If you are a web designer, you may already have heard about WordPress. WordPress is a famous and free content management system that lets you create your websites very fast and efficiently. It provides you with many ready-to-use themes and plugins that make you able to build a website with no coding knowledge.
WordPress Templates vs. WordPress Themes
There is no difference between a WordPress theme and a WordPress template. The two terms are used interchangeably in the real world.
But in the web design world, “template” more commonly describes a single part of a website like a header, footer, or a single web page. So when you use a WordPress template on your site (like in the Elementor page builder), it will change the relevant part only. On the other hand, a WordPress theme might be seen as a collection of templates, and it will change all visual elements of your site.
But I, as an experienced WordPress designer, didn't know the difference between a WordPress theme and template before researching it! Because even in the most prominent sources (or markets) for WordPress assets I have never seen a template category in this sense. Even in the WordPress official repository, there are only themes and plugins. No templates as such.
So since WordPress templates are limited to specific plugins like page editors, I’ll assume no practical difference between WordPress themes and WordPress templates.
Most Popular Free Templates for WordPress
There are over 8,600 free templates on the WordPress official site. In the following roundup I will show you the most downloaded free themes that have good reviews and ratings. Let's get started!
1. Astra
Astra is one of the most popular free themes available on the WordPress repository. It is a lightweight multipurpose theme, and it comes with a pro version that offers you more options and customizations for your website.
2. Hello Elementor
The creators of the Elementor page builder developed this theme. It is fully integrated with the latest version of WordPress and Elementor, and it will help you create your own website from scratch with this easy-to-use live editor.
3. OceanWP
OceanWP is another popular theme for WordPress, with more than 700,000 active installations so far. It is fully responsive, lightweight, WooCommerce ready, and works correctly with the different page builders.
4. Twenty Twenty-One
The most basic and compatible theme for WordPress! Twenty Twenty-one is the default theme whenever you kick off a fresh WordPress installation. The developers of the WordPress.org website create it so it will handle all the abilities of a WordPress website very well.
Top Free WordPress Themes for WooCommerce stores
WooCommerce is a free eCommerce plugin for WordPress, and it will help you to convert your site to an online store. Here you can find some of the best free WordPress templates for this purpose.
5. Big Store
Big Store is an elegant theme for creating a WooCommerce online store with a beautiful design and unique color schemes. It has anything that an online store needs, but it can still look clear and minimalistic.
6. Storefront
Are you looking for a theme with the most compatibility with the WooCommerce plugin on the market? So take a look at the Storefront theme! It is designed by the creators of the WooCommerce plugin (automatic team) and will help you set up your online store with no trouble.
7. Catch Shop
Using Catch Shop can be a good idea for you to create a minimalist online store with a straightforward design. This elegant theme is designed perfectly and lets you showcase your products inside the negative spaces.
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Top Free WordPress Templates for Photography websites
If you're managing a photography business, you’ll need a web presence to showcase your works, photos, and information. There are many themes in the photography category. Here you can find two of them.
8. FPhoto Snap Lite
With the lite version of the FPhoto Snap theme, you can almost access what you need to create a photography website. It provides you with valuable banners, galleries, sliders, and more. It is suitable for creative agency, designing, and photography websites.
9. Wedshot
Webshot is more than a simple photography theme. It is a well-designed WordPress theme and is suitable for local photography services or freelancers who want to display their works and contact information on a site and attract customers.
"It can be used as a general portfolio, photo studio, wedding shop, personal photography, and wedding planner website."
Best Free News and Blog Templates for WordPress
Today, it is estimated that about one–third of active websites on the internet are blogs or online magazines. These kinds of websites focus on the content and numbers of visitors and have good SEO ranks. Let's review some of the best free blog themes for WordPress CMS.
10. Newsup
Newsup is a beautiful WordPress theme with the regular looks of the typical news websites. Using this theme, you can create different post-types and categories for your news, and you can use many widgets and sidebars to showcase information on your site. You can also use this theme as an online magazine theme.
11. MinimalistBlogger
If you're a writer or a blogger and want to display your articles with no confusion, this theme will help you showcase your content in a clean and simple environment. MinimalistBlogger has also some free child themes that you can use to improve the user experience for your visitors.
12. Viral Mag
Viral Mag is a multi-use magazine theme that is a good choice for creating any post-based website. It comes with a stunning design and fantastic structure that makes your users comfortable focusing on the content and exploring quickly in your site.
Best Free Education Templates for WordPress
To build an online learning management system, you'll need an education WordPress template. These templates are entirely compatible with LMS plugins like Learndash and LearnPress.
Creating an online version of your education center can help you attract more students and grow your company. It will also give your students a better experience in their learning process. So read on to find some of the best education WordPress templates for free.
13. Education Insight
This one is a well-designed WordPress theme with the ability to be used as the main theme of an education-based website. It works correctly with most LMS plugins and is suitable for schools, kindergartens, coaching centers, and online course providers.
14. KnowledgeCenter
If you want to create a text-based online course, or if you're planning to create a directory and support website for your product, using a free directory theme is what you need to do.
KnowledgeCenter is a well-structured WordPress theme for sharing educational content on a website. Displaying different categories and tags is really simple with this theme, so when your visitors explore the content, they will not become confused, and they will not leave your site.
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Best Free WordPress Templates for an Online Business or Company
If you want to create a website with a corporate look for your company and need to download a free WordPress template, you can choose one from the free items below.
15. Expert Electrician
Expert Electrician is a free theme for those who want to create a website for local service provider companies and businesses like plumbers, electricians, Mobile Repair, Cleaning services, etc.
16. Software Agency
Software Agency is a theme for IT companies. It is designed with care and has banners and sliders that let users access your products from the homepage. It is also compatible with the WooCommerce plugin so that you can sell your products with this theme simply.
17. Smallbiz Startup
If you need a simple WordPress theme and want to create a clean agency website for your small business, Smallbiz Startup is the right choice for you.
"The design is beautiful and responsive, which makes your website look stunning on any device. It is user-friendly so that you can design your website with ease."
What are Premium WordPress Themes
Premium WordPress themes are paid items for WordPress that include more options and tools for creating a website. These professional packages come with more features like extra plugins, useful widgets, cleaner codes, and better support to help you build your website easier and faster.
Popular WordPress Themes on ThemeForest
To find and download a premium WordPress theme, you can look at the vast range of the available themes on ThemeForest. It is a massive marketplace for all web designers to sell and buy any professional theme that they need!
Let's review some of the best and most popular themes on ThemeForest.
1. Shopkeeper - eCommerce WordPress Theme for WooCommerce
Everything that you expect from a premium eCommerce theme is included in this package. A drag and drop page builder, ready-to-import demos, different header styles, stunning galleries are just some of the features of this fantastic WooCommerce theme.
2. uDesign - Responsive WordPress Theme
UDesign is a mobile-friendly, WooCommerce ready, and Elementor compatible theme for WordPress. It comes with a one-click demo importer and many pre-built websites that you can install in seconds and start your website with no effort.
3. Soledad - Multi-Concept Blog Magazine AMP WordPress Theme
A well-developed blog theme for professionals! The Soledad WordPress theme provides you with many pre-built homepages and lets you create your unique online magazine with more options and features.
4. Essentials | Multipurpose WordPress Theme
Essentials is a new-published and successful WordPress theme with more than 5,000 sales and can be used for many use cases. It comes with 37 pre-made demos and 665 built-in pages that you can use to create your unique website.
Design Your Impressive WordPress Website Today
Now you're ready to choose an item from the lists above and start your website with a free or premium theme. If you're still wondering and need more collections to choose from, then read the articles below. I hope you find what you're looking for. Good luck.
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