Best COMPLETELY FREE theme? (not limited paid versions!)

Take a look at the latest default theme bundled with WordPress 5.6: https://www.ads-software.com/themes/twentytwentyone/

I use t on my site and like it.

@t-p

Thanks, yep, I was wondering if there are any ones other than the default that most people use?

> please let me know what the best COMPLETELY FREE theme is?

The best theme is the one that meets your criteria.
You would need to outline your website requirements in order to provide any sort of comment on what theme may work best for your site.

TwentyTwenty is completely free :
https://en-ca.www.ads-software.com/themes/twentytwenty/
or you can search the repository and add Filters that match your requirements :
https://en-ca.www.ads-software.com/themes/

Since WordPress is open source, you can modify your installation to meet your needs :
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Theme_Customization_API
The documentation is quite strong :
https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Developer_Documentation

@corrinarusso

A theme like Astra, where it is a great starting point for making any type of site. Of course, the problem with the “free” Astra is, when you start to try to customize it more and more, you see you need the paid version – which is ridiculously priced.

I just thought that there must be a starting theme which can be modified in every way, that people use as the common completely free starting point. Maybe it is a default theme, but I am assuming they too will have limitations?

There are no limitations – it’s open source, you can modify in any way at all.

> you see you need the paid version – which is ridiculously priced

I’ve never used Astra, however the price seems to be $41.30 (assume USD) per year.
I think based on the feature set, it seems pretty reasonable :
https://wpastra.com/pricing/

There is also _underscore where you can build your own :
https://codeforgeek.com/build-wordpress-theme/
https://underscores.me/

The latest default Twenty Twenty-one is starting theme.

There are many other starting themes. It all depends on your requirements. What’s best for one person may not work for the an another person!

@corrinarusso

That is a ridiculous price ?? Also, not a good idea to support companies that try to lure you in with “this is free”, but once you have starting making the site, you find out you need to pay for the features you need. This should be clear up-front. I would never have started with Astra if I knew it was just a scam to get you to pay for the full theme down the line.

Thanks for the info and the advice ??

@t-p

Thanks ?? Looks like I will have to start again from scratch with that then. There should be a ban on “free” themes like Astra. I spent time and effort making the site in that theme, and now to continue on, I need to pay? Forget it. Problem is, it is now wasted time and effort, as I have to remake the site using a REAL free theme.

Got for it.
Post back to the forums if you get stuck.

Cheers! ??

There are lots of free theme in the WP repository. “Best” is dependent on your needs.
I’m partial to the one I wrote, which is very flexible and no upsell: https://www.ads-software.com/themes/twenty8teen