Astra Pro review: the fastest WordPress theme tested

Astra is one of the fastest growing WordPress themes with over 1.6 million active installations. This lightweight theme combines speed with flexibility and works perfectly with popular page builders like Elementor.

But is Astra Pro worth the €59 per year? In this review we look at performance, design options, page builder integration and pricing. You'll also read who this theme is and isn't suitable for.

What is Astra?

Astra is a freemium WordPress theme developed by Brainstorm Force. The free theme is already feature-rich, but Astra Pro adds premium modules for even more control over your design.

Astra's philosophy is different from Avada or Divi. Where those themes are all-in-one solutions, Astra focuses on speed and leaves page building to specialists like Elementor or Beaver Builder.

This means a cleaner, lighter theme that uses fewer resources. You combine Astra with your favorite builder instead of being forced into a proprietary system.

Performance: the major advantage

Why is Astra so fast?

Astra is built with performance as top priority. The base theme is less than 50 KB. For comparison: Avada and Divi are 20-40x larger out of the box.

The theme only loads CSS and JavaScript that you actually use. Unused features aren't loaded. This keeps your page size minimal.

Vanilla JavaScript instead of jQuery where possible. jQuery is a large library that increases load time. Astra avoids it where possible for faster performance.

Real-world performance tests

Websites with Astra regularly achieve under 1 second load time on good hosting. This is significantly faster than builder-heavy themes like Divi or Avada.

Google PageSpeed scores of 90-100 are normal with Astra. Out of the box without extra optimization you already score green on mobile and desktop. This is ideal for SEO.

For webshops and content sites where traffic is important, this makes a difference. Every second faster means higher conversion and better user experience.

Free vs Pro: what are the differences?

Astra Free contains

The free theme is already powerful. You get basic customization options, responsive controls and page builder compatibility. For simple blogs or portfolios this is often sufficient.

Features in free version:

• Header and footer layouts (5 options)
• Basic color controls
• Typography options (Google Fonts)
• Blog layout options
• Responsive controls
• WooCommerce compatibility
• Page builder support

Astra Pro adds

Astra Pro unlocks advanced features that give you more control over design and functionality. The premium modules are modular. You only activate what you need.

Pro modules:

• Custom Layouts - headers, footers and custom content anywhere
• Advanced Hooks - insert custom code at specific positions
• Site Layouts - boxed, padded, full-width and fluid
• Colors & Background - extensive color controls per element
• Typography - advanced font controls with variants and weights
• Spacing - control over margins and paddings site-wide
• Blog Pro - extra blog layouts and styling options
• Mobile Header - separate mobile menu design
• Scroll to Top - custom scroll button
• Sticky Header - sticky navigation controls
• White Label - hide Astra branding

These modules give you Divi-level control without the performance overhead. You build custom designs that load blazingly fast.

Design capabilities

Starter Templates library

Astra contains 200+ starter templates via the free Starter Templates plugin. These are designed for different industries and use cases. From restaurants to agencies and webshops.

Templates are available for Elementor, Beaver Builder, Gutenberg and Brizy. You choose your favorite builder and import matching templates. This gives more freedom than proprietary templates.

Import is simple. Install the Starter Templates plugin, browse templates, preview and import. Your site is live within minutes with professional design.

Premium templates are exclusive for Astra Pro users. These are often more modern and feature-rich than free templates. For agencies that want to deliver quickly, these are gold.

Page builder integration

Astra works seamlessly with all popular page builders. The integration is deep. Builder styles are respected and theme options don't conflict with builder settings.

Supported builders:

• Elementor (most popular)
• Beaver Builder
• Gutenberg (WordPress blocks)
• Brizy
• Visual Composer
• Divi Builder (technically possible, not optimal)
• Oxygen Builder

You're not bound to one builder. Build one site with Elementor and another with Beaver Builder. Astra adapts to both.

Custom Layouts module

The Custom Layouts module is a game changer. You build custom headers, footers, hooks and 404 pages with your page builder. This gives you Divi Theme Builder functionality without the overhead.

Display conditions determine where layouts appear. Show a specific header on product pages, another on blog posts. Or insert a custom section before or after your content on certain pages.

This combines the best of both worlds. Astra's speed with the visual control of a theme builder. Without double overhead of two systems.

Header and footer builder

Astra Pro contains a visual header builder. Not as advanced as Divi's builder, but powerful enough for most use cases. You choose layout, place logo, menu and buttons and style everything via the customizer.

Footer builder works similarly. You define columns, place widgets and copyright info. Or you build a custom footer with the Custom Layouts module for more control.

Sticky header, transparent header and different mobile header are all possible. These features you normally only find in premium themes.

WooCommerce integration

Astra is excellent for WooCommerce. The theme is officially recommended by WooCommerce itself. The integration is performant and feature-rich.

Shop features

Astra Pro WooCommerce modules:

• Infinite scroll for product grids
• Off-canvas cart (side drawer)
• Shop layouts (grid, list, with/without sidebar)
• Product gallery styling
• Quick view for products
• Sticky add to cart bar
• Distraction-free checkout

These features optimize your webshop for conversion. Infinite scroll keeps visitors browsing. Quick view speeds up product exploration. Off-canvas cart keeps users on the page.

Performance for webshops

WooCommerce makes WordPress slow. The more products, the heavier your database queries. Astra's lightweight code helps enormously here.

Webshops with thousands of products still achieve fast load times with Astra. Shop pages load smooth and add to cart actions are instant. This significantly increases conversion.

For serious webshops, speed is crucial.

Modular approach: pros and cons

Advantage: you don't pay for unnecessary features

Where Divi and Avada bundle everything whether you use it or not, Astra only activates what you need. This keeps your site lean.

Don't have WooCommerce? Deactivate the module and that code isn't loaded. Don't use custom layouts? Leave it off and save resources.

For developers and agencies who want clean, efficient code, this is ideal. You build exactly what's needed without bloat.

Disadvantage: you need multiple plugins

Astra itself is not a page builder. You install Elementor or Beaver Builder separately. Plus possibly forms plugins, slider plugins etc.

This means managing more plugins. Checking more updates. Potentially more conflicts between plugins. For beginners this can be overwhelming.

All-in-one themes like Divi have the advantage that everything is in one package. That's clearer for non-technical users.

Advantages of Astra Pro

Extremely fast Astra is one of the fastest WordPress themes available. You achieve PageSpeed scores of 95+ without much effort. This is gold for SEO.

Flexible with page builders Use your favorite builder. Switch builders per project. You're not locked into a proprietary system like with Divi.

Modular approach Activate only features you need. This keeps your site lean and fast. No bloatware you don't use.

Large template library 200+ starter templates give you a flying start. For every industry and builder. Regular updates with new designs.

Great price €59/year for unlimited websites is dirt cheap. Agencies build dozens of sites without buying extra licenses.

White label option Hide Astra branding in admin. Present sites as fully custom for clients. Ideal for agencies.

Active development Monthly updates with new features and bug fixes. Team is responsive on support forums. Plugin compatibility is excellent.

Good documentation Knowledge base is extensive with tutorials and videos. Community is large and helpful. Many third-party resources available.

Disadvantages of Astra Pro

No built-in page builder You must install a separate builder. This is extra work and an extra plugin to manage. All-in-one themes are easier in this regard.

Less visual than Divi/Avada Theme customizer is powerful but not as visual as Divi's interface. You don't see live preview during customization for all options.

Learning curve with multiple tools You learn Astra + your page builder + possibly other plugins. This is more to learn than one all-in-one system.

Pro features are necessary The free theme is basic. For serious websites you need Pro. That's still cheap but an extra cost.

No A/B testing Features like built-in A/B testing (like Divi has) are missing. You need third-party tools for split testing.

Support can be slower Support is good but not always as fast as Elegant Themes or ThemeFusion. Response times vary from 24-48 hours.

Pricing and licenses

Astra Pro has three pricing tiers:

Astra Pro - €59.00 per year

• Use on unlimited number of websites
• All Pro modules
• Access to premium starter templates
• 1 year updates and support
• Works with all page builders

Essential Bundle - €239.00 per year

• Everything from Astra Pro
• Premium plugins: Schema Pro, Convert Pro, WP Portfolio
• All Brainstorm Force products
• Priority support

Growth Bundle - €523.00 per year

• Everything from Essential Bundle
• More premium plugins and tools
• Agency-level support

For most users Astra Pro is sufficient. The bundles are mainly interesting for agencies who use the extra plugins on multiple client sites.

There is a 14 day money-back guarantee. If Astra doesn't suit you, you get your money back. You can first test the free version to see if the basics fit.

Who is Astra Pro suitable for?

Ideal for:

Performance-focused websites If speed is your top priority, Astra is the best choice. For blogs, affiliate sites and content platforms where traffic is important.

Elementor users Astra + Elementor is a popular combo. They work perfectly together and give you full design control with top performance.

WooCommerce webshops The WooCommerce features are excellent and the speed helps conversion. For serious e-commerce, Astra is a top choice.

Agencies with multiple sites €59/year for unlimited sites is super economical. Build dozens of client sites without license worries.

Developers who want clean code The modular approach and clean codebase make Astra ideal for custom development. Extend the theme without running into bloat.

Less suitable for:

Complete beginners without tech knowledge The setup with multiple plugins can be intimidating. All-in-one themes like Divi are more user-friendly for non-techies.

Don't want page builder If you only want to use WordPress blocks, you pay for Pro features you don't optimally use. Free Astra or a blocks-focused theme is better.

Visual all-in-one preference If you want one system where everything works visually, Divi or Avada fits better. Astra requires more tool-switching.

Complex membership sites For very complex sites with custom post types and advanced relationships, framework themes like Genesis or Timber are more flexible.

Alternatives to Astra Pro

Still doubting? These are strong alternatives:

GeneratePress Premium - €59/year. Just as fast as Astra, slightly fewer features. Both are excellent for performance.

Divi - €99/year unlimited sites. All-in-one with builder. Heavier but more integrated experience.

OceanWP - €39/year. Cheaper, less popular but solid. Good WooCommerce support.

Kadence - €129/year. Newer but rapidly growing. Modern blocks-first approach with good design.

Astra + Elementor: the most popular combo

The most used combination is Astra Pro + Elementor Pro. This gives you:

• Astra's speed and lightweight code
• Elementor's powerful visual builder
• Custom headers/footers via both systems
• WooCommerce builder from Elementor
• Theme Builder from Elementor
• Together approximately €120/year for unlimited sites

This is a powerhouse combination that professional agencies use. You build fast, it loads fast and you have full control.

Alternative is Astra + Beaver Builder for those who don't want Elementor. Or Astra + Gutenberg if you want to work blocks-first.

Frequently asked questions

Can I try Astra for free? Yes, the free version is fully functional. Test that first. For Pro features there is 14 day money-back guarantee.

Does Astra work with any hosting package? Yes, Astra is very lightweight and works on even basic shared hosting. For best results do choose managed WordPress hosting.

How many sites can I build with Astra Pro? Unlimited. The €59/year license applies to unlimited websites. Ideal for agencies.

Do I get updates after the first year? Updates and support are valid as long as your subscription is active. Stop paying and your current version still works but you don't get new features.

Is Astra better than Divi? Depends on your priorities. For speed: Astra. For all-in-one visual experience: Divi. Both are excellent in their approach.

Which page builder works best with Astra? Elementor is most popular. Beaver Builder is also excellent. Gutenberg works well if you want blocks. Choose based on personal preference.

Do I need Astra Pro or is free enough? For hobby blogs free can be sufficient. For professional websites you want Pro for custom layouts, advanced colors and spacing controls.

Can I switch from Divi/Avada to Astra? Technically yes, but you must rebuild your pages. Page builder content is not portable between systems. Plan migration carefully.