21 Top Minimalist WordPress Themes Compared: Choose Free or Pro?

Less is more, as they say. The same applies to web design, where minimalism prevails. Now it is challenging to say the reason for it: the obsession with many elements or Google’s algorithms, which consider the load time an indexing factor. In any case, the simple and thoughtful design encourages the visitor to stay on the page longer.

Minimalism is appropriate not only for blogs but for websites of all kinds. Simple WordPress themes shifted the focus of attention from various widgets to content. These themes envisage the true style, functionality, speed, and convenient setup.

In this article, you will find the 21 best minimal WordPress themes. I’ve included fully-fledged themes covering both functionality and design. Explore their key features, plugins, and user feedback, and – hopefully – choose the best one.

• What Is a Minimalist WordPress Theme?
• How to Choose the Best Minimalist WordPress Theme?
• Top 21 Minimalist WordPress Themes
• Conclusions
• FAQ

What Is a Minimalist WordPress Theme?

When you download any WordPress theme, you get a set of files (CSS, JS, PHP) that refer to the design and functionality of your future site. They give the browser information on how to display different elements. You can customize these files by coding or using plugins to add something to the website design.

Most minimal WordPress themes propose free and paid versions as ready-made demos. But there are not many options one can customize within free demos. The free and paid versions of the same theme often differ a lot in their functionality (especially for minimal blogging themes).

What do WordPress themes allow to customize?

• Overall design and website style
• Fonts
• Colors
• Position of widgets
• Page layouts (number of columns)
• Additional style features
• Functionality (complex modules)

In general, users like the minimal WordPress themes because they are flexible and easy to customize. You can customize anything without coding. Such themes envisage functionality too, but their ranges differ. And it is really great, I think.

Free or paid WordPress themes?

The official catalog of WordPress themes contains 9598+ themes (both free and paid). These themes do not need coding and can be adjusted to any device.

Free themes 

➕ functionality, no viruses, no costs, support through forums and tutorials, compatibility with plugins, limited customizability;

➖ no additional widgets, lack of technical support and compatibility with the latest version of WordPress, lack of design adaptability, no built-in premium plugins, no demos, and limited customization options.

Pro themes

➕ functionality, no viruses, no costs, support through forums and tutorials, compatibility with plugins, full customizability, additional widgets, technical support, compatibility with the latest version of WordPress, design adaptability, and built-in premium plugins.

Minimalist themes’ general features 

Minimalism in web design means the absence of unnecessary details. Often such themes are as light and fast as possible because they are almost empty and have no fonts and scripts. 

Even colors contribute to the correct perception of information. The primary colors are white, gray, and black. It is customary to use no more than three colors and their shades. Like all site elements, fonts matter too. Designers prefer sans serif fonts. In some cases, a single font is allowed. Most often, no more than 2-3 fonts are used.

How to Choose the Best Minimalist WordPress Theme?

Choosing the best minimalist WordPress themes, use the following recommendations:

• Decide on the website type. For starters, answer these questions, “What type of site do I want?”, “What is the purpose of my site?”, “Do I need a blog?”, “Do I want my site to become popular?”, “What functionality do I need?”.
• Take a close look at the demo pages, focusing on the theme’s features.
• Consider the theme’s popularity, feedback, and update frequency.
• Compare the proposed solutions, read the theme description and demo, and choose what you need.
• Check the theme’s device-friendliness.
• Use lightweight themes and caching plugins for the site to load faster.
• Test the themes’ performance using GTmetrix and Pingdom.
• Use SEO-friendly themes or test their compliance with the free Chrome extension MozBar.
• Check compatibility with plugins. Many premium themes have built-in templates and support WooCommerce and Easy Digital Downloads.
• Themes should provide access to technical support 24/7/365.

Top 21 Minimalist WordPress Themes

I’ve divided the best minimalist WordPress themes into two groups: minimalist multipurpose and minimalist blog WordPress themes. The main difference here is that themes for blogs often have no additional elements and are not much customizable.

Astra

Developer: Brainstorm Force

The Astra theme has been shining in the constellation of top themes since 2017. It has more than 1,000,000+ active installations.

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Features: The theme is rated highly because of its exceptional loading speed (pages weigh less due to disabling of the jQuery library and usage of JavaScript), 100+ templates, custom plugins, broad customization opportunities, SEO optimization, integration with Elementor, Gutenberg, DIVI, Beaver Builder, and WooCommerce. Astra does not need coding and is easy to use, even for a novice. 

Free: One/two-column layout, header/footer, left/right sidebars, Astra widgets (address, social icon, info list), typography, global colors, enable/disable site elements on pages, related posts, blog content width.

Pro: Free + 18 modules to increase theme’s functionality: header (above/below, sticky, mobile, for pages), mega menu, layout (grid, list, masonry, date box, excerpt count, post pagination, infinite loading), WooCommerce and plugins developed for Astra (EasyDigital Downloads, Learn Dash, LifterLMS). 

Plugins. The theme is fully compatible with Elementor, WooCommerce, and 50,000+ plugins for Elementor. Besides, you can use 20+ plugins developed specifically for Astra.

Pro version: There are two subscriptions: annual/lifetime. They are priced at $49 and $239 for the main features, customer support, and access to PRO updates.

OceanWP

Developer: OceanWP

The OceanWP theme’s popularity has grown like an ocean tide from 2016 with 700,000+ active installations. It is the best theme you can get for free.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: This theme focuses on e-shops or big sites, mainly. For example, it has many WooCommerce settings by default (i.e., the layout has a pop-up with a cart and a floating bar with a cart).

Free: Background, menu, colors, typography, featured image, left/right sidebar, footer widgets, full-width template, one/two columns layout, sticky post, threaded comments.

Pro: Free + pre-built website library, White Label, sticky header/footer, side panel, footer callout, pop-up login, cookie notice, Elementor widgets, portfolio, WooCommerce, pop-ups, hooks for templates & codes, and the full-screen mode.

Plugins. The theme is fully compatible with Elementor, WooCommerce, and 50,000+ plugins for Elementor.  The main extensions are 13+ demos and white labels. It works with the most popular page builders like Beaver Builder, Visual Composer, Divi, SiteOrigin, etc. Besides, you can use 20+ plugins developed especially for OceanWP.

Pro version: The personal plan for three sites costs $35 and covers personalized customer support and access to PRO updates.

Hello

Developer: Elementor

Free Hello WordPress theme is perfect for the Elementor editor. It is light and minimalistic; it is a clean slate with styles for essential browser compatibility. Since 2018, it has gotten 1,000,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: This free theme is light and fast because it has almost no fonts and scripts. Hello proposes limited-width and wide-format layouts that support the RTL user menu. It has fully-fledged documentation. In general, you have to create a website from scratch. You need to add the header/footer widgets (Elementor PRO) and the content. 

Developers intended this theme for landing pages mainly. Therefore the theme is SEO-friendly. You can download premade landing pages from Elementor and other templates. 

Free: Colors, logo, menu, featured image, flexible header, threaded comments.

Plugins: The theme is fully compatible with Elementor and 50,000+ plugins for Elementor. This theme has basic WooCommerce compatibility.

Pro version: There is none.

BuddyX

Developer: Wbcom Designs

BuddyX is one of the best community themes. It is the fastest WordPress theme for websites with communities, memberships, social learning, or social marketplaces using BuddyPress and BuddyBoss. It offers modern design and features to community items. Easy to use Members’ profiles, activity streams, groups, forums, private chat, and much more.

Ratings:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features:

• BuddyX theme includes many demos that can be imported with a single click.
• Using the BuddyX theme’s Advanced Theme Customizer feature, we can easily customize our website
• BuddyX is designed on a lightweight architecture that improves website performance and speeds up page loading times on both mobile and desktop.
• Using this tool, you can simply translate your web pages into a variety of languages
• Before choosing the most pleasing header design for your website, test out a few different ones and pick the one that best matches the layout of your website.
• You can change the appearance of your posts with a number of WordPress-supported post formats like audio, video, gallery quote, etc.
• Enrich your blogging website with a no. of post listing layouts. You’ll find a grid, list, and masonry layout with adjustable options.
• New and stylish single post layout

Free features:

The site and content layouts, Site Loader, Headings, menu options, Site search, background, Color styling, Blog Layout (Default, List, Grid, Thumbnail), Post Formats, Single Post Content Width, Single Post Title Layouts, Footer, and copyright Section customization, BuddyPress and BuddyBoss platform full support.

Pro features:

BuddyX Pro theme has some extra features that are Top Bar, Sticky Header, Different Header Layouts, Menu Effects, Social Share on Single post, Single Post Progress Bar, BuddyPress Reaction, Post Comment Reaction, BuddyPress Activity Share Pro, WooCommerce advanced features, AMP Support.

This theme works with the most popular plugins like Learndash, Woocommerce, LearnPress, LifterLMS, TutorLMS, bbPress, WC Vendors, The Event Calendar, Dokan, my Cred, GamiPress, MediaPress, and Youzify.

Pro version:

There are two subscriptions: Basic/lifetime. They are priced at $59, $129, and $199 for the main features, customer support, and access to PRO updates. All pricing is in USD. You can change plans or cancel your account at any time. Special introductory pricing, all renewals are at a 30% discount.

GeneratePress

Developer: Tom Usborne

Generate Press focuses on speed downloading, as far as developers intended it for blogging. Therefore this light theme reached 400,000+ active installations since 2012.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: Now, this theme offers 900+ demos (both paid and free). It provides a minimalist blog design because the free version has a limited number of features and does not include free templates. 

Free: Colors, header, menu, featured image, left/right sidebar, one/two/three-column layouts, flexible header, footer widgets, full-width template, sticky post, theme options, threaded comments, customizable H3 headers.

Pro: The pro version is the GP Premium plugin adding the free version. It comprises 15 modules, and the possibility to turn on/off any module is why developers like this theme. They are Background, Blog, Colors, Copyright, Disable Elements, Elements, Menu Plus, Secondary Navigation, Sections, Site Library, Spacing, and Typography. 

Plugins: The theme looks too simple, and additional plugins are required if you need something more complicated than a clean blog. Generate Press is compatible with Elementor, Gutenberg, WooCommerce, and plugins for Elementor (i.e., Yoast SEO, EDD, BuddyPress, bbPress, and WPML).

Pro version: There are two plans: annual for $44 and lifetime for $219. They propose all premium features, full access to the Site Library, updates and premium support, and can be used on up to 500 websites.

Kadence

Developer: Ben Ritner

Kadence is a multi-purpose minimal theme; therefore, users can apply it to every site (especially considering all its templates available). This theme appeared only in 2020, and more than 100,000+ users have installed it.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: Kadence looks like a free template that is good for a blog or magazine, but the main reason to download this theme is its speed (no unnecessarily large JavaScript files) and customization options.

Free: Background, colors, logo, menu, featured image, footer widgets, left/right sidebar with scrolling, theme options, threaded comments, one/two-column responsive layout, CPT support, globar color, typography, sticky header, global button settings, breadcrumbs, SEO-optimization.

WooCommerce users can add additional features for shopping cart or product filtering and list products on the grid.

Pro: Free + Header Addons, Hooked Elements, WooCommerce Addon, Ultimate Menu, Custom Fonts, and Header/Footer Scripts.

WooCommerce users can benefit from the AJAX Submit button. They can also set an expiration date for products or show them to certain users only. 

Plugins: Kadence is compatible with page builders such as Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, and plugins such as WooCommerce, LearnDash, LifterLMS, Tutor LMS, Give, and The Event Calendar. Besides, there are plugins designed for this theme (i.e., Kadence WooCommerce Shop Kit).

Pro version: Kadence Pro’s price is $59, and this theme can be applied to unlimited sites. Users get one year of support and updates.

Blocksy

Developer: creativethemeshq

Blocksy is one of the best free Gutenberg block editor themes. You can create a website for business, trade, education, and more. Since its first release in 2019, there have been 60,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: Even the name of this theme implies a new block of content editing to customize layout and design options. In particular, this theme focuses on the header (including logo), footer (with widgets), sidebar, fonts, and colors. 

Free: 900+ fonts, layout (full-width blocks, positioning in one/two/three/four columns), left/right sidebar. Blocksy lets you customize thumbnails, menus, color settings, right-to-left language support, and threaded comments.

Pro: Free + multiple conditional sidebars, content blocks (hooks), custom code, snippets, custom fonts (support for variable fonts), Adobe Typekit fonts, Local Google fonts, Post Types Extra, mega menu, white labels (only in Agency bundle).

Besides that, there are some more advanced features:

• multiple conditional headers;
• duplicate headers items, desktop off-canvas drawer, more headers items (Contacts item, search box, divider, language switcher, widget area, wishlist), Logo item, search box, button;
• quick view module, floating cart, off-canvas filters, off-canvas cart, three more single product layouts, product share icons, gallery slider, and wishlist;
• high download speed, clean code, integrated microdata;
• a one-click importer, color scheme editor, global typography, lazy loading, custom widgets, live search, hero section, sticky sidebars, pagination types, image ratio, and responsive retina-ready design.

Plugins: The theme works like an app for most popular WordPress builders (Elementor, Beaver Builder, Visual Composer, and Brizy). Besides, users can install other plugins for Elementor. The theme is SEO-friendly, GDPR-compliant, and WooCommerce-integrated.  It has a schema for Google structured data and provides instant customization. 

Pro versions: There are two personal subscription plans: $49 for an annual subscription and $149 for a lifetime for one website.

Kava 

Developer: Crocoblock

Kava is a free minimalist blog theme for WordPress. I think it is the best multi-purpose theme.

Rating: No data.

Features: The theme is light-weighted and provides a high-performance speed. 

Free: The following elements are customizable: header, fonts, headings, hover, accent, menus, and colors.

• 50+ free blog layouts (grid, vertical justify, masonry, creative), ten single post templates, and over 200 customization settings;
• the theme is WooCommerce ready, responsive, customizable, translation- and RTL-ready;
• 100+ hooks (really convenient for developers).

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and 20 Crocoblock plugins. Besides, users can use any WordPress plugin they like with it. Kava is WooCommerce-integrated.

Pro version: There is none.

Botiga

Developer: Athemes

Developers presented Botiga in 2022 as a complete WooCommerce theme, and now it has 10,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: The theme has been designed from the ground up with clean code for optimal performance. It looks and functions great on any gadget and has many customization options. Botiga is a minimal theme with an optimized block editor.

Free: one/two/three-column layout, grid, left/right sidebar, customizable logo, thumbnails, menus, colors, multi-language support, threaded comments.

The theme focuses on e-shops and proposes a lot: 

• listing of products (card style, sort elements, color, font, radius);
• three styles of product galleries, carts layouts, product filters, and badge styles;
• scrolling to the top, product recommendations, product search, eight main headers, customizable for desktop and mobile;
• adding a blog to your eCommerce website, choosing colors/typography, site-wide fonts, headings, buttons, links, etc.

Pro: Free + wishlist, product swatch, shop header style, product tab style, sticky Add to Cart, multi-step checkout, single product advanced reviews, hooks system, four more gallery styles, and three more header layouts.

Plugins: Botiga is integrated with general-purpose plugins such as Gutenberg, Elementor, WooCommerce, etc. Besides, users can apply any compatible plugin they like.

Pro version: The pro version costs $69 per year for three sites and envisages priority support. 

Minimalist Builder

Developer: SuperbThemes

Minimalist Builder is an easy-to-use theme for personal and travel blogs with a clean, minimalist style. This theme has not been rated yet since it’s got 1,000+ active installations.

Rating: No data.

Features: The theme has multiple font options and images for an elegant, discreet background. 

Free: One/two-column layout, background, colors, header, logo, menu, featured images, flexible header, footer widgets, right sidebar, and threaded comments.

Pro: Free + full SEO optimization, easy Google fonts, pagespeed plugin, logo container background image, importable demo content. 

Additional features:

• show header image and widget on the front page, custom text on the header image, disabling of some elements (copyright text, footer, sidebar);
• full-width page template, upper widgets colors;
• navigation color, post/page color, colors of blog feed, and background color.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor. It can be easily optimized for various plugins, including Google and Bing search engines. Besides, users can apply any compatible plugin they like.

Pro version: Here are the pricing plans: 

• one-time purchase for $29 (for support of one domain and four child themes);
• business subscription for $69 (support for unlimited domains, access to 37 premium themes and 79 child themes);
• lifetime subscription for $149 (support for unlimited domains, access to 37 premium themes and 79 child themes). 

Blogstream

Developer: Alexander Agnarson

Blogstream is a personal blog theme full of options with 6,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: The Blogstream theme is flexible, light, and intended for personal blogs. The theme is optimized for all devices. Stylish design, attention-grabbing and customizable accent color, and the choice of sidebars are among the advantages. A minimalistic theme will make your work brighter and more attractive, and there are convenient visual cards for text messages and media files.

Free: Background, colors, header, logo, menu, featured images, flexible header, footer widgets, full-width template, left/right sidebar, one/two-column layout, post formats, right-sidebar, sticky-post, theme options, and threaded comments.

Pro: Free + the pro version includes:

• extensive styling options (any colors), unlimited widget areas, zero-four widget columns, website’s max width, social links, fonts, left/right sidebar, and logo;
• SEO, cross-browsing, localization, and complete child themes.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor. Besides, users can try to use any plugin it supports.

Pro version: The pro version costs $79.

Shapebox

Developed: Alexander Agnarson

Shapebox is a user-friendly and flexible blog theme with many options and 800+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: This theme is optimized for all devices. You can create a unique design for a site on any subject: travel blog, cooking, beauty salon, language center, etc. It is possible to choose any accent and gradient colors, install the sidebar on any side, or go without it. Here you can also adjust the overall tone of the theme 一 dark or light, using the sidebar. 

Free: Background, colors, header, logo, menu, featured images, flexible header, footer widgets, full-width template, left/right sidebar, sticky posts, one/two-column layout, wide blocks, and threaded comments.

Pro: Free + the pro version includes:

• SEO optimization, easy Google fonts, page speed plugin, logo container;
• background image, only show header image and widget on the front page, custom text on the header image, disabling of the copyright text;
• full-width page template, 
• upper widget colors, navigation color, post/page color, colors of blog feed, footer, sidebar, background color, and importable demo content.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and some design plugins.

Pro version: Here are the pricing plans:

• one-time purchase for $29 (for support of one domain and four child themes);
• business subscription for $69 (support for unlimited domains, access to 37 premium themes and 79 child themes);
• lifetime subscription for USD 149 (support for unlimited domains, access to 37 premium themes and 79 child themes). 

Blog X

Developer: nalam

The minimalistic theme template is suitable for online magazines, editorial and publishing blogs, business projects, portfolios, corporate websites, and blogs. It has no rating yet, and 1000+ active installations can be deemed pretty modest.

Features: The Blog X theme is a modern theme with a simple, light WordPress style suitable for personal projects and news outlets. It is responsive, lightweight, easy to use, and focuses on the content.

Free: Block editor to customize the background, header, logo, menu, left/right sidebar, layout (the grid layout has one/two-column layouts), two areas for widgets, color settings and six color schemes, full-width template, threaded comments, and sticky posts.

Pro: Free + the pro version is SEO-friendly, mobile-compatible, and easy to use. You can apply it to an unlimited number of sites.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and other plugins. 

Pro version: The pro version costs $25.

ScapeShot

Developer: CatchThemes

ScapeShot is a responsive fullscreen aesthetic minimalistic WordPress theme. It has 4,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: Users can create spectacular websites referred to as arts, i.e., for bloggers, photographers, and artists. The theme has a user-friendly interface and block editor to customize its numerous options.

Free: The free version includes:

• header/footer, colors, logo, image header, footer widgets, right-side toolbar, page content, photo gallery, page slider, portfolio, sections with services, and testimonials;
• one/two-column grid layout, sticky posts, threaded comments.

Pro: Free + the pro version includes:

• responsive design, featured slider, page templates, color options, featured thumbnails, threaded comments, drop-down menu, excerpt length, gravatar ready, localization; 
• customization of header/logo/footer, favicon, header video, menu, background, layout, fonts, homepage, CSS, logo slider, testimonials; 
• the pro version is ready for WooCommerce, WPML, hero content, and promotion headlines.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor, Gutenberg, and design plugins. CatchThemes additionally proposes the FSE Pro Plugin that extends Gutenberg Blocks and Patterns for all their themes. 

Pro version: The pro version costs $59.99 for a one-year subscription; the renewal is manual. 

Dark Minimalist Blogger

Developer: SuperbThemes

The Dark Minimalist Blogger is a stylish responsive theme designed mainly for writers and bloggers. Now it has 1,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Features: The minimal theme focuses on softboxes, header, and menu. The config.php file includes the theme settings by default, but users can change them.

Free: Custom background, header, logo, menu, featured images, footer widgets, left/right sidebar, sticky post, threaded comments, and one/two-column layout.

Pro: Free + the version is compatible with browsers, responsive, lightweight, and super fast. This version is built with SCSS, Gulp, HTML, CSS, and jQuery. It proposes the following:

• unique portfolio layouts;
• easy to use, well-documented, supports Google fonts;
• the pack has the following pages: homepage, two single blog pages, 10+ pages, 404 pages, search page, two portfolio pages, about page, author pages, and tag pages.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and other plugins for website design.  

Pro version: The pro version costs $15 for six months. 

Envo Storefront

Developer: EnvoThemes

The Envo Storefront theme is intended for e-shops; it is integrated well with the WooCommerce plugin. As of today, the theme has 7,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: The Envo Storefront theme is a simple, easy-to-manage WordPress theme. 

Free:  This theme proposes:

• customization of the background, header, logo, menu, featured image, footer widgets, threaded comments, and right sidebar;
• a one-column layout, full-width template, and RTL language support.

Pro: Free + the pro version proposes:

• one-click demo import, sticky menu, footer editor, custom colors, Google fonts, custom Elementor widgets, mega menu, floating sidebar;
• pop-up cart, AJAX add to cart, shop customization options, product customization options, and floating product info.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with many free page builders such as Elementor, KingComposer, Beaver Builder, SiteOrigin, Visual Composer, etc., and several plugins for design.

Pro version: There are two subscriptions. The annual subscription costs $39, and the lifetime subscription costs $89. 

Vilva

Developer: Blossom Themes

The Vilva theme is suitable for creating blogs on any topic. This is a user-friendly and responsive theme suitable for any device. It has gotten 1,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Features: The theme is compatible with WooCommerce and RTL, so it is suitable for creating commercial blogs: travel, makeup, beauty industry, or business coaching. With this theme, you can easily change the design of the site, post on social networks, gain subscribers, and always be in touch with customers.

Free version proposes:

• mobile-friendly/responsive design, SEO and speed optimization, social media integration, schema integration, and cross-browsing; 
• customizable logo, CSS, theme color options, image background, Google fonts;
• one header layout, banner slider, blog page, archive page, single post page, drop cap, featured area;
• basic banner control and banners with CTA (static/video) and sliders;
• customization of one/two-column layout, RTL language support, threaded comments.

Pro: Free + the pro version proposes:

• unlimited color options, 19 header layouts, 11 slider layouts, and 48 blog page layouts;
• seven single post layouts, four featured posts layouts, four pagination styles, and unlimited feature boxes;
• dark mode, newsletter integration, advertisement settings, smooth and attractive banner, performance settings;
• image lazy loading and 22 customizable widgets.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and other plugins to design sites. 

Pro version: Vilva Pro proposes two subscription plans: annual for $49.99 and lifetime for $99.99. 

EnjoyBlog

Developer: WPEnjoy

EnjoyBlog is a simple minimalist theme suitable for any website, and now it has reached 1000+ active installations.

Rating: No data.

Features: The difference between the free and pro versions’ functionality is huge. In particular, the free version envisages only responsive design and updates. It is generally related to the settings and management of the site. 

Free: Customization of colors, header, logo, featured image, footer widgets, right sidebar, sticky posts, threaded comments, one/two-column layout.

Pro: Free + the pro version proposes:

• theme options panel, unlimited number of colors, 1000+ Google fonts, header search on mobile, footer text (copyright);
• custom code editor, theme options import/export, featured content options, ad position management;
• archive (post list) options, single post options, post excerpt length option, post thumbnail width option;
• social share icons for posts, category posts widget, automatic updates, one-click demo import, and professional support.

Plugins: The theme is compatible with Elementor and any design plugin you like.

Pro version: The cost depends on the number of sites: a license costs $49, $69, and $89 for one, ten, and 25 websites.

Mik Maya

Developer: sharkthemes

Mik Maya is a multipurpose clean and lightweight theme for blogs with 1000+ active installations.

Rating: No data.

Features: This is a user-friendly theme focused on blogs, personal pages, portfolios, etc. The page setting options are standard, but other features are limited for the free version. 

Free: Customizing the background, header, logo, menu, featured images, footer widgets, full-width template, grid layout, right-side toolbar, one/two/three-column layout, and threaded comments.

Pro: Free + the pro version proposes:

• 12 demos, customization of header, main slider, introduction section, global settings, CTA/blog/archive/post/pages sections;
• theme colors/typography, infinite scroll pagination, load on click pagination;
• sticky header, footer credentials, post/page meta box, page layout, and five sidebars.

Plugins: Users can use Elementor and other compatible plugins.

Pro version: There are two subscription plans for one site: annual comes at $59.99, and lifetime costs $89.99. 

Dashscroll

Developer: Alexander Agnarson

A lightweight theme for blogs with 700,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Features: The theme proposes the customization of the background, colors, header, logo, the menu featured image, footer widgets, left/right sidebar, sticky posts, one/two columns layout, and threaded comments.

Plugins: Elementor and other compatible design plugins.

Pro versions: There is none.

Twenty Twenty-Two 

Developer: WordPress.org

Twenty Twenty-Two is the most flexible, lightweight, and customizable theme. It proposes a blocky approach to site development. Despite it being the newest starting WordPress theme, it now has 700,000+ active installations.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Features: This blocky theme presents a lot of templates and options to be customized. Twenty Twenty-Two envisages Full Site Editing. Users can control almost any aspect of styling through global styles. 

This theme has a soft palette of colors, pleasant natural motifs, flexible settings, the ability to enter typography, and other parameters at one’s discretion. There are dozens of templates for a single-page website, blog, business website, or freelancer portfolio to satisfy the pickiest taste. Users can customize colors, logo, menu, featured image, sticky posts, and threaded comments.

Plugins: The blocky editor of this theme is compatible with Elementor and other plugins you need to design sites.

Pro versions: The theme is free.

Conclusions

All minimal best WordPress themes are light, user-friendly, responsive, and easily customizable. They focus on content, so all site elements do not distract user attention.  They often remove features that do not support the primary goals of the interface or its users.

The main benefits of minimalistic WordPress themes are as follows:

• stylish design without unnecessary details;
• easy and fast loading of the site;
• customization of necessary features;
• compatibility with free/paid plugins.

I prefer free multifunctional themes like Kava because sometimes the difference between the free and pro versions is too tangible. Each theme contains ready-made templates to download and install. Free templates allow you to customize any blocks and add custom code.

You can view all demos on the WordPress themes collections. It is perfect for choosing the style and functionality.

FAQ