15 best Elementor themes compatible with the page builder
Elementor is one of the most popular WordPress page builder plugins thanks to its easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface and extensive features. It’s a favorite among beginners and non-tech-savvy users who want to design websites without hassle.
If you use Elementor to design your website, using the right theme can save you time and help avoid compatibility issues. This is especially convenient if you’re not familiar with coding.
Not sure where to start? I’ve got you covered. In this article, I’ll show you the best Elementor themes for different budgets and website types. You’ll see how each performs and stands out, giving you the insights to decide which theme fits your needs best.
Top 15 WordPress themes for Elementor
As someone who has spent over five years exploring all things WordPress, I’ve tested and compared various themes at different price points. In this article, I’m sharing my personal favorite Elementor themes and why I think they’re worth your time.
To give an objective review, I tested all the themes listed here on a fresh WordPress installation using Hostinger’s Managed WordPress hosting plan. I also ran a website speed test with GTmetrix using San Francisco, USA as the location. Keep in mind that the results might vary depending on your hosting plan, and installing too many plugins can also affect the results.
I picked these WordPress themes based on their:
- Compatibility with Elementor, including extra features and demos specific to the page builder.
- Frequency of security, functionality, and compatibility updates.
- Reviews on WordPress.org or the platform that sells the theme.
- Mobile responsiveness.
- Overall performance.
- Demo availability.
Here are my top picks, presented in no particular order.
1. Hello Elementor
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.4/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 1+ million
- Price: free
- Load time: 1.5 seconds
If you’re happy with what Elementor offers as a WordPress page builder, the Hello Elementor theme couldn’t be more perfect for you. Made by Elementor’s own developers, it guarantees full compatibility with the page builder. You can install Hello Elementor when setting up the plugin or anytime from the official WordPress theme directory.
Customization is super easy thanks to over 100 pre-built templates or kits in the Kit Library. I imported the Ceramic Studio website kit to test it out and can confirm that it’s both beautiful and lightweight. The entire process took under a minute to complete, though you need to create an account first to access the library.
Unfortunately, the Hello Elementor theme relies heavily on the plugin for both design and functionality. So, if you want more Elementor templates and widgets, I’d recommend upgrading to Elementor Pro.
Overall, it’s a decent starter theme that works well with your favorite page builder. You get to create a unique website look for free and without any hassle ‒ that’s a steal in my book!
Key features:
- Over 100 pre-built website kits
- Header and footer builders
- WooCommerce builder
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2. Astra
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.9/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 1+ million
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $49/year or $199/lifetime license)
- Load time: 0.73 seconds
You can’t go wrong with one of the most popular WordPress themes today ‒ Astra. When you activate the theme, it’ll guide you through a quick onboarding process where you can choose a starter site from hundreds of free and paid options. Just make sure to pick Elementor as your preferred page builder so Astra can curate the starter sites for you.
Each starter site has multiple font selections and color palettes for quick customization. You can also add features like a video player, donations, and live chat ‒ no extra plugins needed. The setup takes less than a minute and doesn’t require an account.
The best part? Astra is blazing fast. I tested the Love Nature starter site, and it didn’t disappoint. My site fully loaded in 0.73 seconds with a grade A from GTmetrix.
My only gripe is that its free support can take two to three business days to respond. Header and footer builders are also exclusive to Astra Pro users, limiting your ability to improve navigation and brand identity.
That said, the Astra theme is definitely worth the money. Upgrading to Astra Pro for $49/year or $199/lifetime license unlocks its full potential as a multi-purpose theme ‒ perfect for starting a blog or launching a WooCommerce store. Plus, you’ll get 24/7 premium support for troubleshooting, so there will be less waiting around.
Key features:
- Integrations with popular WordPress plugins
- Extensive knowledge base, including video tutorials
- Schema markup for better SEO
3. OceanWP
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.9/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 600,000+
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $22/year or $88/lifetime license)
- Load time: 1.8 seconds
OceanWP has a massive library of demo sites accessible through the WordPress admin dashboard. Each demo site comes with royalty-free images and sections tailored to its respective website type or niche, all ready to import during setup.
Despite its visually rich design, OceanWP is a lightweight theme. Even with a gallery of images, my test site loaded in 1.8 seconds and got a grade A on GTmetrix.
OceanWP gives you complete control over your workspace. For example, I can hide OceanWP widgets I don’t need via Extra Settings. Your system info is also accessible through the theme’s panel, which is convenient for troubleshooting.
The free features are rather limited, so it’s best to upgrade if this theme fits your needs best. For $22/year or $88/lifetime license, you can unlock Freepik and Flaticon libraries, white label functionality, and custom hooks for advanced customization.
Paid users can also access priority support and webinars from industry experts ‒ an excellent advantage for newbies and aspiring WordPress professionals alike.
Key features:
- Translation-ready and RTL-support for multilingual functionality
- Custom popups for driving engagement and conversions (Pro only)
- Accessibility-friendly templates designed according to the latest WAI-ARIA guides
4. Neve
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.7/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 300,000+
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $69/year)
- Load time: 0.81 seconds
Setting up Neve requires installing two supporting plugins for its starter sites, but the overall onboarding process is just as easy as with previous themes.
The available free starter sites cover many niches, from legal consultancy to drone hobbyists. You don’t need an account to import them, so Neve earns an extra point from me.
Neve performed well during my testing, with a load time of 0.81 seconds and grade A on GTmetrix. This is quite impressive, considering the starter sites are visual-heavy and need extra plugins.
You can adjust the header and footer areas, though the advanced settings and elements are paywalled. It’s also easy to change your website’s colors globally and set a custom palette based on your branding.
The quick links to basic customizations and documentation in the Neve panel make it user-friendly. Neve’s support isn’t 24/7, and there’s no live chat (even on Pro), so this helps balance it out.
If you can find a starter site that meets your needs, the free version is a steal. Otherwise, consider upgrading for $69/year to get extra features like multilingual support, blog layouts, and WooCommerce-specific tools.
Key features:
- Global color palette for branding
- 100+ starter sites for various niches
- Content restriction module to limit content accessibility (Pro only)
5. Hestia
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.8/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 100,000+
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $69/year)
- Load time: 0.48 seconds
If you’re looking for a one-page Elementor theme, Hestia is right up your alley. This multi-purpose theme features a minimalist design with customizable header and footer sections.
Elementor works seamlessly with Hestia right off the bat. When accessing the editor, you can set Hestia’s widgets (courtesy of Orbit Fox) as default to make sure all the elements are fully compatible. The free version includes blocks for featuring services, pricing, contact forms, and newsletters that are handy for business websites.
When it comes to performance, this lightweight theme exceeded my expectations. Even with an extra plugin for more functions, it loaded in 0.48 seconds with a perfect A GTmetrix grade.
Unfortunately, Hestia doesn’t offer free starter sites. You must upgrade for $69/year to use them and other features like advanced blog options, sliders, and a custom layout builder. Its support is also not the easiest to access, with email support for Business users and live chat only for Agency users.
Key features:
- Compatibility with slider and gallery plugins
- Extended header options for branding and navigation (Pro only)
- Blog settings to drive engagement and improve readability
6. Sydney
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.9/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 100,000+
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $63/year or $199/lifetime license)
- Load time: 2.5 seconds
Sydney’s demo site selection isn’t as large as others on this list, but you still get six free options to start with. I’m particularly fond of Fashion Shop for its minimalist and chic design. Plus, it includes relevant sections like a testimonial slider and product grids for faster customization.
this theme’s settings are customizable to your preferences. It has built-in schema markup and preloader to improve SEO and user experience, both of which are easily enabled in the WordPress Customizer.
Sydney comes with features often reserved for premium themes, like sticky menus, carousel widgets, and multilingual support. You also get WooCommerce support, though its extended features are paywalled.
Performance-wise, Sydney isn’t the fastest theme on the list, likely due to its reliance on multiple plugins. The good news is that it still meets Google’s three-second standard. Just keep this in mind when adding dynamic elements like sliders and animations, as they could slow down the loading.
Upgrading to the premium version for $63/year or $199/lifetime license unlocks the Elementor Tools Module and more widgets to elevate your website’s functionality and look. For loyal Elementor users, I’d say these built-in features are well worth the price.
Key features:
- Multiple header and footer presets for mobile and desktop
- Templates builder module (Pro only)
- Hooks for advanced customization (Pro only)
7. Phlox
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.8/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 40,000+
- Price: free (Pro version costs $39)
- Load time: 3.3 seconds
Phlox’s premium option might be more popular, but you shouldn’t underestimate its free version. The built-in demo importer lets you import over 20 free demo sites across various niches with one click, making it perfect for budget-conscious users.
Each demo relies on specific plugins, which explains the slightly slower performance. I tested Phlox with Diet Coach’s entire demo content, and my site loaded in just over three seconds. You can easily improve the result by carefully choosing which plugins to install and optimizing the images.
What wins me over is Phlox’s variety of free design options. I can easily create a business website homepage with a hero image, portfolio slider, featured items, and team members ‒ all on the free version.
However, Phlox’s Pro version might still be worth your while. For only $39/year, you get even more page templates plus exclusive elements, adaptive images and an advanced image preloader for faster performance, and a live CSS editor. It also includes premium plugins like Visual Composer and Go Pricing, adding more value to your purchase.
Key features:
- Tons of page templates and layouts for various niches and website types
- Code-free visual editing tools
- White label functionality for better branding (Pro only)
8. Page Builder Framework
Theme stats:
- Rating: 5/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 10,000+
- Price: free (Pro version costs $58/year or $248/lifetime license)
- Load time: 0.43 seconds
With WordPress, it’s always better to add customizations to your child theme ‒ a sub-theme that inherits its parent’s functionality and look. It maintains all the changes you make even after updates.
While you can create a child theme manually, some themes provide them for free. Page Builder Framework takes it a step further by offering a free child theme generator. Just head to the official site and generate your own white-labeled child theme as needed.
Design-wise, this theme has fewer bells and whistles than most themes on this list. However, this keeps it lightweight and easy to personalize. With 0.43 seconds of load time, GTmetrix rated it an A for performance.
The built-in schema markup makes this theme even more SEO-friendly. It’s also GDPR-compliant, which helps you build audience trust and enhance data privacy ‒ a crucial factor if you want to collect and process personal data.
Want more flexibility and ease of use in customizing your site’s look?Need a simpler way to customize your website? Consider upgrading to the Pro version for premium design options like custom sections and sticky navigation. Paid users can also adjust responsive breakpoints and set up off-canvas navigation for an optimal mobile experience.
Key features:
- Child theme generator for branding and easier customization
- WooCommerce support with GDPR compliance for your eCommerce needs
- Advanced headers and footers (Pro only)
9. Zakra
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.9/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 40,000+
- Price: free (Pro version starts at $55/year or $199/lifetime license)
- Load time: 1.9 seconds
When it comes to demo sites, Zakra sets the bar high. Not only does it offer tons of free options (70+ for Elementor), but each also includes pre-built sections with animation effects. For example, the Zakra Charity starter site has an eye-catching hero section, donation progress bars, a map, and a gallery slider with transition effects.
With all these elements, you’d think it runs slow, but nope – my test website loaded in under two seconds, earning an A for performance by GTmetrix. You can swap out the demo images with compressed ones to make it perform even better.
If you’re familiar with coding, the free version offers hooks for modifying the header, content, footer, and page settings. Need help? Simply access Zakra’s documentation and Meta community page directly from your WordPress admin dashboard.
One drawback is that Zakra lacks customization options for blogs. Layouts, pagination styles, and author bios are some of the core blogging features locked behind a paywall.
Overall, Zakra’s free version can help you create a nice-looking website easily. However, if you want more advanced WooCommerce features and blog styling options, you’ll have to upgrade to Zakra Pro for $55/year or $199/lifetime license.
Key features:
- Hooks for advanced customization
- WooCommerce support with widget areas and product catalog
- Global styling for consistent branding
10. Nozama Lite
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.4/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 200+
- Price: free (Pro version costs $34.30/year)
- Load time: 0.51 seconds
If you’re considering building an online store or marketplace, Nozama is your Elementor theme. Designed with WooCommerce integration, this responsive theme offers the template you need to start selling online.
Nozama has demo content you can import in one click for quicker customization. You get pre-built pages to promote services, handle booking, and answer FAQs. There are also templates for restaurant menus and professional portfolios for non-eCommerce sites. They’re simple, but they get the job done.
I especially like the element-packed footer, with sections to showcase products on sale and retail operations.
With all the demo content imported, my test website loaded in just 0.51 seconds with a grade B performance.
The Lite version is translation-ready with full documentation, limited custom widgets, and 24/7 support. Upgrade to Pro for $34.30/year if you want to customize the typography and product catalog settings. Pro users can also access custom Elementor widgets, mini carts, and more layout options.
Key features:
- AJAX search functionality for real-time results without page reloads
- Sticky menu to improve navigation, especially for stores with a large product catalog
- Social networking options to boost engagement and visibility
11. Olsen Light
Theme stats:
- Rating: 4.9/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 4,000+
- Price: free (Pro version costs $34.30/year)
- Load time: 1 second
Created by the same team behind Nozama, Olsen is perfect for blogs and visual-focused niches like photography and digital art. It features a minimalist look with abundant white space and retina-ready design, giving your content the spotlight it deserves across desktop and mobile devices.
Olsen also comes with pre-built templates and demo content. If you already have custom Customizer settings on a previous theme, you can import them as well as all the widgets included to speed up the setup process.
What sets Olsen apart is its free social features, including quick sharing, social icons, MailChimp support, and Instagram integration. It’s also translation-ready and supports RTL languages. 24/7 support is also available in the free version.
However, the lack of customizable typography without upgrading is a bit disappointing for a blog theme. Fortunately, the front page carousel helps leave a strong first impression.
Consider upgrading to Pro for $34.30/year to unlock more layouts, adjust element visibility, set up author boxes, and access priority support. Keep in mind that WooCommerce support is only available in the paid version.
Key features:
- Content import via an XML file
- RTL language support to make your blog more appealing to an international audience
- WooCommerce support (Pro only)
12. Martanda
Theme stats:
- Active installations: 200+
- Price: free (premium version costs $49/lifetime license)
- Load time: 0.6 seconds
Users looking for a minimalist yet unique design may want to give Martanda a shot. Built with simplicity in mind, this beautiful Elementor theme features a black-and-white color palette, large fonts, and placeholders for images. It’s ideal for blogs, portfolios, and even eCommerce stores.
Not a fan of the default design? Install one of Martanda’s child themes from the WordPress directory (many have five-star ratings) or download free templates from the theme’s panel in your admin dashboard or WPKoi’s website. The templates are designed specifically for Elementor, so there won’t be any compatibility issues.
You can personalize the theme, including the header, footer, top bar, and template parts, using the Customizer or Elementor. However, the options for typography, colors, and margin controls are limited.
If you like the free version, consider upgrading for a one-time payment of $49. Premium users unlock additional Elementor features, including extra widgets, hooks, buttons, and the option to disable specific elements, along with other enhancements.
Key features:
- Tons of pre-built Elementor templates
- Customizable header and footer
- Full demo import (Pro only)
13. Public Opinion
Theme stats:
- Active installations: 115,000+
- Price: $34.30/year
- Load time: 2.4 seconds
When it comes to premium magazine themes, Public Opinion is a top contender, especially for those new to WordPress.
Before you start customizing, you’ll need to install Ignition Framework and GutenBee plugins for core features and premium blocks. I like that they offer clear instructions on where to get them and shortcuts for the ones available in the plugins directory ‒ a small but helpful detail for beginners.
The theme offers two presets you can switch between at any time with one click, each with ready-to-import demo content. This can be a drawback for those looking for multiple design options, but considering its specific niche, I’d say it makes things simpler.
The feature that stood out to me is the Global Sections, which lets you reuse elements in over 15 key theme locations. This includes having them replace header and footer sections or appear between posts ‒ perfect for call-to-action placements. You can also display Global Sections’ content in the post, page, or sidebar using shortcodes.
Performance-wise, Public Opinion meets the three-second recommended loading time. However, GTmetrix gave it a Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) score of 0.48, which is considered poor by Google’s Web Vitals standards. To prevent too many layout shifts, you must set fixed widths or heights for layouts and elements instead of relying on default sizes.
While the theme offers 24/7 support, I’m a bit disappointed that it’s only available through a ticket system with up to a 24-hour response time. The good news is that all purchases (except Lifetime subscriptions) come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Keep in mind that installing a theme from outside the WordPress directory is a bit different, though it’s still pretty straightforward.
Key features:
- Global sections with customizable rules and easy-to-use shortcodes
- Child theme to maintain customization post-updates
- Extensive yet beginner-friendly knowledge base and 24/7 support
14. Oikia
Theme stats:
- Active installations: 115,000+
- Price: $34.30/year
- Load time: 1.1 seconds
Developed by the same team behind Public Opinion, Oikia brings the same core features but is tailored for real estate businesses.
This premium theme offers two distinct options, both with presets built specifically for Elementor. I personally loved Realtique’s rustic vibe, so that’s the one I tested. Surprisingly, the results were much better than Public Opinion’s ‒ I got just over a second load time with zero CLS.
If you prefer the more modern version but aren’t a fan of the bold color scheme, you can easily tweak it to suit your style. Simply import the Elementor-optimized version to customize it with the page builder.
I recommend installing the Ignition Widgets for Elementor plugin from the theme website’s Downloads section for extra widgets. For example, the Post Types widget is ideal for highlighting key blog posts. It even lets you filter the display based on taxonomy.
Speaking of taxonomy, Oikia has seven custom ones ‒ all geared towards different property types. You can attach agents, amenities, and even locations to specific properties and later display them anywhere on your Elementor website or use them to filter searches.
Another unique feature that can help you sell your property is the loan calculator, which you can embed with a shortcode. You also get shortcodes to easily embed agent profiles, open house dates, maps, and other attributes.
The documentation isn’t as beginner-friendly as Public Opinion, but that’s because of its more complex structure and unique niche. If you can get over the learning curve, Oikia can surely take your real estate business to the next level.
Key features:
- Custom shortcodes to display different property attributes
- Custom taxonomies for accurate search results and better organization
- Lightbox to highlight images without redirecting users to another page
15. GeneratePress
Theme stats:
- Downloads: 5/5 on WordPress.org
- Active installations: 6+ million
- Price: free (Pro version costs $59/year)
- Load time: 0.54 seconds
GeneratePress has a free version with basic customization, but the Pro version is where this theme shines.
As someone who doesn’t like clutter, GeneratePress wins me over with its modular approach. It lets me turn on just the features I need and disable the rest, allowing me to set up my workspace exactly how I want while keeping things fast.
The same goes for the theme’s elements, which you can customize or create from scratch. The Display Rules settings make it easy to control where and when each element appears. You can even use user roles or login status to create exclusive sections on your WordPress website.
When it comes to customization, GeneratePress is so flexible you can easily make it match your branding. With the Typography Manager, you can pick a font from the library or upload your own and apply it to your chosen element. Colors are also adjustable for each element via Global Colors in the WordPress Customizer.
Now, the drawbacks. While buying the GP Premium license for $59/year unlocks the Site Library for demo sites, some require Generate Pro for an extra $99/year. That means you’ll need to spend $158/year to fully unlock all the designs ‒ quite expensive compared to other premium themes.
Additionally, the lack of a setup wizard makes GeneratePress not so beginner-friendly. I had to find out from a forum that GP Premium needs to be uploaded as a plugin. Furthermore, the documentation in the theme’s dashboard requires basic knowledge of WordPress Gutenberg and web design to be useful.
In conclusion, the premium GeneratePress theme lives up to the hype, especially for businesses and professionals with established branding or experienced WordPress users. However, if you’re just starting out or working with a tight budget, the free theme or another theme could be a better fit.
Key features:
- Customizable elements for branding needs
- Visually rich and speed-optimized sites
- Documentation and well-maintained customer support via forums and email
What sets Elementor themes apart from other WordPress themes
One of the best things about using Elementor is all the tools and features you get for building your website. The Kit Library alone has tons of designer-made templates, so customizing your site is as simple as dragging and dropping elements ‒ no coding involved. And that’s just from installing the plugin’s free version.
Pairing Elementor with a theme built specifically for it can take your website’s look to the next level. The risk of encountering glitches or broken layouts is minimal, meaning less time troubleshooting and more time focusing on what really matters: building a site you’re proud of.
Benefits of using Elementor themes
Still on the fence about using an Elemetor theme? Here are the key reasons why you should:
- Pre-built compatibility. Elementor themes are built to work seamlessly with the page builder’s drag-and-drop editor and features, including templates in the Kit Library. Once you install the theme, you can start customizing it right away without coding.
- Custom widgets. Many Elementor themes offer custom widgets and modules tailored to the page builder, giving you more design options and flexibility than regular WordPress themes.
- Pre-designed templates. Elementor themes often come with pre-built templates and demo sites you can import with just a click. Their native integration makes sure everything runs smoothly right out of the box ‒ super convenient if you’re short on time.
- Regular updates. Elementor themes get updates prioritizing compatibility with the page builder, so there won’t be issues with newer plugin versions.
Best Elementor themes FAQ
What is the fastest WordPress theme for Elementor?
Page Builder Framework is the fastest theme for Elementor, loading in 0.43 seconds, with Hestia close behind at 0.48 seconds. Keep in mind that your hosting setup can affect these results.
Can I use Elementor with any WordPress theme?
Technically, yes. However, if your theme isn’t compatible with Elementor , you might experience issues like limited design flexibility, conflicting styles, or layouts that don’t display correctly. Fixing these issues usually involves coding.
What features should I look for in Elementor themes?
When choosing an Elementor theme, look for compatibility with the page builder plugin to avoid styling issues. Also, prioritize features like mobile responsiveness, SEO-friendliness, and fast performance for optimal user experience. For security, only consider themes that get regular updates.