need more custom work or new themes to get a more special or brand-like look.
- Few Built-in Tools: To stay easy to use, Storefront does not come with many high-end tools from the start. This means you may need to add more plugins or apps to get some things done.
- Need to Know More: Easy custom changes are easy, but big changes need you to know CSS or PHP, especially if you want to make big changes in how it looks or works.
- Must Use WooCommerce: Storefront is made for WooCommerce shops, making it not so good for sites that do not use WooCommerce for their selling needs.
Popularis
Popularis eCommerce is a sleek, fast, and modern responsive WooCommerce theme for WordPress. It seamlessly integrates with popular page builders such as Elementor, Beaver Builder, SiteOrigin, Thrive Architect, Divi, Visual Composer, and more, offering flexibility in customization and design.
Here's an overview of its pros and cons:
Pros:
- Made for WooCommerce: Popularis eCommerce works well with WooCommerce, making it great for setting up online shops.
- Looks Good Anywhere: This theme can adjust itself so it looks good on computers, tablets, and phones.
- Quick and Light: Popularis eCommerce is made to run fast, so your site loads quickly, making things better for those who visit.
- Many Ways to Make It Yours: You can change how the theme looks and feels, such as changing colors and layouts to fit what you want.
- Easy to Use: Popularis eCommerce is simple to use, no matter if you are new or know a lot about building websites. It makes it easy to start and run your site.
Pros:
- Few High-Level Tools: Good for simple online shop needs, yet folks who want more complex tools might need to add more plugins or pick high-end themes.
- Might Need Changes: Users who want their site to stand out may need to use custom CSS or change the design more than what is given.
- Help and New Stuff: Like many free themes, the help given and how often it gets updates might not be as strong as what you get with paid ones.
Awesome Free WordPress Themes
Noxiy
Noxiy is a smooth and up-to-date free WordPress theme made for smart thinkers and business folks who want to set up a pro web look. If you're a blog writer, a free worker, or own a small firm, it gives a neat and simple style that makes sure your work stands out.
TechTide
TechTide is a lively, full-featured Free News Portal & Magazine WordPress Theme. It's made for media sites, news places, and web magazines. Its sharp, neat look fits well for lots of content, making sure your pieces, top news, and new info show up well.
Love Nature
Love Nature, the no-cost theme you can get for eco-friendly sites and projects all about nature. Ideal for groups that care for the earth, people who love the outdoors, and those who write about nature. It mixes great looks with ease of use to help you make a site that cheers on the natural world.
Lemmony Agency
Lemmony Agency is a top, no-cost theme made to add a bit of style and use to your work site. You can get it for free. It aims to aid new firms, groups, and art pros show off their work and skills with flair.
Intrace
Intrace, the free WordPress theme, makes your site look good and work well. It's great for businesses, work displays, and personal blogs. Intrace has a built-in slider to show off your stuff with cool moves and easy changes.
Björk
The free WordPress theme, Björk, turns your site into a smooth and sharp online space. Made to be both supple and chic, it brings a new and up-to-date look that shines on every screen – be it a big desktop, a handy tablet, or a mobile phone.
Sullivan
Sullivan is a free WordPress WooCommerce theme made to help you set up your online shop easily. Great for small business folks and new biz folk, it mixes cool design with strong features. This makes it just right for your next online shop move.
Nettiz
Nettiz, the top free WordPress theme made for easy setup and great looks. It has a cool one-click demo import tool, letting you change your site's look in minutes with no tech trouble.
Abisko
Abisko, a high-end WordPress theme you can get for no cost, helps make your site look top-notch with ease. It mixes sleek style with good use, making it great for business, portfolio, and personal sites that need a clean and pro look.
Kavana
Kavana, the top free WordPress theme made to give you a strong and pro look online. Great for firms, new firms, and business folks; it blends cool, new looks with handy tools to help you show off your work in the best way.
Tove
Tove, the great free WordPress theme made just for firms that want a clean and pro look online. Built to meet the needs of today's firms, it mixes smart design with real use to help you show off your brand with sureness.
ChromeNews
ChromeNews is a free WordPress theme that mixes cool looks with smart work. It's made just for news sites, magazines, and blogs. It gives you a fun and active way to show your news with power.
Vorfolio
Vorfolio, the top free WordPress theme that blends beauty, ease of use, and modern design to make websites look great. It's great for portfolios, personal blogs, and artsy work. It mixes style and use well to help you shine online.
Hitchcock Photo
Hitchcock Photo, a top free WordPress theme made just for showing off your portfolio. Great for photographers, artists, designers, and other creative folks. It gives you a beautiful space to show your work with style.
Echelon FSE
Echelon FSE, the new free WordPress theme, makes today's websites look great. It's great for businesses, blogs, and art books. It mixes cool looks with strong ways to work to give you a top-notch web face.
Oaknut
Oaknut, the free WordPress theme, helps make your design work easy and turns your idea into reality. It has many start templates, giving you a simple base to build a great and working site fast.
Hypebiz
Hypebiz, the best WordPress theme for pros who want a strong show online. You can get it for free. It mixes cool design with high-end work to give a smooth and pro website feel.
Beaumont
Beaumont, the top free WordPress theme made to lift new plans and young firms. It pairs a clean, up-to-date look with strong tools to build a big web image that grabs eyes and pulls in action.
Restance
Restance, the easy-to-use free WordPress theme that makes building your website a breeze. It's great for businesses, blogs, and personal sites. It gives a smooth and clear platform that makes sure your online presence looks good and is simple to handle.
Eksell
Eksell, the top free WordPress theme made for those who think up cool stuff and want to leave a mark. If you're a designer, artist, or digital maker, it gives a sleek place to show your work in a way that looks great and pulls people in.
Travey
Travey, the free WordPress theme made for the love of travel. Great for travel bloggers, firms, and fans, it gives a well-made site to show spots, tell tales, and spark a love for new places.
Chaplin
Chaplin is a WordPress theme full of cool tools and it's great for people who make sites. It lets you pick the fonts and colors for your site. It is made with the new Block Editor in mind, which helps you set up nice layouts on post and pages really easy. It can be used for all sorts of sites, like business sites and work showcases.
Accountra
Accountra is a new and quick-to-react theme for WordPress fullsite change. It works well with the Gutenverse plugin. Accountra is made for firm sites like those for Accounting, Tax Work, and Freelancer sites for groups or persons who want a new front page for their work. The templates come with both the main version and the Gutenverse plugin version.
How to Set Up and Make Changes to a WordPress Theme
Once you pick your theme, setting it up and making it your own is easy with WordPress’s clear setup.
Setting Up a Free WordPress Theme
Log into your WordPress Dashboard: Get to your website’s back end.
Go to “Appearance > Themes”: Hit the “Add New” button.
Find and Set Up: Put in the name of your theme, hit “Install,” then turn it on.
Making Changes to Your Theme
Using the WordPress Customizer: Click the “Customize” under the “Appearance” tab to change things like colors, fonts, and how things are laid out.
Putting in Widgets and Menus: Make your website do more by adding widgets and making clear menus for easy use.
Common Questions on Free WordPress Themes
Are free WordPress themes safe?
Yes, if you get them from safe spots like the official WordPress store. Keep your theme up-to-date to lower risks, too.
Can I move from a free theme to a better, paid one?
Yes, lots of free themes have paid ones, that give more tools and help. Moving up to them is easy and keeps all you have now.
Are free themes good for work sites?
For sure. With the right tweaks, free themes can look sharp and work well for company sites, work show-offs, and much more.
Conclusion
Free WordPress themes are a great help if you want to set up a cool, useful site with no money spent. Pick a theme that suits what you need and follow top tips for putting it in and making it yours. You can craft a site that looks awesome and works smooth. It fits all, whether you write blogs, start businesses, or make art. There's a free WordPress theme ready to make your idea real!
