Astra is a highly customizable WordPress theme trusted by over 2 million websites, offering advanced options and a WooCommerce performance booster.
- Free version
- Yes
- Price
- From $99/year
- Category
- Themes
Not announcedBlack Friday deal for Astra
Astra vs JNews
Evenly matched on the points we can measure. Here's how they compare on price, features, ratings and deals.
At a glance
| Feature | Astra | JNews |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.3/10 | Not rated |
| Starts at | $99/year | $49/year (better) |
| Free version | Yes (better) | No |
| Refund window | 14 days | 14 days |
| Billing | Subscription | Subscription |
| Active installs | 1M+ | – |
| Last Black Friday | 40% off | – |
| Category | Themes | Themes |
| Vendor | Brainstorm Force | Jegtheme |
| Black Friday 2026 | Not announced | Not announced |
Which should you choose?
Choose Astra if…
- Agencies building client sites
- Users who want a lightweight theme with add-ons
- You want to start free
Choose JNews if…
- News and magazine publishers
- Agencies with many publishing clients
- You want the lower starting price
Features
Astra
- Free base theme
- Astra Pro add-on
- AI site generation
- Premium starter templates
- Spectra Pro and Ultimate Addons
- Hosted websites and domain
JNews
- Speed and performance
- Native SEO
- Monetization
- Visual layout builder
- Rich content types
Pros and cons
Astra
- Free base theme on WordPress.org
- Reddit users describe it as lightweight and fast
- Works with the block editor and common page builders
- 14-day money-back guarantee on all plans
- Starter templates and premium modules need a paid plan
- Some Reddit users find the free version limited
- Some Reddit users say Astra Pro is not worth the price
JNews
- Built-in SEO and speed tools
- 99+ demos included
- Plans start at $49 per year
- Subscription with yearly renewal
- Speed claims are vendor-stated
- Higher tiers needed for more than one site
Pricing plans
Astra
Astra Pro + AIStarts here
$99/year
3 sites
- Astra Pro addon
- AI site generation
- 1 hosted website with a free domain for the first year
Astra Pro + AI (lifetime)
$279 once
3 sites
- No recurring cost for the WordPress toolkit
- AI platform and hosting run for 3 years
Essential Toolkit + AI
$199/year
10 sites
- Spectra Pro and Ultimate Addons for Elementor
- 300+ premium templates
- 2 hosted websites
JNews
JNews Pro - PersonalStarts here
$49/year
1 site sites
- 99+ demos
- 1 year priority support
- Speed Optimizer
JNews Pro - Professional
$99/year
10 sites sites
- 99+ demos
- 1 year priority support
- SEO Optimizer
JNews Pro - Agency
$139/year
100 sites sites
- 99+ demos
- 1 year priority support
- SEO Optimizer
What Reddit says
Astra
Reddit users discuss Astra mainly as a free WordPress theme with an optional Astra Pro add-on, and some ask whether it is too heavy for beginners. Recurring problems include WordPress.com plans blocking theme installs, Pro license activation failing, and difficulty customising headers and menus.
JNews
Not enough Reddit discussion yet.
Astra vs JNews questions
Is Astra better than JNews?
They're evenly matched on the points we can measure. Pick by features and budget.
Which is cheaper, Astra or JNews?
Astra starts at $99/year and JNews starts at $49/year.
Can I get Astra or JNews cheaper on Black Friday?
Both are on our Black Friday tracker. Astra was 40% off last year.
Both products
JNews is a news and magazine WordPress theme with built-in SEO, speed and monetization tools.
- Free version
- No
- Price
- From $49/year
- Category
- Themes
Not announcedBlack Friday deal for JNews
