Kadence vs Astra Theme
Choosing between Kadence and Astra was one of my toughest decisions when building this version of TheIncome Plug. Here’s what makes this comparison different: I’ve actually used both themes extensively.
I ran versions 1 and 2 of The Income Plug on Astra. I loved it. When I decided to start fresh with version 3, I spent weeks researching whether to stick with Astra or switch to Kadence. After extensive research and testing, I chose Kadence, but I can honestly say both themes are excellent.
Here’s the real truth from someone who’s used both: Your choice depends entirely on your specific needs. Both themes work beautifully with Elementor (I use free Elementor with Kadence). Both have powerful free versions (I’m still on free Kadence!). Both are fast, beginner-friendly, and regularly updated. Full transparency: I’m not affiliated with either Kadence or Astra. I don’t earn commissions from either theme. This is purely my honest experience after using both themes to build real blogs.
In this comparison, you’ll learn:
- Real pricing for both themes (free and pro)
- My actual experience using BOTH Astra and Kadence
- Why I switched from Astra to Kadence for version 3
- How Elementor works beautifully with Kadence (yes, really!)
- Head-to-head feature comparison
- Exactly which theme fits your needs
Let’s dive in.
Quick take: Both themes are excellent choices. Kadence has a more powerful free version and better Gutenberg optimization. Astra is more established, cheaper for pro features, and works perfectly with all page builders.
Neither is definitively “better”; it depends on what you value most. Let me break down my experience with both.
Kadence Theme: My Current Experience Using It
I use Kadence for The Income Plug (version 3). Here’s what I love about it and what you should know after using it daily for months.
Quick context: I use Kadence’s free version with Elementor free, and this combination gives me everything I need. Yes, you read that right. Kadence works beautifully with Elementor, even though some people think it’s only for Gutenberg users.
What Makes Kadence Excellent
The Free Version Is Incredibly Powerful
This is the biggest thing. I’m still on Kadence free, and I haven’t felt limited once.
With Kadence free, you get:
- 40+ professionally designed starter templates
- Visual header and footer builder (no coding required!)
- Complete color palette and typography controls
- Full mobile responsiveness
- WooCommerce compatibility
I started The Income Plug version 3 with Kadence’s free version, and I’m still using it. The free version gives me everything I need to run a professional blog. No pressure to upgrade.
Works Great With Elementor (Yes, Really!)
Here’s something people get wrong: they think Kadence only works well with Gutenberg. Not true.
I use Elementor free with Kadence free, and they work together beautifully. The integration is smooth, pages load fast, and I get the drag-and-drop ease of Elementor with Kadence’s clean, lightweight foundation.
Gutenberg is sweet on Kadence (I’ve tested it), but I’m comfortable with Elementor’s workflow. Kadence doesn’t force you to use Gutenberg; it just happens to be optimized for it. But Elementor users? You’re good too.
Excellent Performance
Speed matters for SEO and user experience. Kadence delivers:
- Under 50KB file size (very lightweight)
- My Income Plug loads consistently under 1 second
- Clean code with no bloat
- Core Web Vitals optimized
Google cares about page speed. Your visitors care about page speed. Kadence handles this beautifully, even with Elementor.
Lifetime License Option (Unique!)
This is a big deal. Kadence offers a lifetime license for $399 one-time payment. Astra doesn’t offer this at all, only yearly subscriptions.
If you’re building a long-term blog, the math works out:
- 5 years with Astra Pro: $295 (still paying)
- 10 years with Astra Pro: $590 (still paying)
- Kadence lifetime: $399 (done, forever)
I’m considering upgrading to lifetime since I plan to use Kadence for The Income Plug indefinitely. That’s real long-term value. See my complete blog setup guide at how-to-start-a-blog-2026
Astra Theme: My Real Experience Using It
Before I switched to Kadence, I used Astra for versions 1 and 2 of The Income Plug. I loved it. Here’s why Astra is also an excellent choice based on real hands-on experience.
What Makes Astra Excellent
Most Popular WordPress Theme
Astra has over 1.7 million active installations. That’s massive. This popularity isn’t accidental; it means the theme works reliably for thousands of successful websites.
Astra has been around since 2017 (Kadence launched in 2019). That’s 8+ years of proven track record, constant updates, and established reputation. When you choose Astra, you’re choosing a battle-tested theme.
Works With ALL Page Builders Perfectly
This is Astra’s killer feature. It supports all major page builders equally well:
- Elementor: Excellent integration
- Beaver Builder: Works beautifully
- Gutenberg: Compatible
- Others: All supported
If you use Elementor, Astra is probably better than Kadence. The integration is more refined, with more templates and smoother workflows. best-wordpress-security-plugins to protect your site.
Cheaper Pro Entry
Astra Essential costs $59/year. Kadence Pro costs $129/year. That’s a significant difference, especially for beginners on a budget.
If I needed pro features immediately and had limited funds, Astra’s $59 entry point would have won me over. It’s an easier pill to swallow when you’re just starting out.
Massive Community & Resources
With 1.7 million+ users, Astra’s community is enormous:
- Hundreds of YouTube tutorials
- Huge Facebook groups with thousands of members
- Extensive official documentation
- Third-party blogs constantly covering it
When you’re stuck, this massive community is invaluable. Someone has already solved your problem and documented it.
More Template Options
Astra offers more starting points:
- 100+ free templates (vs Kadence’s 40+)
- 300+ pro templates (vs Kadence’s 200+)
More variety means you’re more likely to find a template that matches your vision without extensive customization.
Why I Switched to Kadence for Version 3
I loved using Astra for versions 1 and 2. It served me well. So why switch? Here’s my honest reasoning:
Wanted a Fresh Start With a Fresh Feel
When I decided to rebuild The Income Plug as version 3, I wanted everything to feel new. Part of that was trying a different theme.
Astra had served me perfectly, but I wanted to see what else was out there. After extensive research, Kadence kept coming up as a strong contender.
Free Version Felt More Feature-Rich
When comparing the free versions side-by-side, Kadence gave me more customization options out of the gate. Features like the advanced header builder that Astra locks in pro were available in Kadence free.
For someone starting version 3 with zero budget (like I was), that mattered. Astra’s free version is good, but Kadence’s felt more complete.
The Vision Thing
This is hard to explain, but when I researched Kadence, something about it aligned with how I envisioned projecting this new version. It wasn’t about specific features—more about the overall feel and direction.
Sometimes decisions aren’t purely logical. After weeks of research, Kadence felt right for where I wanted to take version 3.
But Astra Is Still Excellent
Let me be clear: I switched because I wanted to try something new, not because Astra wasn’t working. If I had stuck with Astra for version 3, I’d be just as happy.
Astra is reliable, proven, and served me well for two complete versions of my blog. The only reason I don’t still use it is because I wanted a fresh start. If you choose Astra, you’re making a great choice.
My honest take: I used Astra successfully for two complete versions of The Income Plug. It’s excellent, reliable, and I’d recommend it without hesitation. I only switched because I wanted to try something new for version 3. If you choose Astra, you’re making a solid choice backed by years of proven performance. Check out my web hosting recommendations at best-web-hosting-for-bloggers
Head-to-Head: Kadence vs Astra Comparison
Let’s compare both themes directly across the factors that matter most:
Free Version Power 🏆 Winner: Kadence
This was a major factor for me. Kadence’s free version includes:
- Header/footer builder (Astra locks this in pro)
- More customization options out of the box
- 40+ templates (Astra has 100+, but Kadence’s free features are more comprehensive)
Astra’s free version is good, but more features are locked behind paid tiers. If you’re starting with zero budget, Kadence gives you more power immediately.
Pro Pricing 🏆 Winner: Astra (Short-term)
If you need pro features immediately:
- Astra Essential: $59/year
- Kadence Pro: $129/year
That’s a big difference for beginners. However, consider long-term value:
- Astra: $59/year forever (no lifetime option)
- Kadence: $399 one-time = 6.7 years of Astra
If you’re committed long-term, Kadence’s lifetime value becomes better after year 7.
Gutenberg/Block Editor 🏆 Winner: Kadence (But Elementor Works Great Too!)
Here’s what you need to know about page builders:
Kadence is optimized for Gutenberg:
- Blocks integrate perfectly
- Feels natural and modern
- Future-proof (WordPress is going full blocks)
But Elementor also works beautifully with Kadence:
I use Elementor free with Kadence free, and they work together smoothly. Fast loading, no compatibility issues, easy drag-and-drop. The “Kadence is only for Gutenberg” narrative isn’t accurate; I’m living proof!
Astra works fine with Gutenberg, too, but it’s not optimized for it. If you’re a dedicated Gutenberg user, Kadence has the edge. If you use Elementor (like me), both themes work well.
Page Builder Support 🏆 Winner: TIE (Both Work Great!)
Here’s my real experience:
Astra supports ALL builders equally well:
- Elementor: Excellent integration
- Beaver Builder: Works great
- Gutenberg: Compatible
- All others: Fully supported
Astra is designed to be flexible with any page builder. This is its strength.
But Kadence + Elementor works beautifully too:
I use Elementor free with Kadence free daily. It works smoothly:
- Fast page loading
- No compatibility issues
- Drag-and-drop works perfectly
- I get Elementor’s ease + Kadence’s lightweight foundation
The narrative that “Kadence is only for Gutenberg users” isn’t accurate based on my experience. If you use Elementor, both themes work well. Astra might have slightly more Elementor-specific templates, but the actual functionality? Both are great.
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Performance/Speed 🏆 TIE
Both themes are extremely fast:
- Astra: 45KB file size
- Kadence: 50KB file size
The 5KB difference is negligible. My Income Plug loads in under 1 second with Kadence. Astra users report the same speeds.
Both are optimized for Core Web Vitals. You can’t go wrong with either for performance.
Community & Support 🏆 Winner: Astra
This is where Astra dominates:
- 1.7M+ users vs Kadence’s 200K+
- Way more YouTube tutorials
- Bigger Facebook groups
- More third-party integrations and documentation
When troubleshooting, I find way more Astra content than Kadence. The massive community is a real advantage, especially for beginners.
Long-Term Value 🏆 Winner: Kadence
If you’re building a long-term blog or business site:
- Kadence lifetime: $399 one-time (forever)
- Astra subscription: $59/year (forever)
Cost comparison:
- 5 years: Kadence $399 (done) vs Astra $295 (still paying)
- 10 years: Kadence $399 (done) vs Astra $590 (still paying)
Kadence’s lifetime option wins for long-term value. After year 7, you’ve saved money.
Who Should Choose Which Theme?
Based on my real experience using both themes, here’s my honest guidance:
Choose Kadence If:
- You want a powerful free version: More features included free than Astra (I’m proof, still on free!)
- You want a lifetime license option: $399 one-time for long-term value
- You’re a blogger/content creator: Optimized for content-focused sites
- You use Gutenberg OR Elementor: Both work great with Kadence (I use Elementor!)
- You value a modern, future-proof approach: Kadence feels forward-thinking
Example scenario: You’re starting a blog with a $0 budget, want the most powerful free theme, and may want a lifetime license later. Kadence Free gives you everything you need to start professionally.
Choose Astra If:
- You want the most established theme: 1.7M+ users, 8+ year track record
- You need a cheaper Pro entry: $59 vs $129 is significant if you need Pro features now
- You value a massive community: Tons of tutorials everywhere, easy to find help
- You want more template variety: 300+ pro templates vs Kadence’s 200+
- You want proven reliability: I used it successfully for 2 versions of my blog!
Example scenario: You want the most popular theme with massive community support, need pro features on a budget, and value an established track record. Astra delivers proven performance.
Pricing Breakdown & Value Analysis
Let’s break down the actual costs:
KADENCE PRICING:
- Free: $0 (powerful features!)
- Pro Single Site: $129/year
- Pro Unlimited Sites: $229/year
- Lifetime License: $399 one-time (best long-term value)
ASTRA PRICING:
- Free: $0 (good but more limited)
- Essential: $59/year (single site)
- Growth: $199/year (unlimited sites)
- Business: $599/year (agency features)
5-YEAR COST COMPARISON:
If you start free and upgrade eventually:
- Kadence: Free 1 year → Lifetime $399 = $399 total
- Astra: Free 1 year → Essential 4 years = $236 total
Astra is cheaper short-term. Kadence becomes better value after year 7 (when lifetime pays for itself).
My take: I started with Kadence free and it’s been perfect. When I’m ready to upgrade, I’ll go lifetime because I plan to run The Income Plug long-term. But if I needed pro features immediately on a tight budget, Astra’s $59 would have tempted me.
My Honest Verdict: Both Are Excellent (I've Used Both!)
Here’s the truth from someone who’s actually used both themes extensively: you can’t go wrong with either.
I used Astra for versions 1 and 2 of The Income Plug:
- It served me well for two complete blog versions
- Reliable, fast, and feature-rich
- I loved using it
I switched to Kadence for version 3:
- Wanted a fresh start with a fresh feel
- Free version gave me more features
- Aligned with my vision for this version
- Works beautifully with Elementor (I use Elementor free!)
- It’s been a smooth journey—I love Kadence
My honest recommendation:
- Free version users: Kadence (more features free—I’m still on free!)
- Pro budget users: Astra ($59 vs $129 if you need pro now)
- Long-term value: Kadence (lifetime option)
- Massive community: Astra (1.7M+ users vs 200K+)
- Proven track record: Astra (I used it successfully for 2 blog versions!)
- Fresh, modern feel: Kadence (but that’s subjective!)
You can’t go wrong with either! Both themes are:
- Fast and lightweight
- Work great with Elementor
- Powerful free versions
- Regularly updated
- Well-supported
The real truth: I loved Astra when I used it. I love Kadence now. Both are excellent choices. Your theme matters less than your content quality and publishing consistency. Pick one and focus on creating valuable content. Check out “Is blogging still worth it in 2026? “If you’re still trying to know if starting now is still worth it.
Final Thoughts: Make Your Choice and Move Forward
After using both Astra and Kadence extensively, here’s what I know for certain: both are excellent WordPress themes that will serve you well.
I used Astra successfully for two complete versions of The Income Plug. I switched to Kadence for version 3 because I wanted a fresh start, and it’s been a smooth journey. Both themes are great.
Choose Kadence if you want a powerful free version (I’m still on free!), use either Gutenberg or Elementor (I use Elementor with Kadence!), or value the lifetime license option. Choose Astra if you want the most established theme with massive community support, need a cheaper pro entry at $59/year, or value proven reliability (it served me well for 2 blog versions!).
I’m currently using Kadence for my specific vision, but I’d be equally happy with Astra. The best theme is the one you’ll actually use to create consistent, valuable content.
Once you’ve chosen your theme, you’ll need solid hosting. Check out my best web hosting for bloggers comparison at best-web-hosting-for-bloggers. You’ll also want to optimize your site for search engines with the right plugins.
Full transparency: I’m not affiliated with either Kadence or Astra. I don’t earn commissions from recommending either theme. These are purely my honest opinions based on real hands-on experience using both themes to build actual blogs.
What matters most is that you choose a theme and start creating. The world needs your unique perspective and expertise. Don’t let theme selection become an excuse to delay launching your blog.
Pick your theme, install it, and get to work.
