Astra vs Genesis Framework
Astra
wpastra.comGenesis Framework
studiopress.comSide by side
| Figure | Astra | Genesis Framework |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $5.75/mo | $30/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 2 |
| Spec score · WordPress Themes | 7.9 (#11) | 8.3 (#6) |
| Company | Astra is made by Brainstorm Force, which the company says was founded in 2009; Astra launched in 2017. | WP Engine says it was founded in 2010 in Austin, Texas, and StudioPress pages carry WP Engine copyright. |
| Founded | 2009 | 2010 |
| Integrations | Astra works with Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Brizy, WooCommerce, LearnDash, LifterLMS, and Easy Digital Downloads. | StudioPress says its themes are compatible with WordPress Multilingual and can accommodate right-to-left languages. |
| Support | The Business Toolkit + AI plan includes 24/7 VIP Support, while the Astra Pro add-on plans include premium support. | StudioPress customers can access tutorials and submit support tickets for one-on-one customer support. |
Plans
Astra
- Astra Pro · Addon Only — annual$69 a year
- Astra Pro + AI — annual$99 a year
- Essential Toolkit + AI — annual$199 a year
- Astra Pro · Addon Only — lifetime$249, paid once
- Astra Pro + AI — lifetime$279, paid once
- Business Toolkit + AI — annual$279 a year
- Essential Toolkit + AI — lifetime$549, paid once
- Business Toolkit + AI — lifetime$799, paid once
In their own words
Astra
Astra is a multipurpose WordPress theme from Brainstorm Force, developed for performance and SEO. Its no-code site builder offers customizable headers and footers, global editing, drag-and-drop controls, and live editing. It works with Gutenberg, Elementor, Beaver Builder, Brizy, WooCommerce, LearnDash, LifterLMS, and Easy Digital Downloads. WooCommerce features include product variation swatches, quick view, sticky add-to-cart, and an optimized checkout. Starter Templates provides importable website demos that can be customized, with free and premium templates available. The Astra theme and Starter Templates plugin are free from the WordPress repository. Paid options range from the Astra Pro add-on at $69 a year to toolkits and lifetime plans; listed annual plans include Astra Pro + AI at $99 a year, Essential Toolkit + AI at $199 a year, and Business Toolkit + AI at $279 a year. Paid site limits vary by plan, and staging and development sites count toward them. Some plans include hosted websites with SSL. Astra says paid plans have no trial and come with a 14-day refund guarantee. It says transactions are processed through Stripe and PayPal and card details are not stored.
Genesis Framework
Genesis Framework is a WordPress foundation for building websites, with security and search-engine optimization described as part of its foundation. StudioPress presents it for novice and advanced developers. It supports the Gutenberg block editor, and Genesis Pro adds content blocks, sections, and page layouts. The framework is pre-styled for WooCommerce, and StudioPress says its themes adapt to mobile screens and work with WordPress Multilingual, including right-to-left languages. Genesis is labeled open source, and theme use is not limited to a specific number of sites or period. The framework is available as a free download by requesting a zip through a StudioPress form. Genesis Pro costs $360 per year and includes the framework, 10 StudioPress-made premium child themes, support, and the Genesis Pro plugin, blocks, and layouts. Using Genesis themes requires a domain and WordPress installed on a web host; WordPress.com does not allow theme installation. StudioPress offers tutorials and support tickets but does not provide custom design services.