lightweight WordPress themes

15 Fastest and Lightweight WordPress Themes in 2023 (Tested and Compared)

Fastest WordPress themes is a controversial term often used by theme authors. They claim that their theme is the fastest WordPress theme. So, it becomes very confusing for any user to find out the fastest WordPress theme. 

To find the fastest WordPress theme, you need a data-driven result

We’ve analyzed 10,000+ themes. Then filtered out the effective ones, and tested them with the website’s speed-measuring tools. Those tools provide real-time data about website loading time. However, those tools can give faulty results.

That’s why we’ve used multiple tools. We’ve tried many tools to measure the themes, which can help you better understand their speed. Among hundreds of tested themes, we’ve chosen some for you.  Before jumping into those theme reports, you may have an interest in knowing how we’ve measured the speed. Here are the details of our testing method.

How to test the website speed?

There are various tools for testing the speed of any website. We’ve tried most of them and have chosen the most accurate ones.  We are using some popular tools like GTmatrix, Pingdom, and PageSpeed Insights. Among them, PageSpeed Insight is recommended by Google.

GTmatrix and Pingdom have quite a good reputation in this field, and both are recommended by industry experts.  This is how it looks if you run a test through those tools.

GTmatrix

GTmetrix fastest theme checker

Pingdom pingdom fastset and lightweight theme checker

PageSpeed Insights

PageSpeed Insights lighweight theme checker PageSpeed Insights theme checker

15 Fastest and Lightweight WordPress Themes in 2022

After testing a huge number of themes, we’ve decided to show you the best 15 themes’ test reports. So that you can choose the best theme for your website. Here is the list of 15 themes you can count on.

1. Astra

Astra is a WordPress theme that gives developers and users an outstanding experience. Also, it offers super-fast performance, customizable options, and the largest library of pre-built websites. Besides, Astra has seamless compatibility with Gutenberg blocks. It provides the ability to create custom layouts that will make your website stand out from the crowd!

Astra fastest WordPress theme

It has an amazing builder that allows you to take your website to the highest peak of performance. You can check out the full Astra theme reviews in this section. Key features:

  • Header Footer builder
  • Drag and Drop builder
  • Live editing
  • Seamless WooCommerce integration with variable products
  • Advanced styling options
  • Fastest, lightweight

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 1.8 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 14 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.4 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 69
  • Page Size: 1.7 MB
  • Load Time: 915 ms
  • Requests: 111 

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 100 %
  • Structure Score: 90%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 619 ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 50ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
  • Fully Loaded Time: 1.9s
  • Speed Index: 686ms

Live Demo & Download Link

2. Hestia

Hestia focuses on performance mainly, also it’s easy to use for both developers and users. Also, it is a stylish one-page theme for WordPress based on modern design.

hestia WordPress theme

Hestia is amazing as it is integrated with WooCommerce and supports all popular page builders that allow you to create your desired design. In addition, it lets you fine-tune your website, and see the changes in real time.  Hestia is an excellent choice for online shops as it’s a user-friendly WooCommerce theme. Key features:

  • Live customizer
  • SEO-optimized 
  • Quick updates and fast support
  • Easy to set up
  • Full control with popular page builders

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.0 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 32 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 3.7 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.28

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 74
  • Page Size: 3.5 MB
  • Load Time: 1.42 s
  • Requests: 152

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 93%
  • Structure Score: 87%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 434ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 153ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.11 
  • Fully Loaded Time: 4.1s
  • Speed Index: 1.4s

Live Demo & Download Link

3. OnePress

OnePress is a highly creative and adaptable WordPress one-page theme. That’s why it’s ideal for a business website, portfolio, product display, and anybody else who is looking for an aesthetic design. Also, it’s a wonderful example of a Bootstrap 4 WordPress theme that is compatible with the most recent version of WooCommerce.

onepress fastest WordPress theme Key Feature:

  • Slideshow header
  • Fun facts area
  • Newsfeed
  • Contact form 
  • Newsletter signup

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 1.5 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 14 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.4 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.05

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 88 
  • Page Size: 2.6 MB
  • Load Time: 887 ms
  • Requests: 45

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 85%
  • Structure Score: 96%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 995ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 176ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
  • Fully Loaded Time: 1.6s
  • Speed Index: 4.3s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 995ms

Live Demo & Download Link

4. Flatsome 

Flatsome is one of the most used and trusted themes for any kind of WooCommerce website. For being updated, it always supports the latest WooCommerce versions. Also, it offers super responsive websites that are pretty fast comparing others. You can easily speed up the WooCommerce website with this theme.

It has the page builder option that allows building pages without coding. Moreover, If you want an aesthetic, responsive, fast, and dynamic WooCommerce theme, the Flatsome theme can be the best choice. 

flatsome fastest and lightweight WordPress theme Key Feature:

  • Responsive design
  • Touch-optimized
  • Sharp retina-ready graphics
  • Unlimited color options
  • Quick and easy mobile navigation
  • Smart header
  • 500+ Built-in Google fonts
  • Beautiful cart and checkout design

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 1.7 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 1.9 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 83
  • Page Size: 904.4 KB
  • Load Time: 506 ms
  • Requests: 56

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 100%
  • Structure Score: 88%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 607ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 13ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
  • Fully Loaded Time: 702ms
  • Speed Index: 537ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 607ms

Live Demo & Download Link

5. OceanWP

OceanWP theme is multipurpose, highly extendable, and one of the best free responsive themes in WordPress. This theme is lightweight that provides a super-fast experience while browsing. It is suitable for any type of website such as a blog, portfolio, or business.

Fastest WordPress Theme OceanWP

OceanWP is WooCommere ready, allowing you to instantly turn your website into an eCommerce store. You can also compare OceanWP vs Flatsome theme and can get an idea of which theme is the best for you.

Key features:

  • Elementor ready
  • E-Commerce ready
  • SEO optimized
  • RTL Translation supported

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.2 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 3 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  N/A

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 69
  • Page Size: 3.4 MB
  • Load Time: 1.90 s
  • Requests: 122

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 90%
  • Structure Score: 95%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 421ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 203ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.15
  • Fully Loaded Time: 2.8s
  • Speed Index: 815ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 421ms

Live Demo & Download Link

6. Divi

 According to BuiltWith.com statistics, Divi is the most popular premium WordPress theme in the world. Also, it is a premium theme with a visual page builder. Divi is more than just a theme. Because it’s a website-building framework that allows you to create stunning websites.

And you can build websites without typing a single line of code or installing a bunch of things. Also, you don’t need to configure dozens of plugins. Here you can also compare Divi vs Flatsome theme to get the best choice between them.

Elegant and lightweight theme Divi Key Feature:

  • WYSIWYG visual editor 
  • Custom theme templates
  • Reusable sections 
  • Wireframe mode

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 3.1 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 10.6 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.617

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 90
  • Page Size: 4.4 MB
  • Load Time: 3.14 s
  • Requests: 38

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 60%
  • Structure Score: 92%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.9s
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 117ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
  • Fully Loaded Time: 3.9s
  • Speed Index: 4.4s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 2.9s

Live Demo & Download Link

7. Twenty Seventeen

Twenty Seventeen mainly focused on business websites. It is one of the best corporate themes for events. For this reason, this theme includes many sections on the home page such as widgets, navigation, social menus, logo, and other features.

Besides that, it brings your site to life with the help of header videos and images. You can customize its uneven grid with a custom color scheme. Also, you can use post formats to showcase your multimedia content. 

twenty_seven

Twenty-Seventeen’s default theme for 2017 works well in a variety of languages and supports any browser. It doesn’t need any translation plugin for WordPress based on its language performance. It also performs well on any device.

Key Feature:

  • Custom video header 
  • SVG icons to the Social Icons menu
  • Animation enables
  • Allows one-page website

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 3.4 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 4.2 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.036

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 71
  • Page Size: 535.5 KB
  • Load Time: 1.75 s
  • Requests: 44 

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 71%
  • Structure Score: 88%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.6s
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 0ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.01
  • Fully Loaded Time: 2.9s
  • Speed Index: 2.5s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 2.6s

Live Demo & Download Link

8. Neve

Neve is a multipurpose modern WordPress theme that is both fast and lightweight. Also, it is highly customizable and suitable for blogs, small enterprises, startups, agencies, firms, e-commerce stores, and other similar purposes. The Neve theme has a simple appearance, which is easily configurable.

Besides, it works nicely with Elementor, Beaver Builder, and other well-known page builders. Moreover, its code is highly optimized, and loads in less than a second.

popular theme Neve Key features:

  • Super fast and lightweight
  • AMP-optimized and responsive
  • Highly SEO-optimized code
  • WooCommerce ready
  • RTL Translation ready

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 1.5 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 32 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 3.7 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.28

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 74
  • Page Size: 1.3 MB
  • Load Time: 1.06 s
  • Requests: 99

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 98%
  • Structure Score: 98%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 418ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 28ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.06
  • Fully Loaded Time: 3.3s
  • Speed Index: 1.5s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 418ms

Live Demo & Download Link

9. Inspiro

Inspiro is a photo and video-focused WordPress theme. In other words, it’s modern, professional, and lightweight. For this reason, this theme is ideal for showcasing your photography and cinematography portfolio.  It includes a fullscreen area that supports Vimeo, YouTube, and self-hosted video backgrounds for WordPress.

Furthermore, the theme is compatible with WooCommerce as well as major Page Builders like Elementor and Beaver Builder.

inspiro themeKey Feature:

  • The fullscreen slideshow that supports YouTube, Vimeo
  • Supports self-hosted videos in the background
  • Page Builder integration and a gallery module

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.6 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 12.4 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.001

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 65
  • Page Size: 4.1 MB
  • Load Time: 3.93 s
  • Requests: 103

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 86%
  • Structure Score: 80%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 1.4s
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 86ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.01
  • Fully Loaded Time: 2.2s
  • Speed Index: 4.1s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 1.4s

Live Demo & Download Link

10. Storefront

Storefront is a WordPress theme designed primarily for online stores. In addition, it has a strong interaction with WooCommerce. As a result, it is robust, user-friendly, and customizable.  Storefront is one of the best WordPress responsive themes available that is backed by WooCommerce core developers.

For this reason, this theme is extremely adaptable, allowing you to take your store to the next level. Its features make website creation faster and clearer, changing it into a stunning lightweight shop.

storefront by WooCommerce Key features:

  • WooCommerce-focused homepage Responsive
  • Accessibility ready
  • Storefront extension bundle

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 11 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.5 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 78
  • Page Size: 5.1 MB
  • Load Time: 1.18 s
  • Requests: 46 

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 90%
  • Structure Score: 84%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 724ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 43ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.24 
  • Fully Loaded Time: 948ms
  • Speed Index: 1.6s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 724ms

Live Demo & Download Link

11. ChromeNews 

ChromeNews is a WordPress theme that is ideal for news, blogs, and magazines. The theme includes several free starting pages that can be easily combined to create a news portal.  It is fully widgetized, with 9+ custom widgets and widget sections that allow users to personalize site content. You can learn how to add widgets to the WordPress website easily.

This theme also has a light and dark mode. Your visitors can choose any of them as their personal preference for reading articles and blog posts.  ChromeNews also contains several essential customizer options for constructing a visually appealing news site. It lets you configure it before making any changes with the live customizer.

News based WordPress theme chromenews Key Feature:

  • Supports Gutenberg blocks and RTL
  • SEO optimized
  • Optimized for blogging
  • Allows combining online store with newspaper

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.9 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 17.0 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.592

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 72 
  • Page Size: 2.0 MB
  • Load Time: 1.59 s
  • Requests: 63

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 78%
  • Structure Score: 91%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 1.7s
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 232ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.01 
  • Fully Loaded Time: 1.7s
  • Speed Index: 2.5s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 1.7s

Live Demo & Download Link

12. Colibri WP

Colibri is a multipurpose theme that you can use to build a great website with drag and drop. In addition, it includes a predesigned home page, 5 header designs, and over 35 ready-to-use content blocks that are easily customizable. Besides, you can create custom blocks by combining more than 25 drag-and-drop components. 

Colibri includes too many customization choices (video background, slideshow background, header content types, etc.) that will assist you in quickly creating a website that stands out. Moreover, for being responsive, it works on mobile devices perfectly.

colibriWP Key Feature:

  • Live editing in the Customizer
  • Predesigned website templates
  • 60+ Frontpage header designs
  • Image and gradient backgrounds
  • Video and slideshow backgrounds
  • Graphical section dividers
  • Global color schemes

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 3.1 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 3.7 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 73
  • Page Size: 1.4 MB
  • Load Time: 4.73 s
  • Requests: 41

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 85%
  • Structure Score: 93%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 1.7s
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 0ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0
  • Fully Loaded Time: 3.6s
  • Speed Index: 1.7s 
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 1.7s

Live Demo & Download Link

13. Sydney

Sydney is a powerful theme that makes it easy for businesses or freelancers to have an impressive online presence. Also, it’s compatible with Elementor and provides a bunch of customization options.

You can access all Google Fonts, full color control, layout control, logo upload, full-screen slider, header image, sticky navigation, and much more. In addition, Sydney includes all of the building pieces required to quickly design a compelling front page.

WordPress theme Sydney Key Feature:

  • One-click demo import
  • Elementor compatibility
  • Custom Elementor Blocks
  • Social icons
  • Translation ready

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.4 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 20 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 5.5 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.66

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 73
  • Page Size: 2.1 MB
  • Load Time: 4.63 s
  • Requests: 99

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 94%
  • Structure Score: 91%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 171ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 42ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.13
  • Fully Loaded Time: 6.4s
  • Speed Index: 1.8s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 171ms

Live Demo & Download Link

14. Zakra

Zakra is a fast and lightweight theme that includes several starter-free sites. So that you can use it to make your site look attractive and professional. Besides, it is appropriate for personal blogs, WooCommerce stores, and company websites. Zakra is compatible with Elementor as well as other major page builders.

Also, it allows you to construct whatever layout you desire.   New popular theme Zakra Key Feature

  • Page builder compatible comes with Elementor page builder
  • Seamless WooCommerce integration to make a lightweight shop
  • 65+ beautifully designed templates
  • SEO friendly
  • Excellent user support

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.6 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): 14 ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.9 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS):  0.57

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade:79 
  • Page Size:2.6 MB
  • Load Time: 1.25s
  • Requests: 50

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 94%
  • Structure Score: 84%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 652ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 111ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0.16
  • Fully Loaded Time: 4.9ms
  • Speed Index: 1.1s
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 652ms

Live Demo & Download Link

15. Blocksy

Blocksy is focused on cutting-edge web technology. So, it was designed with the Gutenberg editor in mind and includes many options that allow it to be extended and customized.  Any form of a website, such as a business agency, retail, corporate, education, restaurant, blog, portfolio, or landing page can be readily created using Blocksy.

It also integrates well with popular WordPress page builders such as Elementor, Beaver Builder, Visual Composer, and Brizy. WordPress theme blocksy Key Feature

  • Responsive and adaptive
  • Translation-ready
  • SEO optimized
  • Built-in WooCommerce 

PageSpeed Insights

  • First Contentful Paint (FCP): 2.3 s
  • First Input Delay (FID): N/A
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 2.8 s
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0

Pingdom 

  • Performance Grade: 91
  • Page Size: 619.2 KB
  • Load Time: 877 ms
  • Requests: 38

GTmetrix

  • Performance Score: 100%
  • Structure Score: 96%
  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP): 578ms
  • Total Blocking Time (TBT): 71ms
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS): 0  
  • Fully Loaded Time: 1.0s
  • Speed Index: 833ms
  • Largest Contentful Paint: 578ms

Live Demo & Download Link

Conclusion

We’ve tested those themes without any specific content. When you’ll build your website, you may add content that carries different weights. If you want to keep your website fast after adding content, don’t forget to follow those best 11+ practices for a faster website.

Those will ensure you, that no matter what kind of content you add, your site will never be slow.  Most themes are made for multi-purpose. You can use them for a business agency, retail, corporation, education, restaurant, blog, portfolio, landing page, and so on. Whatever you want to create, those themes will come in super handy.

But if you’re specifically into WooCommerce, choosing the right WordPress theme is a difficult task before jumping into any.   The performance of those themes is mostly very similar and has very less differences. So, You can choose any of those themes according to your choice. In addition, if you’re confused about those themes, you can choose any of them. 

FAQ

What is the fastest-loading WordPress theme?

According to our test, Astra, Flatsome, and OceanWP are the best-performing themes in case of the fastest loading. So, those can be called the fastest-loading themes. 

Why do you need the fastest WordPress theme? 

On average, people spend 54 seconds on a website when they visit. Now, the fact is, how many seconds of those 54 seconds do you want to lose?  I’m sure you don’t want to waste any second of it. Every second is important here. You want to make your visitors stay more than those 54 seconds. 

So, how will you do that? – You need the fastest and most lightweight theme to save your time here. That’ll also encourage people to stay longer on your site.

What are the benefits of the fastest WordPress theme?

The fastest and most lightweight WordPress themes offer many benefits. So we must consider this when building a website. Those benefits are:

  1. It helps us to give a better user experience. And Google considers user experience as a part of better SEO. So, a fast WordPress theme will make your website faster and help you with your SEO. 
  2. A fast theme creates a good impression on your visitors. Besides that, visitors feel comfortable and intend to stay more on a fast and lightweight website. 
  3. According to the statistics, over 90% of internet users use a mobile device to go online. Using those themes, you can create a mobile-friendly website that can guarantee you more users.

What is the fastest WordPress theme for a blog?

Divi, Blocksy, and Astra are the fastest themes in WordPress for a blog. 

What is the fastest WordPress theme for WooCommerce?

Flatsome is the fastest theme in WordPress for WooCommerce. If you need more guidance, you can follow these Flatsome tutorials

 

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