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 Newspaper
Astra wins 2 of the 2 points we can measure. Here's how they compare on price, features, ratings and deals.
At a glance
| Feature | Astra | Newspaper |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.3/10 (better) | 6.7/10 |
| Starts at | $99/year | $59 once |
| Free version | Yes (better) | No |
| Refund window | 14 days | – |
| Billing | Subscription | One-time payment |
| Active installs | 1M+ | – |
| Last Black Friday | 40% off | – |
| Category | Themes | Themes |
| Vendor | Brainstorm Force | tagDiv |
| 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 Newspaper if…
- News publishers and magazine sites
- Editors running one news website
Features
Astra
- Free base theme
- Astra Pro add-on
- AI site generation
- Premium starter templates
- Spectra Pro and Ultimate Addons
- Hosted websites and domain
Newspaper
- tagDiv Composer
- Cloud Library
- Paywall builder
- Opt-in builder
- Newsletter tool
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
Newspaper
- One-time purchase with no renewal
- Includes a paywall and opt-in builder
- Cloud Library of demos and templates
- Regular licence covers one website only
- Sold through ThemeForest, not WordPress.org
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
Newspaper
Regular LicenseStarts here
$59 once
1 site sites
- Theme and tagDiv Composer
- Cloud Library
- Paywall and opt-in builder
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.
Newspaper
Reddit posts about the Newspaper theme are few and mostly questions about whether Newspaper 12 is the right purchase. One user reports blurred homepage thumbnails on Newspaper X, and another says Kadence and Elegant were complicated to customise and asks whether Newspaper 12 is the best option.
Astra vs Newspaper questions
Is Astra better than Newspaper?
On our comparison Astra comes out ahead on 2 of 2 measurable points. The right pick still depends on what you build.
Which is cheaper, Astra or Newspaper?
Astra starts at $99/year and Newspaper starts at $59 once.
Can I get Astra or Newspaper cheaper on Black Friday?
Both are on our Black Friday tracker. Astra was 40% off last year.
Both products
Newspaper is a paid WordPress theme for news and magazine sites, with a page builder, paywall and newsletter tools.
- Free version
- No
- Price
- From $59 once
- Category
- Themes
Not announcedBlack Friday deal for Newspaper
