When creating a blog on WordPress, it’s important to ensure you have a theme with the right features, design, support, and functionality to achieve your vision. The best WordPress themes for bloggers ideally would not require you to hire much, if any, outside help. You want a theme that doesn’t get in the way of your ability to create and publish content easily but also something powerful enough that you’re able to create unique content experiences for your readers.
In the deep and vast ocean of WordPress Themes, finding the perfect theme for your blog can feel like being adrift in foggy weather, especially for beginners. That’s why in this article, we’ll shine a light on the themes you need to check out for your blog. Firstly, we’ll start by explaining what makes a good WordPress theme. Then, we’ll cover what makes a good WordPress theme for bloggers and which WordPress themes we recommend based on our experience.
Let’s get to it!
What Makes a Theme the Best WordPress Theme for Bloggers?
You’re not here to find a WordPress theme. You want one that will be ideal for blogging. However, it is worth mentioning that there is a baseline of quality that all WordPress Themes (at least the ones we feel are worth recommending) should meet. We’ve covered that baseline criteria in detail in our list of the best free WordPress themes. But for your convenience, here’s a quick summary.
Attributes of the best WordPress Themes for Bloggers:
- Serious ongoing development.
- Good reviews and other positive social proof.
- Tight security.
- Broad browser compatibility.
- Essential WordPress plugin compatibility.
- Compatibility with major page builders.
- Translation and multilingual ready.
- Good user-experience design.
- Meaningful support options.
- High-quality responsive and mobile design options.
- Pre-made design resources and design features that allow you to meet your specific needs.
Every theme featured in our list below fits this criterion. But what got them on this specific list is how they meet this criterion or even build upon it to benefit bloggers. Here’s a quick list of examples to demonstrate what that means.
Additional attributes for the best WordPress Theme for bloggers:
- Multiple blog post templates
- Breadcrumb navigation through content
- Right-to-Left language support
- Built-in support for various page-builders and the Block Editor
- Typography chosen for readability
- Page-speed optimizations, including AMP, render-blockers, and lightweight features
A good WordPress theme for bloggers means that the content is placed at the forefront, and the reader has no barriers to consuming it. That means it has to be easy to read, fast to load, and simple to navigate. Each theme we list below prioritizes these concerns over everything else.
10 of the Best WordPress Themes for Bloggers
Here is our list of the best WordPress themes for bloggers. From customizations to kits, we know that you’ll be able to find your next blog theme right here!
1. Divi
For good reason, Divi is our flagship product–and the world’s most popular premium WordPress theme. Divi is a whole website-building suite of tools in WordPress theme form. Users get complete design control (without coding), deep WooCommerce integration, lead generation features, split testing features, design efficiency features, massive extendibility, and tons of free design resources. Among these free resources are Divi layout packs (released weekly and added to the Divi Library).
Key Divi Features for Bloggers
Divi has native modules that bloggers can use to add dynamic blog content throughout their sites and style them with ease. The Blog module is powerful and versatile, allowing users to create blog pages in seconds. You can even choose different custom post types and categories when displaying posts throughout your site.
Some of our free layout packs (like Blogger, and Technology News) are perfect for bloggers who want to get a complete blog site design up and running in no time. Plus, there are plenty of free blog post templates available for download on our blog that you can for site-wide blog post design. These blog templates can be used to design blog posts that use the Gutenberg block editor for the best of both worlds. And you can easily create your own blog post template from scratch. Also, you can use dynamic content to display post content using Divi modules!
One of Divi’s best features for bloggers is the Theme Builder. It lets you use Divi’s visual editor to design header, footer, post, page, product, and archive templates. Once created, you can assign a template to any page, post, post category, author page, post archive, and more throughout your WordPress website. Bloggers can easily create category page templates from scratch or download free category page templates from the blog.
Other blogger-friendly Divi features:
- Deep Yoast SEO and Rank Math Integration for SEO
- Advanced email opt-in form module with support for all of the major email providers
- Advanced forms building module to capture information
- Advanced split testing functionality–called Divi Leads–to help you perfect your content marketing funnels
- Enhanced Gutenberg Block Editor integration. You can include Divi modules and layouts inside Gutenberg blocks.
- In-editor, drag-and-drop media uploads
Pricing: Paid plans start at $89 per year
2. Astra
Astra has taken a much-deserved spot near the top of the WordPress theme repository. It is one of the best WordPress themes for bloggers because it’s a blank slate for bloggers to take and shape into precisely the kind of theme they want. With a robust free version and a powerful Pro upgrade, Astra allows user control over the headers, layouts, colors, typography, and blog/blog archive pages. Add in support for all the major page builder plugins, and Astra becomes one of the best WordPress themes for bloggers.
You can use the standalone Divi Builder plugin with the theme and get access to all our layouts, too! Many people use page-builder plugins like Elementor or Beaver Builder with Astra because every aspect is modular and customizable.
Key Astra Features for Bloggers:
The Astra theme’s website database contains different pages and templates you can use for your blog. Because of the ubiquity of page builders, you can search for the perfect look by the software you prefer.
Other blogger-friendly Astra features:
- Incredibly lightweight and performance optimized
- Full customization from the ground up
- An incredible library of pre-built websites, sorted by page-builder compatibility, for free and Pro users
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $49 per year
3. OceanWP
OceanWP is one of the most downloaded themes on the WordPress.org theme repository for a reason. It is fast and flexible in its free version and pro upgrade. Built-in support for every major page builder means you shouldn’t be hit with problems no matter which plugin you use. The code for OceanWP is clean and easily added to, and the developers have 100+ demo theme templates that you can import and edit with your favorite builder plugin. With RTL support and being ready-made for translation and customization, OceanWP deserves a look.
Key OceanWP Features for Bloggers:
The OceanWP demo themes can be quickly sorted and imported into your site. Once there, you can mix and match elements from any you like to create the blog your readers clamor for. The number of demo sites and templates you can access with OceanWP is staggering.
Other blogger-friendly OceanWP features:
- RTL language and translation support
- Demo theme gallery made for page builders
- Pro upgrade includes extensions, demos, and widgets
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $54 per year
4. Hello Elementor
Hello Elementor is the perfect canvas for a custom-built blog. Powered by Elementor, a popular WordPress theme and page builder, Hello Elementor is the best WordPress theme for bloggers comfortable using this builder.
Key Hello Elementor Features for Bloggers:
You can take complete control of your blog page and templates with the Elementor plugin’s power and the Hello Elementor theme. Create templates for individual blog categories. Make custom headers and footers for your blog. Alternatively, you can create global site parts for your blog, giving you full control and flexibility across every aspect of your blog.
Other blogger-friendly Hello Elementor features:
- Built for speed, have your blog posts and pages load quickly
- 100+ ready-to-use website kits to pull inspiration from for blog posts and blog page design
- 100+ modules packed into a visual builder, making building your blog easy
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $59 per year
5. Neve
Neve rounds out our list with another fully-customizable theme for bloggers right within the theme customizer. More than that, Neve is built for speed. Where some themes say they prioritize speed, Neve takes it to the next level with AMP compatibility that doesn’t come native in WordPress. With access to 80+ starter sites, custom layouts for different pages, and a white-label option, Neve is a complete blogging platform. And when you load your favorite page builder plugin like the Divi Builder, your readers won’t have anything but good things to say about you.
Key Neve Features for Bloggers:
Neve has an entirely separate options menu from the theme customizer, letting you access colors, logos, layouts, and your content from within a single page in your dashboard instead of having it spread out. You can install starter site layouts from here, find premium plugins that may help, and more.
Other blogger-friendly Neve features:
- No jQuery to block site rendering
- 1-click rollbacks if something goes wrong
- Support for RTL and translation
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $99 per year
6. GeneratePress
No matter what kind of WordPress web you’re building, GeneratePress is an excellent starting spot. With a focus on speed and performance, you can create a lightening fast blog website with GeneratePress. As a theme, GeneratePress provides a clean, minimal design that is modern and compliant with WCAG 2.0 standards. It is also a theme that is flexible enough to work with many of the popular page builders available for WordPress, including Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, and more.
Key GeneratePress Features for Bloggers:
Touted as the premiere block-based theme builder, bloggers can rejoice at the level of customization that they can have with their blog page and blog post templates. GeneratePress and its GenerateBlocks plugin visually build every aspect of your blog quickly, without having to learn a single coding language.
Other blogger-friendly GeneratePress features:
- Fully responsive, with valid HTML and CSS
- Translated in 25+ languages and has RTL support
- 60+ color controls, five navigation locations, five sidebar layouts, and more
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $59 per year
7. StudioPress
With powerful site-building tools and support for WordPress’ Gutenberg, StudioPress’ Genesis Pro is a WordPress theme made with the blogger in mind. Genesis Pro is packaged with a full suite of pre-built custom sections that you can use to build your WordPress blog quickly. Take complete control of the Gutenberg editor with Genesis-specific content blocks that make using the block editor a breeze. When building your blog, Genesis Pro takes customization to the next level. You can even create, save and reuse content blocks to keep a consistent theme as you build your new blogging website.
Key StudioPress Features for Bloggers:
Genesis Blocks is a fast way to build your blog, pages, and site with Genesis Pro. The premium block library boasts an ever-growing selection of sections, layouts, and blocks that you can chop and change as you see fit for your blog. Powered by the block editor, customization is quick and easy for you. This enhances your workflow as a blogger, allowing you to create your content faster and on brand.
Other blogger-friendly StudioPress features:
- One-click theme setup with theme customizer
- Gutenberg block editor compatible
- Unique theme templates, including Instagram page, service page, and landing page templates
Pricing: $360 per year
8. Lovecraft
Who would have thought a theme named after such a prolific writer would be so good for blogging? Well, we would, which is why it’s here on this list. Lovecraft is designed, first and foremost to be elegant and beautiful. While you won’t get the full customization with Lovecraft, page-builder plugins can always enhance whatever you need. Varied post types, including asides that will show up in your feed alongside full posts, make Lovecraft one of the best WordPress themes for bloggers, especially when you consider that it’s free and the developer has kept it updated for the past six years.
Key Lovecraft Features for Bloggers:
Lovecraft is a minimal theme built to be readable and easy to navigate. The typography and available widgets and options make this a great theme for anyone wanting to jump in and start writing. And with the totally free price tag, there’s very little reason not to give it a shot.
Other blogger-friendly Lovecraft features:
- Free and continuously updated
- Default fonts were explicitly chosen for readability and beauty
- Integration with Jetpack to add even more display options, editor styles, and translations
Pricing: Free
9. Hemingway
While discussing blogging themes named after writers, let’s discuss Hemingway. Known for his straightforward, nothing-extra writing style, Hemingway’s namesake theme follows that same path. Block Editor and page builder support means you can cut the extra and get down to content creation.
Key Hemingway Features for Bloggers:
Hemingway’s speed is one of its top features. The two column-theme for bloggers takes after the writer from whom it takes a name and creates a simple space where you can read and write without distraction.
Other blogger-friendly Hemingway features:
- Block Editor and page builder support
- Lightweight and fast
- Simple, minimal effects on elements
Pricing: Free
10. Writee Pro
Writee is not only fun to say but fun to use as well. The Pro version is where the power of this theme lies. With it, you get an integrated post slider, multiple headers, animations on menu hover, and nearly a decade of support and upgrades.
Key Writee Pro Features for Bloggers:
The ease with which you can swap between elements and layouts in Writee Pro is incredible. Additionally, your options for those swaps give you many potential sites. The developer website has many demos, and any page builder layouts you import will also work.
Other blogger-friendly Writee Pro features:
- Importable demo site templates
- Incredibly language and translation support
- Dozens of pre-built layouts for elements you can change with a click
Pricing: Free, Paid plans start at $49.99 per year
What are the Best WordPress Themes for Bloggers?
| Themes | Price | Free Version | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Divi | $89/year | ❌ | Visit |
| 🥈 | Astra | $49/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 🥉 | OceanWP | $49/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 4 | Hello Elementor | $59/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 5 | Neve | $99/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 6 | GeneratePress | $59/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 7 | StudioPress | $360/year | ✔️ | Visit |
| 8 | Lovecraft | $0 | ✔️ | Visit |
| 9 | Hemingway | $0 | ✔️ | Visit |
| 10 | Writee | $49.99/year | ✔️ | Visit |
The WordPress ecosystem has no shortage of themes. Therefore you have so many to choose from that it can be overwhelming to start looking. But if you grab and install any of the themes on this list, you will be happy with your site’s looks, feels, and treats your visitors. Divi gives you the most power for your blog. Its Theme Builder puts customization directly into your kind, enabling you to build the blog website of your dreams. For a free alternative, Astra can provide you with a stable set of tools and site options to create a powerful yet beautiful blog on WordPress. Lastly, consider OceanWP for your blog if scalability and aspects you’d like to make are front and center of your blog development journey.
When your focus is blogging, and you want the best of the best to represent the best of your best, these are the best WordPress themes for bloggers. And for people wanting to build websites that convert visitors to subscribers or customers, check out some of these lead generation plugins that work with any theme.
Article thumbnail illustration by Antlii / shutterstock.com
Divi
Astra
OceanWP
I have been a loyal customer of Studiopress for 4 years now. This is a sin but I would love to give these theme a try for my next blog 🙂 It’s hard to resist the Grand, LetsBlog and John Doe’s blog theme!!!
There’s nothing wrong with looking at alternatives – of course, we’re pretty proud of our offerings too. 🙂
You should be proud of your offerings, they’re great! If you’re looking for a new project though, I’d love something similar to the Flow theme highlighted here 😉
And then there was Divi… still the ultimate WordPress Theme for blogging too!
Extra is a close second.
Thanks for your kind words!
Love the Writing Blog. really clean theme. But i’m still looking for a Medium like blog theme out there.
Keep searching, Ramon – I’m sure the right theme is out there!
EXTRA looks really nice
Thanks Alex!
where’s Divi 🙁
Thanks for sharing the list of best WordPress themes for bloggers. I have been using writing blog for last few months. The theme is clean and loads very fast.
Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for sharing. The design of the number 1 of this list (Extra) should be refined, the design is outdated and not very sophisticated. I hope that the ET team (now busy with Divi) will have the occasion to take a look at it.
@ Leo
Hmm, there is no accounting for tastes–in my view, Extra is one of the most beautiful blog themes out there. Just thought so today when seeing a site run on this theme, and *really* surprised when reading your opinion. Well, to each their own. 🙂
So Divi is on 31? or lower? 🙂
No, Divi isn’t beneath the rest of this list. 🙂 Of course, it’s very much suitable for blogging – but you already know that. 😉
I’m interested to using DIVI for future. Now i’m using mythemeshop theme at my blog.
Welcome. 😀
Take a look around our archives to see what Divi can do for you – then take our demo site for a spin (https://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/divi/).
It would be more useful if you could outline how to achieve some of these layouts & styling elements using divi.
Thanks for the input Gen. That’s not what this particular post is about, but we are working on doing more Divi layout posts and tutorials.
Let’s Blog is Best among all of these. These will helps bloggers to choose right one. Thanks for sharing 🙂
No problem, Kamlesh!
Great post! I was looking for a change on my blog!
We’ve come along at the right time, Jordan!
what’s the difference between Divi & Extra?
good themes. can your provide some themes for directory lisitng. since i m starting a lisitng business.
We don’t have anything in the pipeline right now, but there’s nothing to say we won’t consider it in the future. 🙂
The best, in my opinion, is the one who gives you the most flexibility, but I would prefer a framework then design a child them for it.
There are benefits to both niche and flexible themes, but I guess you’re more on the side of a multipurpose solution with an integrated page builder? 😉
Hi guys,
i use Divi and i think that it is the best.
Has Divi the same functionality of extra for blog posts?
in what are they different?
Thx in advance
gian
That’s hard to say without knowing your specific needs. However, you should check out the live demo of each – that will hopefully help your decision making process.
Good luck. 😀
Most themes from the list are just clones of Solopine. Some of themes are really outdated.
The ones that look fresh are Voyager, Authentic and Flow.
Thanks for your comment, Romero!
I need a blog to give a course on solar energy. Each post is quite large, he needs pictures in various parts of each post. There are many posts. Which of the existing themes you advise me?
Arnaldo, almost all of our themes will be suitable. If you’re after flexibility and power, we suggest Divi. 😉
Could these themes theoretically be built with Divi?
We’ve not looked at that in-depth here, as that was beyond the scope of the article. However, we’re confident you could get at least extremely close using Divi. 🙂 Extra is also one of our themes, so you wouldn’t need to recreate that.
Thanks for your question!
Noemi looks minimalist with an edge. I might opt for that if I get bored with my current theme.
This is a great article – THANKS for writing it. However, it seems to be only for people starting NEW blogs.
What about if we have an older, existing blog and we want a BETTER theme? For example, one currently on Automattic’s TwentySixteen theme? It’s what was available at the time (before I found Divi), but I’d love to convert it to Divi. However, I don’t want to have to reformat every page on the site.
Any suggestions?
When switching a theme there is always going to be some manual tweaking required to get things just right. I’m biased, obviously, but I think you might have more luck with making the switch to Divi than you think. You’ll be able to design a single post template with the Divi theme builder which will style all of your existing posts at once.
Why is GeneratePress not on the list?
Thank you for this article. All of the mentioned themes are great. I think Blocksy is also doing well these days.
I can say that the premium themes from elegantthemes is the best of the WP themes available on internet.
I use Divi, and I stay with Divi.
Lots of lovely themes there 🙂
I really don’t find the time (nor the courage to experiment with other themes now). I am always paranoid that something might break, links could vanish, and go knows what else.
Further, as a marketer, my complete focus is on “growth” and not as much on “build, create”. So, I don’t mind if the blog is a little old and boring to look at.
The only thing that matters for me is just how well the blog is doing growth-wise, results-wise, and whether or not it’s doing what it was supposed to do.
Content rules.
Every time I see another theme I get distracted… This was helpful in showing me what I want though!