# WordPress blog themes: the best templates

To [create a WordPress blog](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-blog/ "WordPress blog"), you’ll need a suitable [WordPress theme](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-themes-the-best-designs-for-your-website/ "WordPress themes: The best designs for your website"). There are thousands of themes out there for WordPress bloggers (also called templates). Many are free, but depending on your requirements, you should also take the cost of your theme into account when calculating the [costs of your WordPress project](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/how-much-does-wordpress-cost/ "How much does WordPress cost?").

To help, we’ve put together an overview of suitable WordPress blog templates.

## An overview of the best WordPress blog themes

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Theme</th>
      <th>Basic version</th>
      <th>Premium version</th>
      <th>1-time payment</th>
      <th>Subscription</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>The Blogger</td>
      <td>–</td>
      <td></td>
      <td>$</td>
      <td>–</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Davis</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Black and White</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Bloggr</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>OceanWP</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td>$$</td>
      <td>$</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Dérive</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td>$$</td>
      <td>$$</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Weta</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td>$</td>
      <td>$</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>MH Magazine lite</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
      <td>$$</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

(Status: November 2021)

The **free CMS [WordPress](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/cms/wordpress-examining-the-well-known-cms/ "WordPress: The CMS for more than just blogs")** lets you create, manage, and rank blog pages without much programming know-how. If you don’t want to continuously update your page, you can learn more about **Hosting for WordPress** from IONOS.

---

### Tip

Get [Managed Hosting for WordPress](https://www.ionos.ca/hosting/managed-wordpress "Managed Hosting for WordPress – IONOS") from IONOS – fast, simple, and optimized for WordPress websites.

---

The overall **look** of a WordPress blog is ultimately based on the chosen theme, which can be **customized** – either through a paid, premium version or with a little know-how of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Our guide on the [**best WordPress themes**](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-themes-the-best-designs-for-your-website/ "WordPress themes: The best designs for your website") will put you on the right path.

The WordPress community has made thousands of **helpful materials** available in the form of [**WordPress plugins**](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-plugins/ "WordPress plugins"). This will **save you a bunch of work**, for example by:

- Providing [**WordPress backups**](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-plugins-for-securing-your-website/),
- [integrating your **Instagram account**](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-instagram-plug-ins/),
- creating stunning [WordPress **image galleries**](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-gallery-plug-ins/) or
- by designing simple [WordPress contact forms](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-contact-form-plugins/).

Chat modules are also becoming ever more common on webpages and blogs. These, too, can be integrated with the help of [WordPress chat plugins](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-chat-plug-ins/ "WordPress: Chat plug-ins").

---

### Tip

A good blogs needs the perfect domain. With IONOS, [registering a domain](https://www.ionos.ca/domains/domain-names "Buy and register domains at the best price") is easy and simple, and is even included in the price with Hosting for WordPress for original domain extensions.

---

## A closer look at 8 WordPress blog themes

With small exceptions, you can access the full range of functions of themes for WordPress blogs with paid premium versions. **Before choosing a theme**, you should **take a close look** at the often plentiful demos available to make a qualified decision. **Changing a theme** involves a workload that should not be underestimated.

The use of **paid** templates for WordPress blogs is almost always bound to special license conditions. For example, to the specification, for **how many websites a theme may be used** or whether you can also **sell your own products** on the site. A close look at the license agreement before buying can save you subsequent (legal) trouble.

### TheBlogger

[![Image: Screenshot of the WordPress blog template TheBlogger](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/9/c/csm_wp-blog-themes-1_cd59c2af1e.webp "Screenshot of the WordPress blog template TheBlogger")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-1.png) The name says it all: TheBlogger offers layout versatility and 15 premade layouts. Source: pixelwars.org.     The name **TheBlogger** already tells you who the template is geared towards. All **demos** feature a very appealing design but still convey a sense of **minimalism**. A video on the provider’s page illustrates the possibilities of the so-called **live customizer** – an overall helpful resource. In the premium version, an online shop is supported with WooCommerce, but ups the license cost by $2,000.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>More than 200 options to customize</td>
      <td>Plenty of layout options</td>
      <td>Variety somewhat confusing</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Multilingual</td>
      <td>Very detailed documentation</td>
      <td>Extended license for online stores</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Slim code</td>
      <td>Good demo video</td>
      <td>Very expensive</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Davis

[![Image: Screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Davis](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/0/d/csm_wp-blog-themes-2_f828af3685.webp "Screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Davis")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-2.png) The Davis theme shows us the benefits of a small and compact layout. It also invites you to consider the possibilities of further developing a theme. Source: andersnoren.se.     Swedish designer Anders Norén has programmed an exceptional portfolio of WordPress templates not only for blogs. The themes are **all free of charge**. If you like, you can show your appreciation with a donation – and most of these themes are worth it!

The WordPress blog theme **Davis** is probably what comes to mind when you consider an extremely “clean” and “lightweight” theme. The functionality is based on only three PHP files! No frills, no overloaded colors, no typographic extravagances – the ZIP file has a size of only 71 kilobytes. Adjustments are possible via “Additional CSS” in the customizer. As such, this theme is intended as a kind of **basic template** to expand on and customize, a blank canvas so to speak – [open-source](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/server/know-how/what-is-open-source/ "What is open source?") at its best!

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Very minimalistic</td>
      <td>Entirely free</td>
      <td>Only a handful of settings in the customize</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Made for developers</td>
      <td>Requires little storage space</td>
      <td>CSS know-how needed</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Supports the block editor</td>
      <td>Responsive</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Black and White

[![Image: Mobile and desktop screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Black and White](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/f/6/csm_wp-blog-themes-3_725a697f18.webp "Mobile and desktop screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Black and White")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-3.png) The WordPress blog template Black and White proves that free themes can also be effective. Source: modernthemes.net.     The features that this WordPress blog template offers is really something to behold. It includes an **appealing** **Masonry layout** and impressive hover effects for the images. The layout can be set with sidebar or as full-page width. Besides SEO support, free WordPress blog theme updates are also included. This can be used to create an appealing blog, especially if you like to work with images a lot. All relevant social media channels can be integrated effortlessly.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Lean, clean code</td>
      <td>FreeMany color options already integrated</td>
      <td>Documentation only includes FAQ section</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Very responsive</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Multilingual ready</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Bloggr

[![Image: Screenshot of the desktop and mobile versions of the WordPress blog theme Bloggr](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/1/csm_wp-blog-themes-4_cc7c3eef26.webp "Screenshot of the desktop and mobile versions of the WordPress blog theme Bloggr")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-4.png) The WordPress blog template Bloggr offers variety, the feel of a digital magazine, and is entirely free. Source: modernthemes.net.     From the same provider as Black and White comes the blog template **Bloggr** for WordPress. The name (almost) says it all. This WordPress blog theme is also **free of charge** and has a similar look to a colorful well-presented magazine. The **full-width layout** for posts ensures a reader-friendly display, and the blogger can “blow off steam” with Google Fonts. Many available **shortcodes** allow the insertion of layout columns (!), accordions, buttons, sliders, and much more. An appealing and impressive **variety**.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Lean, clean code</td>
      <td>Free</td>
      <td>Documentation only includes FAQ section</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Responsive design</td>
      <td>Expansive shortcodes for many elements</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Multilingual ready</td>
      <td>Many color options</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### OceanWP

[![Image: Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog theme OceanWP in a blogger layout](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/1/6/csm_wp-blog-themes-5_b26faa6af2.webp "Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog theme OceanWP in a blogger layout")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-5.png) The WordPress blog template OceanWP offers a versatile digital magazine style, and is entirely free with the imported layout blogger. Source: oceanwp.org.     There’s a reason why the WordPress theme **OceanWP** is one of the **most popular**, even among bloggers. Basically, the theme is already a page builder but with an unsurmountable **variety** of customization options. Demo content for a page can be directly imported into the basic template. The individual elements of the blog layout can be defined with various settings. For example, for the page header there are eight different modes. The theme impresses with **fast loading times** and WooCommerce support. The provider also holds a large portfolio of free and paid extensions, of which many bloggers use the free **Ocean Extra** plugin. The available lifetime licenses for various modules are more intended for digital agencies.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Very large design variety</td>
      <td>Basic model is free</td>
      <td>A lot of settings in the customizer</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Fully responsive</td>
      <td>Many premium features come included</td>
      <td>Slightly confusing</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>WooCommerce supported</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Compatible with Gutenberg Editor</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Dérive

[![Image: Mobile and desktop screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Dérive](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/c/a/csm_wp-blog-themes-6_41b0620e31.webp "Mobile and desktop screenshots of the WordPress blog theme Dérive")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-6.png) The WordPress blog template Dériv is both visually appealing and offers a variety of design options. This also comes at a price. Source: wpzoom.com.     This paid WordPress theme is a good choice especially for photo, video, and/or travel bloggers who value **good design**. Dealing with the theme in the WordPress backend is not quite as intuitive as with other themes, but you’ll get the hang of it, especially with the good demo content and really fast support that usually helps within hours. The **live customizer** supports fast and responsive results.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>For travel/photo/video blogs</td>
      <td>Photo and video integration</td>
      <td>Not all features are intuitive</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Very responsive design</td>
      <td>Extensive live customizer</td>
      <td>More expensive than other templates</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Gutenberg compatible</td>
      <td>Simple license handling</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td></td>
      <td>very good support</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### Weta

[![Image: Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog template Weta](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/a/3/csm_wp-blog-themes-7_35b5830fa3.webp "Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog template Weta")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-7.png) The template Weta is perfect for food and travel bloggers. Source: elmastudio.de/en.     **Minimalism** and **tidiness** combine with very clean programming in this theme. For undisturbed legibility, there are full-width pages and extensive design options and font variety. However, the colors can only be adjusted via the individual CSS.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>For food/travel bloggers</td>
      <td>Cost-effective</td>
      <td>A lot of white space in the template</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Responsive design</td>
      <td>Store compatible</td>
      <td>Only influenceable via CSS</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Short loading times</td>
      <td>Detailed documentation</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

### MH Magazine lite

[![Image: Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog theme MH Magazine lite](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/_processed_/b/e/csm_wp-blog-themes-8_14a3724b4a.webp "Desktop and mobile screenshots of the WordPress blog theme MH Magazine lite")](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/fileadmin/DigitalGuide/Screenshots_2022/wp-blog-themes-8.png) MH Magazine lite is a WordPress blog template that offers plenty of variety with its digital magazine-look, and is even available free of charge. Source: mhthemes.com.     The WordPress blog template **MH Magazine lite** is very popular for a reason. It’s an almost perfect solution for bloggers who want to maintain an **editorial standard**. Subject areas like news, politics, sports, travel, or lifestyle can all be catered to. The layout offers space for **advertisers** – this can become a **source of income** not to be underestimated as a blog grows. Then, it may also be worth upgrading to the premium version with many additional features.

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Key features</th>
      <th>Advantages</th>
      <th>Disadvantages</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Wide range of functions Suited for editorial team blogs</td>
      <td>Free</td>
      <td>Full functionality requires paid Premium version</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Mobile optimized</td>
      <td>Appealing look for a news source</td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Suited for editorial team blogs</td>
      <td></td>
      <td></td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

## WordPress blog themes for individualists

If you know exactly what the design of your blog should look like, then you customize your template yourself with so-called **page builders**. Page builders let you design web pages by positioning various prefabricated elements at the desired positions via **drag &amp; drop**. The extensive programming work required by developers for this kind of creative freedom comes at a price, though.

You should also keep in mind that creative freedom isn’t automatically associated with a perfect result. **Page builders** are well suited if you already have a corporate design that you can “shimmy along” for your blog. Examples of themes that offer this include Divi, Elementor, or Beaver Builder. Our guide on [WordPress page builders](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-page-builder/ "WordPress: Page Builder") gives you further insights into the technical and design possibilities of a customized WordPress blog.

## Blogging, according to the rules

Rules also apply to bloggers, especially if legally required disclosures apply to you under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

- an [Impressum or Imprint](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/websites/digital-law/a-case-for-thinking-global-germanys-impressum-laws/) should be included,
- a [Privacy Policy](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/websites/digital-law/gain-users-confidence-with-a-privacy-policy/) is a requirement,
- as well as a clear notice, when a user visits the blog, of how **cookies** are handled.

WordPress blog themes already incorporate these legal requirements into their page designs. The cookie notice issue can also be solved with a [WordPress cookie plugin](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-cookie-plugins/ "WordPress cookie plugins").

To build trust, it’s a good idea to have an **[About Me page](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/about-me-page/ "About me page")** – or an [About Us page](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/websites/website-creation/about-us-page/ "About Us page"). This builds up sympathy and is an easy way to present your competencies. So: Let’s blog!


This is a markdown version of: [https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-blog-themes/](https://www.ionos.ca/digitalguide/hosting/blogs/wordpress-blog-themes/) for AI/LLM consumption.