Astra Theme Review (2026): Free vs Pro, Pricing and Templates

Our verdict: Astra is a safe, flexible choice for most WordPress sites. The free theme is enough for many blogs, small business sites and simple stores, and it works with the block editor, Elementor, Beaver Builder and most other builders. Astra Pro is worth paying for if you need sticky headers, mega menus, custom layouts or deeper WooCommerce controls. Skip Astra if you want the lightest possible theme for a developer workflow (look at GeneratePress), a block-first theme with more free design controls (look at Kadence), or you build everything inside Elementor Pro anyway (Hello Elementor is enough).

The video at the top of this page walks through installing Astra and its first-run setup, so you can see the dashboard and Customizer before you install anything yourself.

Astra Quick Facts

Facts below were checked on WordPress.org and wpastra.com in October 2026.

Item	Details
Latest version	4.14.0 (released September 24, 2026)
Free version	Yes, on WordPress.org, no license key needed
Astra Pro price	$69/year for 3 sites (add-on only), or $249 one-time
Bundles	$99 to $279 for the first year, renewing at $149 to $429/year
Active installs	1+ million on WordPress.org; Brainstorm Force reports about 1.9 million sites
Rating	4.9 out of 5 from about 6,500 WordPress.org reviews
Last updated	September 24, 2026
Refund window	14 days
Best suited for	Blogs, business sites, WooCommerce stores, course sites, and freelancers who build sites for clients

What Is the Astra Theme?

The Astra dashboard on a fresh install of the free theme, October 2026.

Astra is a WordPress theme made by Brainstorm Force, a company that has built WordPress products since 2009. Its other products include Spectra (a block editor plugin that started life as Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg), Ultimate Addons for Elementor and Beaver Builder, CartFlows, Schema Pro, Convert Pro and the Starter Templates plugin.

Astra launched in 2017. The idea was a theme that stays light by default and lets you add features only when you need them. It is a classic theme, which means you design the site in the WordPress Customizer (Appearance > Customize) instead of the newer Site Editor that block themes use.

The base theme is free on WordPress.org. Astra Pro is a separate plugin that you install on top of the free theme to unlock more options (upload it under Plugins, not Themes; see how to install a WordPress theme). You never switch themes to upgrade, so your settings carry over.

Astra is one of the most installed themes in the WordPress.org directory. WordPress.org shows “1+ million” active installs, which is the highest bracket it displays. Brainstorm Force’s own site puts the number at about 1.9 million websites.

Astra Free vs Astra Pro

Astra’s own Free vs Toolkit table. The header and footer builder is free; premium Starter Templates are not.

This is the question most people searching for “Astra Pro” want answered. The short answer: the free theme covers the basics well, and Pro adds polish, layout control and store features.

Several reviews still claim the header builder is a Pro feature. That is out of date. Astra’s own comparison table, checked in October 2026, lists the drag-and-drop header and footer builders as free.

What the free theme includes

• Drag-and-drop header builder and footer builder, with above, primary and below rows
• A separate mobile header with an off-canvas menu
• Transparent header and breadcrumbs
• Global color palette and typography settings, Google Fonts, custom fonts and responsive font sizes
• Container layout and basic blog and single post layout controls
• Basic WooCommerce options: a drop-down cart in the header, shop columns, sale badge style and product structure
• Basic Easy Digital Downloads, LearnDash and LifterLMS support
• Schema markup and support for Yoast, Rank Math and SEOPress breadcrumbs
• Access to the free Starter Templates

What Astra Pro adds

• Sticky headers: stick on scroll, shrink, hide on scroll down and animations
• Mega menus: wide dropdowns that can show widgets or saved block editor, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi or Brizy templates
• More header elements: flyout and full-screen off-canvas menus, extra search styles, and multiple buttons, HTML and widget areas
• Site Builder (formerly Custom Layouts): build your own headers, footers, 404 page and hooks that insert content anywhere, shown by display conditions
• Page Headers: different header designs for different pages
• Site layouts: full width, max width, padded and fluid layouts, plus full color, typography, spacing and background controls
• Blog Pro: grid and masonry layouts, highlighted first post, read time, author box, infinite load and autoload of the previous post
• WooCommerce: AJAX add to cart, quantity buttons, quick view, infinite product loading, off-canvas shop sidebar, product gallery layouts, image zoom, upsells, distraction-free checkout, two-step checkout and saved checkout form data
• LMS: distraction-free learning layouts and account menus for LearnDash and LifterLMS
• Extras: white label, CSS file generation for speed, shortcodes for breadcrumbs and mini carts, and 24/7 premium support

The free version also shows upgrade prompts inside the dashboard and Customizer. They go away when Pro is active.

Do you need Astra Pro?

Stay on the free theme if you run a blog, portfolio or brochure site with a standard header. Pro makes sense when you need a sticky header or mega menu, custom templates for specific pages without Elementor Pro, a WooCommerce store where checkout matters, or white label settings for client sites. A good rule is to build on the free theme first and upgrade when you hit a wall that Pro solves.

Starter Templates

The Starter Templates library. Templates marked Premium need the Essential or Business Toolkit.

Unless you want to design your website from scratch, Starter Templates is the fastest way to get a finished-looking Astra site. It is a free plugin from the same company. It imports a complete website (pages, menus, images and settings) in one go, and it can also import a single page or a single section into an existing site.

Here is what to know as of October 2026:

• Library size: the Astra templates page lists 387 free and premium designs. The plugin’s own page says more than 150 full website templates are free.
• Builders: templates come in versions for Elementor and the block editor (using Spectra). The plugin also supports Beaver Builder.
• Plugins come along: if a template needs a booking plugin, WooCommerce or a form plugin, the importer installs it for you.
• AI builder: the plugin includes an AI website builder powered by ZipWP. You describe your business and it generates a site with copy and images. It needs a free ZipWP account.

One detail many reviews get wrong: Astra Pro alone does not unlock the premium templates. On the current pricing page, Premium Starter Templates are part of the Essential Toolkit and Business Toolkit only. The Astra Pro add-on and the Astra Pro + AI plan do not include them. If the templates are the main reason you are buying, budget for a toolkit plan.

Keep in mind that a template brings its builder with it. An Elementor template means you will maintain an Elementor site. Pick the builder you want to use for the long term before you import.

Page Builder Compatibility

Astra works with almost every popular way of building pages. Its comparison table lists support, in both free and Pro, for the block editor (Gutenberg), Spectra, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, Brizy, WPBakery and Thrive Architect.

Astra also has per-page settings for full-width or boxed layouts, turning off the sidebar, and hiding the title or breadcrumbs, so a builder gets a clean canvas to work with.

Block editor. Astra pairs with Spectra, Brainstorm Force’s block plugin, and many Starter Templates are built for it. This is the lightest way to use Astra.

Elementor. Astra is one of the most common themes used with Elementor, and Elementor templates are a large part of the Starter Templates library. The toolkit plans include Ultimate Addons for Elementor, which adds extra widgets on top of free Elementor. They do not include Elementor Pro, which is sold by a different company.

Beaver Builder. Supported, with templates and the Ultimate Addons for Beaver Builder plugin, though fewer templates are made for it.

Performance

Brainstorm Force says a default Astra site loads in about half a second and that the theme adds less than 50 KB of front-end resources. The theme uses plain (vanilla) JavaScript instead of jQuery, which avoids loading an extra library that can block page rendering. Astra Pro adds an option to generate CSS as a file, which lets browsers and caching plugins cache it.

Those numbers describe a bare install; our fastest WordPress theme benchmark compares Astra’s default page weight with eight other free themes. Your real speed depends far more on what you build with. Independent tests published by other review sites agree on one point: the page builder matters more than the theme. Astra with the block editor produces small pages. Astra with Elementor and a stack of add-ons produces much heavier ones, and the theme cannot fix that. Builders focused on lean output, such as Bricks, are another route.

If speed is your top priority, build with the block editor rather than a heavy builder, enable only the Pro modules you use, and add a caching plugin. Astra lists compatibility with WP Rocket, LiteSpeed Cache, W3 Total Cache and Autoptimize, among others.

If you want to compare Astra with the theme most often named as the lightest option, see how Astra compares with GeneratePress on performance and features.

SEO Friendliness

A theme will not rank a site on its own, but it can load quickly and output clean HTML. Astra includes Schema.org markup by default, which helps search engines understand your pages. It works with Yoast, Rank Math and SEOPress, and its breadcrumbs can use Yoast, Rank Math or Breadcrumb NavXT. For advanced schema types, Brainstorm Force sells Schema Pro as a separate plugin.

Customization and Design

The header builder in the free version of Astra.

All of Astra’s design settings live in the WordPress Customizer, with a live preview on the right. You can change the layout, colors, typography, header, footer, blog layouts and sidebars without code.

The Global Palette sets your site colors in one place. A 2026 update lets you add up to nine named colors of your own on top of Astra’s nine defaults, for example “Brand Teal”. Those colors also appear in the block editor and in Elementor, so you have one color list everywhere, and changing a color once updates it across the site.

Typography works the same way: set fonts and sizes globally, then adjust them per device, using Google Fonts or your own fonts.

Astra can feel like a lot at first, with many panels and Pro upsells mixed in. Turning off Pro modules you don’t need in the Astra dashboard keeps the Customizer tidier.

WooCommerce

Astra integrates closely with WooCommerce. The free theme gives you a header cart, shop columns and basic product layout controls. Pro adds the store features that affect sales: quick view, infinite scrolling, an off-canvas shop sidebar, product gallery styles and a distraction-free checkout. It also supports Easy Digital Downloads and SureCart.

LifterLMS and LearnDash

Astra supports LearnDash, LifterLMS and Tutor LMS. Pro adds distraction-free course and checkout pages for LearnDash and LifterLMS, so students are not pulled away by menus and sidebars while they learn or pay.

Updates, Support and Documentation

Astra is actively maintained. Version 4.14.0 shipped on September 24, 2026, and recent releases added the custom named colors, cut duplicate cart requests on WooCommerce stores, and fixed several security issues. Keep Astra and Astra Pro updated, as you would with any theme.

Astra has a large documentation library, organized by topic, plus a YouTube channel with tutorials. Free users can ask in the WordPress.org support forum. Every paid plan includes 24/7 premium support, and the Business Toolkit adds priority VIP support. There is also a large Facebook community, so most common questions already have answers online.

Astra Pricing (as of October 2026)

The Astra theme is free, and you can install it from the WordPress.org theme directory with no license key. The free version already includes the drag-and-drop Header Builder, a separate mobile header with an off-canvas menu, and global color and typography settings, as the video above shows.

The paid options are below. Prices were checked on the Astra pricing page in October 2026 and are in US dollars.

Plan	First year	Renews at	Lifetime	Sites	What you get
Astra Pro (add-on only)	$69/year	$69/year	$249	3	Astra Pro and premium support
Astra Pro + AI	$99	$149/year	$279	3	Astra Pro, ZipWP AI site builder, 1 hosted site, domain for the first year
Essential Toolkit + AI	$199	$299/year	$549	10	Adds Spectra Pro, Premium Starter Templates, Ultimate Addons for Elementor, 2 hosted sites
Business Toolkit + AI	$279	$429/year	$799	1,000	Adds SureForms Agency, AI Site Planner, VIP support, 5 hosted sites

Renewal terms to know before you buy:

• The first-year bundle prices are introductory. Bundles renew at full price. Astra says your renewal rate is locked at the price shown when you buy.
• Every site counts. Staging, local and development sites all count toward your site limit.
• Lifetime is not lifetime for everything. The theme and plugins are yours with updates for life. The AI platform and included hosting run for three years, then renew yearly.
• If you stop paying, your sites keep working. You lose updates, support, new premium templates and the AI features. Sites on the included hosting do go offline, so move them first.
• Refunds: there is no free trial of Pro, but every plan has a 14-day money-back guarantee. The free theme is the best way to try Astra before paying.
• Upgrades to a bigger plan, or from annual to lifetime, are charged as the difference in price.

Which plan fits? If you already have hosting and only want the theme features, the $69 add-on is the simplest choice. Freelancers who want premium templates and Spectra Pro should look at the Essential Toolkit. The 10-site limit is the main reason to step up to Business. Prices and plan names change often, so confirm them on the Astra website before you buy.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The free version is complete enough for many real sites, including the header and footer builder
• Light by default, with vanilla JavaScript and no jQuery
• Works with nearly every page builder, so you are not locked in
• Large Starter Templates library for both Elementor and the block editor
• Strong WooCommerce and LMS features in Pro
• A standalone Pro add-on at $69/year, plus lifetime options
• Very large user base, so tutorials and answers are easy to find
• Updated often

Cons

• Premium Starter Templates need a toolkit plan, not just Astra Pro
• Bundle prices jump at renewal, for example $99 to $149/year for Astra Pro + AI
• The Customizer has many options and can feel crowded for beginners
• Upgrade prompts show up in the free version
• Speed depends on the builder you pair it with; a heavy Elementor stack loses the advantage
• It is a classic Customizer theme, not a block theme, so it does not use the Site Editor
• Sites built from popular templates can look similar to other Astra sites unless you customize them

Astra Alternatives

Astra vs Kadence

Kadence is the closest rival. Both free themes have a drag-and-drop header and footer builder and global color and font settings, and both are light. The difference is workflow. Kadence is built around the block editor and its Kadence Blocks plugin, and its free tier is generous. Astra supports more page builders and sells a cheaper theme-only Pro add-on. Kadence is now owned by Liquid Web and has 500,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.

Choose Kadence for a new site built entirely in the block editor. Choose Astra if you use Elementor or several builders, or want a low-cost Pro upgrade. If your site already runs on one of them, switching rarely pays off.

Hello Elementor vs Astra

Hello Elementor is Elementor’s own theme, with 1+ million active installs on WordPress.org. It is almost empty on purpose: very few Customizer settings, and it expects you to build the header, footer and templates with Elementor, usually Elementor Pro’s Theme Builder.

Choose Hello if you already pay for Elementor Pro and want to design everything in one place. Choose Astra if you want a header, footer, blog layout and WooCommerce styling from the theme itself, or you are using free Elementor and don’t want to buy Elementor Pro just to build a header.

Astra vs GeneratePress

GeneratePress is the lean, developer-friendly option. It is lighter and more hook-based, with fewer templates and a plainer setup experience. Read our GeneratePress review or the head-to-head Astra vs GeneratePress comparison.

Astra vs OceanWP

OceanWP offers a lot of features for free, including extra WooCommerce options, but it is heavier by default. Our OceanWP vs Astra comparison puts the two side by side.

Verdict: Is Astra Theme Worth It?

So, is Astra worth your money?

For most people, yes. Start with the free theme and a free Starter Template. Many sites never need more.

Upgrade to the $69/year Astra Pro add-on when you need sticky headers, mega menus, custom layouts or WooCommerce checkout features. Choose the Essential Toolkit if premium templates and Spectra Pro matter to you, and remember that bundles renew at a higher price than the first year.

If you live in the block editor, compare it with Kadence first. If you only build with Elementor Pro, Hello Elementor may be all you need.

Astra Theme FAQ

Is the Astra theme free?

Yes. The Astra theme is free on WordPress.org and needs no license key. The free version includes the header and footer builder, global colors and fonts, basic WooCommerce support and the free Starter Templates. Astra Pro is an optional paid plugin.

Is Astra Pro worth it?

It is worth it if you need a specific Pro feature: sticky headers, mega menus, the Site Builder, or WooCommerce features like quick view and distraction-free checkout. For a simple blog or brochure site, the free theme is usually enough. As of October 2026, the Pro add-on costs $69/year or $249 one-time for three sites.

Do Astra Starter Templates require Astra Pro?

No. The Starter Templates plugin is free and includes more than 150 free website templates. Premium templates are only included in the Essential Toolkit and Business Toolkit. Buying Astra Pro on its own does not unlock them.

Does Astra work with Elementor?

Yes. Astra is one of the most common themes used with Elementor, and many Starter Templates are built for it. Because Astra has its own header and footer builder, free Elementor is enough; you don’t need Elementor Pro just to build a header.

Is Astra better than Kadence?

Neither is better for everyone. Kadence suits sites built entirely in the block editor and gives more design controls for free. Astra suits people who use Elementor or several builders, or who want a cheaper theme-only Pro upgrade. Both are fast enough that speed should not decide it.

What happens if I don’t renew Astra Pro?

Your site keeps working, and Astra Pro features you already use stay in place. You stop getting updates, premium support, new premium templates and the AI features. If you use the hosting included in a bundle, that site goes offline when the plan ends, so move it before you cancel.