When building a WordPress website with The Best Free WordPress Themes, there are typically two main options: 1. Using a page builder or 2. Selecting a theme. Page builders give you complete control over design, while themes offer a simpler, pre-structured starting point. There are currently two main themes in WordPress: full-site editing themes and classic themes. In this blog, we will learn about the pros and cons of both.
Full-site editing theme:
Full-site editing themes work seamlessly with the Gutenberg editor, supporting WordPress’ move toward block-based design and customization. These themes provide new design features that will help make your website more modern and sophisticated.
Classic theme:
On the other hand, Classic Theme follows a conventional structure and offers extensive customization options. They may seem a bit dated compared to full-site editing, but their functionality and versatility are still very high.
How do I decide when choosing a theme?
We will only talk about free themes in this blog. Some themes have pro versions, but we will mainly discuss their free versions. The pros and cons of each theme will be highlighted so that you can make the right decision based on your needs.
Full-site editing theme and classic theme, both themes have different advantages. If you want to lean towards modern web design, full-site edit theme is a good option for you. And if you prefer pre-used and simple frameworks, it would be wise to choose Classic Theme.
1. Ollie Theme: Light and easy-to-use full-site editing theme
Ollie Theme is new in the market, although new, also the Best Free WordPress Theme. It is packed with simple and attractive features for website design. In this, you can easily add various pre-made templates like header, footer, hero section, etc. to the site. So for those who are new and don’t know much about design or want to build a site quickly, this is a great solution.
- Pros: Light, fast, and easy to use. Most of the useful patterns are available in the free version.
- Cons: The Pro version can be a little bit expensive, although it has more interesting features.
Olly is a good option for those who want to use WordPress’ new block editor. It strikes a good balance between simple and flexible design
2. Spectra One: Powerful Full-Site Editing Theme:
The Spectra One theme is made by the popular Astra theme company. It works very well with the Spectra Block plugin, which provides a simple and effective solution for the theme. Since it is made by the same company, there is no problem during the update.
- Pros: Beautiful design, solid support, and proper compatibility with Spectra Block.
- Cons: Some features are not available in the free version, which is annoying for new users.
But the free version of Spectra One has enough features to satisfy the needs of most users and is a good choice for those who like Astra and want to move to full-site editing.
3. Blocksy: Classic theme ideal for multiple tasks:
Blocksy theme is an excellent and first-class choice for any kind of WordPress site builder. If you want to create a blog, portfolio, or WooCommerce store, Blocksy is the theme for you. Blocksy is designed in such a way that it is very fast-loading and very flexible.
- Pros: It loads very fast, and even the free version has a lot of great features, which is very easy for beginners. And Blocksy Pro for WooCommerce is enriched with more advanced and customizable features.
- Cons: The licensing model created for the Pro version can be problematic for new users.
Header and footer customization is easy in Blocksy’s free version. If you use WooCommerce or need custom posts, Blocksy Pro might be the right choice
4. Astra: The most popular and widely used WordPress theme:
Astra is a WordPress theme that is the Best Free WordPress Theme and is the first choice of all users, new or old, with more than 1.6 million sites used so far. It is known for its lightweight design, fast, and excellent performance, which helps your site launch quickly.
- Pros: Astra is a very popular theme, with a large user base ready. It offers amazing features and support and is well-compatible with almost all types of page builders.
- Cons: The free version has some limitations, especially in footer customization, where the premium version is required.
While the free version of Astra is quite functional, the Pro version offers additional customization options, which are especially useful for experienced users.
5. GeneratePress: Light and Customizable Classic Theme:
For those who want a clean, simple, and light theme, GeneratePress is an ideal Best Free WordPress Theme. It works well with GenerateBlocks, which makes the theme more powerful and ensures ease of use.
- Pros: Lightweight and easily customizable. Additional functionality can be added with GenerateBlock.
- Cons: Somewhat slow update process.
If you prefer to do website customization yourself, GeneratePress may be your best option.
Choosing the Right WordPress Theme:
Whether you prefer full-site editing or classic themes by Best Free WordPress Theme there are excellent free options available. For users who want to embrace the future of WordPress, themes like Oli and Spectra One offer fantastic block-based design experiences. If you’re looking for something more stable and flexible, Blocksy, Astra, and GeneratePress are good choices as top-quality classic themes.
Whichever theme you choose, make sure it fits your website needs and your experience using WordPress. If you want to try one of these themes, give it a try on your site—you’ll be delighted!
Check out our guide on How to Build a WooCommerce Store with Elementor, which pairs perfectly with the themes mentioned here, especially if you’re setting up an e-commerce store.
