If you’re creating a site, and you want it to be fast, SEO-friendly & dead simple, and easy to customize without touching a line of code. you’re probably already Googling the “best WordPress themes”. Let me be honest with you — you have probably seen GeneratePress through the corner of your eyes.
In this GeneratePress Review, I will delve into the theme with my hands on experience. I am a freelance digital Marketing guy who has used dozens of themes for the sites run by Small Businesses. But GeneratePress always keeps on adding my toolbox and it is for good reason.
For further information, Here is a statistic for you — > 90,000+ sites use GeneratePress Premium by 2024 At the time of writing this, Generate Press is a popular WordPress theme have around 6.3 million + downloads and more than 1000 + 5-star reviews from customers.
What Is GeneratePress?
GeneratePress is a clean and lightweight WordPress theme (for performance) designed with mobile humans.
Established by Tom Usborne in line with WordPress standards, coded well & glides like butter on all major page builders — mainly Elementor, Gutenberg, and Beaver Builder. Available in free plugin and Paypal Plugins Premium version.
The free one is good, The real magic starts when you go Premium.
📈 Hiring a digital marketing expert? Ensure they are using this fast-loading theme and the like for SEO purposes as that is a requirement.
Why I Switched to GeneratePress
Generatepress is the lightest and most popular premium theme. I use it for client websites. This theme is lightning fast to load, and it actually makes your website load in less than one second.
At least not me and it seems like most of the digital marketing industry at large, especially when choosing GeneratePress Premium over other themes. But through those powerful results, I was able to get on my client’s website (yes, I used GP Premium so hear it too many echo chambers [not just say]
Let me give you a quick story.
Well, my client showed up Six Months ago with a WordPress site built on a fancy theme loaded with animations and sliders. It looks good, okay—but the page speed score? Brutal. Speed was 27/100 on mobile.
27/100
On Mobile
From GeneratePress Premium + Elementor and some layout tweaks, we got 95 (mobile) / 100 desktop → after switching designing was not compromised. They saw their bounce rate decrease and got 25% more conversions in two months.
That was when I realized: that GeneratePress is not just another theme! — it is a performance tool.
GeneratePress Free vs Premium – Should You Upgrade?
GeneratePress consists of the free version (basic customization: colors, typography, layout options). That’s nice to have a simple blog.
For all your other serious business websites or blogs- go Premium.
Here’s what Premium unlocks:
Feature | Free | Premium |
---|---|---|
Pricing | Free | $59/year or $249 lifetime |
Site usage | Unlimited sites | Up to 500 sites |
Site Library (Prebuilt Templates) | ❌ | ✅ |
WooCommerce Controls | ❌ | ✅ |
Custom Layouts | ❌ | ✅ |
Sticky Header / Mobile Header | ❌ | ✅ |
Remove GP copyright option? | ❌ | ✅ |
Elements Module (Hook/Custom Blocks) | ❌ | ✅ |
Support & Updates | Limited | ✅ |
Best For | Personal Blogs | Serious Online Business |
Sign Up Link | Download Free Version | Try GeneratePress Premium Now |
👉 Final Verdict: Go Premium if you are making a website that matters.
Key Features of GeneratePress Premium
Let’s get hands-on. Here are the features I love the most:
1. Site Library
Get started quickly with the pre-built templates of your site. I have used them for agency, portfolio, and local business.
In Elementor or Gutenberg, you can import and edit designs.
2. Elements Module
When it comes to GeneratePress, the easiest way to customize your website header is to use only the best part (of course). One can modify it with various options including primary navigation, sticky navigation, mobile header, etc. The game changer is that it allows me to:
- Add sticky headers
- Build Custom Post Types
- Author boxes
- Single posts
- Build custom hero sections
- Insert hooks for soon-to-be-added schema, scripts, or ads
- 404 pages, etc
You can also add call-to-action buttons and modify them to fit your website design for straight conversions.
The Elements functionality is great for quickly fiddling with the vital sections of your blog.
As the best digital marketer, that helps me do the dev work more faster and work on results only.
Quick video view of Theme Builder functionality (within a video) curious if you’re
3. Mobile & SEO Friendly
It is mobile-first loads, milliseconds, and gets along with Google. I saw core web vitals get better when I moved clients to GP.
4. Developer-Friendly
Need to add schema, custom PHP, or CSS? This theme is designed with that in mind. And if you are a non-technical, UI intuitive as well.
Speed, Performance & Core Web Vitals
Let’s talk data:
- Theme Size: Less than 30 KB
- Page speed score: 90+ without extra optimization
- No jQuery: That means fewer render-blocking issues
Real-world results:
A site I migrated to GeneratePress + WP Rocket scored:
- Mobile: 95
- Desktop: 100
- FCP: 0.4s
- LCP: 1.6s
That’s how you win the Google SEO game today.
Design Flexibility – No Coding Needed
You don’t need to be a developer. I build most sites using:
- Gutenberg blocks + GenerateBlocks plugin
- Elementor Pro (when clients need pixel-perfect)
You can change:
- Header styles
- Sidebar layout
- Footer widgets
Website header bar, footer bar, sidebar & topbar can also be managed using Widgets in your site.
In the above image, you can notice that in the footer area, you include up to 5 widgets. That allows for creating multiple footer widgets, that could be full of anything from links to key pages, affiliate disclosures or popular posts.
GeneratePress has options for more than just the stock WordPress default options as it can add to widgets recent posts, calendars, and categories, and also add a Custom HTML
All of these widget options are in the hands of both free and premium versions of GeneratePress.
- Menu position
The menu Position works as all themes so,.. The Paid version of GeneraPress gives you 3 Nav Menus, in Free you have just 1.
I have created a few menus (for my primary menu navigation) depending on my goals to switch between.
- Typography + spacing
GeneratePress has a typography feature that leaps above and beyond in my mind the rest of the themes I found on WordPress I like, their typography functionality on the theme.
With over 200 font styles available (It has some nice Google fonts too) you can craft the typography of your website with these.
Optimized font size, weight, text transformation, line spacing, paragraph margin and so many visual extents that you can keen upon for your desired style.
WooCommerce Integration
GeneratePress has a separate module for WooCommerce. If you manage an eCommerce site, GeneratePress + Wocommerce is a nice combination.
If you have ever installed any WooCommerce plugin, you understand what the default product pages of WooCommerce looks like. They are very un-stylish and you have to spend time styling them a bit to appear nice.
Absolutely this is where our GeneratePress WooCommerce module is kicking in.
For those of use that use the WooCommerce module for our Shop and Product Pages style options The module will provide you with options for layout, color and typography on your WooCommerce elements.
Quick Note: If you wish to enable the WooCommerce enablement from GeneratePress, make sure that WooCommerce is already installed and activated.
When it is activated you can start customizing your eCommerce store how you wish.
The product page looks like this:
You get layout control for:
- Product grids
- Checkout pages
- Category styling
It doesn’t slow down like other bulky eCom themes.
Use Cases & Who Should Use GeneratePress?
This theme is ideal for:
- Bloggers
- SEO agencies
- Affiliate marketers
- Local business owners
- Developers & freelance
Basically, anyone who wants a fast, reliable site without bloat.
The GeneratePress Theme Is Made by Keeping Beginners in Mind
GeneratePress is a theme that requires no degree in web development to transform your design into a beautiful reality. If you’re a writer, a freelancer, or an SME (even if you never touch code) this theme has your back.
It can be used with the GnerateBlocks and Block Elements to build amazing page layouts without spending a penny on a designer or hitting edit on anything. But that is just baby steps. So here is what makes GeneratePress the best for beginner users.
1. How to Install GeneratePress Premium (Step-by-Step for Beginners)
The premium version of GeneratePress is simple to install, but not the same as a normal WordPress theme install. Here’s how to do it:
Install Guide to COMMON (Step by Step)
Step 1. Enter your WordPress dashboard> Appearance > Themes > Add New Find “GeneratePress” in the search bar Install + Activate 👉Download GeneratePress Free
Step 2. Head over to the official GP Premium for a buy. 👉 Purchase GeneratePress Premium
Step 3. GP Premium Plugin download. You will get a ZIP file once you have purchased it.
Step 4. Upload GP Premium Plugin. Your WordPress Dashboard → Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin → Select the ZIP→ Install Now → Activate
Step 5. Activate Premium Modules. Go to Appearance → GeneratePress → Enable the modules you want (Typography, Colors, Elements, etc.).
💡 Tip: You do not have to turn on each module one by one To make your site fast, turn on only what you really need.
2. User Interface & Customization: Super Easy for Beginners
Head over to your WordPress Dashboard once it’s all installed and you will be amazed at how simple GeneratingPress Customizer is with WordPress Customizer for Beginners.
What’s Inside the Customizer?
- Site Identity — Put the logo here, change site title/tagline
- Layout: Container width and sidebar positioning
- Typography: Font, sizes & spacing
- Color: Global palette for headings, links, buttons, etc.
- Menus & Widgets: Navigation/Footer Menus ~ Wrap-up
Every change is updated in real-time — so you can visually see your page without refreshing.
Whether you’ve heard of “header padding” or “typographic scale” before, GP’s live previews with easy labels you will know what to do with those in no time.
3. Typography – Custom Fonts Made Easy
Typography in GeneratePress not only revolves around changing the font. It is about aesthetic control of your brand voice.
- Theme Options > 200+ fonts (Google fonts included)
- Alter the Font size, weight, Space & Case
- Separate settings for body, headings, navigation, and widgets
Example: I personally changed the H1-H3 fonts and body text to Montserrat for readable modern clean look (no extra plugin required) .
4. Color Control – Build Your Brand Look
GeneratePress lets you fully customize:
- Text colors
- Background colors
- Button colors
- Link & hover effects
5.) They Self Update — Which is Why You are Protected
The team behind GeneratePress doesn’t just drop products and go extinct. Yes worked actively on it:
- Frequently bug fixes & improvements
- Every 2-3 months a new feature rollout
- Updates based on user feedback
This helps your site keep running, keep up to date, and be compatible with the newest WordPress releases.
✅Pros of GeneratePress (Why It’s Worth Trying)
1. Beginner-Friendly & Lightweight
GeneratePress is designed to cater for the beginners. No coding experience needed, beautiful, fast and user-friendly interface. Get to make professional layouts with GenerateBlocks and Block Elements.
💡Even if you have never used WordPress before, it should be very easy for you to get used and go around in GeneratePress.
2. Premium Modules Approach
GP Premium grants you modular functionality. You can only enable the features you want — Typography, Elements, Spacing and your site WooCommerce modifications will be the site full-tilt lean but blinn-stay fast.
3. Fastest Performance & Speed
GeneratePress is also infamous for its lightning-fast performance. It’s well-optimized code, with none of the prerogatives. Great for Core Web Vitals & Google ranking factors
4. Advanced Styling Options
With typography, spacing, and global colors you are in deepest design control without a single line of custom CSS. Separate font settings for your headings, body, and navigation.
5. Live Customization
Real-time changes on the preview screen with WordPress Customizer It is ideal for a beginner who wants visuals while editing.
6. Massive Documentation & Responsive Support
On the paid version you have extensive documentation and a clear community, even on the free one. Priority Email Support: All usual problems are discussed in threads.
7. Clean out of the box SEO Ready
Clean HTML, schema.org markup, and responsive design are what GeneratePress relies on for good ranking and Google search.
❌ Cons of GeneratePress (What You Might Not Like)
1. The Free Version is Too Limited
Although the free version has no powerful stuff into hooks, Elements, and Site Library. You will usually install more plugins later on knowing that they will add up.
Warning: although you can build a basic site with the free version, it will not work for heavy projects or businesses.
2. No Lifetime Plan Anymore
Previously, GeneratePress offered a one-time payment lifetime plan, but it has now been discontinued. You’ll need to renew annually, which adds to the cost in the long run.
3. No Built-In Page Builder
GeneratePress (unlike themes with visual drag-and-drop page builders like Divi or Elementor) doesn’t have a default page builder in Visual. For advanced design options, you will have to install GenerateBlocks or a third-party plugin.
4. Limited Pre-Made Templates (Compared to Competitors)
Premium Site Library is a good tool, but not as solid as Astra or Kadence from the template side. Yes, the free.
5. Some Features Are Behind a Paywall
Key modules like Elements, WooCommerce customization, advanced layout control, and more are available only in the Premium version.
6. No Live Chat or Phone Support
Support is usually from forums and email only Some users might like the live chat (which is not available) especially if you are experiencing an emergency site issue.
Pricing Plans: Are They Worth It?
Here’s the breakdown of GeneratePress pricing (2025):
Plan | What You Get | Price (Annual) |
---|---|---|
GP Premium | Theme only | $59/year |
GP One | Theme + GenerateBlocks Pro | $149/year |
GenerateBlocks Pro | Block plugin only | $99/year |
✅ It can be used with 500 sites per license
🔁 30 day money-back guarantee
📩 Plan “One” support with Premium emal.
💡 My Suggestion: Go with the GP One plan if you want both GeneratePress & GenerateBlocks — it’s more value for money than buying separately.
Top 3 GeneratePress Alternatives
Below are 3 really good WordPress themes you may want instead of GeneratePress for
1️⃣ Astra Theme
1.6M+ global est users
- Free with many starter templates in the free version
- Lifetime plans available
- Begineers to Buy: From $49/y 👉 BEST OPTION for Beginners who want a ready-to-use site quickly
2️⃣ Divi by Elegant Themes
- 800+ templates Visual Builder Drag and drop
- Beginner friendly visual editing
- Most expensive (starts at $89/year) 👉 Ideal for: Designers & Agencies that need visual design sovereignty
3️⃣ Genesis Framework
- SEO designed and beautifully coded
- Costs more (starts $360/year)
- Min detail, clean and fast design strategy 👉 Best for: developers or businesses requiring high performance + security
🤔 FAQs – People Also Ask
Q. Is GeneratePress good for SEO?
Yes. It’s lightweight, schema-ready, mobile-friendly, and integrates well with SEO plugins like RankMath & Yoast.
Q. Can I use GeneratePress for free?
Absolutely. The free version is great for simple blogs. But for pro features, GP Premium is worth every rupee.
Q. Is GeneratePress better than Astra?
Astra is good too—but GP is cleaner, faster, and better supported in my experience. Astra adds more features; GP focuses on performance-first.
Q. Does GeneratePress work with Elementor?
Yes! It’s fully compatible with Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Gutenberg. I’ve used it in all 3 setups.
Q. How many websites can I use GP Premium on?
Unlimited. Whether you manage 1 site or 100 client sites—it’s yours.
Final Verdict: Should You Use GeneratePress in 2025?
Absolutely. If you care about speed, SEO, and flexibility—this theme will not disappoint. GeneratePress is one of the most powerful and performance-optimized WordPress themes—especially for bloggers, marketers, freelancers, and agencies who prioritize speed, SEO, and flexibility. The Premium version is absolutely worth the investment if you’re serious about your website or want to eliminate extra plugins.
Let me know in the comments, or reach out if you want help setting it up for your business. I’ve helped dozens of clients build fast, clean, lead-generating websites.