Introduction

WordPress block themes allow you to build flexible, customizable sites using the block editor. In this post, we’ll highlight 20 of the most popular free block themes for WordPress as of 20th July, 2023. 

Block themes make use of the WordPress block editor, allowing for more flexible and customized website designs. If you’re looking for a modern, versatile theme for your WordPress site, block themes are worth considering.

In this article, we’ll highlight the top 20 most popular free block themes for WordPress. The data on installation numbers and other details comes from the WordPress theme directory and some great work from Hendrik Luehrsen who compiled the data. 

It’s worth noting that the top two themes, Twenty Twenty-Two and Twenty Twenty-Three, have high install numbers partially because they are set as the default themes in new WordPress installations. The numbers don’t fully reflect active selection and use of the themes. Beyond these default themes, the rest of the list represents themes that users have actively chosen to install on their sites.

Twenty Twenty-Three

The default WordPress theme for 2023 with over 1 million installs. Clean, spacious design from WordPress.org.

• 1,000,000+ installs
• Author: WordPress.org
• https://wordpress.org/themes/twentytwentythree/

Twenty Twenty-Two

Last year’s default WordPress theme still going strong. Soft, subtle grid-based layout.

• 600,000+ installs
• Author: WordPress.org
• https://wordpress.org/themes/twentytwentytwo/

Raft

Elegant, blog-focused theme with homepage carousel. Great for media sites.

• 10,000+ installs
• Author: ThemeIsle
• https://wordpress.org/themes/raft/

YITH Wonder

Playful, creative theme. Whimsical header styles and color options.

• 10,000+ installs
• Author: YITH Themes
• https://wordpress.org/themes/yith-wonder/

Zeever

Ultra-minimalist theme focusing on clarity. Clean, generous whitespace.

• 10,000+ installs
• Author: jegstudio
• https://wordpress.org/themes/zeever/

Intrace

Sleek, professional theme for corporate sites and online magazines.

• 6,000+ installs
• Author: jegstudio
• https://wordpress.org/themes/intrace/

Startupzy

Modern, visually bold theme for startups and tech brands.

• 5,000+ installs
• Author: jegstudio
• https://wordpress.org/themes/startupzy/

BizBoost

Multipurpose business theme with lots of customization options.

• 4,000+ installs
• Author: Catch Themes
• https://wordpress.org/themes/bizboost/

Jaxon

Creative theme with colorful accents and homepage layout options.

• 4,000+ installs
• Author: ThemeIsle
• https://wordpress.org/themes/jaxon/

Björk

Beautiful portfolio theme with fullscreen gallery templates.

• 4,000+ installs
• Author: Anlino
• https://wordpress.org/themes/bjork/

Extendable

Modular theme focused on extending its capabilities with blocks.

• 4,000+ installs
• Author: Extendify
• https://wordpress.org/themes/extendable/

Zoologist

Nature-inspired theme with customizable layouts and colors.

• 4,000+ installs
• Author: Automattic
• https://wordpress.org/themes/zoologist/

Spectra One

Sleek, professional theme for agencies and creative businesses.

• 3,000+ installs
• Author: Brainstorm Force
• https://wordpress.org/themes/spectra-one/

Fork

Blog and magazine theme with bold featured posts.

• 3,000+ installs
• Author: ThemeIsle
• https://wordpress.org/themes/fork/

Riverbank

Outdoorsy, adventure-focused theme for nature sites.

• 3,000+ installs
• Author: ThemeIsle
• https://wordpress.org/themes/riverbank/

Ona

Feminine style theme designed for creatives and bloggers.

• 3,000+ installs
• Author: DeoThemes
• https://wordpress.org/themes/ona/

Frost

Simple blog theme with clean typography from WPEngine.

• 2,000+ installs
• Author: WPEngine
• https://wordpress.org/themes/frost/

Zino

Spotlights photos with full-width galleries and slideshows.

• 2,000+ installs
• Author: maneshtimilsina
• https://wordpress.org/themes/zino/

Inspiro Blocks

Page builder integrated theme for customizable layouts.

• 2,000+ installs
• Author: WPZOOM
• https://wordpress.org/themes/inspiro-blocks/

Elevated Lite

Business theme with multiple header and color options.

• 2,000+ installs
• Author: Rising Themes
• https://wordpress.org/themes/elevated-lite/

Here is an expanded section covering the top 20 authors on WordPress.org by number of themes:

Top 20 Authors by WordPress Themes

Below are the top 20 authors on WordPress.org based on the number of themes they have published. This provides an overview of some of the most prolific theme developers in the WordPress ecosystem.

1. Automattic

• 30 themes
• 17,200 total installs

Automattic is the company behind WordPress.com and contributes official themes like TwentyTwenty and more.

2. Codeyatri

• 26 themes
• 14,280 total installs

Codeyatri offers a diverse collection of creative themes for blogs, businesses, portfolios, and more.

3. Catch Themes

• 18 themes
• 13,700 total installs

Catch Themes creates customizable premium and free themes for all types of sites.

4. jegstudio

• 15 themes
• 30,300 total installs

Jegstudio focuses on fast, SEO-optimized themes for blogs, magazines, startups, and businesses.

5. WowThemes

• 14 themes
• 4,160 total installs

WowThemes designs modern, elegant themes with a focus on conversion and marketing.

6. UXL

• 10 themes
• 2,550 total installs

UXL offers minimalist themes designed for clarity and easy navigation.

7. Fly2sky

• 8 themes
• 1,900 total installs

Fly2sky creates simple, fast-loading themes for new bloggers.

8. Anlino

• 7 themes
• 9,500 total installs

Anlino focuses on creative portfolios and photography themes.

9. Grace Themes

• 7 themes
• 750 total installs

Grace Themes provides free themes for churches, non-profits, and religious organizations.

10. Olive Themes

• 7 themes
• 3,400 total installs

Olive Themes offers multimedia and WooCommerce focused themes.

11. Wpradiant

• 7 themes
• 1,590 total installs

Wpradiant designs modern business themes with lots of customization options.

12. Blockify

• 6 themes
• 3,900 total installs

Blockify builds Gutenberg-specific block-based themes for designers.

13. Deothemes

• 6 themes
• 4,700 total installs

Deothemes creates themes focused on femininity and creatives.

14. Sparklewpthemes

• 6 themes
• 2,020 total installs

SparkleWP offers lightweight themes optimized for speed.

15. Wpenjoy

• 6 themes
• 3,100 total installs

Wpenjoy focuses on SEO and marketing-ready themes.

16. Eagle Themes

• 5 themes
• 900 total installs

Eagle Themes provides magazine and blog themes.

17. ThemeIsle

• 5 themes
• 21,000 total installs

ThemeIsle is known for their free Gutenberg and block-enabled themes.

18. ThemeZee

• 5 themes
• 4,600 total installs

ThemeZee offers themes for creatives like artists, writers, and photographers.

19. Bgardner

• 4 themes
• 1,600 total installs

Bgardner provides photography and portfolio-focused themes.

20. Creathemes

• 4 themes
• 360 total installs

Creathemes designs app and software landing page themes.

Conclusion

This overview covers 20 of the most active theme creators on WordPress.org, according to total number of themes published. The designers highlighted range from individuals to teams, and cover themes catering to blogs, businesses, agencies, creatives, photographers, churches, and more.

While plugin compatibility, customization options, and visual design are important factors when choosing a WordPress theme, the reputation and support of the theme author should also be considered. An experienced developer who actively maintains their themes will provide a better long-term experience compared to untested or abandoned projects.

When evaluating themes for your next WordPress site, be sure to look beyond the demo and check into the author’s history and current status in the community. The creators profiled above are a sampling of the many talented theme developers active in the WordPress ecosystem today. Their work provides endlessly diverse options to make every WordPress site unique.

Additionally, some of the most popular current themes covered earlier include Twenty Twenty-Three, Raft, YITH Wonder, Zeever, and Intrace. Leading theme authors like Automattic, Catch Themes, ThemeIsle, and JegsStudio have cultivated libraries of customizable designs for sites of all kinds.

By reviewing both the most widely used themes and their creators’ reputations, you can make an informed decision when selecting the perfect theme to achieve your WordPress site goals. The theme options highlighted in this piece represent just a fraction of the thousands available to transform your site’s design and user experience.