Astra vs X theme
Astra and X theme are top WordPress themes with very different core philosophies. Astra prioritizes unmatched speed and highly rated, professional customer support. X theme offers maximum functional density and a powerful live builder experience (Cornerstone). Decide if rock-solid reliability or upfront cost savings matter most to your business.
Speedy theme with amazing support.
We find Astra combines top-tier performance with exceptional user support, clearly setting it apart from competitors. Its flexible, lightweight code makes professional website development accessible and efficient for users of all skill levels. Overall, Astra is a leading choice for anyone building on the WordPress platform.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight architecture ensuring very fast load times.
- Customer support is consistently described as prompt, helpful, and professional.
- Support often provides personalized guidance, including video screencasts.
- High degree of flexibility and extensive customization options.
Cons
- Introductory pricing means renewal rates are notably higher.
- The free version is perceived by some as being overly restrictive.
- The premium version has minor limitations in deep styling options (e.g., author box alignment).
Feature-rich builder, concerning support history.
We find X theme offers a robust platform centered on the exceptional Cornerstone live builder, including valuable bundled assets for a low one-time cost. However, we must strongly caution that published external reviews indicate severe reliability issues regarding customer support, sudden changes to licensing terms, and a steep learning curve. Overall, this product offers high theoretical value but carries substantial risk due to reported poor long-term customer service practices.
Pros
- Powerful true live building experience using Cornerstone.
- Excellent value provided by the $89 one-time purchase fee.
- Includes numerous popular premium plugins and design assets.
- Features advanced site controls like Role Manager and Global Blocks.
Cons
- Users report a steep learning curve and complexity.
- Reports of poor, unresponsive customer support that avoids custom help.
- Allegations of retroactive changes to permanent licenses and support policies.
- Some theme elements are reported to break unexpectedly or require constant fixing.
AboutAstra
Astra is recognized as the world's most popular WordPress theme. It functions as a complete digital toolkit for anyone who builds on WordPress. This includes everything from the core theme and pre-built templates to advanced AI integrations. Astra focuses on delivering exceptional speed and reliability 💡. It’s perfect for solo freelance creators, busy web pros, and growing agencies alike.
AboutX theme
X is an incredibly versatile WordPress theme designed to serve everyone, from complete beginners to seasoned power users. At its core is the powerful Cornerstone page builder. This system provides a unique Clutter Free Workspace, clearly separating the Work Area and the Preview Area. You build your site as you see it, without busy animations getting in the way. Cornerstone also provides live inline text editing and code editors, allowing you to see custom code results in real time. It's built for stability and allows for incredibly granular customizations across the board.
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Performance & Speed
Astra focuses on speed; X theme focuses on dense capabilities.
Astra is architected to be extremely lightweight and fast. Its core theme resource size is less than 50 KB. Websites built with Astra can achieve load times as fast as 0.5 seconds consistently. X theme prioritizes a dense feature set and internal customization tools. The focus on features sometimes compromises raw page performance scores. Key difference: Astra is superior for performance-driven developers and SEO concerns. X theme accepts less speed for greater functionality. Speed directly impacts user retention and search engine visibility greatly.
Pricing Model
Astra is subscription-based; X theme is a single flat fee.
Astra uses annual subscriptions starting at an introductory $60/year. You must renew yearly to get updates and support. Lifetime purchase options are available starting at $319. X theme simplifies pricing with a single $89 one-time payment. This purchase includes ongoing updates and support (per their promise). Key difference: Astra requires predictable recurring investment after the first year. X theme's fixed cost is a major benefit for budget-conscious buyers. However, X theme lacks a stated refund policy, unlike Astra's guarantee.
Customer Support
Astra’s support is excellent; X theme’s support is poorly received.
Astra support is consistently praised as prompt, professional, and helpful globally. Agents often provide personalized guidance and helpful video screencasts. The Business Toolkit includes access to dedicated VIP Support. X theme's support is a serious consumer pain point, frequently described as slow and unhelpful. Many users report support agents simply linking to general documentation. Key difference: Astra provides reliable, necessary support under its subscription model. X theme's poor support quality undermines its powerful technical features. Choosing Astra ensures less troubleshooting time overall.
Core Page Builder
Astra is modular; X theme uses its powerful native builder.
Astra integrates seamlessly with popular external builders like Elementor and Spectra Pro. This modular approach keeps the core theme lightweight and flexible. It includes advanced builders for headers and footers. X theme centralizes all design around its native Cornerstone builder. Cornerstone offers a true live, "build in the browser" visual experience. Advanced users get integrated Code Editors visible in real-time. Key difference: Astra is the lightweight base; X theme is the complete, self-contained design platform. Novice users may find the Cornerstone system overly powerful and complex.
Agency Workflow Tools
Astra offers dedicated tools; X theme offers basic management.
Astra provides robust solutions necessary for scaling agencies and freelancers. Features include professional White Labeling for client site branding. The integrated SureFeedback tool streamlines client revision cycles substantially. X theme offers the Role Manager feature for granular user permission control. This manages who can edit certain elements safely. It primarily relies on the Template Manager for asset portability between sites. Key difference: Astra aims to automate and streamline the entire client delivery process. X theme focuses only on internal team access management. Agencies will highly value the time savings from Astra's specific tools.
Design Assets & AI
Astra has more templates and AI; X theme features the Design Cloud.
Astra provides access to over 300 premium starter templates with higher plans. The integrated ZipWP AI builder can generate full site designs instantly. Users can launch a complete site structure in under a minute. X theme relies on the Design Cloud for its professionally built assets and templates. You can install an entire functional site template quickly with one click. X theme lacks a dedicated AI site generation feature for rapid prototyping. Key difference: Astra offers a larger quantity of templates plus an AI advantage. X theme provides powerful, high-quality bundled assets. Both themes provide excellent rapid start functionalities.
Our Verdict
The choice between Astra and X theme centers on reliability versus upfront cost savings. Astra is your high-performance, agency-ready system built for speed. X theme offers a massive power bundle through its single $89 purchase. For most professional users, Astra is safer, faster, and much better supported long-term. Astra’s superpower is its speed and efficient agency workflow optimization. The core theme weighs less than 50 KB, providing websites that load in 0.5 seconds. Astra enables productivity with White Labeling and the integrated SureFeedback tool. Its customer support team is famously responsive and provides personalized assistance. X theme's superpower is its powerful Cornerstone builder and included feature value. The $89 fee instantly provides dozens of valuable premium plugins. Cornerstone facilitates deep visual design with integrated access to Code Editors. X theme offers a potent, fixed-cost development environment. The deciding factor should be complexity and support reliability. Astra’s annual plans guarantee stability and top-tier customer service. X theme users widely report severe pain points with support and unstable licensing practices. Don't risk maintenance and downtime for X theme's small entry price. Choose Astra if you build sites professionally, value performance, and demand reliable support. Pick X theme only if you are an expert developer willing to troubleshoot complexity. Astra provides a much smoother experience for 99% of WordPress users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for core website speed: Astra or X theme?
Astra is definitively better for raw speed and performance metrics. Astra’s core theme is extremely lightweight, less than 50 KB in size. Websites built with Astra routinely load in half a second. X theme is heavier due to its focus on functional density.
Does X theme's $89 price cover ongoing updates and support?
Yes, the initial $89 purchase for X theme allegedly includes ongoing updates. However, many user reviews report significant issues with support quality later on. Astra requires an annual subscription or lifetime purchase for ongoing access to premium support.
How reliable is customer support for Astra vs X theme?
Astra has outstandingly positive support reviews marked by speed and individualized service. X theme has very poor support reviews, with users citing unhelpful and frustrating interactions. If reliable support is critical, choose Astra immediately.
Is Astra or X theme better for building complex e-commerce stores?
Astra is rated the #1 WooCommerce theme for conversion optimization and speed. X theme provides strong integrations and four unique shop designs. While both work, Astra’s focus on speed gives it an edge for shopping experience.
Does Astra include a dedicated client feedback tool like the Role Manager in X theme?
Astra includes SureFeedback, a tool for clients to comment directly on the live site. X theme includes the Role Manager to set granular user edit permissions. Astra focuses on speeding up client revisions; X theme focuses on internal team control.
Which theme is easier for beginners to master quickly?
Astra is far easier for beginners due to its simplicity and streamlined interface. X theme is described by users as having a steep learning curve. New users should generally start with Astra for a faster launch.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.