Hey everyone! I’m on the hunt for a WordPress theme that ticks all these boxes:
- Lightweight and fast-loading
- Stunning design
- Built on HTML5
- Preferably free or with a free demo version
I’ve been using Divi, but it’s slowing down my site big time (5-6 seconds load time). That’s just not cutting it.
I tried the HTML5 Boilerplate template, but it’s too basic. Can’t add most plugins, no visual editor, no sidebar. Basically useless for what I need.
Any suggestions for a theme that’s both beautiful and speedy? I’m open to paid options if they’re really worth it, but I’d love to test drive them first.
Thanks for your help! 
have u checked out GeneratePress? its pretty lightweight n fast, plus it has a free version. i’ve used it on a couple sites and its been solid. the pro version adds more options but the free one might do the trick for ya. worth givin it a shot imo
I’ve been in your shoes, and I can totally recommend OceanWP. It’s been a game-changer for me. Super fast loading times, clean HTML5 structure, and the design flexibility is off the charts. The free version is surprisingly robust, but I ended up going pro for some extra goodies.
What really sold me was how it played nice with Elementor. I could create complex layouts without bogging down my site. And the load times? Night and day compared to heavier themes.
One tip: pair it with a solid caching plugin and you’ll see even better performance. Just watch out for plugin bloat - that can slow down even the fastest themes. Stick to essentials and you’ll be flying.
I’ve had great success with Astra for similar requirements. It’s incredibly lightweight, with a base install under 50KB, and loads in under half a second typically. The free version offers plenty of customization options and is HTML5 compliant. There’s also a Pro version if you need more advanced features down the line. What I particularly appreciate is its compatibility with page builders like Elementor, giving you flexibility in design without sacrificing speed. Just make sure to optimize your images and use a good caching plugin to really maximize performance.