Are you looking for the fast and best WordPress theme? Then you have probably heard about Astra.
Known for its lightweight structure and SEO-ready framework, it has been one of the go to themes for developers and marketers.
Astra theme’s free version can beat the majority of the premium themes.
Around 300,000 websites use this theme, and it is increasing day by day. Your site can easily customize the way you want.
Whether you are building your website for the first time or managing multiple client projects, it helps to decide if the Astra theme is the right foundation for online business success.
Should you use the Astra theme for your website?
Keep reading to find out more in this Astra Theme Review.
Let us know more about Astra theme and why it is popular and what advantages you can get from this theme.
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Table of Contents
Astra Theme Review
Summary
Astra is a lightweight, highly customizable WordPress theme designed for speed and flexibility. It offers seamless integration with popular page builders like Elementor and Gutenberg, making it ideal for any website type. With its responsive design, pre-built templates, and performance-focused code, Astra provides an excellent balance between design freedom and fast loading times.
What is the Astra Theme? (Quick Overview for Beginners)
It is created by Brainstorm Force and has been the most customizable and lightweight WordPress theme.
Astra Theme is available in free and pro versions.
It helps to speed up the projects so that no need to waste time to change designs and setting up the pages.
Even if you do not come from a technical background, you can modify your website through WordPress theme customizer.
Another unique thing about Astra theme is that it supports popular WordPress page builders such as Elementor, Thrive Architect, Beaver, Divi, Brizy, WPBakery (formerly Visual Composer), and Gutenberg.
Compared to other heavy themes that slow down your site, Astra is built with clean, optimized code; the default installation is under 50KB, ensuring lightning fast loading times and excellent core web vitals performance.
Another highlight of this theme is the Starter templates library, which has more than 300+ pre-built website demos for niches like blogging, business, education and e-commerce.
It gives you the starting point to build, style and scale your WordPress website effortlessly.
It's user friendly and customizable, and it takes only 2 seconds to load pages.
Another advantage is that you can configure different blog page layouts, access global colors and typography controls.
Key Features That Make Astra Stand Out in 2025
Astra theme continues to prove that it is one of the most trusted WordPress themes. Let us know about its features and why it is better than other WordPress themes in this Astra theme review.
Light weight and fast:
It has always been known for great performance, including pages that weigh less than 50kb, and page loads of 2 seconds.
Follows the latest coding standards and is well optimized. Helps to boost Core Web Vitals and overall SEO rankings.
Variety of Website Layouts:
It doesn't add much to your branding colors, fonts and other customization.
Site layout:
The site fills the maximum width; it can be padded or fluid.
Container layout:
Inside each page deciding how to display the content. Includes boxed and narrow versions where you can mention the width.
This depends upon the preferences. No need for using the code or having advanced knowledge.
300+ Ready-to-Import Starter Templates:
You can find plenty of templates for almost every scenario: Business and Service, Creative, Community, Blog, Portfolios & Ecommerce, are just some of them.
Templates are constantly increasing to meet new trends.
If you want to run an agency and launch new projects, Astra theme is the smart choice.
Astra Starter Templates:-
- Easy to use: Allows to create stunning websites with minimal effort.
- Performance Driven: Astra and its templates are designed with performance.
- Customizable: Astra provides customization options so that you can personalize your websites.
- Integration friendly: You can easily integrate templates with popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver, Gutenberg or Brizy. And also third-party plugins like WooCommerce or Learn Dash .
It simplifies the website design process and reduces the need for advanced design skills.
SEO-Optimized and Schema-Ready
Astra theme built with SEO best practices. Leading SEO plugins like Rank Math and Yoast SEO help to rank faster and smarter.
WooCommerce Integration
Astra theme offers WooCommerce compatibility. Gets product gallery layouts, infinite scroll, off canvas filters and customizable checkout pages.
Accessibility and Mobile Responsiveness
Follows WCAG 2.0 accessibility standards, making your website inclusive and easy to navigate.
Up to Date
Technology is constantly changing, and WordPress is always evolving.
Astra is relentlessly being developed compared with other WordPress themes that go months or years without being updated.
Astra Free vs Astra Pro: Which One Should You Choose?
While evaluating the Astra Theme, the most common question I do get is: “Do I go with the free version, or upgrade to Pro?” The answer depends a lot on your site’s goals, how much design control you need, and whether you will be building one website or many.
Let us check out what each version offers:-
What the Free Version Offers
The free Astra version gives you a powerful, lightweight theme foundation with:
A superfast, clean codebase (the theme framework is under 50 KB) that helps with site speed and performance.
Compatibility with major page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, Brizy, Gutenberg and access to 280+ free starter templates.
What Astra Pro Adds
Upgrading to Astra Pro unlocks advanced features that are ideal if you want more control, distinct design, or are building for clients. Some key additions:
- Advanced layout control: fluid width, padded or full-height containers, device-specific settings.
- Header & footer builder with sticky or transparent headers, mega menus, custom menu layouts.
- WooCommerce-specific modules like custom product pages, quick-view, off-canvas filters, better conversion-oriented features.
Customization & Page Builder Compatibility
If you are a starter creating your first website or an agency developer to build sites for clients, Astra theme gives you complete freedom to design your site.
The intuitive WordPress Customizer
Astra uses WordPress Customizer, allowing it to preview changes in real time.
Every tweak is visible instantly, making it easier to fine-tune your site’s design until it matches your vision.
Header & Footer Builder
Introduced in Astra Pro, the drag-and-drop Header & Footer Builder allows complete control over your site’s navigation and branding. You can:
- Create transparent, sticky, or mega headers.
- Add elements like buttons, HTML blocks, or secondary menus.
- Adjust spacing and alignment for desktop, tablet, and mobile separately.
You can easily customize the header for mobile devices. This visual builder makes designing a custom header or footer feel effortless
Global Design Control
In 2025, Astra has expanded its design library with 300+ ready-to-import Starter Templates for various niches like blogs, portfolios, agencies, education, and eCommerce.
Each template can be personalized using the Customizer or your favorite page builder, allowing you to craft a unique site in minutes.
White Labeling & Custom Layouts (Pro Feature)
For freelancers and agencies, Astra Pro includes white labeling so you can replace Astra’s branding with your own.
You also get Custom Layouts, a feature that lets you insert custom sections (like banners or CTAs) anywhere on your site using conditional logic.
Astra for WooCommerce Sites.
In this WooCommerce integration, you will get product layouts, grid spacing, color schemes and mobile responsiveness.
If you are using Astra Pro, you will get unlock advanced features:-
- Off- canvas filters
- Quick view popups
- Product gallery styles
- Sticky add to cart buttons.
Why it is for store owners:-
- Better conversion potential: A fast, well-designed store encourages more purchases.
- Speed & SEO: Because Astra remains lightweight even with WooCommerce components, your store is more likely to perform well in Core Web Vitals (important for SEO).
If you want to build an online store, the Astra theme is the strong choice. It gives deep WooCommerce compatibility from the get-go, plus advanced features if it is upgraded. In 2025, it remains one of the most flexible and performance oriented themes for e-commerce.
SEO Friendliness & Schema Support
When you choose a WordPress theme in 2025, your theme is built for SEO success. Fast loading speeds, clean code, mobile-first responsiveness, and structured data help search engines to understand your content.
Built-from-the-Ground for SEO
Astra’s foundation is explicitly optimized for SEO. Key elements include:
- A lightweight code base that keeps page size minimal.
- A mobile-friendly layout is a direct ranking factor for search engines.
- Seamless compatibility with leading SEO plugins like Rank Math and Yoast SEO
SEO Performance in Real-World Use
Here is how Astra’s SEO features translate into real-world benefits:
- Combination of fast loading, responsive design, and schema markup means the site is more likely to perform well in search and provide a good user experience.
- While no theme guarantees #1 ranking, Astra gives you a strong technical foundation and is less likely to be held back by theme-based SEO issues.
Astra’s SEO & Schema Support
When theme-based SEO pitfalls i.e. slow speed, poor mobile performance, missing schema markup are increasingly penalized by search engines, Astra remains one of the safest bets.
Its built-in schema support and SEO-friendly architecture makes it a strong foundation.
Pros and Cons of Astra Theme
Every WordPress theme will have merits and demerits. Let us get to know the pros and cons of Astra theme:
Pros of Astra Theme
- It is the most lightweight theme. Astra theme is using Vanilla JavaScript without jQuery for website speed optimization.
- Offers more free starter templates and page builder support on their free version. With this theme, you can design anything on your website.
- They have a dedicated 24/7 support team for live chat. Provides users with in-depth, step by step articles and online guides for their knowledge base.
- It is entirely responsive and SEO-friendly. Works with WordPress SEO plugins like Yoast, Rank Math, etc.
- It is convenient with all types of page builders. It is the best way to design a professional grade website without coding knowledge.
- Offers Site Layout module and manages the website’s overall layout. In this module, display your primary content in a boxed layout, full width, & fluid layout. And inserts specific margins, padding, etc.
Cons of Astra Theme
- Limited customization options & theme features are available in the free version.
- No chat support option and external CSS file generation in free version.
Astra Theme Customer Support Review (My Honest Experience)
Having used both Astra Free and Astra Pro, I have had several chances to interact with their support team, and I can confidently say, Astra’s customer service has improved a lot over the years.
When I first started with the free version, I ran into a small layout issue with my blog sidebar.
I reached out through their ticket-based support, and although it took about 2–3 business days for a response, the support agent was friendly and gave a clear, working solution.
For a free product, that kind of assistance felt more than fair, especially considering that most free themes offer little to no support at all.
After upgrading to Astra Pro, the experience got noticeably better. Their premium support team typically responds within 24 hours, and the answers are not only fast but also technically detailed.
When I had an issue with the Astra Header Footer Builder after a WordPress update, the support team diagnosed it quickly, sent me a fix, and even followed up to make sure it worked.
Recently, Astra also introduced VIP Support, which guarantees a 2-hour response time, perfect for agencies or professionals who need urgent fixes.
While I haven’t personally needed that level of service yet, it is great to know that such an option exists for those running client projects or business-critical sites.
Beyond ticket support, Astra’s knowledge base, documentation, and YouTube tutorials are among the best i have seen.
They make troubleshooting easy for beginners and non-tech users alike.
Astra Testimonials
Pricing Plans
The core Astra theme is available for free at the WordPress library.
Astra theme free version has got good features. For beginners, it is great. If you want to scale in corporate, I recommend Astra Pro features for better enhancement and functionality.
What You Get with Each Plan
Astra Pro: This plan costs $69/year. Includes all premium modules, Drag and Drop Styling, Visual Site Builder, Predefined Site Layouts, Custom Page Headers, Advanced Header & Footer Builder, Mega Menu Builder, Blog Layout Options.
Additionally, you get advanced integrations, WooCommerce for Online Stores, LMS Plugins for Selling Online Courses, and Page Builders.
Premium Support, Regular Product Updates, 14-Days Refund Guarantee and it is suitable for beginners and business owners.
Essential Toolkit: This plan costs you $119/year. It includes all the Astra Pro features + Bundled Premium Plugins: 300+ Premium Starter Templates, Spectra Pro Page Builder $49 Included, Ultimate Elementor Add-ons $49 Included. Perfect for freelancers and creators.
Business Toolkit: This plan costs you $209/year. Everything in the Essential Toolkit includes Bundled Premium Plugins, 300+ Premium Starter Templates, Spectra Pro Page Builder $49 Included, Ultimate Elementor Add-ons $49 Included, AI Website Builder Included, SureFeedback $99 Included. Complete solutions for agencies and marketers.
Additionally you get other bonuses, OttoKit Pro (6mo) $54 Free, ZipWP Pro (3mo) $60 Free, SkillJet Membership $1199 Free
Deals & Discounts: Astra often runs seasonal discounts especially during Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and New Year sales offering up to 50% off on both annual and lifetime licenses.
Plus, every plan comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Astra risk-free.
Final Verdict of Astra Pricing
Astra’s pricing remains one of the most competitive in the WordPress ecosystem.
Whether you are building a single site or managing dozens, Astra offers the perfect balance of performance, affordability, and long-term value.
Final Thoughts
Astra Theme continues to prove why it remains one of the most trusted and widely used WordPress themes in the world.
It is lightweight, fast and flexible enough to suit everyone from first-time bloggers to full time digital agencies.
Those who are looking for a customizable WordPress theme with a fast loading speed, Astra is the recommended theme for blogging-based websites.
Design options increase with the Pro version. It gives access to the mega menu, custom layouts and more customization capabilities.
Fully compatible with WooCommerce, LearnDash, LifterLMS or Elementor means that you can use it also for your online store or online academy.
You can personalize your site’s look using global settings, visual builders, and starter templates with no coding required.
With a massive global user base and an active support team, help is always within reach.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Astra WordPress Theme
Is Astra really free?
Yes, the Astra Theme is completely free and available in the official WordPress theme directory. The free version includes essential customization options, responsive layouts, and compatibility with major page builders like Elementor and Gutenberg.
How does Astra handle WooCommerce integration?
Astra integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce. It offers built-in styling for product pages, shopping carts, and checkout layouts without the need for extra plugins. With Astra Pro, you get even more advanced controls, such as grid layouts, infinite scroll, and product styling options.
Is Astra suitable for multilingual websites?
Yes. Astra is fully compatible with popular translation and multilingual plugins like WPML, Polylang, and TranslatePress. You can create a site in multiple languages without affecting performance or layout. Astra’s code also follows best practices for localization, so it is translation-ready out of the box.
Is Astra suitable for beginner bloggers?
Definitely! Astra theme is a great choice for beginners. Its interface is simple, intuitive, and works smoothly with the WordPress Customizer, so you can see real-time design changes.
Is Astra a good theme?
Yes, Astra is widely considered one of the best multipurpose WordPress themes.
It is lightweight, highly flexible, and maintained by a reputable team (Brainstorm Force).
Is Astra a good theme for SEO?
Absolutely. Astra is built with clean, SEO-friendly code, supports schema markup, and loads extremely fast, all crucial factors for search rankings. It is also mobile-responsive and works great with SEO plugins like Rank Math and Yoast SEO, giving you full control over meta tags, breadcrumbs, and schema settings.
Can I use Astra Theme without Elementor?
Yes, you can use Astra without Elementor. Astra works perfectly with the native Gutenberg block editor and other builders like Beaver or Brizy.
Astra is an excellent theme for wordpress, I have been using it for my website for the past 5 years, it's getting better with each update, which is great!