WordPress- an open source platform is estimated to be owned by more than 40% of the internet bloggers.

However, one of the most confusing part for every WordPress user is to settle with a relevant theme that can freely allow them to add a value to their products and services.

Of course, WordPress is surely helping bloggers for over a decade now with multiple ready-made themes– however, the ability to inherit the functionality of other themes called the parent theme is limited.

WordPress- an open source platform is estimated to be owned by more than 40% of the internet bloggers.

However, one of the most confusing part for every WordPress user is to settle with a relevant theme that can freely allow them to add a value to their products and services.

Of course, WordPress is surely helping bloggers for over a decade now with multiple ready-made themes– however, the ability to inherit the functionality of other themes called the parent theme is limited.

1. What is Parent Theme?

Any theme that includes all the required files and assets and allows to make modifications by creating child themes.

2. What is Child Theme?

Child themes are created to customize or modify an existing WordPress Theme (Parent theme) without the risks of losing the ability to upgrade them.

3. What is WordPress Theme Framework?

Acting as a parent theme, WordPress Theme Framework allows WordPress users WordPress developers to add child themes for custom styling without affecting the parent’s major aspects.

4. Benefits of WordPress Theme Framework

  • Streamline development process with inbuilt codes that can allow customization
  • Replace elements within the framework with a click of the mouse
  • Build responsive image and video sliders
  • Easily integrate SEO widgets

Instead of creating a new theme from the scratch to support your WordPress website growing needs, adopting a WordPress Theme Framework (a parent theme) will eliminate the need of having to modify all files and only focus on the areas that are needed by creating child themes.

For example, creating a new style.css file and modify the needed functions using the functions.php file.

5. Popular WordPress Theme frameworks that developers can use in the New Year 2021!

#1: Genesis Theme Framework

This is framework offered by StudioPress is popularly used among developers and WordPress website owners. Genesis Theme Framework can optionally be used without a child theme as the framework itself is a theme. Being used by 55 premium themes, this framework makes the process of building and customizing a WordPress site with the Prose child theme.

Key features

  • SEO optimization
  • Genesis framework
  • Multiple color schemes
  • Nivo slider pro
  • Responsive layout
  • Column classes
  • Localization
  • Post ratings
  • Subscription form

#2: WooFramework

Another popular WordPress Theme Framework from Woo Themes– Woo Theme Framework offers extensive yet easy-to-apply customization features for Woo theme users. This framework is being used by 43 premium WordPress themes industry-specific professionals.

Key features

  • Knowledge base
  • WooFramework
  • Support tickets
  • Private messages
  • Mobile ready
  • Sticky alerts
  • Multiple homepage layouts
  • Accept donations
  • Milestones

#3: Builder Theme Framework

This WordPress Theme Framework is being used by 18 WordPress Builder Framework Themes that allows multiple formats for multiple industry types that includes business, education, art, online store and the traditional blog.

Key features

  • Auto image resizing
  • Blog section
  • Custom colors
  • Options panel
  • SEO optimization
  • Threaded comments
  • Video Embedding
  • Widget-ready

#4: Gantry Theme Framework

This is a GPL-licensed theme framework for WordPress. The main purpose of this framework is to provide a starting point and build blocks in order to speed up the development process. Gantry Theme Framework is being used by 13 premium WordPress Themes including niche industries like e-commerce, CMS (content management system), blog, magazine, news, and business.

Key features

  • Gallery/Portfolio
  • Gantry framework
  • Shopping cart
  • Featured stories
  • Breaking news
  • Testimonials
  • Lightbox
  • Custom shortcodes
  • Adobe Fireworks PNG included

#5: OCMX Theme Framework

A creation offered by Obox– this framework will allow developers and WordPress users to have a complete control over their theme and website. OCMX theme framework is being used by 11 premium WordPress themes that allow several custom page templates and a post type with improved commenting.

Key features

  • Featured photo posts
  • OCMX framework
  • Portfolio Page Template
  • Flickr Integration
  • Services
  • Lightbox
  • Payment links
  • iPhone integration
  • Portfolio

#6: UpThemes Framework

This innovative WordPress Theme framework provides an admin area from where users can directly make changes to important website aspects that include colors, images, and layout settings. Additionally, developer and WordPress users will have an ability to manage advertisements and adjust settings including LazyLoad (to improve loading speed). UpThemes Framework is being used by 9 premium WordPress themes serving multiple industry types.

Key features

  • Shopping cart
  • UpThemes framework
  • Shipping & Tax
  • Payment handling
  • Subscription form
  • Custom background & Logo
  • Integrated blog
  • Localization
  • Star ratings

#7: xScape Theme Framework

xScape Theme Framework eliminates the need to be dependent on third-party plugins as it offers advanced features. All of Dev4Press’s theme utilizes xScape Theme Framework which has also been developed by them. This framework is being used by 9 premium WordPress themes.

Key features

  • Multiple color schemes
  • xScape Framework
  • Layered graphic file
  • Custom code
  • Custom fonts
  • Custom widgets
  • Ad-ready
  • Valid code
  • Drop-down menus

#8: Foundation Theme Framework

This is a parent theme that acts as a framework for Allure Theme’s theme. The best part, Foundation Theme Framework will allow you to install the updated version of the parent theme without affecting the customization created by the child themes. This framework is being used by 7 premium WordPress themes that relate to bloggers, art personals, traditional blog, mommy blog and more.

Key features

  • Subscription form
  • Foundation framework
  • Twitter Integration
  • Custom Background
  • Genesis compatible
  • About Me (author bio integration)
  • Logo options
  • Video embedding
  • Custom page templates

#9: Thesis Theme Framework

This is a popular WordPress Theme Framework from DIYthemes. Said to be used by more than 37,000 WordPress users- this framework is being used by many high profile bloggers. Additionally, Thesis Theme Framework is being used by 7 premium WordPress themes offering a high level of control over WordPress website design and content presentation.

Key features

  • Contact form
  • Thesis framework
  • Social widget
  • Static sidebar
  • Blog section
  • Multiple color schemes
  • Post formats
  • Photo gallery & Photo slider
  • Design controls

#10: Elemental Theme Framework

This is a Pro Theme Design’s created WordPress Theme Framework that is being used by 5 Premium WordPress Themes helpful for developers to speed up WordPress development process. The Framework itself is suitable for use as a theme itself.

Key features

  • Integrated blog
  • Elemental framework
  • RSS aggregations
  • Social sharing
  • Featured content carousel
  • Pull-out menu
  • Post submissions
  • Voting and Announcements
  • Spam control

#11: Carrington Theme Framework

This WordPress Theme Framework is being used by 4 WordPress Carrington Framework Themes that allows business owners and bloggers to streamline their projects. Additionally, Carrington Mobile will ensure mobile and browser responsive experience.

Key features

  • Options Panel
  • Drop-down menus
  • Custom headers
  • Custom post type
  • Localization
  • Mapping
  • Ajax loading
  • Content slider

#12: Xtreme One Theme Framework

Xtreme One is a ThemeWarrior WordPress theme framework that is helping developers and WordPress users to build robust child themes. The major benefit of this framework is its “Layout Manager” that will make it easy to build your own layouts. This framework is being used by 4 premium WordPress themes.

Key features

  • Twitter integration
  • Xtreme One Framework
  • Localization
  • SEO optimization
  • Auto image resizing
  • Widget-ready
  • Subscription form
  • Options panel
  • Content slider

#13: Catalyst Theme Framework

This WordPress Theme Framework is being used by 2 Premium WordPress Themes that is highly customizable with over 900 options, 22 included “skins”, CSS builder and built-in SEO without the need to edit code. Ideal for business owners this WordPress Theme Framework will allow you to enhance productivity with time.

Key features

  • Catalysts framework
  • Custom skins
  • Responsive layout
  • Ad-ready
  • Valid code
  • Custom Prototypes
  • Auto image resizing
  • Layered Graphic file
  • Custom widgets

#14: PageLines Theme Framework

This is recognized as a drag-and-drop WordPress theme framework. Being used by 2 premium WordPress themes– PageLines has a store that sells add-ons for their powered website. The add-ons include child themes, plugins and sections. You can easily expand your website functionalities without having to code anything (of course you can if you wish).

Key features

  • Vector files
  • PageLines framework
  • bbPress Integration
  • Responsive layout
  • Social sharing
  • Content slider
  • Color schemes
  • Design/layout modes
  • SEO optimized

#15: Headway Theme Framework

This WordPress framework is focused to help beginners with quick start wizard that shows up immediately after installation. It will prompt the developer or user to for the selection of major website aspects like header, color, and font. Headway Theme Framework is being used by one premium WordPress theme called Headway Base.

Key features

  • Visual layout editor
  • Headway framework
  • Custom colors
  • Quick start widget
  • Hooks
  • Leaf system
  • Custom header
  • Widget-ready
  • Auto-image resizing

#16: StartBox Theme Framework

StartBox Theme Framework offers multiple features that can allow developers make child themes and WordPress websites. On installation of this framework- you will automatically receive a blank child theme and documentation to get started. StartBox Theme Framework is being used by 1 premium WordPress theme called StartBox.

Key features

  • Options API
  • StartBox framework
  • Hooks & Filters
  • Custom shortcodes
  • Content sliders
  • Custom page templates
  • Widget-ready
  • Custom-widgets
  • Threaded comments

Wrapping up

So, here I have arranged a list of WordPress Theme frameworks as per their demand and usage.

A WordPress Theme Framework available in free and paid version is surely helping developers and WordPress users to quickly build a beautiful website with no limits.

If I missed out on your favorite WordPress frameworks, then please share in the comment section offered below.

Stay tuned to know more about WordPress 🙂

Source used: ThemeSorter

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