Overview of the ExpertHive WordPress Theme
Create a service marketplace similar to TaskRabbit or Thumbtack using WordPress.
Often, when starting a new directory website, you can spend hours and hours trying to find the perfect WordPress theme for your website. Sometimes it may be really challenging.
That’s why we prepared this comparison article about some of the most popular yet free WordPress directory themes that you can use to create a niche directory website. You can check all the themes and choose the one that suits your project the best.
Also, feel free to check our overview of the best WordPress directory plugins, which is full of great options to choose from.
So, let’s take a look at some of the best WordPress directory themes available on WordPress.org!
Top Free Listing Directory WordPress Themes to Choose from in 2024
ListingHive
ListingHive is the first free WordPress directory theme on our list. It’s a multipurpose theme that is suitable for building any type of directory and listing websites. At the time of writing, it’s the most popular free directory theme on the WordPress repository, with more than 9000 active installations.
Some of the most notable ListingHive features include:
- Front-end Listing Submission – anyone can add new listings in just a few clicks;
- Personal Dashboards – all vendors have personal dashboards where they can check their listings, new messages, etc.;
- Messages – users can easily communicate with each other via private messages;
- Ratings & Reviews – users can leave reviews and rate listings;
- Geolocation – enables the location-based search;
- Favorites – allows registered website visitors to keep a list of favorite listings.
The theme is highly customizable because it has no hard-coded fields and you can create your own listing & vendor profile fields, search filters, customize styling etc. ListingHive is fully integrated with Gutenberg, which means that you’ll be able to customize your website using blocks.
If you are going to make money with your directory website, ListingHive includes 3 monetization models out of the box:
- Paid Listings – charge users for adding new listings;
- Claim Listings – charge business owners for claiming listings;
- Featured Listings – charge vendors for making their listings featured.
The theme is integrated with WooCommerce, so you can use dozens of payment gateways available for WooCommerce.
Extensibility
Since ListingHive is powered by HivePress, a powerful business directory plugin, you can use any of HivePress add-ons to extend the core functionality directly from the WordPress dashboard. At the time of writing, there are 15+ free and premium add-ons. For example, here are some of them:
- Marketplace – allows users to sell listings;
- Requests – allows users to add custom requests and receive offers from vendors;
- Memberships – let you charge users for viewing listings or certain listing details;
- Bookings – enables bookings functionality on your website;
- Social Login – let users sign-in via third-party platforms.
You can create a WordPress directory website with unique functionality simply by combining different extension kits.
Pricing
ListingHive itself is free to use and can be installed directly from your WordPress dashboard. Moreover, you can download its demo content in order to start with existing layouts instead of creating them from scratch. If you need some advanced features for your directory, you can purchase some of the premium add-ons. The extension price ranges from $29 to $39 per lifetime single-site license.
Support
If you need some help with setting up ListingHive, you can use the default WordPress.org support forum. Also, developers provide support via the community forum or email. The free support includes general guidance about the theme features and fixing bugs.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 9,000+ |
| Average Rating | 5 out of 5 stars (19 reviews) |
Radius Directory
The next free WordPress directory theme in our list is – Radius Directory. The user-friendly design and multipurpose capabilities make it a decent choice for a directory website of almost all business niches, including homes, hotels, and other local businesses. Radius Directory is powered by the popular Classified Listing plugin (by the RadiusTheme team), so the theme already includes many features, such as:
- Front-end Listing Submission – anyone can list their business hassle-free;
- Social Profiles – users can easily show their social profiles in their listings;
- Maps – shows all the listings on the OpenStreet-based map.
If you want to make money with your directory website, Radius Directory allows you to charge users for adding new listings as well as charge them for making listings featured. You can accept payments offline or via PayPal.
The developers mentioned that this directory theme is highly customizable, and you get full control over the listing fields, search filters and widgets, colors, etc. Also, the theme is fully integrated with Gutenberg and Elementor page builders so that you can customize your website with a drag-and-drop feature.
By the way, if you don’t want to start your website from scratch, this free WordPress directory theme comes with demo data that you can import in just a few clicks.
Please note that the theme is not available in the WordPress repository, but we still decided to include it since it’s a good option if you are looking to build a directory website with WordPress.
Extensibility
As we mentioned before, the theme is powered by the Classified Listing plugin. It gives you an opportunity to enhance your directory website with many additional features that are included in the pro version of the plugin. For example, here are some of the notable pro features:
- Social Login – allows users to log in via third-party platforms;
- Payment Methods – Stripe & Authorize.net and WooCommerce;
- Business Hours – you can show the operating hours of each business;
- Compare – easily compare listings with each other;
- Ads Map View.
You can visit the official website to get a better idea of all the available features in the pro version.
Support
Reliable email-based support for Radius Directory is available in English from the theme creators. Premium support is available for 9 hours on weekdays. Limited support is also available over the weekends. Alternatively, you can contact the creators directly through their contact form on the official website.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | N/A |
| Average Rating | N/A |
Directory Starter
Directory Starter is a pretty simple free WordPress directory theme that may be an option if you are looking to build a basic directory website. It has many widgets, blocks and shortcodes included, and if you prefer to work with some page builders, the theme is compatible with well-known tools like Elementor and Divi.
Directory Starter is powered by the GeoDirectory plugin and was created as a skeleton theme for building child themes for custom projects. You may consider it if you want to build your own child themes in the future or a directory website of businesses tied to a particular location.
It is easy to use and can be set up even without considerable WordPress knowledge. However, as a website owner, you are a bit limited to some niches because, for example, you cannot add custom search filters in the free version. But still, there are more than 40 predefined fields that you can use in the way you like (e.g., phone number, price, business hours and so on).
Extensibility
Since the theme is based on the GeoDirectory plugin, it’s fully compatible with all the GeoDirectory add-ons. There are several extensions that you can install from your WordPress dashboard for free. Let’s briefly cover these add-ons:
- Directory Converter – Allows you to convert different directory databases to GeoDirectory. However, it’s a beta version and suitable only for staging sites.
- WPML Multilingual – Allows running a directory website fully multilingual with GeoDirectory. Bear in mind that this add-on only works with GeoDirectory v2.
- Events – Allows you to enhance your directory with event-specific fields and sorting options.
Also, there are many premium add-ons such as Claim Listings, Location Manager, Reviews and so on. As you can see, this WordPress directory theme is extensible by its design, and there are a few options to extend your website’s functionality.
Pricing
Directory Starter is a free theme that you can find and install through your WordPress dashboard. But if you want to improve your directory with some extra features, you’ll have to pay from $19 to $49 per extension license.
Support
There is a free support forum on WordPress.org and email-based support on the theme’s official website. Also, within the website, you can find some documentation and check existing support topics that you may find helpful.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 1,000+ |
| Average Rating | 4,2 out of 5 stars (5 reviews) |
Robolist Lite
Robolist Lite is a simple free WordPress directory theme that goes with some basic features for launching a directory website. It’s suitable for listing local businesses of different niches, like events, restaurants, jobs, etc. It’s compatible with the popular Elementor page builder plugin, so you can customize the theme layouts in the way you like (Elementor custom add-ons are available only for the pro version).
This business directory WordPress theme is integrated with WP Job Manager (WPJM). However, you should bear in mind that WPJM went out with the ark and is no longer a great option for creating a job portal with WordPress.
Finally, if you’re interested in making money with your directory website, it’s better to check the Robolist Pro version because the free one doesn’t support most of the monetization models.
Extensibility
In order to extend your website’s functionality, you’ll have to upgrade Robolist Lite to the premium version or use premium WPJM add-ons. Since the free version functionality is quite limited, you’ll need to pay for the essential features like listing maps, paid listings, custom fields, etc.
Pricing
The Robolist Lite is a free WordPress directory theme, as well as the WP Job Manager plugin. However, to create a well-functioning directory website, you have to buy a pro version for $69 per one-year license. Also, if you want to build a job board website using this theme, you’ll need some premium WP Job Manager extensions. The price for a single add-on license ranges between $19 and $39 yearly.
Support
If you have any issues with setting up Robolist Lite, you can use the WordPress.org free support forum and create a new topic. Also, users can use documentation and FAQ sections to find answers to the most common questions. However, if you cannot find a solution, there’s an option to create a support ticket.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 500+ |
| Average Rating | 5 out of 5 stars (4 reviews) |
CarListings
CarListing is a purpose-built automotive free WordPress directory theme based on the Auto Listings plugin. It’s filled with all the necessary car-specific attributes, the location search feature, and filters that are essential for car sellers and dealer websites.
It has a user-friendly design with a powerful search engine that makes it easy for customers to filter your inventory and find the type of cars they’re looking for. Thanks to the Auto Listings plugin, all the features that are required for creating and managing a dealership website are available from the outset.
CarListing is integrated with the Jetpack plugin, which gives you everything you need to secure, speed up, and grow your site in one place. This theme may be a good option for you if you’re looking to launch a car directory website with WordPress for free.
Extensibility
This free WordPress directory theme has many built-in features required for building a car listing website, but there are also 4 premium add-ons that you can install from your WordPress dashboard to enhance your website. Let’s take a look at them:
- DVLA Search – Integrates with the DVLA Search API for the UK;
- RegCheck API – Delivers precise data lookup for vehicles;
- Frontend – Allows users to pay for and submit their own listings;
- Multiple Dealers – Allows creating a multi-dealer car sales website.
Though the core functionality of this free WordPress directory theme is pretty impressive, it lacks several features in its free version. For example, the front-end listing submission, paid listings, user dashboards, Google Maps integrations, and other features require purchasing a subscription plan.
Pricing
The directory theme with its core functionality goes for free and can be easily downloaded via the WordPress dashboard. So, you can get your feet wet with the free version, but if you want to build a car listing website that stands out, you’ll have to pay for some extensions. A single add-on license goes for $69 per 1-year subscription.
Support
At the time of writing, there are many unanswered questions on the WordPress.org support forum, so it’s probably better to look for support on the official theme’s website. However, developers mentioned that support is available only for premium users via the ticket system. Moreover, supporting users for free is not guaranteed and might take up to 7 days.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 1,000+ |
| Average Rating | 5 out of 5 stars (3 reviews) |
Construction Realestate
Construction Realestate is a minimal, niche-specific free WordPress directory theme that allows you to create a real estate directory website with WordPress. It’s specially designed for realtors, agencies, and real estate listing websites. Also, note that it’s based on the Bootstrap framework and is WooCommerce-ready, so it won’t be an issue for you to add the e-commerce functionality to your site.
Before moving to the theme installation, keep in mind that it doesn’t include some crucial features for a real estate directory website. For example, you cannot add custom search filters, and the front-end listing submission is also missing. Even the location-based search function only goes with the premium version.
Extensibility
You won’t find any Construction Realestate add-ons that can be installed to enhance your website, but if the free functionality is not enough, you can try out the premium version. The Pro version includes Google Maps integration, a newsletter form, and some other functionalities. You’ll also get access to multiple theme designs and premium membership for one year.
Pricing
Construction Realestate can be installed for free directly from your WordPress dashboard. However, if you want some additional features of its premium version, then you’ll have to pay $39 for a 1-year subscription plan.
Support
If you encounter some troubles while using this free WordPress directory theme and need some help, you can use the WordPress.org support forum to contact developers. Also, there’s a documentation section on the theme’s website and a support forum for premium users.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 800+ |
| Average Rating | 4,7 out of 5 stars (3 reviews) |
VW Real Estate
VW Real Estate is a responsive free directory WordPress theme that is designed for real estate agencies or construction businesses. It is integrated with Ibtana Website Builder, so you don’t have to mess with shortcodes, and you can customize the theme using different blocks.
It’s based on the Bootstrap framework and goes with an eye-striking design, but if you are going to use the VW Real Estate free version, you’ll notice that it lacks many features essential for a real estate website. Even on the official website, there’s a notice that the free theme is extremely limited compared to its premium version.
Extensibility
This free WordPress directory theme doesn’t have any add-ons that you can install to enhance your directory, but you can upgrade it to the Pro version, which has some extra functionality. Simply saying, the premium version of VW Real Estate includes 10+ useful features for building a real estate directory.
Pricing
You can download and install the free version of VW Real Estate from your WordPress dashboard in a few clicks. If you are more interested in the premium functionality, you’ll have to pay $40 for the Pro version. Also, developers offer a bundle for $99 that includes 100+ premium themes for different directory niches.
Support
As well as for any other free theme, you can use the WordPress.org forum if you need some help or simply have a question for developers. Also, you can go to the theme’s site and find some useful documentation or look for advice on the forum.
Key Takeaways
| Active Installations | 500+ |
| Average Rating | 4,8 out of 5 stars (4 reviews) |
Summary
That wraps up our overview of the best free WordPress directory themes that you can find on WP.org.
Each of the free WordPress directory themes analyzed within this article has its own pros and cons, so you have to determine which one is the best option for you. You can use this article as a handbook to get a better sense of each theme and choose the best theme for your project.
If you are looking to launch a directory website without any coding knowledge, you may consider using the ListingHive theme (check out its overview). It’s a free WordPress directory theme that allows you to create a directory or listing website of any type. It already includes all the necessary features, so you can just plug and play.
Additionally, you may want to check our overview of the best free classifieds WordPress themes.
Related Articles
Overview of the TaskHive WordPress Theme
Create a freelancing platform like Fiverr or Upwork in a snap using WordPress.
8 Best WordPress Directory Plugins [Compared]
Best free WordPress directory plugins to organize your listings.