There is, of course, a reason why premium themes exist, and it might turn out that a premium theme actually is a better option for your unique situation, especially as your blog starts growing.Įven if you start with a free WordPress theme, here are some reasons to consider going Pro in the future: If you noticed above, you’ll see I used phrases like “inherent difference.” That’s because I wanted to hedge my bets a little bit. So if you absolutely love a free WordPress theme, it comes from a quality developer who maintains it, and it does everything you need it to already, just use it and be happy! That doesn’t mean premium themes have no benefits There’s not a single inherent difference between free themes vs premium themes and there’s no reason you need to feel compelled to use a premium WordPress theme.
The code doesn’t suddenly become “better” when you crack open your wallet, right? For example, the Astra theme that came so highly recommended comes in both a free and a premium version, and the “core” theme is exactly the same between each.
What’s more, many themes are both free and premium. And, of course, the opposite can also be true. You can have well-maintained free themes, and premium themes that haven’t been updated in years. You can have perfectly coded free themes and poorly coded premium themes. It’s just impossible to make those generalizations based solely on a theme’s price tag. Have you seen people write stuff like “premium themes are coded better than free themes”? Or “premium themes offer better designs”? How about “premium themes load faster than free themes”? Or even “premium themes are more secure than free themes”?Īs someone who makes his living in the WordPress space, let me tell you that none of that is true.
When it comes to free WordPress themes vs premium WordPress themes, there are a lot of misconceptions out there. Free WordPress Themes vs Premium Themes: Is There a Difference?