WordPress remains the titan of content management systems, and with each year, it continues to astonish us with a plethora of themes that are not only visually appealing but also packed with powerful features. In 2024, the bar has been set even higher with themes that offer unprecedented flexibility, customization, and ease of use. In this detailed post, we’ll explore the 10 best WordPress themes of the year, looking at their history, development teams, pricing, flexibility, popularity, and their individual pros and cons.
1. Astra Pro
History and Development
Astra has a rich history, starting out as a free theme that quickly gained popularity. The team behind Astra, Brainstorm Force, has consistently updated it, leading to the creation of Astra Pro.
Pricing
Astra Pro offers tiered pricing, starting at $59/year for the basic package, and going up to $523/year for agency bundles.
Flexibility and Popularity
Astra Pro is known for its seamless integration with page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder, making it extremely flexible and popular among developers and novices alike.
Pros
- Fast loading times
- Highly customizable
- SEO friendly
Cons
- The yearly fee can be costly over time
- Overwhelming options for beginners
2. Divi
History and Development
Divi, created by Elegant Themes, has evolved from a simple theme to an advanced visual page builder.
Pricing
Divi comes with Elegant Themes membership, which costs $89/year, or a one-time fee of $249 for lifetime access.
Flexibility and Popularity
With a visual drag-and-drop builder, Divi stands out for allowing deep customization without the need for coding.
Pros
- Real-time design
- Custom CSS control
- Bulk editing
Cons
- Can be bloated and slow
- A bit of a learning curve for complete beginners
3. OceanWP
History and Development
OceanWP started as a free theme on the WordPress repository and has been developed into a feature-rich theme by Nicolas Lecocq and his team.
Pricing
OceanWP offers a core theme for free, with extensions priced at $39 for a single site license.
Flexibility and Popularity
Its lightweight build and e-commerce features make it popular among online businesses.
Pros
- E-commerce ready
- Responsive design
- Extensive documentation
Cons
- Premium extensions can add up
- Might require additional plugins for optimal functionality
4. Genesis Framework
History and Development
StudioPress created Genesis, which has become a foundation for building SEO-friendly and secure WordPress sites.
Pricing
Genesis Framework costs $59.95 for the framework alone, with child themes sold separately.
Flexibility and Popularity
Popular for its clean code and strong community support, Genesis is highly regarded by developers.
Pros
- Secure and SEO-optimized
- Regular updates
- Large community
Cons
- Child themes are extra costs
- Steeper learning curve for non-developers
5. Avada
History and Development
Avada, by ThemeFusion, has a long-standing history as one of the best-selling themes on ThemeForest.
Pricing
Avada is priced at $60 with 6 months of support and lifetime updates.
Flexibility and Popularity
Its flexibility lies in the Fusion Builder and the extensive design options it offers.
Pros
- One-time purchase
- Intuitive Fusion Builder
- Great for beginners and pros
Cons
- Can be resource-heavy
- Sometimes slow on shared hosting
6. BeTheme
History and Development
Muffin group, the developers of BeTheme, have made it one of the most versatile themes with pre-built websites included.
Pricing
BeTheme is available for $59, including future updates and 6 months of support.
Flexibility and Popularity
With over 600 pre-built websites, BeTheme is extremely popular for its wide range of applications.
Pros
- Wide selection of pre-built sites
- Regular updates
- Easy to use
Cons
- Can be overwhelming with options
- Not the fastest theme on the market
7. Ultra
History and Development
Themify created Ultra to be a powerful and flexible theme with a drag-and-drop builder.
Pricing
Ultra costs $59 with a year of support and updates, or $89 for the Master Club with all Themify themes and plugins.
Flexibility and Popularity
Ultra is popular for its pre-designed layouts and versatility.
Pros
- Pre-designed layouts
- 12 Bonus Builder addons
- 1-click updates
Cons
- May require additional plugins for some functionality
- Addons are part of the higher pricing tier
8. Enfold
History and Development
Kriesi, the team behind Enfold, focused on user-friendliness and a powerful backend editor.
Pricing
Enfold is available for $59 with lifetime updates and 6 months of support.
Flexibility and Popularity
Enfold’s user base loves its layout editor and comprehensive documentation.
Pros
- Intuitive backend editor
- Great documentation and support
- SEO optimized
Cons
- Limited header layouts
- Could be more innovative
9. Flatsome
History and Development
Flatsome by UX-themes is geared towards e-commerce and has been one of the best sellers on ThemeForest.
Pricing
Priced at $59, it comes with lifetime updates and 6 months of support.
Flexibility and Popularity
Its UX builder and focus on e-commerce make it very popular among online store owners.
Pros
- Focused on e-commerce
- UX builder for live page building
- Responsive and optimized for speed
Cons
- Might be too niche for non-e-commerce sites
- Learning curve for the UX builder
10. X | The Theme
History and Development
THEMECO’s X | The Theme was one of the first to include multiple designs within one package, known as stacks.
Pricing
X is available for $59, which includes all stacks, future updates, and 6 months of support.
Flexibility and Popularity
It’s known for its cornerstone page builder and the inclusion of multiple stacks for different industries.
Pros
- Multiple unique designs (stacks)
- Cornerstone page builder
- Extensive features and integrations
Cons
- Can feel bloated with too many features
- Some stacks are not as flexible as standalone themes
When considering a WordPress theme in 2024, it’s essential to look beyond the aesthetic and consider aspects like support, updates, compatibility with plugins, and overall performance. While each theme listed here has its unique strengths and potential drawbacks, they all represent the cutting edge of WordPress design and functionality for the year. As WordPress continues to evolve, these themes are sure to offer the tools necessary to build an impressive and effective online presence.
