GeneratePress
by Tom Usborne
A lightweight WordPress theme built with a focus on speed and usability.
The Developer's Darling
If Astra is the "Popular Choice," GeneratePress is the "Professional's Choice." Built by Tom Usborne, it has gained a cult following not because of marketing, but because the code is arguably the cleanest in the entire WordPress ecosystem.
Performance First
A default GeneratePress install adds less than 10kb (gzipped) to your page size. It is the definition of lightweight.
The "Elements" Module (Game Changer)
The reason to buy GeneratePress Premium isn't just for colors or fonts—it's for Elements. Elements allows you to inject code, layout hooks, or build custom block headers based on conditions (e.g., "Show this specific hero section only on the 'Marketing' category").
- Hooks: Insert code anywhere without touching
functions.php. - Block Elements: Design a footer in Gutenberg and set it as your global footer.
Comparison: GeneratePress vs. Astra
| Feature | GeneratePress | Astra |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Stability & Code | Features & Ease |
| Template Library | ~90 (Clean/Simple) | 240+ (Varied) |
| Support | Developer Focused | General Support |
| Update Safety | Rock Solid (Rarely breaks) | Occasional bugs |
GenerateBlocks
Instead of bundling a heavy page builder, GeneratePress pairs perfectly with GenerateBlocks, a tiny plugin that adds just 4 blocks (Container, Grid, Headline, Button) to the block editor. This combo allows you to build complex designs with zero code bloat.
Final Verdict
If you are comfortable with WordPress and care about passing Core Web Vitals with flying colors, GeneratePress is the best theme money can buy. If you need a site done in 1 hour with a fancy template, look at Astra or Betheme.
Our Review
GeneratePress is widely considered the gold standard for code quality in the WordPress ecosystem. It prioritizes stability and speed over flashy features, making it the top choice for developers and performance enthusiasts.
Pros
- Unmatched code quality and stability
- "Elements" module replaces many external plugins
- Legendary support forum (often answered by the founder)
- 100% accessible and standard-compliant
- No jQuery dependencies
Cons
- Fewer pre-made templates than Astra or Betheme
- Design controls can feel "dry" to non-designers
- Free version is quite limited compared to the Pro version