What is Astra plugin?
Astra is a multipurpose WordPress theme developed by Brainstorm Force. It is one of the most widely installed themes in the WordPress ecosystem because it loads fast, stays out of the way of whichever page builder you use, and has a solid free version that covers most basic needs.
Astra does not include a visual page editor. It is a theme that handles global typography, colours, header and footer structure, and WooCommerce integration, while letting Elementor, Beaver Builder, Bricks, or Gutenberg handle the page layout. Most sites pair Astra with Elementor Pro or Bricks for full design control.
The Pro version adds a drag-and-drop header and footer builder, custom layouts for single posts and archive pages, advanced WooCommerce customisation, and additional typography controls. For most page builder builds, Astra Free is sufficient as the underlying theme.
Need Help With Astra Setup, Troubleshooting, or Customization?
Need help with Astra? Whether you are dealing with errors, broken functionality, styling problems, plugin conflicts, or advanced customization, we can help you fix the issue and get the plugin working properly on your WordPress site.
Get Astra Expert HelpKey Features
- Starter templates library with 200+ pre-built site designs
- Header and footer builder (Pro)
- WooCommerce cart and checkout customisation
- Custom layouts for posts and archives (Pro)
- Compatible with Elementor, Beaver Builder, Bricks, and Gutenberg
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast performance compared to all-in-one themes like Divi
- Free version covers most basic site needs without paying
- Large template library reduces initial build time
Cons
- Full design control requires a separate page builder
- Header builder and custom layout features are Pro-only
Free vs Premium
Astra Free includes the core theme, basic Customiser controls, and access to the starter template library. It works well for most simple sites when paired with Elementor or another builder. Astra Pro adds the header and footer builder, custom layouts for posts and archives, advanced WooCommerce checkout controls, sticky and transparent header options, and additional typography settings. For a full custom site, Pro is almost always needed.
Common Problems & Fixes
My Astra starter template imported but looks broken or different from the demo.
Starter template imports depend on the same plugins used in the demo – typically Elementor Pro plus specific third-party plugins. If those plugins were not active during import, placeholder layouts appear instead of the full design. Deactivate any partially imported content, install the required plugins listed in the template import wizard, then reimport from scratch. The wizard shows required plugins before you confirm.
Astra Customiser changes are not showing on the front end.
This is almost always a caching issue. Clear your caching plugin cache, CDN cache, and browser cache. On managed hosts like WP Engine or Kinsta, also purge the server-level cache from the hosting dashboard. If the problem continues after clearing all caches, check whether a child theme is overriding the stylesheet or template file.
Astra Pro features disappeared after I renewed my licence.
Go to Appearance, then Astra Options, then the Your Account section, and reconnect your licence key. Some account renewals require manual reactivation. If the key shows as active but Pro features are still missing, deactivate and reactivate the Astra Pro addon plugin. This resets the feature check without affecting any design settings.
Customization & Developer Notes
How do I build a custom header with a logo on the left and navigation on the right in Astra?
This requires Astra Pro. Go to Appearance, then Customise, then Header Builder. The builder uses a drag-and-drop grid with three columns per row. Drag the Logo element to the left column and the Primary Menu element to the right column. On Astra Free, header layout is controlled through Customise, then Header, with limited positioning options.
Can I use Astra with Gutenberg only, without any page builder?
Yes. Astra works with Gutenberg and is compatible with Full Site Editing. Brainstorm Force also makes Spectra, a free block plugin that extends Gutenberg with additional layout and content blocks. The combination of Astra and Spectra gives a capable no-page-builder setup for sites that want to stay within the WordPress block editor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Astra better than GeneratePress or OceanWP?
All three are fast lightweight themes with similar approaches. Astra has the largest user base and the most starter templates. GeneratePress has a reputation for slightly cleaner code and is popular with developers who want more CSS control. OceanWP has stronger WooCommerce extensions. For most projects, any of the three is a reasonable choice – the decision often comes down to which template library fits the project and which Pro features are needed.
Does Astra work with WooCommerce?
Yes, and well. Astra has dedicated WooCommerce support with custom product page layouts, cart and checkout styling, and shop archive customisation. The free version includes basic WooCommerce support. Astra Pro adds cart flyout, checkout field customisation, and additional product layout controls.
Do I need Astra Pro if I already have Elementor Pro?
Not necessarily. Elementor Pro handles page layout, headers, footers, and archive templates through its Theme Builder. If you are using Elementor Pro for full site design, Astra Free is often sufficient as the underlying theme. Astra Pro becomes useful if you want its specific WooCommerce features or prefer managing header and footer outside of Elementor.
How do I update Astra without losing my customisations?
Astra stores all Customiser settings in the WordPress database, not in theme files. Updating the theme through Appearance, then Themes, does not overwrite your settings. If you use a child theme for custom CSS, update only the parent theme – child themes are unaffected by parent theme updates. Always back up before any theme update as a precaution.