The Fastest WooCommerce Themes in 2024 (FREE & Paid)

wps speed fix

Given you’re on this page I probably don’t need to tell you that fast WordPress loading times are important for SEO, user experience and particularly in ecommerce businesses, conversion rates and sales .

We’ve optimized 3000+ sites through our WordPress Speed Optimization Service WPSpeedFix.com and have deep experience with Woocommerce speed and Wordpress speed optimization.

In this post you’ll find the fastest themes we’ve found for Woocommerce sites. This list is the real deal. It’s not some nonsense listed cooked up by a content marketer listing every theme under the sun coupled with some bogus speed tests that don’t make any sense. The themes we recommend here are FAST, clean and mobile optimized – there’s also free and paid options.


If you want to skip all the fat and just want to get to the meat and potatoes, here’s the top 4 fast loading themes for Woocommerce we recommend on a daily basis:

Shoptimizer – unlike some of the other themes we recommend here, Shoptimizer is a Woocommerce specific/only theme. It was built from the ground up for Woocommerce specifically, to be lightning fast AND to include advanced Woo features that help boost conversion rates too.

^^If you want the fastest Woocommerce theme, this one is the way to go

Divi – Divi is a fantastic theme but got a bad reputation for being slow and bloated as they added more features and their own page builder BUT since 2021 they’ve revisited how the theme is built and have streamlined it for speed. Now super fast, tons of features and plenty of Woocommerce conversion boosting features, Divi is now back to the top of our fast theme recommendations list.

Generatepress – a theme that’s very lightweight and built for speed. The developer of this theme set out to build something that’s lightning fast. Part of what makes this theme so fast is the fact it doesn’t rely on Jquery, which means it’s light on Javascript so it renders faster AND makes Google Pagespeed Insights very happy. This is probably the fastest of this list but is also light on features and child themes.

Astra – this is another lightning-fast theme and also has some really awesome child theme options. Like the Generatepress theme, it also doesn’t rely on Jquery – it’s a little more feature heavy so can have a bit more javascript.

Contents

What Makes a Theme Fast or Slow?

Faster themes are smaller in filesize (so there’s less to download), have less code (so they process faster on the server), have cleaner CSS and inline CSS where important (so the site renders faster) and rely less on javascript (so there’s less work for the device CPU to do). The fastest themes right now also don’t rely on the Jquery javascript library.

All of this translates to faster download from the server and faster render, so the amount of time it takes the browser to actually assemble the page and show it is less.

Slower themes typically have a LOT more javascript to download and often use several off the shelf libraries and APIs, such as Google Fonts and Google Maps APIs which aren’t necessarily optimized for speed.

It’s important we talk about Jquery too. Jquery is a javascript library that many themes rely on to drive more advanced features – many page builder themes rely heavily on javascript. Jquery powered themes need to download and execute this library before the page will render adding a delay and extra processing overhead.

Typically a Jquery powered theme will struggle to get 100 score on Google Pagespeed Insights because the Jquery javascript library is render blocking.

Important to note that Theme speed isn’t the only factor to consider

It’s important to note that generally the most important part of site speed is a fast and stable hosting provider. The theme is important but not as important as the host you’re on. If you’re working on your site speed it’s worth checking out this article on the fastest and best WordPress hosting providers.

If you want to test your site speed, check out our free app, SiteSpeedBot.com which will give you detailed recommendations on how you can speed up your site in under 60 seconds!

The Fastest Woocommerce Themes in Detail:

1. Shoptimizer

Shoptimizer is a premium, performance-optimized theme for e-commerce, a product from CommerceGurus (the same people that are behind Create and Code theme shop).

Unlike some of the other themes in it’s class designed specifically for speed, this is a theme that’s designed only for WooCommerce sites, which means it’s not a multipurpose one.

Shoptimizer is great when it comes to emphasizing two aspects of the e-commerce enterprise, namely site speed or loading performance, and conversion rate – both very important for an online business. 

With great design, and following the best e-commerce conversion rate optimization practices, this theme includes options such as: 

  • Conversion optimized checkout
  • Timers for sale countdowns (countdown timers or limited stock)
  • Trust badges – an option that allows you to easily display trust badges on your checkout pages and your cart
  • Sticky product details available with a scroll option – it sticks important product details to the top of the page, as the users continue to scroll down the page
  • Option for adding conversion-boosting microcopy under the Add to Cart button
  • The feature ‘Request a callback’ for individual products (this one’s a great option for products that are expensive)
  • Elementor built core pages – this option allows you to edit the core pages with an easy to use drag-and-drop editing technique

This theme offers a very alluring option if you want a stellar looking site, that is designed on a very sound e-commerce basis.

As we mentioned above, Shoptimizer is a premium theme, which means it only comes as a paid plugin but it absolutely worth it. Many of the conversion boosting options would cost several hundred dollars more in standalone plugins.

Website: commercegurus.com

2. Neve by Themeisle

Neve is another fantastic theme option for Woocommerce sites. It’s a general purpose theme BUT also has what they call a “Woocommerce Booster” module that has some similar functionality to the Shoptimizer theme features.

We really like that there are multiple price points available for this theme, a free download where you can try the theme without signing up for anything AND an agency plan option that gives you unlimited site support which is quite rare these days.

They also have a huge number of templates PLUS some examples of their site of real, live production sites using the theme.

Here’s a summary of some of Neve’s key features at a glance:

  • Woocommerce Booster module that adds specific conversion optimization features for ecommerce site
  • Ability to download the theme straight from their site with no signup or optin
  • Agency paid plans available with UNLIMITED site support AND Whitelabel option!
  • Can run without Jquery so it’s lightning fast – it’s clear they built the theme out of the box to load fast
  • AMP support

Website: themeisle.com

3. Divi

A powerful and very flexible theme, even though it’s not the fastest on our list, it’s still fast enough to provide a well-optimized e-commerce website. Divi is also one of those themes that’s considered among the most successful themes on the market – and with 500 000 users (and still counting), it definitely has the users to back that up! 

Divi comes with its own drag-and-drop page builder and it’s also being regularly updated, which means the developers are introducing new features all the time. 

This is another multi-purpose theme that allows you to build whatever kind of website you want: from online shops (it integrates fully with WooCommerce) to business sites, portfolios, blogs, and much more. Divi makes the act of designing the pages for your online store super easy and creative – it’s got plenty of options for customization (it allows you to control colors, fonts, and other design elements). This theme has very responsive layouts, making it very functional and convenient to use on practically any device.

Along with the impeccable WooCommerce functionality and numerous options for customization, Divi also contains a Shop module that lets you incorporate your WooCommerce products and pages into the designs you’ve created, with the help of the in-built Divi Builder page builder.

The Divi theme is available as part of the $89 Elegant Themes membership.

Website: elegantthemes.com

4. Astra

One of the most popular WordPress themes in general, this one’s also a theme that’s particularly suitable for a WooCommerce website. It’s a super light theme (coming under 50kb!) and doesn’t depend on jQuery, which is a great plus – and also the reason why it’s being listed here. 

Flexibility is one of the greatest assets of this theme – you can combine whatever designs you want with ease and compatibility. Another thing is its full WooCommerc support – Astra will let you do personal customization of your store through the real-time WordPress Customizer.

This theme has a free basic option and a premium one for bigger and more complex business enterprises. If you opt for the premium option, the Astra Pro, you’ll get plenty of superb WooCommerce features such as: 

  • Pre-built WooCommerce demo sites
  • Infinite products scroll 
  • Numerous store layout options
  • Two-step, free from distractions, checkout options (all you do is check a box in the Customizer section)
  • Off-canvas menu for product search/filter
  • Built-in quick view functionality for products 
  • Special sales bubble icon which marks products on sale 
  • Cart icon slide-down which allows people to check their carts without having to do a page reload

Website: wpastra.com

5. GeneratePress

Like the Astra theme, GeneratePress also doesn’t rely on jQuery, making it one of the fastest WordPress themes out there. This is a versatile, performance-optimized multipurpose theme, also has built-in WooCommerce support. The plethora of options on its WordPress Customizer allows the user to adapt GeneratePress for different kinds of niches. 

This is another pretty lightweight theme, coming in just under 30kb, without any dependencies (such as jQuery mentioned above). 

The premium version offers a great deal of pre-built demo sites, and they’re all easy to import the moment they become available to you. 

It might not offer as many options as the Astra theme or the OceanWP (which we’re going to tackle next), but it’s definitely a theme that still manages to provide you with a well-designed store that will look great for your shoppers and will provide them with a more than satisfactory user experience. For example, you’ve got options such as:

  • Add to cart AJAX button that’s got a rather nice sticky panel – this appears at the top of the page in question once a potential shopper adds an item in their cart
  • Shopping cart icon with a drop-down option which you’re able to add to your menu
  • Checkout mode that’s distraction-free
  • Options that allow for control of the appearance of upsells and related products
  • Customizer options with which you can control WooCommerce styles and layout

Click play on the video below to see a walkthrough of the theme


GeneratePress is a theme that has both a free and premium version, which is, of course, a better choice when it comes to better and more complete WooCommerce functionality. 

Website: generatepress.com

6. OceanWP

Similarly to Astra and GeneratePress, with the same basic approach, OceanWP is another streamlined, multipurpose WordPress theme. Although it’s not as lightweight as the other two themes mentioned here, it still has plenty of customization options and fares especially well when it comes to WooCommerce support. It has one of the most detailed and nuanced WooCommerce integration and supports options like: 

  • Pre-built WooCommerce demo sites which you can import at will if you don’t want to build ones from scratch
  • Sales badges
  • Shopping car icon with dropdown option
  • Checkout that’s distraction-free and includes a multi-step approach
  • Product quick view
  • Details about sticky products
  • Cart and filter options with an off-canvas menu
  • Plenty of layout and style options that are part of the WordPress Customizer 

Like most such themes, this one also has a free limited version, as well as a more feature-rich premium one. 

Website: oceanwp.org

7. WoonderShop

Like the Shoptimizer theme, WoonderShop is another one that’s full-on concentrated on WooCommerce websites, with a focus on crafting a foundation that’s conversion-optimized, all for the best possible user experience for your e-commerce site. It’s especially convenient for mobile devices. 

A theme that’s made to be easily customizable, it contains the visual Customizer and an integrated SiteOrigin Page Builder which enables a very easy, drag-and-drop editing. 

WoonderShop also comes with three different “skins”, so it can help you in the appearance of your store. Its WordPress Customizer also contains plenty of style controls.

Some of its most attractive features are: 

  • The mobile-first design will ensure that visitors coming through their mobile devices have a superb shopping experience.
  • Distraction-free checkout so you don’t have to worry about losing shoppers 
  • Trust badges
  • Key e-commerce functionality
  • Built in cross-selling widget which displays products that are frequently purchased together or products that are related
  • Built-in AJAX product filters which help eliminate page reloads
  • Auto-complete product search
  • AJAX add to cart functionality which uses a dropdown cart to show the product 
  • It’s designed to be focused on performance, meaning its default Google PageSpeed score is in the high 90s
  • Contains search autosuggest meant to enable potential buyers a more precise shopping experience

WoonderShop, like Shoptimizer, also only comes in a premium version. 

8. Storefront

This is, in fact, the default theme that comes along with WooCommerce. It’s no surprise, then, that it’s so popular, but that’s not the only reason – it’s also very successful in helping your store load rather quickly to boot. 

You also won’t have to worry about any lack of basic functionality – coming from the very source of the WooCommerce team, it’s a very solid example of good WooCommerce code practices. 

Granted, Storefront is rather basic in its aesthetics – a kind of a plain Jane when it comes to looks. However, you can certainly find lots of Storefront child themes and change that plain ol’ look. Some of these child themes are free, but most of them cost $39.

Website: woocommerce.com/storefront

Frequently Asked Questions

What else is important when it comes to site speed?

Theme speed is really important for overall site speed but other important factors are your hosting quality, hosting location, using a content delivery network and overall page size or page weight in megabytes.

How do I test my site speed?

Try our feel speed test tool SiteSpeedBot.com. It’ll give you detailed, practical recommendations on how to improve your site speed.

Does theme speed impact SEO?

Yes site speed is an SEO ranking factor and theme speed impacts site speed. That said we’ve found that page weight or the size of each page in megabytes is also a key consideration, a site with many pages over 3-5mb will tend to rank poorly. Optimizing images, using lazy loading and webp nextgen image file formats will help reduce page weights quite dramatically.

Conclusion

So, this is where we conclude our top recommendations for the fastest WooCommerce themes. This is by no means a complete list, but it’s certainly a good starting point for your next e-commerce enterprise. If you have any questions or suggestions concerning WooCommerce themes, you can leave them in the comments section below. 

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