If you’ve been researching WordPress themes, it’s nearly impossible not to come across Astra. Touted as one of the fastest and most customizable themes for WordPress, Astra has crossed over 2 million active installations — and for good reason.
But in 2025, is Astra still worth it? Is it still the top choice for bloggers, agencies, and eCommerce sites? What makes it different from other popular WordPress themes like GeneratePress, Kadence, or OceanWP?
In this detailed Astra Theme Review (2025), we’ll cover everything you need to know:
- What is Astra?
- Key Features of Astra Theme
- Speed & Performance Test
- Customization Options
- Astra Starter Templates
- Astra for WooCommerce
- Astra Pro Features
- Pros & Cons
- Astra Theme Pricing
- Astra vs Competitors
- Who Should Use Astra?
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
Let’s dive in.
⭐ What is Astra Theme?
Astra is a lightweight, fast-loading, and highly customizable WordPress theme developed by Brainstorm Force. Launched in 2017, Astra has become one of the most downloaded free themes on the WordPress.org repository.
Quick Stats:
- Developer: Brainstorm Force
- Active Installations: 2M+
- Free Version: Yes
- Premium Version: Yes
- Use Cases: Blog, Portfolio, WooCommerce Store, Business Website, eLearning, Agency Sites
Astra was built with speed and flexibility in mind — allowing beginners and pros alike to design beautiful websites without writing code.
🔑 Key Features of Astra Theme
Here’s what sets Astra apart:
1. Lightning Fast Performance
- No jQuery (Uses Vanilla JS)
- Page size <50KB
- Loads in <0.5 seconds
- Optimized code and performance-focused development
2. Deep Integration with Page Builders
- Elementor
- Beaver Builder
- Brizy
- Gutenberg
- Spectra (by Brainstorm Force)
3. Pre-Built Starter Templates
- 250+ starter sites for different niches (blogs, eCommerce, portfolios, etc.)
- One-click import
- Compatible with major page builders
4. Header and Footer Builder
- Drag-and-drop header/footer builder (Free + Pro)
- Sticky headers, transparent headers, mobile header layouts
5. Custom Layouts
- Hooks & Filters for developers
- Display conditions (Pro)
- Page-specific layouts
6. Accessibility Ready & SEO Optimized
- Clean schema markup
- Built-in support for Yoast, RankMath, All in One SEO
- WCAG 2.0 standards
7. WooCommerce Ready
- Grid/list view options
- Infinite scroll
- Quick view
- Sales bubbles
- Mobile-friendly cart design
🚀 Speed & Performance Test
Speed is one of Astra’s main selling points. Let’s look at real-world performance using GTmetrix and Google PageSpeed Insights.
✅ Astra Theme with No Plugins or Customization
- GTmetrix Score: A (100%)
- Page Size: 44 KB
- Load Time: 0.6 seconds
- Requests: 6
✅ Astra + Elementor + Starter Template
- GTmetrix Score: A (96–100%)
- Page Size: 600–900 KB (depends on template)
- Load Time: ~1.2 seconds
- Requests: ~25
Compared to bloated themes, Astra’s load time and optimization are still top-tier in 2025.
🎨 Customization Options
Astra is built for flexibility. You don’t need to know any CSS or code to make a stunning website.
🛠️ Customizer Features (Free):
- Header layouts (left, center, right)
- Logo control
- Color and typography settings
- Blog layout: Grid, list, masonry
- Sidebar layout (none, left, right)
- Transparent header toggle
- Sticky header (Pro)
✨ Astra Pro Adds:
- Mega Menu support
- Custom fonts & spacing control
- White label support
- Blog Pro: Date box, read time, grid enhancements
- WooCommerce controls
- Custom layout conditions
- 404 Page customization
Astra Pro unlocks next-level design control, especially useful for agencies or developers.
🧰 Astra Starter Templates
Starter Templates make building websites a breeze.
🔍 What You Get:
- 250+ professionally designed templates
- One-click import
- Built with Elementor, Gutenberg, Beaver Builder, or Brizy
- Category filters (blog, agency, eCommerce, etc.)
- Responsive and SEO-ready
New in 2025: AI-powered suggestions based on industry & niche.
👉 See Astra Starter Templates
🛒 Astra for WooCommerce
Running an online store? Astra is fully WooCommerce-ready with premium features to improve UX and conversions.
🛍️ Free Features:
- Shop page grid/list
- Product image zoom
- Off-canvas filters
- Optimized cart layout
💎 Pro Features:
- Infinite scroll
- Gallery layouts
- Sticky cart
- Sale bubble styles
- Checkout customizer
- Quick view & product navigation
With Astra Pro + WooCommerce Addon, your store becomes fast, flexible, and conversion-focused.
🧠 Astra Pro Features in Detail
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Colors & Typography | Global control over fonts, headings, and colors |
| Custom Layouts | Insert content inside header, footer, 404 page, etc. |
| Mega Menu | Add advanced dropdowns with images, links |
| Header Sections | Multiple header rows, mobile headers |
| Blog Pro | Advanced blog layout customization |
| Nav Menu Styling | More control over menu design |
| Sticky Header | Keep headers fixed on scroll |
| Scroll to Top Button | Toggle back-to-top button |
| White Labeling | Rebrand theme for client projects |
| LearnDash & LifterLMS Integration | eLearning ready design |
| WooCommerce Add-on | Deep WooCommerce customization |
📈 Astra Theme: Pros and Cons
✅ Pros:
- Blazing fast performance
- Free version is feature-rich
- Extensive customization options
- Compatible with all major builders
- Regular updates and solid support
- Great for blogs, business, stores, and agencies
❌ Cons:
- Some design elements require Astra Pro
- Lacks built-in advanced animations (can be added via builders)
- No built-in popup builder
💰 Astra Pricing
Astra offers both free and premium versions. The free version is already powerful, but Astra Pro gives you unmatched flexibility.
✅ Astra Pro Pricing (2025):
| Plan | Annual | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|
| Astra Pro | $59/year | $299 |
| Essential Toolkit (Pro + Spectra Pro + Starter Templates) | $129/year | $499 |
| Business Toolkit (Agency Use) | $199/year | $699 |
👉 View Astra Plans & Pricing
Money-Back Guarantee: 14-day risk-free refund policy.
🔁 Astra vs Other WordPress Themes (2025)
| Feature | Astra | GeneratePress | Kadence | OceanWP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customizer Options | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Free Templates | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Page Builder Friendly | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| WooCommerce Features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pro Pricing (Annual) | $59 | $59 | $79 | $54 |
Astra stands out for its balance of performance + design freedom.
🎯 Who Should Use Astra Theme?
Use Astra if you are:
- A beginner building a WordPress blog or website
- A freelancer or agency serving multiple clients
- A WooCommerce store owner
- A course creator using LearnDash or LifterLMS
- Someone who values speed, SEO, and design freedom
❓ Astra Theme FAQs
1. Is Astra free?
Yes, Astra has a free version available on WordPress.org with many core features.
2. Is Astra Pro worth it?
If you want full control over your design, WooCommerce, and layout, Astra Pro is absolutely worth the investment.
3. Does Astra work with Elementor?
Yes. Astra is optimized for Elementor and includes dozens of starter templates built with it.
4. Is Astra good for SEO?
Yes, it follows best SEO practices, loads fast, and is schema-integrated.
5. Can Astra be used for eCommerce?
Definitely. Astra’s WooCommerce integration makes it ideal for stores of all sizes.
🏁 Final Verdict: Is Astra the Best WordPress Theme in 2025?
After thoroughly testing Astra in 2025, we can confidently say:
✅ Yes, Astra is still one of the best WordPress themes for anyone who values speed, flexibility, SEO, and ease of use.
Whether you’re building a simple blog, a professional portfolio, or a high-converting WooCommerce store, Astra delivers across the board — especially when paired with Astra Pro and Spectra.
💡 Final Tip: If you want premium design without bloated code, Astra is a safe and future-proof choice.
🔗 Ready to Try Astra?
👉 Download Astra Free Theme
👉 Get Astra Pro + Toolkit