12 Best Free Shopify Themes 2025

As Will Rogers said, you never get a second chance to make a good first impression. This principle is even more so applicable in the online world that is full of choices. Similarly to physical window displays, your online store theme sets the overall tone for your brand and products, impacting customers’ decisions.

With store themes being so important, you might think there’s no way to get one without breaking the bank. There are amazing free themes for Shopify stores available online, ready to give you functionality and design options you didn’t think were possible.

Want to peek behind the curtain and see what theme your favorite Shopify stores are using? Our free Shopify spy tool, Koala Inspector, lets you find the Shopify theme powering your favorite store in just 1 click.

12 Best Free Shopify Themes

We’ve gathered the top 12 Shopify free themes, let’s look into each theme in more detail.

Rank	Theme	Price	Rating	Mobile Speed	Shopify 2.0 Compatible	Developer	Customization Level	Theme Styles
1	CRAFT	Free	62% (16 reviews)	65/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	3 styles (Natural, Earthy, Bold)
2	TASTE	Free	60% (5 reviews)	60/100	Yes	Shopify	Low	3 styles (Savory, Sweet, Modern)
3	SPOTLIGHT	Free	58% (17 reviews)	79/100	Yes	Shopify	Low	2 styles (Default, Bold)
4	STUDIO	Free	50% (20 reviews)	56/100	Yes	Shopify	Low	2 styles (Default, Classic)
5	COLORBLOCK	Free	50% (2 reviews)	60/100	Yes	Shopify	High	3 styles (Default, Punch, Retro)
6	SENSE	Free	41% (55 reviews)	70/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	3 styles (Default, Beauty, Luxury)
7	DAWN	Free	31% (173 reviews)	67/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	3 styles (Default, Cool, Warm)
8	ORIGIN	Free	25% (12 reviews)	55/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	3 styles (Default, Bold, Vintage)
9	REFRESH	Free	22% (22 reviews)	63/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	2 styles (Default, Playful)
10	CRAVE	Free	20% (10 reviews)	61/100	Yes	Shopify	Low	2 styles (Default, Vintage)
11	RIDE	Free	11% (9 reviews)	69/100	Yes	Shopify	Low	2 styles (Default, Bold)
12	PUBLISHER	Free	0 Reviews	67/100	Yes	Shopify	Medium	2 styles (Default, Editorial)

1. CRAFT

Craft is straightforward and elegant, integrating numerous features. It’s one of the best free Shopify themes with an artisan focus, perfect for adding a unique touch and highlighting the value of craftsmanship.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify

Price – Free

Theme Styles –  3 styles (Natural, Earthy, Bold)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 65/100

Rating – 62% (16 reviews)

Theme Features

• Advanced customization
• Minimalistic design
• SEO-friendliness
• Interactiveness with sticky header feature
• Focus on product display with lookbooks feature and mega menu

Pros

• User-friendly UI for beginners
• Elegant layout
• Storytelling focus
• Informative product sections

Cons

• Limited design options compared to paid themes
• Not the best for businesses outside of creative fields
• Limited visibility for individual products

Who Is the Theme For

• Businesses for artisanal and handmade goods
• Stores selling crafting materials and tools
• Brands for natural and organic products
• Boutique shops

 

2. TASTE

The Taste theme Shopify free version showcases your finest food and beverage products. It’s centered on high-quality visuals, allowing you to create a mouthwatering online experience for your customers.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 3 styles (Savory, Sweet, Modern)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 60/100

Rating – 60% (5 reviews)

Theme Features

• Separate blog section
• FAQ segment
• Space for customers’ feedback and reviews
• Section for recommended products
• A quick buy feature

Pros

• Suitable for content marketing
• Excellent visual presentation of products
• Modern design
• Highly customizable

Cons

• Focused mostly on one specific industry
• A limited number of products on the homepage

Who Is the Theme For

• Food stores
• Coffee shops
• Bakeries

 

3. SPOTLIGHT

Spotlight emphasizes convenience and user-friendliness. Its unique design focuses on product display and a smooth online shopping experience for customers. Spotlight is the fastest free Shopify theme that tested, so for performance and optimization alone this is a great choice.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Bold)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 79/100

Rating – 58% (17 reviews)

Theme Features

• Streamlined layout
• Easy conversion with stock counter and cross-selling
• Advanced product sorting and filtering
• Diverse image-centered features (slideshow, image rollover, etc.)

Pros

• Versatile options for product discovery
• Fastest free theme
• Simplistic aesthetic
• Focus on high-quality images
• Extensive customization

Cons

• Basic aesthetics
• Steeper learning curve

Who Is the Theme For

• Businesses with access to professional imagery
• Large stores with a large product collection
• Art and decor stores

 

4. STUDIO

Studio is one of the top choices for all creatives. This Shopify theme puts a lot of emphasis on artistry and craftsmanship. It revolves around visuals, artist profiles, and collections to showcase the products.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Classic)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes 

Speed – 56/100

Rating – 50% (20 reviews)

Theme Features

• Enhanced search and product filtering
• Image galleries and product videos
• Collection-centered navigation system 
• Promo banners and product reviews
• Built-in lookbooks and slideshow

Pros

• Ideal for any type of art
• Abundant visual experience
• Intuitive shopping
• SEO-friendly design
• Various tools to engage visitors

Cons

• Requires high-quality images
• Not adaptable for all industries

Who Is the Theme For

• Artists and designers 
• Galleries 
• Art stores
• Handmade product businesses
• Other businesses that rely on visuals

 

5. COLORBLOCK

Colorblock is a go-to theme for those looking to add more color and personality to their store.  This vibrant Shopify theme offers unique typography and color blocks, allowing you to showcase your products in an eye-catching manner. 

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 3 styles (Default, Punch, Retro)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 60/100

Rating – 50% (2 reviews)

Theme Features

• Colorful aesthetic
• Enhanced search options
• Image-focused features (galleries, lookbooks, slideshow, etc.)
• Press coverage

Pros

• Suitable for large catalogs
• Mobile-friendly and easy to use
• Minimal setup steps
• Supports long texts for storytelling

Cons

• Fewer layout variations
• Not ideal for those who prefer minimalism
• Not applicable for all niches

Who Is the Theme For

• Clothing boutiques
• Accessory stores
• Fashionistas
• Lifestyle-centered brands

 

6. SENSE

Sense is a versatile Shopify theme that keeps the products at the center of attention by offering a modern and classic aesthetic appeal. It is a great choice for those looking to establish a trustworthy online presence by focusing on clear product information.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 3 styles (Default, Beauty, Luxury)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 70/100

Rating – 41% (55 reviews)

Theme Features

• Extensive product information sections
• Modern and professional design
• Integration of customers’ reviews and recommended products
• Blogs and promo banners
• Quick buying and cross-selling

Pros

• Focus on product clarity
• Suitable for a wide range of industries
• Straightforward use and design

Cons

• A basic design for some brands
• Limited customization
• Best suitable for small businesses

Who Is the Theme For

• Brands that prioritize clear product information
• Various store types (clothing, beauty products, etc.)
• New businesses

 

7. DAWN

Dawn is a great starter theme because it gets regular support from Shopify and most new features come to Dawn first before other official free themes.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 3 styles (Default, Cool, Warm)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 67/100

Rating – 31% (173 reviews)

Theme Features

• Minimal steps for a quick launch
• Responsive design and fast-loading
• In-store pickups
• Quick buy and cart notes
• Customizable layout

Pros

• Fast and easy
• Beginner-friendly
• Highly customizable

Cons

• Might appear basic
• Not suitable for a large inventory

Who Is the Theme For

• New businesses
• Brands prioritizing efficiency and simplicity
• Stores with a focus on product presentation

 

8. ORIGIN

Origin will help you experience the power of storytelling. It’s focused on opportunities to share your product stories, customer reviews, and brand narratives while creating a visually captivating store.  

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 3 styles (Default, Bold, Vintage)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 55/100

Rating – 25% (12 reviews)

Theme Features

• Instagram feed integration
• Highly-customizable sections
• Prominent image size and placement
• Various layout choices
• Neutral colors and unique typography

Pros

• Large space for storytelling
• Promoting social media engagement
• Allowing emotional connection with customers

Cons

• Requiring professional images
• Creating content requires more resources
• The storytelling approach is not for everyone

Who Is the Theme For

• Businesses prioritizing storytelling
• Brands looking to build emotional connections
• Visually appealing brands

 

9. REFRESH

With its straightforward name, Refresh is a theme with a clean aesthetic that focuses on product clarity. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking for user-friendly templates with a mobile-first design approach.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Playful)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 63/100

Rating – 22% (22 reviews)

Theme Features

• Focus on product details
• Flexible design and customization
• Mobile-first approach
• Dynamic sections
• Quick view option

Pros

• Adaptable for various industries and products
• Concentrated on product clarity
• Sophisticated aesthetic

Cons

• Not for brands preferring bold aesthetic
• It may require more time to setup

Who Is the Theme For

• New businesses
• Brands with clean and modern appeal
• Small to medium-sized stores

 

10. CRAVE

Crave is perfect for foodies. It’s specifically designed to attract customers by featuring mouthwatering product images, content integration, and a user-friendly UI.  

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Vintage)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 61/100

Rating – 20% (10 reviews)

Theme Features

• Bold colors and distinct shadows
• Prominent product image displays
• Content sections
• In-store pickups
• Product recommendations and reviews

Pros

• Great for on-the-go buyers
• Content marketing friendly
• Advanced customization options
• Quick setup

Cons

• Narrower range of base design variations
• Focused only on one industry

Who Is the Theme For

• Food and beverage stores
• Restaurants 
• Cafes with online ordering 
• Businesses for food-related goods

 

11. RIDE

Ride is a free Shopify theme built for Online Store 2.0. Its dynamic design is perfect for showcasing sports-related products. Unlike most free themes, it offers unique layouts and boasts strong visual storytelling features.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Bold)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 69/100

Rating – 11% (9 reviews)

Theme Features

• Sports-centric design
• Dark background with bold typography and colors
• Unique templates and asymmetrical layout
• Collection page navigation
• Large media support

Pros

• Strong visual storytelling
• User-friendly UI
• Advanced customization settings
• Quick setup
• Optimized for editorial content

Cons

• Industry-specific focus
• Limited design variations outside of the sporty aesthetic

Who Is the Theme For

• Sporting goods stores 
• Activewear shops
• Fitness apparel businesses
• Stores selling outdoor gear and equipment

 

12. PUBLISHER

Use Publisher to make a statement. This theme has a bold and artistic design focusing on visual storytelling, contextual product linking, and a user-friendly interface. We’ve ranked this last purely because it has 0 reviews so far and we haven’t tested it on a live store. However, the design and speed scores are very promising for this theme.

Theme Details

Developer – Shopify 

Price – Free

Theme Styles – 2 styles (Default, Editorial)

Shopify 2.0 compatible – Yes

Speed – 67/100

Rating – 0 Reviews

Theme Features

• Bold and artistic aesthetic
• Dark product cards and subtle gradients.
• Integrated sections to showcase the brand narrative
• Contextual product linking
• Product tabs and filtering

Pros

• A distinct theme that grabs attention
• Easy to use
• Minimalist navigation
• Suitable for visual storytelling

Cons

• The moody aesthetic is not for everyone
• Limited design flexibility

Who Is the Theme For

• Artists, photographers, and designers selling their work online
• Independent publishers 
• Bookstores
• Businesses selling creative products with bold visuals

What to Look for in a Good Free Shopify Theme?

You can check out our detailed table of the top 12 free themes below, but if you’re still unsure what you are looking for in a theme, or you are completely new to Shopify, let’s see what exactly you should look for and prioritize when choosing a great theme.

Speed and Performance

In e-commerce, there’s little to no room for slowdowns. If your theme takes forever to load, your store’s visitors have a higher chance of leaving. 

A fast-loading, responsive interface leads to a seamless user experience, and you should always put mobile first when testing for speed. 

You should always benchmark your theme against the industry leaders. You can check out our guide to Shopify store speed for more details on what to look for when optimizing for store speed and performance.

Customization

Being able to customize your theme is vital for creating a unique online theme store that reflects your brand identity. So when it comes to personalization, look for themes that offer features such as:

• Adjustable Settings: You should be able to adjust banner images, colors, fonts, and layouts without extensive coding knowledge.
• Flexible Sections: Consider adding, removing, and rearranging sections on your homepage and product pages to curate the layout that best showcases your offer.
• Compatibility with Shopify Apps: This will allow you to integrate social media, add customer reviews, and more.

Support

Reliable support is essential for any product, even for the best free Shopify themes. This ensures you have a helping hand when needed, especially in case of any bugs or glitches. It includes: 

• Comprehensive Documentation: Guides that will walk you through Shopify theme free setup and troubleshooting.
• Access to Community forums: You can connect with other users and like-minded people and share ideas and experiences.
• Support Channels: A dedicated support channel is one of the best mediums for reaching out to developers for assistance.

Industry Fit

Don’t just look for whatever is rated as the best theme on Shopify. What works best for your neighbors might not be optimal for you. Look for a theme that caters to the specific needs of your niche and industry. Consider themes with relevant features for your store and products, and pay attention to your industry’s overall aesthetic. 

Feel free to check out Koala’s curated selection of top Shopify stores by industry. This can give you valuable insights into the most popular design trends in your niche.

Are free Shopify themes worth it?

Yes, free Shopify themes are worth it as they are a great starting point for many businesses.

Free themes offer solid design, essential features, and support.

However, free themes lack some advanced functionalities that premium themes provide, which is important as your store grows.

What is Shopify’s best free theme?

Dawn is considered the best Shopify free theme and is the most widely used free Shopify theme.

It’s optimized for speed, highly flexible for customization, and features a clean, modern design, and its simplicity makes it ideal for new stores and those looking to focus on product imagery and user experience without the need for extensive coding or design knowledge.

What is the fastest free Shopify theme?

Spotlight is the fastest free Shopify theme based on our own tests with a mobile speed score of 79/100.

Spotlight is not just the fastest free theme, but is the fastest Shopify theme out of all the paid and free  themes we tested. Spotlight is optimized for mobile speed, and receives regular support and updates.

Are free Shopify themes high converting?

Free Shopify themes are high converting if they are customized properly and optimized for the user experience.

Achieving high conversions also depends on factors like product quality, pricing, and customer experience, but your theme plays an important role in the overall user experience from first visit the checkout.

What are the disadvantages of using a free Shopify theme?

There are 3 main disadvantages of using a free Shopify theme.

1. Limited customization: Free themes have fewer customization options compared to premium ones.

2. Basic functionality: Some advanced features, like in-depth analytics or enhanced SEO tools, arenot always built in, so you will need apps to access advanced features.

3. Design limitations: While free themes are well-designed, they may not stand out as much as premium, custom-made themes, so your store will lack that individuality to really make an impression on your users.