5 Best Themes in WordPress (2024 Updated)

Looking for the perfect theme for your WordPress website?

With thousands of options out there, it can get pretty overwhelming to pick the right one. I mean, what really makes a theme stand out? How can you be sure your site not only looks amazing but also works smoothly? Good questions, right? Well, we’re gonna dive into some key factors to help you figure out the best theme for your WordPress site.

We’ll cover everything—from design and customization to responsiveness and compatibility—because, honestly, finding the right theme is crucial. It’s gotta be visually appealing, sure, but also super user-friendly. And to make it easy, I’ll walk you through my top 5 picks for WordPress themes, breaking down each theme’s key features, benefits, and a bit more. If you go through this list, you’ll get all the info you need to choose a top-notch theme.

My Top Pick WordPress Themes

• GeneratePress [Top Pick]: This one’s my absolute favorite. It’s perfect for building pretty much any type of site. Whether you’re making a blog or an e-commerce store, it just works.
• Divi Theme Builder: Great for custom-made WordPress sites with endless customization. You can tweak and change things to your heart’s content, no problem.
• WPAstra: This theme’s awesome for blogging or business sites. But where it really shines is for building e-commerce sites—it’s like they had that in mind the whole time.
• Avada: If you like readymade templates and tons of customization, Avada’s got you covered. It’s got loads of layouts ready to go.

What to Look for When Considering a Theme for Your Website

Okay, so what should you actually look for when choosing a theme? Let’s break it down:

Visual Attraction

Pick a theme that matches your brand and connects with your target audience. You want the design to be attractive, but also engaging enough that visitors stick around.

Responsive Design

Make sure the theme is mobile-friendly. Seriously, people are gonna be viewing your site on all sorts of devices, and it needs to look good on every single one of ’em. Responsive design is key if you want to give your users a smooth experience, no matter what they’re using.

Customization Options

Look for a theme with plenty of customization options. You want to be able to tweak things to suit your needs, whether that’s changing colors, layouts, or anything else. Trust me, having enough customization is super helpful—especially if your audience’s needs change over time.

Speed and Performance

This is really, really important. You’ve got to choose a theme that’s optimized for speed. The Core Web Vitals score and layout shift should be good, too. If you get this right, you’ll see SEO benefits because speed is actually a ranking factor.

Plus, a fast-loading website keeps people from clicking away out of frustration.

SEO-Friendly

Pick a theme that’s built with SEO best practices in mind. You know, an SEO-friendly theme can make a big difference when it comes to your site’s visibility on Google and other search engines. Most SEO-optimized themes come with built-in features, so you won’t have to do too much extra work to get those on-page SEO benefits.

Support and Updates

Go with a theme from a developer who provides regular updates and solid customer support. This is important because you want your site to stay secure and up to date. And here’s a tip: check the developer’s support response time.

Maybe shoot them a pre-sales question and see how quickly they reply—that’ll give you a pretty good idea.

Compatibility

You’re probably going to use a bunch of plugins to get all the features you want. So, make sure the theme you pick is compatible with those plugins and tools. Compatibility issues can lead to a lot of headaches, so be sure to check the theme’s documentation to avoid problems down the road.

By considering these key factors when choosing a theme, you can feel pretty confident that you’re getting a solid, high-quality theme that’ll work well for your WordPress site.

You’ll end up with something that looks great, works smoothly, and gives you all the benefits you need—without the hassle.

5 Best Themes in WordPress For 2024

1. DIVI: Page Builder for Any WordPress Site

Divi isn’t just another WordPress theme. It’s, like, a complete website-building platform that’s honestly changing how websites get made. You’ve got all these awesome features like Layouts, No-Code Design, Theme Builder, e-commerce, Workflow, Marketing, and Developer tools. Basically, Divi makes it possible for anyone—even folks without any coding skills—to bring their visions to life. Pretty cool, right?

You’ve got this super responsive Visual Page Builder, which comes with a drag-and-drop interface, and you can see changes in real time. No waiting or guessing—just instant results.

With the Theme Builder, designing your entire website—from the headers all the way to the footers—is actually pretty simple. It’s designed so you can put things exactly how you want ’em, without feeling lost.

Then there’s Divi Cloud, which is just a fancy way of saying you get cloud storage for your websites. And with Divi AI, they’ve brought in AI tools that really streamline your workflow. It’s kind of like having a personal assistant (who never needs coffee breaks).

Pre-made Designs and Elements

Divi has a massive library of Pre-made Designs, Website Elements, and Global Elements, which can save you tons of time. Honestly, instead of building everything from scratch, you can just use these templates and tweak ’em to fit your vibe.

Efficiency is key, and Divi’s got you covered there. It gives you features like Bulk Editing, Responsive Editing, Text Styling, Shape Dividers, and Transform Controls that make the design process way less stressful.

And if you’re into making your site look fancy, you can add Advanced Animations, Scroll Effects, and even Advanced Display Conditions. All these tools help create those super engaging, eye-catching sites that people actually wanna stay on.

Marketing and E-commerce Tools

Divi doesn’t just stop at design—it’s got a whole set of Marketing and e-commerce tools to boost your online presence. You can generate leads, do split testing, and get powerful conversion insights. They even have tools for Lead Generation and Social Following to help you reach those marketing goals.

Support and Community

Divi offers Premium Support, Constant Updates, and an Active Community. So, whenever you’re feeling stuck or confused, there’s always help available. Plus, the 30-day money-back guarantee and Worldwide Meetups are nice touches that really make you feel supported.

Pricing

Alright, let’s talk about the pricing. Divi offers two plans: Yearly Access and Lifetime Access.

• Regular Plan: $89 per year. You get access to all the themes and plugins from Elegant Themes, including Divi, for a year.
• Lifetime Plan: $249 for unlimited access to updates and support. Pay once, and you’re set for good.

Why is Divi Builder So Popular? Should You Use It?

Divi’s super popular because of its user-friendly interface, huge variety of features, and frequent updates. Users love how flexible it is—it lets you create stunning websites without touching a line of code. If you want a WordPress theme that’s a perfect mix of style and practicality, Divi’s a solid choice.

Any Drawbacks?

Of course, nothing’s perfect. Divi does come with a learning curve. There are tons of features, and if you’re just starting out, it might feel a bit overwhelming. But, to be fair, as you practice and get the hang of things, you can really unlock Divi’s full potential. So, yeah, it’s worth it in the end.

2. GeneratePress: Features King WordPress Theme

GeneratePress takes your website design to the next level. It’s got all these customizable controls and professionally designed starter sites that really make things pop, you know?

With more features than the free version, this theme lets you tweak just about every aspect of your site. It’s perfect for fitting into your workflow and hitting that sweet spot of performance. I mean, who doesn’t want their site running smoothly, right?

You can create dynamic block elements and tap into an extensive library of professionally designed templates. This will get your new site off to a great start—saves a ton of development time too, with just the click of a button.

More styling controls, like color and background image options, give you the flexibility to customize your WooCommerce store and boost the user experience across all devices. And honestly, that’s super important these days when everyone’s shopping on their phones.

Advanced Features That Stand Out

The Advanced Hook System and Mobile Header feature provide even more customization. These tweaks make sure your site stands out, especially with that low-profile header on mobile and a secondary navigation menu that just makes things easier to navigate.

Plus, the Advanced Layout System offers advanced display rules and sticky navigation—makes browsing more seamless for users, which is a win-win.

On the flip side, the Infinite Scroll feature adds a nice touch to your blog archives, giving them that modern feel with masonry layout and customizable column settings. It’s kind of like giving your blog a facelift without the extra effort.

You’ve also got the option to use features like import/export functionality and smooth scroll, so designing multiple sites with the same style becomes a lot faster and less of a headache.

GeneratePress + GenerateBlocks: Total Design Freedom

When you pair GeneratePress Premium with GenerateBlocks, you’re getting complete design freedom. You can customize every part of your site—from page heroes to 404 pages—with hardly any effort. Honestly, it feels like having a magic wand for web design.

Pricing

GeneratePress has both free and premium versions. The free version is solid, with basic features and customization, so it’s great if you’re on a budget or just starting out.

The premium version? Well, it unlocks a bunch more—extra customization, demo sites, priority support. It’s available as a yearly subscription, and you can use it on unlimited sites, which is awesome if you manage multiple projects.

• Basic Yearly Plan: $59
• Lifetime Plan: $259

Why is GeneratePress Popular? Should You Use It?

GeneratePress has become super popular with WordPress users mainly because of its speed and performance optimization. It makes for a really smooth user experience, which—let’s be real—is exactly what you want for your visitors.

It also offers tons of customization options for creating something unique. It’s user-friendly enough that anyone can use it, no matter their skill level. Plus, the support and documentation are fantastic (I’ve seen people rave about this a lot).

Versatility and ease of use make it a solid choice, for sure. Add in the performance boosts, responsive design, and customization options, and you’re well on your way to building a professional-looking site that does exactly what you need it to.

Disadvantages

Of course, there are a few downsides. Some advanced features are only available in the premium version, which can be a bummer if you’re using the free one. And, depending on your needs, you might need some extra plugins to fully take advantage of all its features. But overall? Still worth considering for most people.

3. Thrive Theme Builder: Pro Level WP Page Builder

Thrive Theme Builder isn’t just your standard WordPress theme builder—it’s your go-to for all kinds of customization possibilities. With its drag-and-drop editor (which is pretty intuitive, honestly), you can get a professional-looking website up and running in just a few minutes. And I’m not even exaggerating.

You get full control over every part of your site, which is kind of awesome if you like tinkering with things. From headers to blog post templates to page layouts—basically, whatever you need—Thrive Theme Builder’s got you covered. You don’t have to feel limited at all.

But wait, there’s more! Thrive Theme Builder also offers extra features like Thrive Comments, which makes commenting more engaging and fun. Ever wish people were more active in the comments? This tool helps.

They’ve also got Thrive Quiz Builder to boost user engagement (because people love a good quiz, right?), and Thrive Ovation to help you show off testimonials and build that social proof. You know, like when you need others to help do the talking for you.

Plus, with Thrive Ultimatum, you can create evergreen countdown campaigns to really drive those conversions home. Honestly, it’s perfect for when you need to add a little urgency without coming off as pushy.

One feature that really stands out, though, is Smart Color technology. You can manage your entire color palette with just one click, which is super convenient if you’re tired of doing it manually. Makes everything match your brand without any fuss or hassle.

And, of course, the whole thing is fully mobile responsive, so it’ll look good no matter what device people are using. That’s a non-negotiable these days, for sure.

Pricing

Thrive Theme Builder has competitive pricing plans that fit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re a solopreneur, running a small business, or even handling things at the enterprise level, there’s probably a plan that suits you.

• Single License: $199/year or $79/year (Save $120)
• 5-License Pack: $399/year or $159/year (Save $240)
• 15-License Pack: $675/year or $267/year (Save $408)

Why Is Thrive Theme Builder So Popular, and Should You Use It?

Thrive Theme Builder’s got its popularity from being super easy to use, loaded with features, and very much focused on conversions. You can create professional-looking websites without having to dive into a lot of technical stuff. I mean, who has time for that?

If you’re looking for a reliable and simple way to build and customize your website—one that looks like it was made by a pro—then Thrive Theme Builder might be just what you need.

Any Downsides?

Well, there are a couple of disadvantages. Users might need some time to get used to all the features because, honestly, there’s a lot to explore. And, if you want to do advanced customizations, you might need a bit of coding knowledge. But, hey, I know people who’ve taken the time to learn, and it really worked out for them. So it’s definitely possible if you’re willing to put in some effort.

4. Avada: The All-Time Favorite Website Builder

Avada—yeah, it’s that website builder from ThemeFusion on ThemeForest that pretty much everyone has heard about by now. It’s been dominating the market for, what, over 11 years? That’s a long time for anything online. And, honestly, it’s not hard to see why. Avada’s packed with features and just, you know, works for a lot of different people.

With more than 953,433 sales (which is kind of mind-blowing, honestly), Avada is popular for good reason. It’s got a crazy amount of customization options, plus it’s easy to use. Like, if you’re not a tech genius, you’ll still figure things out. The interface is user-friendly, and that matters a lot when you’re trying to build something without losing your mind.

One of the coolest things about Avada has to be its Drag and Drop Visual Builder. It lets you create a custom website without needing to touch a single line of code—which, let’s be real, is exactly what most of us want. You can just drag things around, and it starts looking like an actual website in no time. Easy peasy.

Avada also has this super advanced network of options that makes customizations feel effortless. You click a button, and bam, you’ve got a professionally designed element on your site. It also comes with performance optimization tools, so your site isn’t dragging. I mean, it’s important that it not only looks good but actually runs well, right?

Oh, and it’s fully responsive, so it’s going to look sharp on phones, tablets, desktops—whatever you’ve got. It’s up-to-date with the latest WordPress versions too, and it plays nice with third-party plugins like Yoast SEO and WP Rocket. Those are basically essentials if you’re serious about running a good website.

And get this, Avada includes over 60 layered PSD files and works smoothly with popular plugins like Slider Revolution and Layer Slider. So if you’re into creating stunning visuals or animations for your site, you’ve got options. Tons of options.

The theme also comes with professional 5-star support, which is great because let’s face it, sometimes you need a bit of help to make everything click just right. They actually have a team ready to assist, so you don’t end up feeling totally lost.

Now, Avada’s Advanced Theme Options Network gives you some serious flexibility—more than 50 main and sub-option panels to play around with. So if you love customization (and who doesn’t?), you’re gonna love the control you get here. Plus, there’s the Fusion Builder with 60+ elements, meaning you can create all sorts of unique layouts and pages.

Oh, and the Mega Menu feature? I love that. You can create these beautiful, massive menus that don’t just look great but actually help with navigation too. It’s like having a fancy map of your site that’s also stylish.

The theme’s got extensive design integration, with advanced typography options and responsive image management, which makes it perfect if you care about visuals (and honestly, who doesn’t care about how their site looks these days?).

Pricing

Avada follows a one-time purchase model. You buy the theme, and then you get lifetime updates and support. I mean, yeah, the upfront cost might seem a bit higher compared to those subscription-based models, but in the long run, you’re saving money. No recurring fees. It’s just a good deal, to be honest.

• Regular License: $69 for lifetime use (1-site license, future updates included, plus 6 months of support).

Why is Avada So Popular? Should You Use It?

Avada’s popularity comes down to a few things: it’s easy to use, has a ton of features, and they keep it updated regularly. It also helps that it’s got a huge user base with a supportive community, which means tons of resources if you need them.

It’s super versatile too. It works for pretty much any type of website—blogs, businesses, e-commerce, portfolios, you name it. Developers and designers really like it because it’s reliable and full of useful features.

So, should you use it? If you’re after a dependable, feature-rich WordPress theme that’s going to give you a lot of bang for your buck, Avada is definitely worth checking out.

Any Downsides?

Alright, let’s talk about the cons. Avada’s got a ton of features, which is great, but sometimes it can slow your site down if you’re not careful with optimization. And if you’re planning on making major design changes, it might take some time to get familiar with how the whole framework works. But I’ve seen people pick it up and do just fine, so it’s not impossible—just takes a little effort.

5. OceanWP: A Versatile Theme for All

OceanWP is a free, multi-purpose WordPress theme that’s honestly a solid pick if you’re looking to upgrade your website’s design. It’s kind of a go-to for a lot of folks out there—whether you’re just starting out with WordPress or you’re already a seasoned developer.

With over 1 million websites using OceanWP, it’s got a pretty good track record. It’s a perfect fit for both first-time WordPress users who want something straightforward, and experienced developers who are looking for more advanced options.

One thing that makes OceanWP stand out is its wide range of customization settings that give you full control over how your website looks and feels. You can go from simple tweaks to more advanced eCommerce features like the Advanced Coupon Manager or the Product Badges Manager—it’s got everything you need to boost sales and create a stunning store.

Why is OceanWP so popular, you ask? Well, part of it is the continuous updates and dedication to support. Honestly, it feels like they care. They also gave the theme a huge makeover with the OceanWP Metabox Settings, which makes customizing your site even easier than before.

And if you’re a fan of Elementor, OceanWP is fully compatible with it. That means you can really unlock the full potential of both tools, giving you a super smooth website-building experience. I mean, who doesn’t love a seamless process?

Another thing I love is the massive library of modern website templates, royalty-free images, and icons. With OceanWP, you can build a professional, high-quality site without having to start everything from scratch. Saves a ton of time, right?

The theme’s also got a pretty good reputation. It’s trusted by major WordPress developers, hosting providers, and even some big online magazines. So, yeah, if you’re after a reliable, feature-packed theme, OceanWP’s a safe bet.

The OceanWP Pro Bundle takes things to another level entirely. You get custom sections, headers, footers, and a whole bunch of styling options and page templates. With the Pro Bundle, setting up a fully functional eCommerce website is easy. The WooCommerce integration is seamless, and you get dedicated eCommerce features that really help you make a professional online store.

If customization and flexibility are big for you, OceanWP should be on your list. Seriously.

Pricing

OceanWP comes in both a free version and premium plans. The free version is more than enough for small websites that don’t need anything too fancy, but the premium plans give you advanced features and support at pretty reasonable prices.

• Starter Yearly Plan for 1 Site: $44

Why is OceanWP Theme Popular, and Should You Use It?

OceanWP has become popular because of its user-friendly interface, rich set of features, and just how flexible it is. If you’re looking for a versatile, customizable theme that doesn’t break the bank, OceanWP is worth considering.

Disadvantages

Not everything’s perfect, of course. The free version does have some limitations compared to the premium options, so you might find yourself wanting to upgrade sooner rather than later if you need more features.

Divi Builder: Another Great Option

If you’re looking to create any type of WordPress site—whether it’s a company website, an eCommerce store, or just a blog—Divi Builder is also worth considering. It’s got a ton of premium customization options, and, honestly, I highly recommend it.

Conclusion

With so many WordPress themes out there, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed trying to pick the right one. But, if you think about what you need—like your site’s purpose, design preferences, and the kind of functionality you’re after—you can definitely narrow things down.

Remember to prioritize features like responsiveness, easy customization, and a user-friendly interface. Pick a theme that lines up with your brand identity and content goals, and you’ll end up with a site that’s not only visually appealing but also engaging for your audience.

Oh, and don’t forget—regularly updating your theme is key to keeping your site performing well and staying secure. In the end, the best WordPress theme isn’t just about meeting your current needs; it’s about leaving room for growth as your website evolves.