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Astra Essential Toolkit7.6/10Smart Post8.5/10

Astra Essential Toolkit vs Smart Post

Smart Post wins 3 of the 3 points we can measure. Here's how they compare on price, features, ratings and deals.

At a glance

FeatureAstra Essential ToolkitSmart Post
Our score7.6/108.5/10 (better)
Starts at$199/year$39/year (better)
Free versionNoYes (better)
Refund window14 days14 days
BillingSubscriptionFree + paid plans
Active installs–20K+
Last Black Friday14% off–
CategoryBlocksBlocks
VendorBrainstorm ForceSmart Post
Black Friday 2026Not announcedNot announced

Which should you choose?

Choose Astra Essential Toolkit if…

  • Freelancers building client sites
  • Users who want Astra Pro and Spectra Pro in one plan
Astra Essential Toolkit reviewVisit Astra Essential Toolkit (opens in a new tab)

Choose Smart Post if…

  • Bloggers and news sites showing post lists
  • Agencies building content layouts in Gutenberg
  • You want to start free
  • You want the lower starting price
Smart Post reviewVisit Smart Post (opens in a new tab)

Features

Astra Essential Toolkit

  • Astra Pro and Spectra Pro
  • Ultimate Addons for Elementor
  • Premium starter templates
  • AI site generation
  • Hosted website and domain
  • Priority support

Smart Post

  • Post grid, carousel and slider blocks
  • Advanced post query builder
  • Front-end live filter
  • Saved templates
  • Global style settings
  • Page builder blocks

Pros and cons

Astra Essential Toolkit

  • Includes Astra Pro and Spectra Pro in one plan
  • Lifetime option available at 549 with no renewal
  • 10 websites covered on the entry plan
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Renewal price is higher than the first year: 299 per year after the first year on the entry plan
  • Entry plan includes only 2 hosted websites
  • No free trial is listed

Smart Post

  • Free version on WordPress.org with post grid and carousel blocks
  • Works with Gutenberg, Elementor, Divi and other page builders
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Unlimited Sites plan for agencies
  • Post badges, image galleries and featured video modules are Pro only
  • Paid plans renew yearly for updates and support
  • Header, footer and mega menu builders are still listed as upcoming

Pricing plans

Astra Essential Toolkit

  • Essential Toolkit + AIStarts here

    $199/year

    10 websites sites

    • Astra Pro and Spectra Pro included
    • Ultimate Addons for Elementor included
    • 2 hosted websites

  • Essential Toolkit + AI

    $549 lifetime

    10 websites sites

    • No recurring cost
    • Astra Pro and Spectra Pro included
    • 2 hosted websites

  • Business Toolkit + AI

    $279/year

    Unlimited sites

    • Adds SureForms Agency
    • 5 hosted websites
    • Astra Pro and Spectra Pro included

Smart Post

  • Single SiteStarts here

    $39/year

    1 site

    • All Pro features
    • Standard support for 1 year
    • Automatic updates for 1 year

  • Five Sites

    $99/year

    5 sites

    • All Pro features
    • Priority support for 1 year
    • Automatic updates for 1 year

  • Unlimited Sites

    $199/year

    Unlimited sites

    • All Pro features
    • Priority support for 1 year
    • Automatic updates for 1 year

Astra Essential Toolkit vs Smart Post questions

Is Astra Essential Toolkit better than Smart Post?

On our comparison Smart Post comes out ahead on 3 of 3 measurable points. The right pick still depends on what you build.

Which is cheaper, Astra Essential Toolkit or Smart Post?

Astra Essential Toolkit starts at $199/year and Smart Post starts at $39/year.

Can I get Astra Essential Toolkit or Smart Post cheaper on Black Friday?

Both are on our Black Friday tracker. Astra Essential Toolkit was 14% off last year.

Both products

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