Best Free WordPress Themes for News Websites
Creating a news website requires a theme that’s fast, SEO-friendly, and visually engaging. While premium themes often dominate the conversation, WordPress.org offers free themes that are perfect for news portals, magazines, or blogs. Below, we’ve curated a list of 10 free themes tailored for news websites, focusing on customization, readability, and modern design.
Table of Contents
1. NewsExo Theme
Availability: Download
NewsMag is a lightweight, responsive theme ideal for news, magazines, or editorial sites. It supports featured posts, multiple layouts, and AdSense integration. Custom widgets for social media and trending articles make it a strong choice.
Key Features:
- SEO-optimized
- Multiple post layouts
- Translation-ready
2. Pubnews Plus Theme
Availability: Download
ColorMag is a popular free news theme with a bold design. It offers a drag-and-drop homepage builder, custom widgets, and RTL support. Perfect for breaking news layouts.
Key Features:
- WooCommerce compatibility
- Live customizer
- 16+ widget areas
3. Newsnal Theme
Availability: Download
NewsPortal focuses on speed and readability. It includes a slider, grid layouts, and a sticky menu. Great for newspapers or niche news sites.
Key Features:
- AMP-ready
- Featured content slider
- Dark mode option
4. Newshike Theme
Availability: Download
MH Newsdesk offers a clean, professional design with multiple widget areas and a featured post slider. Built for high-traffic news sites.
Key Features:
- Custom widgets (e.g., social feeds, videos)
- SEO-friendly structure
- Responsive layout
5. Newsbreak Magazine Theme
Availability: Download
Magazine News includes a full-width slider, grid layouts, and a minimalist aesthetic. Ideal for tech, fashion, or general news.
Key Features:
- Typography options
- Custom header
- Widget-ready footer
6. Swift News Theme
Availability: Download
Newspaper X combines simplicity with flexibility. It supports video embeds, related posts, and a sticky sidebar.
Key Features:
- Gutenberg optimized
- Featured categories
- Fast loading
7. Verified News Theme
Availability: Download
Jarida mimics premium news themes with its grid layout, trending posts section, and ad management.
Key Features:
- Dark/light skins
- Custom widgets
- Translation-ready
8. NewsNight Theme
Availability: Download
Broke News offers a modern, dark-themed design with a focus on visuals. Includes a featured video section and social media integration.
Key Features:
- Video-friendly
- Custom logo support
- Mobile-responsive
9. Link News Theme
Availability: Download
Zeal is perfect for niche news sites, with a bold header and customizable homepage blocks.
Key Features:
- Full-width slider
- Blog and grid layouts
- WooCommerce-ready
10. Prime Fashion Magazine Theme
Availability: Download
Fashion Blog is designed for lifestyle and fashion news but works for any niche. Offers Instagram integration and elegant typography.
Key Features:
- Featured posts carousel
- Custom menus
- Retina-ready
Final Thoughts
While some themes listed under the original names aren’t available on WordPress.org, the alternatives provided are verified, free, and packed with features. Always prioritize mobile responsiveness, SEO optimization, and customization options when choosing a theme. Test a few options to see which aligns best with your content strategy!
Note: Always check theme compatibility with the latest WordPress version and plugins before installing.
Let me know if you’d like help setting up any of these themes! 🚀
