As an ecommerce business owner, paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a custom theme can be tempting.
However, do you really need a paid theme?
Many fantastic free Shopify themes are fully customizable and can be installed directly from your Shopify dashboard.
To help you get started, we've compiled a list of ten free Shopify themes that will allow you to create a professional-looking store from day one.
At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Free Shopify Themes
Let's start!
Tip: Have you already created your Shopify account? If not, sign up by clicking this link here to get a free 3-day trial + pay $1/month for the first 3 months!
The Best Free Shopify Themes: An Overview
Looking for a quick recommendation and overview of the best free Shopify themes?
Awesome! Just take a look at the table below:
| Theme | Designed For | Read Review | |
| Sense | Presenting products in an engaging and visually appealing manner. | Sense Review | |
| Dawn | Showcasing product images. | Dawn Review | |
| Debutify | Limitless design possibilities. | Debutify Review | |
| Refresh | A quick setup and putting the focus on your product. | Refresh Review | |
| Taste | Specialty products with bold branding. | Taste Review | |
| Origin | Makers selling unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. | Origin Review | |
| Studio | Displaying artwork and collections. | Studio Review | |
| Spotlight | Entrepreneurs who want to start selling quickly. | Spotlight Review | |
| Craft | Brands that celebrate craftsmanship. | Craft Review | |
| Publisher | Conveying your narrative in a unique, creative style. | Publisher Review |
The 10 best free Shopify themes in 2023
Continue reading to learn more about each theme!
1. Sense Review
It's incredible how many awesome features are packed into this free theme. Thank you for providing a solid foundation for web designers to build upon. We absolutely love it.
Tonja Howard (Sense Theme user)
| Designed for | Presenting products in an engaging and visually appealing manner. |
| Great for | Providing comprehensive product details and building trust through testimonials and videos. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Fresh and bright design – Detailed product information |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 50% Positive (40 Reviews) |
Sense is the first free Shopify theme on this list!
And when you look at it, it brings fresh air to your brand with its vibrant color palette, soft gradients, and curved elements that gently guide buyers through your store:
Unique features
- Fresh and bright design. Sense uses a fresh color palette and soft gradients to bring an energizing feel to your online store!
- Detailed product information. The detailed product layouts offer a great opportunity to describe your products accurately:
When the Sense theme is great for you:
- If you aim for a vibrant, engaging, and fresh look for your online store.
- If you want to establish trust with testimonials and videos.
2. Dawn Review
I’ve been using this theme for 2 months now and love it. Yes there is some personalization to be done for my needs but i think this is normal and i was able to research all of the required coding easily.
Nilesh (Dawn Theme user)
| Designed for | Showcasing product images. |
| Great for | A quick setup and visual storytelling. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Minimalist design – Media-forward product pages – Cross-selling |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 34% Positive (132 reviews) |
The Dawn theme is one of the best free Shopify themes.
With its clean, minimalist, and product-focused look, we are sure it can form the base of a successful store if you don’t have the budget for a paid theme!
Unique features
- Minimalist design. The minimalist design and simplified fonts keep your visitor's attention on what matters.
- Media-forward product pages. Dawn's product pages are focused on displaying images. Perfect for making your products feel more tangible for the customers!
- Cross-selling. With Dawn, you can create a ‘You may also like' section on your product pages, which encourages visitors to view other items:
When the Dawn Theme is great for you:
- You want a minimalist style for your online store.
- You want your images to be the main focus of your product pages.
3. Debutify Review
| Designed for | Limitless design possibilities. |
| Great for | Optimizing conversion rates. |
| Price | $0 / $29 / $79 / $149 per month |
| Unique features | – Uses an add-on system – Conversion-focused product pages – Fully customizable |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | N/A |
Debutify is a theme that promises to provide everything you need to create a successful Shopify store.
It's designed to be an all-in-one solution, so you won't need many Shopify apps when using it!
Debutify comes with four different plans, ranging from $0 to $149 per month:
Debutify also offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required, so you can try it out before deciding if it's the suitable theme for your store!
Unique features
- Uses an add-on system. Debutify is packed with over 50 add-ons to help you with everything from social proof to marketing and sales:
- Conversion-focused product pages. As ecommerce experts themselves, Debutify's founders know how vital the product page is for a successful website.
- Fully customizable. There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to customizing Debutify. For instance, you can add many things to a product page, including different sections, FAQ blocks, testimonials, and add-ons:
When the Debutify theme is great for you:
- You want to optimize your store's conversion rates.
- You want your store to be highly customizable.
Tip: You can read our extensive review of the Debutify theme here!
4. Refresh Review
I love this theme and come to see the preview many times for inspiration. The design is impeccable. There are a few default things that I would change and I can't, like the product description position, but nothing that changes the admiring I have for this theme.
Setor 8 (Refresh Theme user)
| Designed for | A quick setup and putting the focus on your product. |
| Great for | Creating a clean store design. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Product detail section – Adaptive section layouts – Recommended products |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 8% Positive (12 Reviews) |
Refresh is a Shopify theme that definitely does its name justice.
Take a look at the demo store; it looks very clean, right?
Or should we say, refreshed?
Design-wise, we think it's one of the best-looking free Shopify themes.
The main downside of Refresh is its rating in the Shopify Theme Store. A few users indicated that they experienced bugs or were missing particular features.
Unique features
- Product detail section. Refresh designed a fantastic product detail section that allows you to highlight the best benefits of your product:
- Adaptive section layouts. With the adaptive section layout, you can create various great-looking sections on your homepage or product page:
- Recommended products. The designers of Refresh also thought about upselling. With the recommended product features, your visitors will be tempted to add additional products to their carts!
When the Refresh theme is great for you:
- You like the theme's clean look.
- You want a theme that puts your product first.
5. Taste Review
Fantastic theme with more features than you might need. Easy to modify and looks great! Could use some more flexibility with how videos appear on the page.
Better Coffee Club (Taste Theme user)
| Designed for | Specialty products with bold branding. |
| Great for | Creating a confident first impression. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Spacious layout – Bold headlines – Adaptable design |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 67% Positive (3 Reviews) |
The Taste Shopify theme is a real game-changer for those selling specialty products and who have a bold brand personality.
With its uncluttered, open design and vibrant play of contrasts, it's not just a theme – it's an experience.
Unique features
- Spacious design. Say goodbye to clutter! Taste offers an open layout that really lets your products breathe. It's excellent for showcasing products without overwhelming your visitors.
- Showcase product quality. With Taste, it's not just about selling – it's about informing. The theme supports larger product cards, specialty product highlights, and bespoke FAQs:
- Adjustable layout. One size doesn't always fit all. With Taste, you can tweak and adjust the layout and styling to match your brand vision.
When the Taste theme is great for you:
- If you dare to be different.
- If you want to provide all the necessary product information upfront.
6. Origin Review
So far good, I found this theme really useful for my single product store. And I will need to dig more to comment on performance and other aspects of this store.
Quantum Wire (Origin Theme user)
| Designed for | Makers selling unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. |
| Great for | Telling a story and connecting with your audience on a deeper level. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Quirky typography – Storytelling layouts – Advanced customization options |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 67% Positive (3 Reviews) |
If you're an artisan and looking to charm your customers with your unique creations and the story behind them, the Origin theme may be your perfect match.
Unique features
- Spark a curiosity for the craft. Origin plays with a neutral color palette and quirky typography. It's a theme designed to create curiosity around your unique craft.
- Room to brag. It's okay to show off a little. Origin comes with structured layouts that encourage sharing stories from your buyers:
When the Origin theme is great for you:
- You're a maker selling unique pieces, and you love to express your brand personality.
- You want to showcase the love your customers have for your products.
Related article: 27 Best Shopify Themes for Your One-Product Store (2023)
7. Studio Review
I am a jewelry designer/artisan jeweler using the free Shopify Studio Theme. I LOVE IT! The 8.0 Version fixed many technical bugs and the product images look better than ever. I am not tech-savvy. Studio is user-friendly and actually quite intuitive.
Arpaia (Studio Theme user)
| Designed for | Displaying artwork and collections. |
| Great for | Showcasing art with colorful accents and styling. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Designed to inspire collectors – Sticky navigation |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 54% Positive (13 reviews) |
If you're an artist, the Studio theme is your digital art gallery.
This Shopify theme specializes in artistic brands and collections, providing a vibrant, immersive online shopping experience:
Unique features
- Designed to inspire collectors. With Studio, you can incorporate collection-based navigation, creator filters, featured collections for galleries and new arrivals, and artist profiles.
- Sticky navigation. The sticky navigation feature keeps menus fixed to the top of your page as you scroll down.
When the Studio theme is great for you:
- You're looking for a Shopify theme designed with attention to artists.
- You want a minimalist style for your store.
Related article: 12 Best Shopify Themes for Artists (The Most Creative Ones)
8. Spotlight Review
I love it, and am still using it.
Just the Wright Interiors (Spotlight Theme user)
| Designed for | Entrepreneurs who want to start selling quickly. |
| Great for | Brands looking for an efficient, clean design. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Efficient design – Quick-launch layout |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 50% Positive (2 Reviews) |
If you want to start as soon as possible, Spotlight is your running mate.
This Shopify theme is all about efficiency and simplicity, designed to get you selling in no time.
Unique features
- Clean and efficient design. Spotlight eliminates any distractions. It's all about providing a straightforward, intuitive buyer experience.
- Launch in minutes. Spotlight's simple layout is optimized to get you up and running quickly. All you need to do is publish a short brand description, and you're good to go.
When the Spotlight theme is great for you:
- You're eager to start selling as soon as possible.
- You appreciate the simplicity and user-friendly design.
9. Craft Review
This theme just keeps getting better and better. Each update just keeps knocking it outta the ballpark. Thank you for providing this theme and free of charge for small struggling businesses. Just amazing.
Sheair Butters (Craft Theme user)
| Designed for | Brands that celebrate craftsmanship. |
| Great for | Creating a refined and honest shopping experience. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Authentic design – Elevated storytelling |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | 60% Positive (5 Reviews) |
Craft is your partner if you celebrate craftsmanship and want to share your brand's unique story.
This Shopify theme is subtle, refined, and designed to highlight the authenticity of your products!
Unique features
- Honest and authentic design. Craft uses generous spacing and elegant typography, allowing your content to shine. It's about showcasing the genuine quality of your products.
- Elevated storytelling. Craft includes sections and templates designed specifically for compelling narratives.
When the Craft theme is great for you:
- If you want to put your product's quality at the forefront.
- If your brand has a story to tell.
10. Publisher Review
| Designed for | Conveying your narrative in a unique, creative style. |
| Great for | Stores that sell any sort of artistic products. |
| Price | Free |
| Unique features | – Progressive, high-contrast design – Contextual navigation |
| Demo stores | View here |
| Reviews | N/A |
Are you looking for a unique Shopify theme?
In that case, you should take a look at Publisher!
Shopify calls it an ‘avant-garde' theme, which means it contains many new and unusual ideas. And the best part; it's free!
Unique features
- Progressive, high-contrast design. This theme's demo store uses subtle gradients with dark, immersive product cards to create a high-contrast design:
- Contextual navigation. Instead of using a traditional navigation bar, the Publisher theme puts your brand narrative first and uses contextual links to products and categories:
When the Publisher theme is great for you:
- You like the ‘avant-garde' style of the theme.
- You like the moody design and minimalist navigation that the theme offers.
Related article: 9 Best Unique Shopify Themes (To Beat Your Competition)
There's a common misconception that you must always invest in a premium Shopify theme to run a successful business.
However, that's not always the case.
Especially if you're just starting or working with a tight budget, a free Shopify theme can serve you just as well.
Free Shopify themes like Taste, Origin, and Craft are designed to meet different needs. They're user-friendly, attractive, and, most importantly, they are free!
However, this is not to say that premium themes are a waste of money. They can offer a broader range of customization options and may include more built-in features.
So, whether you choose a free or paid theme, ensure it serves your needs well. For a more in-depth look at the free vs. paid theme debate, check out this guide: Do You Need a Paid Dropshipping Theme? or Is a Free One Ok?
What to look for when choosing a free Shopify theme?
When trying to identify the best theme, review the following criteria when assessing each theme:
- Customization
- Responsiveness
- Conversion optimization
- Features
- Niche suitability
- Reviews/demo
This article, How To Choose The Best Shopify Theme: 8 great tips, will expand on these points to help you with your selection.
Other great Shopify themes
Not sure yet about these Shopify themes? Or maybe you would like to see some paid themes?
If so, you will find even more amazing themes in the lists below:
- Best Shopify Dropshipping Themes
- Best Shopify Themes for Artists
- Best Shopify Themes for Clothing
- Best Shopify Themes for Digital Products
- Best Shopify Themes for Print on Demand
- Best Shopify Themes for Subscription Boxes
- Best Shopify Themes for Your One-Product Store
- Best Free Shopify Themes for Your Online Store
Final verdict
With that, we hope you can find your free Shopify theme. And if not, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will try to help you out!
So, what is our final verdict?
What is the best free Shopify theme in 2023?
Final Verdict: The best free Shopify themes in 2023 are Sense, Dawn, and Debutify.
If you’re still second-guessing, let’s take a look at our overview from earlier:
| Theme | Designed For | |
| Sense | Presenting products in an engaging and visually appealing manner. | |
| Dawn | Showcasing product images. | |
| Debutify | Limitless design possibilities. | |
| Refresh | A quick setup and putting the focus on your product. | |
| Taste | Specialty products with bold branding. | |
| Origin | Makers selling unique, one-of-a-kind pieces. | |
| Studio | Displaying artwork and collections. | |
| Spotlight | Entrepreneurs who want to start selling quickly. | |
| Craft | Brands that celebrate craftsmanship. | |
| Publisher | Conveying your narrative in a unique, creative style. |
If you have any questions or suggestions for this list, don't forget you can always leave a comment below.
Best of luck with taking this crucial first step in creating a unique, high-converting store.
Have a great day!
Want to learn more about Shopify?
Ready to move your Shopify store to the next level? Check out the articles below:
2 Comments
All the way through the article you said that Dawn is better than Debut….but you continued to list Debut in your top few….and not Dawn. If Dawn is better than Debut, why is Debut in the top few, and not Dawn?? Doesn’t make sense.
Hi Joan,
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention, I definitely understand your point.
We will update this article as soon as possible to make the final verdict more clear and add the newest (and best) free Shopify themes.
Again, thank you for your feedback, it helps us improve the quality of our content!
Have a great day!
– Patryk