Genesis Theme vs Astra: The Side-by-side Comparison 2023

Are you in the middle of choosing the right theme- Genesis Theme vs. Astra?

Great!

These two, Genesis Theme and Astra, are the best choices available for crafting stunning and fast WordPress websites.

The key difference is in the approach of these themes, Genesis and Astra.

Genesis is a well-known theme brand, and honestly, it’s miles ahead in comparison to Astra.

However, Genesis is suited best to those who are a developer and have some technical background.

On the other hand, the Astra theme takes a more flexible and simple approach that enables beginners to create professional websites with little to no experience.

We can’t predict the winner here; to have an insider view on Genesis theme and Astra, we need to dig deeper.

To help you make the right decision, we have written an in-depth comparison of Genesis and Astra.

So let’s dive in.

Genesis Theme vs Astra: The Ultimate Comparison (Side-by-Side)

Both Genesis and Astra work like a charm for creating professional WordPress websites with ease.

The difference is in the approach of these WordPress themes. Genesis Framework is a theme framework, while Astra is a fully-fledged WordPress theme.

Genesis Framework, when combined with Genesis child theme, helps you to easily create websites that are fast. Genesis has more of a developer kind of approach, where customizing the design requires some technical background and knowledge.

In contrast, Astra has an easy and more user-friendly approach, where you don’t need to be a coding ninja or have a technical background to create a WordPress website.

Let’s check out the basic differences between these two platforms.

Genesis vs Astra: Overview (The Key Takeaway)

Genesis Overview

Genesis is more of a theme framework, enabling developers and WordPress enthusiasts to create custom child themes and WordPress websites.

We have featured a detailed Genesis Framework review that covers more details of the Genesis Framework.

If you’re someone with no coding knowledge who is looking to create a website with Genesis Framework, you’re going to need Genesis child theme to make the process easy and smooth.

Yes, first you need to install the Genesis Framework and the Genesis child theme on your WordPress site and then start customizing and creating websites.

It’s crystal clear that to customize the look and feel of your websites with Genesis Framework, you need Genesis child themes to customize your website’s appearance.

With the Genesis child theme, you can customize your website’s appearance and design, such as layout, design, colors, typography, and so on.

However, the best part about the Genesis Framework is that it comes with tons of free & premium Genesis child themes that make the website creation easy and hassle-free.

Genesis Framework stands apart from other platforms because it is flexible, SEO optimized, and clean coded. All these specs of Genesis Framework combine together to provide faster website loading times and better performance.

Astra Overview

On the other hand, Astra is a fast, lightweight, and fully-customizable WordPress theme. At the time of writing, Astra has powered over 3 million sites and helped many people build a stunning website with ease.

The best part about Astra is that it has pre-built website templates that reduce design time and help you create professional websites on the go.

The thing that sets apart Astra from Genesis is that with Astra, you don’t need to be a coding ninja or developer to create your website. All you need to do is to play with the built-in theme options and templates.

What’s more, Astra theme also enables you to use WordPress page builder plugins to create a WordPress website on the go.

Also, Astra provides you the flexibility to easily import high-quality website designs. You can even almost transform the entire design of your website with just one click.

Astra’s approach is different from Genesis and provides an easy way to create websites on the go, especially for beginners.

Astra has a free version with limited features and design options, while Astra premium unlocks a library of stunning templates, design options, and robust features.

Let’s check out some other aspects of Genesis Themes and Astra to get the real difference between these two.

Genesis Child Themes vs Astra Starter Templates

As we have mentioned, earlier Genesis Themes and Astra have a whole different approach for creating websites.

With the Genesis Framework, you need to install the Genesis child themes to start building your website. With Astra, you can create a fully-fledged website with the help of pre-built starter templates.

So let’s check out the approaches Genesis theme and Astra take to enrich the website building process.

Genesis Child Themes

Creating websites with Genesis Framework requires some real work. To get started, you need to install the Genesis Framework and the Genesis child themes to start creating your website.

If you only install the Genesis Framework, you can create custom child themes and create your website, but you need to write code and have some technical background.

You have the option to use Genesis child theme and build your WordPress site with ease; some of the child themes lack some essential customization options, however.

The child themes enrich the website creation process, so you don’t need to overwrite the theme settings. Keep one thing in mind; each Genesis child theme comes with different design and setting options.

So you need to get ready to do some tweaks to the settings to design your website the way you want.

Astra Starter Templates

Astra theme comes with a whole new approach, with the pre-built website templates, which streamlines the website building experience.

No matter what your expertise level, with Astra you can easily create your website on the go. The pre-designed templates actually reduce the time of website design. Also, it has ready to use website demos.

More than 70+ designs are available, which is perfect for blogs, businesses, online shops, portfolios, and more. You can use any of these pre-built options to create your website on the go.

Astra has a library of starter templates and pre-built built websites, making it possible to create websites on the go. The templates are also customizable, which enables you to customize them as per your requirements.

What’s more, Astra is built to integrate with the leading WordPress page builders such as Elementor, Beaver Builder, Divi, and others. The theme gives you the ability to turn off the page titles and the sidebars and create full-width pages with complete design freedom.

Genesis vs Astra: Customization Options

When choosing any WordPress theme, you need to make sure it’s easily customizable so that you can create a website the way you actually want.

Here, we will check the website designing and customization options available for both options – Genesis vs. Astra.

Genesis Themes Customization Options

The Genesis Framework is the popular option available for developers to create custom child themes and WordPress websites.

Genesis Framework is well known for flexibility, clean code, and ease of use. Genesis enables you to create custom child themes and professional websites with ease.

Bringing the Genesis Framework and Genesis child themes together streamlines the website building experience and helps you to craft stunning and responsive websites with ease.

The Genesis child theme has easy customization and theme options, which enables you to get up and running in minutes and to start customizing your new website straight away.

The premium Genesis child theme comes with an easy theme customizer. The theme customizer easily allows you to tweak the theme’s settings. With the themes customizer, you can easily customize the layout, design, color, typography, widgets area, and so on.

Also, the Genesis child theme comes with different homepage widget areas; some child themes come with four widget areas to help you customize your brand with ease.

Overall, the Genesis child themes come with easy customization options, which enables you to control every design aspect of your website with ease.

Astra Themes Customization Options

Astra themes are well known for their flexible customization options. All the Astra theme customization options are on the WordPress theme customizer that allows you to preview any changes you make in real-time.

The website you build with Astra will not only be fast, but you will also be able to customize and manage all the design aspects of your website.

Astra theme has a visual theme customizer that is fast and easy to use. With the various customization options available, you can customize the layout settings, such as the header, blog, archives, single pages, posts, sidebars, and footers.

The customization options enable you to tweak the header options, because the Astra theme has built-in header layouts. The pro add on also extends the possibilities and adds more robust features.

When it comes to customizing the colors and typography, you can easily set colors & fonts. What’s more, you can also control the design of your blog posts and archives with neat options in the customizer.

Overall, Astra has easy customization options, and more specifically, it’s beginner-friendly. Also, when compared to the Genesis Framework, it has easy customization options.

The Genesis framework is more developer-friendly. While Astra has easy customization options, it is more beginner-friendly for those who don’t have coding experience and website building knowledge.

Genesis Theme vs Astra: The Pricing Battle

While choosing any theme, we also need to consider the pricing plans as well. Most of the premium WordPress themes have a yearly pricing module, while some provide lifetime pricing plans.

So let’s check out which theme is more affordable and has better value for money.

Genesis Themes

To start creating your WordPress website with Genesis, you need to install the Genesis Framework as well as the Genesis child themes.

The Genesis Framework costs $59.95 for lifetime access, and the single Genesis child themes will cost $99.95.

You can also choose to buy the Genesis Framework + Premium Genesis Child Theme bundle for $129.

There are hundreds of premium Genesis themes available to choose from. You can just go and search the StudioPress directory to find a reliable theme for you.

You can choose from a plethora of Genesis child themes; you can explore the StudioPress directory to choose the best one. We have created a round-up of the best premium genesis child themes; these are the most popular choices available on StudioPress.

If you have an agency or are looking for the complete package, you can select the Plus All-Theme Package, which costs $499.95.

The All-Theme package includes all the themes available on StudioPress; it includes all the existing premium Genesis child themes, along with all the upcoming Genesis child themes in the future.

Astra Pricing Plans

Astra is an affordable WordPress theme, and it comes with a one-stop solution for helping you craft stunning websites with ease.

Astra comes with both a free and pro plan. The Astra free version has limited features and customization options, while Astra Pro is loaded with premium features, ready to use templates, and design & customization options.

The Astra Pro packages cost $59 a year, including all the premium features and 20+ free starter templates. The lifetime Astra Pro package costs $249.

The Mini Agency Bundle costs $169 per year and $499 lifetime, where the Agency Bundle costs $249/year and $699 lifetime.

What’s more, all the pro packages come with a 14 day money-back guarantee. Also, there is no restriction on how many websites you can install the Astra theme on.

Astra Free vs Astra Premium: Which One to Choose?

Many users wonder, which one should Ichoose, Astra free or Astra Pro?

The answer is simple; it depends on your needs and the kind of website you’re going to build.

The free version of Astra theme comes with limited features and template options, although the free version isn’t for someone who is looking to build a professional website.

Why?

The Astra Pro version is fully loaded with premium templates, premium features, one to one customer support, and exclusive training to help you craft a masterpiece website. What’s more, you can install and use the Astra Pro plugin on an unlimited number of websites for free.

Now, if you think you won’t miss these features at the affordable price listed for the pro version, go ahead with the free version.

Genesis Theme vs Astra: Customer Support

Genesis Customer Support & Updates

Genesis Framework by StudioPress is a well-known and established brand. Over time, StudioPress has built a great community of developers and designers from all over the globe.

Genesis Framework has top-notch customer support that will help you out in every situation. What’s more, the Genesis Framework also has in-depth guides and tutorials, along with developer-focused resources.

There is also a well-known support forum for StudioPress where you can ask your questions and active members can answer your query.

The best part is that all the Genesis child themes come with in-depth guides and tutorials, which can help you at every step of building your WordPress website.

Regarding theme updates, all the child themes available on StudioPress are backed by lifetime free theme updates.

So, it’s a win-win situation here; you’re getting premium support along with community support.

Astra Customer Support & Updates

Astra stands apart from other WordPress themes because it offers reliable and fast customer support. Astra offers customer support for free themes as well.

The support provided for Astra Pro is top-notch. If you have any queries, you can reach them out to them via mail or open a ticket in the support section from Astra.

What’s more, Astra also has an in-depth knowledge base on their official website. If, somehow, you get stuck during installation, you can refer to the knowledge base to get an instant solution. Otherwise, you contact customer support for that theme right away.

All the Astra premium plans come with extensive training by top-notch developers and web designers to help you learn web design. That’s a bonus you’re getting with the Astra Pro theme.

Genesis Theme vs Astra: Pros & Cons

Genesis Framework Pros

Fast and reliable
A plethora of child theme options
Simple and affordable pricing
Various layouts and customizations
Clean code and fully SEO Optimized
Robust and premium themes framework
Provides reliable customer support and user forum
Uses filters to help developers
Simple customization options with customizer live preview

Genesis Framework Cons

Some child themes lack customization options
Need to purchase both the Framework and the child theme to start building the website

Astra Pros

Pre-built templates
Lightweight theme
Fully customizable without code
Translation and RTL ready
Works with WordPress page builders
Seamless WooCommerce integration
Theme has SEO friendly markup
Frequent theme updates and reliable customer support
Blazing fast website loading time & unparalleled performance

Astra Cons

Needs more in-depth guides on the knowledge base

Conclusion: Which is Best for You and Why?

Both Genesis Themes and Astra are worth investing in.

Again, it all depends on your requirements and skill set. The Genesis Framework and Genesis child themes are the best options for you if you have some technical background and some coding knowledge.

On the other hand, Astra makes it easy to create websites, especially for beginners. To create a WordPress website with Astra, you don’t need to be a coder or have a technical background.

Genesis is the best option if you’re a developer and have some technical background with website design. The Genesis Framework is well known for clean code and flexibility, which makes it the best option for creating blazing fast websites.

When it comes to customization options for Genesis Framework, you’ll not have that level of flexibility, as some of the Genesis child themes don’t have flexible customization options. To be more precise, if you’re a non-coder, you won’t have that much control over the website design with Genesis Framework.

On the other hand, Astra is best suited to those who are beginners or have intermediate coding knowledge and technical background. Also, Astra makes customization easy; you’ll have full control over the design of your website.

What’s more, Astra theme comes pre-built with fully customizable templates, making it super easy to create a WordPress website on the go.

Have you tried Genesis Theme or Astra before? If not, which one are you going to choose, Genesis Theme or Astra?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Read More Genesis Framework Articles:

Genesis Theme vs Astra: The Side-by-side Comparison 2023

Genesis Theme vs Astra: The Ultimate Comparison (Side-by-Side)