8 out of 10 visitors prefer websites with a clean, uncluttered design over those with a more crowded layout. Source
Simplicity speaks volumes. Minimalist WordPress themes help achieve that by reducing distractions and helping your content shine.
With clean layouts and fast load times, minimalist themes ensure visitors stay focused on what matters, your content.
As we have over 250+ templates in our collection, we know a thing or two about web design. We’ll use that experience to help you find the best minimalist themes for your next project.
In this article, we’ll discuss:
- Why minimalist themes are ideal for modern websites
- What to look for in a minimalist theme
- The top minimalist WordPress available
- Why Astra is our top pick for minimalist websites
Whether revamping your site or starting afresh, you’ll find a theme that aligns with your vision right here!
What Makes a Theme ‘Minimalist‘?
The following are what differentiates a minimalist theme from the rest of the pack:
- Focused: Embraces clean navigation so visitors can easily digest content.
- User-friendly: Clear menus and simple design help visitors quickly find what they need.
- Readable: Clean fonts and open space ensure text is easily read on any device.
- Fast: Fewer heavy scripts, large images, and complex graphics so pages load faster.
- Timeless: A simple, classic layout that remains relevant without frequent redesigns.
Here are three timeless quotes that have informed minimalism over the years.
“Less is more.”
Two luxury watch websites: One is packed with unnecessary animations and text, while the minimalist version uses a clean layout where nothing gets in the way of the watches.
The stripped-down design lets the products shine for a more focused user experience.
“The best design is the simplest one that works.“
Two car rental websites: One has autoplay videos, popup offers and a long booking form. The other has clear navigation, a special offer slider and a straightforward booking process.
The simpler design helps you get things done quickly.
“Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it.”
You’re looking for photos online. One website has lots of animations, flashy colors, and unnecessary text. The other features a clean layout with large, high-quality images and simple navigation.
The stripped-down design lets the products shine for a more focused user experience.
Minimalism promotes what’s most important (the photos).
Our 5 Favorite Minimalist WordPress Themes
All themes have something great to offer, but these 5 minimalist themes truly shine.
Theme | Design Focus | User Friendly | Readable | Fast | Timeless | Overall Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astra | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
GeneratePress | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Divi | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Neve | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Hello | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
New to WordPress and want to launch a new site? Don’t do anything without downloading our website launch checklist!
27 Best Minimalist WordPress Themes
Here’s our full list of minimalist themes:
Astra
Price | Free/From $49 per year |
Standout feature | 250+ Starter Templates |
Best for | Small businesses and web agencies |
Astra’s minimalist design keeps your site fast and smooth. The flexible header builder and visual hooks make it easy to create clean, simple layouts that feel natural to navigate.
With a simple design, clear icons, and readable fonts, visitors easily find what they need. The white-labeling feature also allows freelancers and agencies to rebrand easily.
Astra works seamlessly with popular page builders like Elementor, Spectra, and Beaver Builder.
Trusted by millions, including Stanford and NASA, Astra blends minimalist style with powerful features, making it a timeless choice for any website project.
Astra Minimalist Templates
Our Starter Templates can all be customized for minimalist sites, but these three nail clean, simple design.
eGrow Plants
eGrow Plants offers a clean, minimalist design with unique graphics and illustrations. Its full-screen visuals and balanced layout create a calm browsing experience.
Galatic
The Galatic template is a solid pick for a fast, flexible, and SEO-friendly website. It can showcase images, text, videos, and eCommerce elements with ease.
Organic Store
The Organic Store template has built-in WooCommerce integration. Its minimalist design keeps the spotlight on your products.
With social media integration and a customer feedback section, this lightweight layout is designed for conversions.
Pros of Astra
- 250+ Starter Templates to easily launch a website for any industry.
- Fully customizable layouts for a clean and professional experience.
- Sticky headers and mega menus add useful features without complication.
- Clear fonts and simple design make a site easy to read and update.
Downsides
- You’ll need to upgrade to Pro for advanced customization options.
Astra Pricing
Astra has a free option while premium plans cost from $49 per year.
Why We Picked the Astra Theme
- Astra’s minimalist approach keeps browsing simple and focused.
- Easy-to-read typography that looks great on any device.
- Fast-loading with optimized code for reduced bouncing rates.
- Timeless design with simple shapes and neutral colors.
Astra Is Great For
- Blogs and portfolios with clean, minimalist templates that keep the focus on your content.
- Minimalist online stores. It pairs with WooCommerce to create fast product pages and a smooth shopping experience.
Hello
Price | Free |
Standout feature | Designers who prefer custom websites |
Best for | Minimal, barebones framework |
Hello is a popular theme that hits around 8,500 downloads daily with over 200,000+ installations. It’s viewed as the best Elementor companion, giving you a fast, clean slate on which to build your site.
With over 100 widgets, customizable pages, and lightning-fast speed, Hello often outperforms big names like GeneratePress and Kadence.
If you’re all about speed, take this theme for a test drive!
Why We Picked Hello
- Deep integration with Elementor for a truly minimal look.
- Lightweight build boosts speed for a better browsing experience.
- Complete design control with fewer steps.
- Simple, neutral layout keeps your design relevant.
Downsides
- The theme requires you to handle styling and theming yourself, which can be challenging for the inexperienced.
Pricing
Hello is free.
What We Think
The Hello theme works best if you need a fast, minimalist theme that integrates with Elementor Pro for customization.
Divi
Price | From $89 per year |
Standout feature | Designers who prefer template variety |
Best for | Lifetime license, large marketplace |
Divi helps you build minimalist websites without coding. The drag and drop builder, paired with A/B split testing, makes it easy to create simple layouts, even if you’re just starting out.
The Divi marketplace offers over 2,000 pre-made layouts and design presets, including minimalist themes like Boon Creative, Insight Design, and Divi Email Marketing.
Why We Picked Divi
- A minimalist approach makes it easy to build focused pages.
- Its user-friendly interface packages intuitive menus and easy-to-use features.
- Clear fonts and ample spacing enhance readability and user engagement.
- Fast-loading pages minimize delays.
Downsides
- Divi templates often need extra tweaking to fit that clean, minimalist look.
Pricing
Divi’s plans start at $89 per year.
What We Think
Divi’s minimalist design keeps your website simple and quick, with fast load times and a clean layout. However, you’ll need to make some adjustments to get it right.
Its speed and visual balance make up for any extra work, making it a go-to for efficient websites.
GeneratePress
Price | From $59 per year |
Standout feature | Developers and beginners who want a fast, flexible website |
Best for | Lightweight, customizable, responsive design |
GeneratePress helps create customizable sites that load in half a second or less. Its efficient, lightweight code keeps your site fast, and WooCommerce integration makes store management easy.
While GenerateBlocks is a separate plugin designed by the same team, it works seamlessly with GeneratePress.
You’ll get a class-based design system that makes site updates quick and easy.
Why We Picked GeneratePress
- GeneratePress focuses on essentials, keeping the site simple and clutter-free.
- An efficient codebase means sites use fewer resources for faster load times.
- Customization options help adjust the site’s design.
- Compatibility with major page builders for design flexibility.
Downsides
- You’ll need to upgrade to the premium version for advanced features
Pricing
There’s a free version of GeneratePress. The paid version costs $149 per year.
What We Think
GeneratePress is a minimalist, fast-loading WordPress theme that delivers top performance.
While other themes may offer more specialized eCommerce features, GeneratePress excels in flexibility and efficiency.
Get Started with GeneratePress
Monochrome Pro
Price | $360 per year (part of Genesis Pro package) |
Standout feature | Bloggers and businesses looking for a minimalist design |
Best for | Robust performance and SEO |
Monochrome Pro shows off minimalist design within the Genesis framework. With ample white space and elegant typography, reading becomes easy and impactful.
Despite its simplicity, it includes key features like WooCommerce support, responsive design, and SEO optimization.
It’s great for businesses that desire a clear, content-driven site.
Why We Picked Monochrome Pro
- Built on the Genesis framework, it offers strong security and solid SEO benefits.
- Accessibility-ready design promotes inclusivity.
- Clean lines and ample white space create effortless navigation.
- One-click theme setup provides a fast and easy way to get started.
Downsides
- New users may initially find the Genesis framework hard to grasp.
Pricing.
Monochrome Pro is part of the Genesis Pro package which costs $360 per year.
What We Think
Monochrome Pro is a great option for minimalist WordPress sites. It provides easy setup, flexible customization, security, and built-in SEO.
It’s just a shame the framework costs so much!
Get Started with Monochrome Pro
Kalium
Price | $59 per year |
Standout feature | Designers, photographers, creative agencies |
Best for | Multipurpose, customizable portfolio layouts |
Kalium keeps your site running fast and SEO-friendly. Its design includes aspects like lazy loading and self-hosted fonts for accelerated pages.
Its minimalist design includes cool touches like hover effects and controls for different devices. It balances performance and simplicity well and we like it for that.
Why We Picked Kalium
- Its multi-purpose nature makes it suitable for most online niches.
- The Kalium theme pack bundles several page builders like WP Bakery that support minimalism.
- Built-in speed optimization, lazy loading, and self-hosted fonts.
- Minimalist eCommerce templates for smooth shop setup.
Downsides
- While Kalium offers a variety of minimalist demos, not all are equally impressive.
Pricing
Kalium starts at $59 per year.
What We Think
Kalium is a fast, minimalist WordPress theme for professionals who want both speed and flexibility.
While some layouts may feel basic, its extensive customization allows you to create a unique, minimalist website tailored to your preference.
Neve
Price | Free/From $69 per year |
Standout feature | Freelancers and individuals who need fast lightweight websites |
Best for | Speed, variety of starter templates |
Neve’s minimalist design makes website building easier, with 40+ pre-built starter sites that save you time.
The customizable headers and footers help you craft a branded experience, with features like quick view and floating carts for easier shop design.
Neve is very easy to work with, performs well and has a respected developer behind it. All things we like about it.
Why We Picked Neve
- Customizable templates focus on the essentials for a minimalist website.
- Lightweight build ensures fast load times by minimizing unnecessary scripts.
- Tweak colors, typography, and layouts for better readability.
- WooCommerce features for streamlined online shops.
Downsides
- The free version forces footer branding.
Pricing
Neve has a free version with premium options from $69 per year.
What We Think
Neve is known for its speed and lightweight design. The free version offers great customization, including starter sites for blogs and WooCommerce.
The only drawback is the forced footer branding, which makes it feel less flexible compared to other free themes like Astra.
Blocksy
Price | Free/From $69 per year |
Standout feature | Users who prefer something simple and modern |
Best for | Simplicity, WordPress block editor compatibility, speed |
Blocksy enhances site performance with its fast-loading design. Its WooCommerce integration ensures an effortless shopping experience with features like a floating cart and off-canvas filters.
The pro version’s minimalist templates and advanced customization options keep your site looking sharp and simple.
Blocksy delivers decent performance, and, with the option to disable scripts, should deliver fast page load times.
Why We Picked Blocksy
- WooCommerce features like off-canvas filters offer a seamless shopping experience.
- Minimalist starter templates that focus on readability.
- Customization options to control key elements like headers and footers.
- Advanced performance options ensure your site stays fast and lightweight.
Downsides
- Some of Blocksy’s pro features, like hooks and mega menus, may be unnecessary.
Pricing
Blocksy has a free version. Premium options start at $69 per year.
What We Think
Blocksy is a fast, versatile theme built for speed and flexibility. Its minimalist design keeps things efficient.
Though some advanced features might be more than basic users need, it’s ideal if you prefer control and high performance.
Kadence
Price | Free/From $149 per year |
Standout feature | Users who need design and layout flexibility |
Best for | Wide variety of extensions and design options |
Kadence embodies minimalism with its fast, lightweight design. Its seamless integration with popular page builders makes customization user-friendly and efficient.
The unique Elements feature promotes targeted content placement, fostering engagement without clutter. Launching an online store becomes easy with a variety of starter templates and the robust Kadence Shop Kit.
Overall, Kadence delivers a clean, modern aesthetic that prioritizes functionality and a smooth user experience.
Why We Picked Kadence
- Lightweight design for fast load times.
- The Elements feature enables targeted content placement.
- A range of starter templates for a simple, aesthetically pleasing site.
- The Kadence Shop Kit provides extensive eCommerce customization.
Downsides
- Many advanced features are only available in the premium version.
Pricing
Kadence has a free version, while pro versions start at $149 per year.
What We Think
Kadence is a versatile WordPress theme that ensures fast performance and plugin integration. The drag and drop builder and unique modules make it easy to create visually appealing websites.
If there’s a learning curve, don’t worry—tutorials and support channels are available to guide you.
Minimal Pro
Price | Free/From $59 per year |
Standout feature | Content creators who value speed |
Best for | Speed, minimalism |
Minimal Pro simplifies building content-heavy blogs with a user-friendly layout that’s quick to load and easy to customize.
The clean interface and the minimalist approach simplify site management if you prefer a strong web experience.
This is a solid blog theme that delivers in terms of quality and performance, which is why it’s in our list of the best minimalist themes.
Why We Picked Minimal Pro
- Clean design that emphasizes readability.
- The intuitive interface offers easy customization.
- Fast load times and streamlined performance.
- Ability to add and adjust custom scripts.
Downsides
- The documentation isn’t that detailed.
Pricing
There’s a free version of Minimal Pro with premium options from $59 per year.
What We Think
Minimal Pro is fast, customizable, and perfect for content-heavy blogs. Though documentation is limited, responsive support is available for any issues.
Storefront
Price | Free |
Standout feature | WooCommerce store owners |
Best for | Tight WooCommerce integration |
Storefront keeps WooCommerce stores fast and simple to provide a solid user experience and easy customization.
Its responsive design means your store looks good on any device, helping more people find you. It will take a little work to make it shine, but it’s worth the effort.
Since it’s free and open-source, it’s a budget-friendly option for growing your business.
Why We Picked Storefront
- Simple and lightweight.
- Deep integration with WooCommerce.
- Focus on text-based store names instead of logos for a minimal approach.
- Being free and open-source, Storefront offers flexibility and affordable growth.
Downsides
- Storefront’s simplicity can limit users who need more advanced features.
Pricing
Storefront is free.
What We Think
Storefront is a responsive, SEO-friendly WooCommerce theme built for accessibility and easy use.
Its simple design might feel limited without advanced features, but you can always add what you need with premium plugins or custom tweaks.
Schema
Price | From $39 per year |
Standout feature | Site owners focused on SEO |
Best for | Built-in review system |
Schema loads fast, helping with SEO and making your site easier to navigate. You can easily tweak colors, fonts, and layouts without extra plugins.
The built-in review system shows star ratings in search results, which can help attract more clicks and play a part in social proof.
With responsive design and easy ad management, Schema makes it simple to focus on speed and performance.
Why We Picked Schema
- Fast loading for improved SEO, user engagement, and reduced bounce rates.
- Customizing options for a tailored design without extra plugins.
- The built-in review system that shows ratings in search results without clutter.
- Built-in widgets for custom functionality.
Downsides
- Limited design flexibility compared to more feature-rich themes.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $39 per year.
What We Think
Schema is an SEO-ready, fast-loading theme known for its simplicity. It’s easy to customize, with built-in widgets and a responsive design for those who value performance.
While its minimalist approach may seem basic to advanced users, adding custom CSS or plugins can boost flexibility.
Botiga
Price | Free/From $69 per year |
Standout feature | Online store owners looking for minimalism |
Best for | Conversion-focused checkout |
Botiga keeps online stores simple and efficient. The minimalist design keeps pages loading fast, and customizable layouts with a clean checkout make shopping easy.
It’s also a great design that works well with minimalism. That’s it’s in our list of minimalist WordPress themes.
With Elementor and the block editor, site management feels simple. Features like product filters and popups make shopping smoother without unnecessary clutter.
Why We Picked Botiga
- Small page size ensures fast load times.
- A distraction-free checkout for a more focused shopping experience.
- Flexible layouts and customizable headers.
- The free version has all essential features which can be easily scaled and upgraded.
Downsides
- There are fewer starter templates than competitors like Astra.
Pricing
Botiga has a free version and premium plans starting at $69 per year.
What We Think
Botiga’s minimalist design features fast load times, customizable layouts, and a clean checkout to help boost conversions.
With Elementor and WordPress integration, managing the site is simple. Adding more starter templates would make it even more flexible for users looking for variety.
Hestia
Price | Free/From $69 per year |
Standout feature | Professionals looking for a neat one-page design |
Best for | Comprehensive social sharing features |
Hestia’s modern design makes it easy to build a minimalist website when used with page builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder.
You can quickly adjust layouts, fonts, and colors to suit your style and make your site truly your own.
With built-in widgets and form options, creating a polished site doesn’t require extra plugins. It integrates with the Orbit Fox plugin to add helpful tools like templates and social sharing features.
Why We Picked Hestia
- Clean design focuses on content.
- Seamless integration with Elementor and WooCommerce.
- The customizer helps adjust layouts, colors, and fonts.
- Sticky headers and form widgets reduce the need for additional plugins.
Downsides
- Hestia presents some challenges when integrating with Elementor, which may affect how the theme functions.
Pricing
There’s a free version of Hestia with a premium option starting at $69 per year.
What We Think
Hestia is a minimalist theme that builds user-friendly websites. Its native widgets and customization options enhance functionality.
However, you may face integration challenges with Elementor that could affect performance. A possible workaround is to use simpler layouts or custom code to resolve styling issues.
Decorist
Price | From $34.30 per year |
Standout feature | Home decor, fashion, and product stores |
Best for | Custom GutenBee custom blocks, Global sections for block reuse |
Decorist is a minimal WooCommerce theme, a great fit for home decor, fashion, and product stores.
Its user-friendly interface and customizer make it easy to adjust colors, layouts, and fonts to match your brand.
With fast loading times and seamless integration with Elementor and WooCommerce, store management is simple.
Why We Picked Decorist
- The GutenBee custom blocks help build minimal pages.
- Focuses on peak performance and SEO for quick loading times.
- WooCommerce compatibility to create a functional online store with minimal setup.
- The Global Sections module helps streamline minimalist site creation.
Downsides
- The theme needs to be updated manually through the member area, which can be a hassle.
Pricing
Decorist costs from $34.30 per year.
What We Think
Decorist is a minimal WooCommerce theme ideal for home decor and fashion stores. It allows you to customize colors and layouts for a custom look, and also integrates with Elementor and WooCommerce.
However, updates require manual handling through the member area.
Minimalist Blogger
Price | From $29 per year |
Standout feature | Bloggers who want a quick website |
Best for | Speed, one-click import |
Minimalist Blogger makes blogging easy and enjoyable. Its lightweight code means quick loading times.
The one-click design import simplifies setup so that anyone can showcase their unique style through customization.
With over 4 million downloads, it’s a minimalist WordPress theme that many bloggers love for its functional design.
Why We Picked Minimalist Blogger
- Customization options allow for branding and simplicity.
- The one-click design import feature makes setup quick and easy.
- The theme is lightning fast and SEO optimized for better ranking.
- Built-in blogging tools that reduce the need for additional plugins.
Downsides
- Limited pre-built layouts may restrict design creativity.
Pricing
Plans start at $29 per year.
What We Think
MinimalistBlogger is a simple, customizable theme that’s fast and SEO-friendly. It offers many customization options, which makes it worth checking out.
Some users may find the layout options limited, which can be solved by installing additional plugins.
Get Started with Minimalistic Blogger
Minimalista
Price | From $18 per year |
Standout feature | Professional, non-technical bloggers |
Best for | Customizer options, WooCommerce compatibility |
Minimalista is a WordPress theme for personal or professional blogs. Its intuitive interface and live customizer make it easy to create a unique look.
With WooCommerce compatibility and mobile optimization, it makes online shopping easy while blending modern functionality with minimalist design.
While it would be challenging to turn this into a store, the blogging potential is why we like it.
Why We Picked Minimalista
- The clear design creates a clean, modern look focused on content.
- The intuitive user interface allows for quick customization and branding.
- WooCommerce compatibility for setting up minimal online stores.
- A wide range of widgets that you can add to any page.
Downsides
- The Pinterest-style layout might not work for every type of content or website.
Pricing
Minimalista has a free version with a pro version starting at $18 per year.
What We Think
Minimalista Pro features an easy-to-use interface, WooCommerce compatibility, mobile optimization, and plenty of options through the live customizer.
Elegant
Price | $89 per year |
Standout feature | Creatives who want to showcase portfolios |
Best for | Themify’s drag and drop builder, code-free customization |
The Elegant theme puts your content first with clean design and well-balanced typography.
It easily showcases portfolios on any device. With Themify’s drag and drop builder, you can customize your site without coding.
If you’re building a website around images, this is definitely a minimalist WordPress theme to try.
Why We Picked Elegant
- Ample white space for improved readability.
- The Themify builder allows easy, code-free customization.
- Its minimalist design adapts perfectly across all devices.
- Strong portfolio functionality.
Downsides
- Too limited for users who want more advanced design options.
Pricing
Costs $89 per year.
What We Think
Elegant focuses on content, with clean design and smart typography that’s great for creatives. Its minimalist style and Themify’s drag and drop builder make customization easy.
Hazel
Price | $78 per year |
Standout feature | Creatives and agencies looking for flexible site designs |
Best for | 35+ demo sites, customizable layouts, friendly admin panel |
Hazel is a minimal, responsive WordPress theme designed to help you easily create a sleek, professional website.
With 35 demo sites and customizable layouts, it’s great for creatives and agencies looking for a simple design.
It loads fast thanks to its simple design, but the many customization features might be a bit much if you want something simpler.
Why We Picked Hazel
- Minimal design creates a visually appealing website that’s easy to navigate.
- 35 demo sites offer flexible, ready-to-use layouts and elements.
- User-friendly admin panel gives full control over customization.
- Lightweight build ensures fast load times.
Downsides
- The customization options and demo sites might feel like too much for users who just want a simple, minimalist setup.
Pricing
Hazel costs $78 per year.
What We Think
Hazel is a minimal, responsive WordPress theme that offers flexible layout options. It’s a solid minimalist WordPress theme.
Tinos
Price | From $34.30 per year |
Standout feature | Bloggers and writers with a mind for minimalism |
Best for | Real-time customization, Elementor integration |
Tinos keeps things simple with a clean, distraction-free design that lets your content stand out. It works easily with WordPress blocks and popular builders like Elementor.
The design is clean, crisp and still delivers a great experience despite using minimalist design. That’s why we like it.
Customizing headers and footers is quick, with real-time previews to keep things on track, giving you an easy and focused blogging experience.
Why We Picked Tinos
- Tinos focuses on simplicity, using text and images for visual balance.
- Seamless integration with popular page builders like Elementor.
- Real-time previews keep the design process straightforward.
- One-click demo import for simplified setup.
Downsides
- Some might find the page builder too basic.
Pricing
Tino starts at $34.30 per year.
What We Think
Tinos keeps things simple with a clean design that lets your content shine. It works smoothly with WordPress blocks and builders like Elementor for customization.
If the builder feels basic, additional plugins can be added for more flexibility.
Patch
Price | From $75 per year |
Standout feature | All types of bloggers |
Best for | Design flexibility, style manager |
Patch is a minimalist WordPress blog theme that easily adapts to your content, whether it’s short posts or long articles.
Its layout keeps your site looking clean with little effort, and publishing with the WordPress block editor simplifies content creation.
If you want to build something a little different, this design is definitely worth checking out.
Why We Picked Patch
- Patch’s design flexibility allows you to focus on writing.
- The Style Manager offers easy customization of aspects like fonts and colors.
- Fast-loading and responsive.
- Built-in SEO features aimed at minimalism.
Downsides
- Reliance on the block editor might be challenging for inexperienced users.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $75 per year.
What We Think
Patch is a minimalist WordPress theme that easily adjusts to different content. It also offers flexible design and fast load times.
It’s easy to customize with the Style Manager, but it might take a little getting used to.
Blogasm Pro
Price | From $49 per year |
Standout feature | Bloggers in the fashion, travel and food niches |
Best for | Built-in SEO, one-click demo import |
Blogasm Pro makes building a responsive blog simple, whether for fashion, travel, or food.
It may take a little work to make it stand out, but the foundations are there to help.
Customizing it to fit your style is quick, and with built-in SEO and one-click demo import, you can get started quickly.
Why We Picked Blogasm Pro
- Focuses on the lifestyle niche.
- Built-in SEO features improve your blog’s visibility.
- Versatile customization options for layouts and colors.
- One-click demo import for quick setup.
Downsides
- A lack of pre-built templates beyond the minimalist style might require additional effort.
Pricing
Blogasm costs from $49 per year.
What We Think
Blogasm Pro makes it easy to create a clean, minimalist blog that works well on any device.
Customization and built-in SEO ensure your content stays focused and visible. However, it may take a bit more work to tailor it for niche needs.
Border
Price | $75 per year |
Standout feature | Photographers looking to showcase their work |
Best for | Grid galleries, animated transitions, integrated text areas |
Border highlights your photography with grid galleries and smooth transitions that make every shot shine.
If you’re a photographer, artists or other type of creative, this design helps images stand up and be noticed.
The simple page builder helps you create portfolios quickly, while built-in SEO improves visibility.
Why We Picked Border
- Clean, minimal design that focuses on the images.
- Smooth animated page transitions.
- Integrated text areas allow sharing of the story behind each photo.
- A grid or dramatic layout to control how projects are displayed.
Downsides
- The theme might run into issues with certain plugins, especially page builders
Pricing
Border costs from $75 per year.
What We Think
Border has a clean, minimalist design that highlights photography with smooth transitions and grid galleries. The simple page builder helps you set up portfolios quickly, which is a bonus.
The Minimal
Price | Free/From $59 per year |
Standout feature | Travelers, nature lovers |
Best for | Lightweight slider, photo compression, RaraTheme Companion plugin |
The Minimal theme is geared toward travelers and nature lovers. Its lightweight slider and photo compression keep things fast, while flexible layouts give your site a simple, stylish look.
It helps keep your site organized when paired with the RaraTheme Companion plugin. It offers specialized widgets like options for featured pages, featured and recent posts.
There’s a little more going on with this theme but it’s still minimal at heart. That’s why it’s in this list.
Why We Picked The Minimal
- Lightweight design keeps your site fast and responsive.
- Photo compression ensures faster loading times without sacrificing image quality.
- Abundant customization options allow you to personalize your site.
- Offers additional widgets through the RaraTheme Companion plugin for better display.
Downsides
- The lightweight slider may feel limiting.
Pricing
There’s a free version of Minimal while the pro version costs $59 per year.
What We Think
The Minimal theme gives you a clean, fast design, perfect for travelers and nature lovers.
The simple slider and photo compression keep things light, and you can easily customize it with added widgets.
BlankSlate
Price | Free |
Standout feature | Developers/designers looking for an blank canvas |
Best for | Unstyled, lightweight code |
BlankSlate’s clean, unstyled code gives developers a blank canvas to work with. If you’re looking for truly minimal, this theme could be it.
It’s the base for Block Builder, Dark Mode and Quiet, all of which focus on minimalism.
Its open design lets you fine-tune every detail. As a lightweight, open-source theme, it’s great for creating unique, SEO-friendly projects.
Why We Picked BlankSlate
- BlankSlate offers creative freedom with its unstyled canvas.
- Clean code that allows for full customization without unnecessary features.
- As an open-source, free theme, it’s cost-effective and flexible for any project.
- The theme loads quickly.
Downsides
- It doesn’t have pre-made design elements, making it unsuitable for quick projects.
Pricing
The theme is free.
What We Think
BlankSlate is an unstyled WordPress theme that gives developers full control over customization.
Its lightweight, open-source code helps with SEO and makes it flexible for unique projects. Though it lacks pre-made designs, page builders like Astra can speed up development.
Go
Price | Free |
Standout feature | Users who want a minimal, block-based design |
Best for | CoBlocks and block editor integration |
The Go theme by GoDaddy makes site building easy with the block editor and CoBlocks.
Its customizer lets you switch between modern designs for a clean and minimal look. Even though it’s not from a developer, the quality is clear to see.
If you want simplicity without losing style, consider Go. You don’t even have to be a GoDaddy customer to use it.
Why We Picked Go
- Minimal design focuses on readability and white space.
- Embraces block-based editing for easier customization.
- Flexible design styles and multiple color schemes.
- Boosts site performance with fast loading times.
Downsides
- Fewer built-in templates compared to more robust themes.
Pricing
What We Think
The Go theme by GoDaddy offers a clean, minimalist design with flexible style options and block-based editing through WordPress and CoBlocks.
While it has fewer built-in templates, you can use third-party plugins for more design flexibility.
Which Minimalist Theme Should You Choose?
Choosing a minimalist theme comes down to what suits your style. While all 27 themes on this page deliver, three stand out from the crowd:
- Astra is great for its clean design, fast performance and easy customization. If you need more, Astra Pro adds extra flexibility.
- Hello is all about speed and simplicity, and it works perfectly with Elementor.
- GeneratePress is efficient with its streamlined code and is more geared toward developers.
Explore these themes and find the one that fits your minimalist preferences. Feel free to share your thoughts below!
Minimalist Theme FAQs
What Is the Best Minimalist WordPress Theme?
The best minimalist WordPress theme often depends on your specific needs. Our favorites are Astra and GeneratePress. Both have received high praise from users and developers alike for their ease of use and reliability.
Astra is the best choice owing to its lightweight nature, the diverse range of websites it can build, and its clean design. Additionally, it helps you smoothly integrate your site with popular page builders like Elementor and Gutenberg.
GeneratePress comes next, with its focus on simplicity and performance. The theme is built with a lightweight framework that ensures your site remains fast and always responsive.
Can a Minimalist WordPress Theme Improve Website Performance?
Yes, a minimalist WordPress theme can significantly improve website performance. Minimalist themes use clean code and fewer design elements for better server load. Since they focus on essential features and clean design, these themes ensure your website remains lightweight and responsive across all devices.
If your website is quick, visitors are more likely to stay engaged and stick around, thereby increasing the likelihood of conversions. Google’s algorithms also favor faster websites, so using a minimalist theme can help improve your search engine rankings too.
What Is the Difference Between a Minimalist Theme and a Lightweight Theme?
A minimalist and lightweight theme both optimize website performance but differ in design and focus. A minimalist theme emphasizes simplicity in design, often featuring a clean and uncluttered layout. Its primary goal is to provide a visually appealing user experience to keep content at the forefront.
A lightweight theme is focused on improving performance, reducing load times and using minimal server resources. Lightweight themes use optimized code and limit the use of heavy scripts and stylesheets to enhance speed.
Themes like GeneratePress and Astra are minimalist and lightweight, ideal for users who need a balance of clean design and high performance.
Can I Customize a Minimalist Theme?
Yes, you can customize a minimalist theme to suit your needs. Minimalist themes offer options like changing colors, fonts, and layouts. You can add your logo, adjust header and footer layouts, and modify page templates without cluttering your website. All these options allow you to maintain the theme’s simplicity while tailoring it to your brand.
Popular minimalist themes like Astra offer extensive customization options through the WordPress customizer and integrate with page builders like Elementor.
Will a Page Builder Work With a Minimalist Theme?
Yes, a page builder will work seamlessly with a minimalist theme. Minimalist themes are typically designed to be compatible with popular page builders like Elementor, Beaver Builder, and WPBakery, allowing you to easily create and customize your website.
For example, Astra and GeneratePress, two popular minimalist themes, are well-known for their strong integration with page builders.
Sujay Pawar is the co-founder and CEO of Brainstorm Force. He brings a one-of-a-kind fusion of tech brilliance, business savvy and marketing mojo to the table. Sujay has consistently spearheaded the development of innovative products like Astra, CartFlows, ZipWP and many others that have become market leaders in their respective niches.
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I always have choice to use astra theme.
Thanks for another great article.
Hello there,
Glad to hear that! 🙂
This is a great minimalist WordPress themes list. Recently we purchased an Astra Pro lifetime membership, and we are satisfied with the theme and support you guys provided. We are planning to use Astra pro on all our client’s websites. Thanks for the great suggestions.
Hello Lance,
Glad to hear that you found our list helpful! 🙂 And welcome onboard the Astra journey. Cheers!
Thanks for this great article. I was searching Google for the best WordPress themes with clean design and found your article. We are creating a website for students where we want our readers to stick only with content and not other things, so we are looking for a clean design theme. Your article helped me out in decision making. Thanks again.
Thank you for the information and advice in this article; thank you for your efforts; I have a question – Is there any free good minimalist blog focused theme that’s easy for a non-techie to set up and manage?
Hello Edgar,
We would recommend going with the Astra theme, plus we have a very wide variety of Starter Templates to get started with. 🙂