I have explored many WordPress themes over the years to find the best ones that strike the perfect balance between design flexibility, performance, and ease of use.
In this review, I will look into five exceptional WordPress themes that have consistently garnered attention in the web development community: Bricks Builder, GeneratePress, Divi, Astra, and Blocksy.
Having personally used each of these themes in different projects, I can offer valuable insights into their features, pros, and cons.
So, let’s dive in and find out which are the best WordPress themes to help you make an informed decision for your next website.
Table of Contents
Bricks Builder
Bricks Builder prides itself on providing a new way to build websites in the WordPress space.
As a visual website builder for WordPress, it enables users to create stunning websites without touching a single line of code, but it does give you the option to add your own custom CSS if you wish to.
The first thing that struck me about Bricks Builder was it was easy to get up and running with its user-friendly interface.
Unlike some other page builders, Bricks Builder delivers a seamless and efficient drag-and-drop experience, making it easy to create complex layouts effortlessly, and the code it produces is clean which is a big plus in my opinion.
Pros:
Powerful Visual Builder: Bricks Builder offers an impressive array of pre-designed elements, sections, and templates, allowing users to create visually captivating websites with ease.
Dynamic Customization: The theme comes with a robust set of customization options, giving users full control over typography, colours, spacing, and more.
Responsive Design: Websites built with Bricks Builder are fully responsive and adapt gracefully to various devices and screen sizes.
Clean Code: Bricks is carefully crafted, and uses smart asset loading and clean markup.
Cons:
Learning Curve: While the interface is intuitive, mastering all of Bricks Builder’s features might take some time for beginners.
Limited Third-party Integrations: Compared to other themes, Bricks Builder has a narrower range of third-party integrations, potentially limiting the expansion of functionality, but they are newer compared to other themes, so this will grow.
Bricks Builder is Best for:
Visual Creatives, Non-Tech Savvy Users and Developers.
Bricks Builder excels as the perfect choice for visual creatives and those who prefer a code-free website-building experience, but can use code if needed.
Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and extensive library of pre-designed elements make it ideal for designers, artists, and bloggers who want to showcase their creativity without delving into technical complexities.
Beginners, in particular, will find Bricks Builder a breeze to use, as it offers a smooth learning curve and empowers them to create visually captivating websites effortlessly.
Price: $99 one-time
GeneratePress
GeneratePress is a lightweight and fast WordPress theme that has a devoted following among developers.
The theme’s simplicity and performance-driven approach make it a top choice for those seeking a theme that delivers a solid foundation for their websites.
If you also pair it with Generate Blocks its becomes a power house in web design.
Pros:
Lightweight and Speedy: GeneratePress boasts lightning-fast load times, contributing to better user experience and search engine rankings.
Extensive Customization: With its extensive range of customizer options, GeneratePress empowers users to tailor their websites to their exact preferences.
Developer-Friendly: The theme’s clean code and compatibility with popular page builders make it an excellent choice for developers and designers.
Cons:
Limited Free Version Features: Some advanced features are only available in the premium version, which might be a drawback for those on a tight budget.
Design Flexibility: Although the theme is customizable, the design options might not be as diverse as some other themes in this review.
GeneratePress is best for:
Performance-Oriented Users and Developers.
GeneratePress is a top pick for performance-focused website owners and developers seeking a lightweight and fast-loading theme.
Its clean code and emphasis on speed make it an excellent choice for those who prioritize quick load times and optimal user experience.
Additionally, GeneratePress’s flexibility and compatibility with popular page builders make it a go-to option for developers who want to customize and fine-tune their websites to perfection, making it an all-around solid choice for performance-conscious users and developers.
Price: Pro version – $59 a year or $249 one-time
Divi
Divi, developed by Elegant Themes, is one of the most popular WordPress themes in the market.
It stands out for its advanced drag-and-drop builder, offering endless possibilities for creating unique and visually captivating websites.
Pros:
Versatile Page Builder: Divi’s page builder is a powerhouse, providing a wide range of modules and options to create intricate and custom layouts.
Global Elements: The Global Elements feature allows users to manage and update design elements across multiple pages, saving time and effort.
Active Community and Support: With a vast user community and active support forums, getting assistance and inspiration for your projects is easily accessible.
Cons:
Potential lock-in: Since Divi’s page builder is quite unique and relies on its custom modules and design elements, users who heavily depend on it might find it challenging to switch to another theme in the future without facing significant content restructuring.
Complex Learning Curve: To fully harness Divi’s potential, users may need to invest time in mastering its numerous features, which might be overwhelming for beginners.
Divi is best for:
Creative and Complex Website Designs.
Divi is unparalleled in catering to creative minds and those who require complex and highly customized website designs.
Its powerful page builder, extensive library of design elements, and global elements feature make it the ultimate tool for users who want to create unique and visually captivating websites without coding.
Whether you’re a web designer, agency, or a business owner looking to stand out with an exceptional website, Divi’s design flexibility and feature-rich builder make it the best choice for intricate and creative web projects.
Price: $89 a year or $249 one-time
Astra
Astra is a widely acclaimed WordPress theme known for its speed and performance optimization.
It comes with various starter sites that cater to different niches, providing a solid foundation for building professional-looking websites.
Pros:
Superb Performance: Astra’s emphasis on speed and efficiency results in an incredibly fast-loading website, contributing to a positive user experience.
Extensive Starter Sites Library: The theme offers a vast collection of pre-designed websites, covering a wide range of industries, allowing users to kickstart their projects quickly.
WooCommerce Integration: Astra seamlessly integrates with WooCommerce, making it a popular choice for building e-commerce stores.
Cons:
Limited Typography Options: Despite its strong customization capabilities, some users may find the typography options relatively limited compared to other themes.
Frequent Updates: While updates are essential for security and functionality improvements, Astra’s frequent updates might require closer attention during maintenance.
Astra is best for:
Versatility and Pre-Designed Starter Sites.
Astra stands out as the ultimate solution for users who crave versatility and a wide range of options for their website projects.
Its extensive library of pre-designed starter sites covers various industries and niches, making it an ideal choice for users who want to kickstart their websites quickly with professionally designed templates.
Whether you’re building a personal blog, a business website, or an e-commerce store, Astra’s adaptability and intuitive customization options cater to a diverse array of users.
Price: Pro version – $59 a year or $299 one-time
Blocksy
Blocksy is a modern WordPress theme designed with the new WordPress editor, Gutenberg, in mind.
It offers a cutting-edge experience, especially for users who embrace the block-based approach to content creation.
Pros:
Seamless Gutenberg Integration: Blocksy maximizes the potential of Gutenberg, providing a smooth and delightful editing experience.
Header and Footer Builder: The theme offers a unique header and footer builder, granting users the freedom to create captivating top and bottom sections.
Mobile-Friendly Design: Blocksy excels at responsive design, ensuring websites look and function flawlessly across different devices.
Cons:
Learning Curve for Gutenberg: If you are new to the Gutenberg editor, it may take some time to familiarize yourself with its features and functionality, affecting your initial experience with Blocksy.
Limited Design Flexibility: While the theme provides sufficient customization options, it might not be as flexible as some other themes in this review, particularly for complex layouts.
Blocksy is best for:
Embracing the Gutenberg Editor and Block-Based Design.
Blocksy shines as the top choice for users who wholeheartedly embrace the Gutenberg editor and the block-based approach to content creation.
Its seamless integration with Gutenberg ensures a smooth and efficient website-building experience for those who love working with the native WordPress editor.
Blocksy’s header and footer builder further enhance the block-based design capabilities, making it the go-to theme for users seeking innovative and modern web design techniques.
Price: Pro version – $49 a year or $149 one-time
Making the Right Choice
In conclusion, after thoroughly exploring the best WordPress themes, each of them has its unique strengths and is well-suited for different types of projects.
Bricks Builder, Divi, GeneratePress, Astra, and Blocksy have proven their worth in the WordPress ecosystem, catering to a wide range of users from beginners to seasoned developers.
The decision ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Whether you prioritize design flexibility, performance, or ease of use, there is a theme that fits your requirements perfectly.
So, go ahead and take your website development journey to the next level with one of these exceptional WordPress themes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which theme is the best for beginners?
For beginners, GeneratePress and Astra are excellent choices. Both themes offer user-friendly interfaces and a straightforward approach to customization, making them easy to learn and navigate.
Which theme is the most customizable?
If customization is your priority, Divi and Bricks stand out with their versatile and powerful page builders, offering the most extensive range of options to tailor your website to perfection.
Which theme is the best for e-commerce websites?
Bricks, Astra and Divi excel at building e-commerce websites, thanks to their WooCommerce integration and respective page builders that facilitate online store creation.
Are these themes compatible with the latest WordPress version and regularly updated?
Yes, all of the themes mentioned in this review are compatible with the latest version of WordPress, and their respective developers strive to keep them regularly updated.