I read a very interesting article on testing the database speed and efficiency of WordPress Premium Themes by web development company foliovision titled What’s wrong with paid WordPress Themes: WooThemes vs ElegantThemes where foliovision says:
There’s a lot of talk about how professional paid themes are in comparison to free themes. It’s not what we’ve found. Cutline, Twenty Ten and Oulipo are all much better coded than any theme we’ve found at WooThemes or EleganThemes.com.
As I own a number of Premium WordPress Themes and Frameworks, I decided to do some basic speed testing for myself using foliovision’s recommended plugin WPDB Profiling.
Here are my unscientific test results.
The speed test are run on a newly setup clean LINUX server running PHP 5.1.6, MySQL 5.0.77, WordPress 3.1.1 with default content and only the WPDB plugin active. WP_Cache Status: Enabled! Plus I refresh the browser 4 times on each Theme, before recording the follow results:
Fastest Themes/Frameworks
(out of the box clean install)
- Thesis 1.8 by Chris Pearson
11 db queries in 0.0028650760650635 - Hybrid 0.9 by Justin Tadlock
8 db queries in 0.0028834342956543 - F8 Lite 4.2.1 by Graph Paper Press
11 db queries in 0.0032894611358643 - Crystal Child Theme 1.0 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.0033507347106934 - Whiteboard 3.1 by Bold Perspective
11 db queries in 0.0033519268035889 - Serenity Child Theme 1.0.1 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.0033695697784424 - Genesis 1.6 by StudioPress
11 db queries in 0.0035405158996582 - News Child Theme 1.1 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.003563404083252 - Streamline Child Theme 1.0.1 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.0035667419433594 - Venture Child Theme 1.0 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.0035803318023682 - Delicious Child Theme 1.0.1 by StudioPress
10 db queries in 0.0035943984985352 - Genesis 1.5 by StudioPress
11 db queries in 0.0036919116973877 - Tapestry Child Theme 1.0 by StudioPress
11 db queries in 0.0037655830383301 - Thematic 0.9.7.7 by Ian Stewart & Chris Goßmann
12 db queries in 0.0037977695465088 - Focus Child Theme 1.0.2 by StudioPress
12 db queries in 0.0038344860076904 - Pretty Young Thing Child Theme 1.0 by StudioPress
12 db queries in 0.0038702487945557 - Social Eyes Child Theme 1.0 by StudioPress
11 db queries in 0.0038893222808838 - Duster 1.0.5 by Automattic
10 db queries in 0.0039474964141846 - Builder 2.8.7 by iThemes
14 db queries in 0.0042598247528076 - SWIFT 5.74 by Swift Themes
13 db queries in 0.0044283866882324 - Basic 3.9 by Elegant Themes
14 db queries in 0.004436731338501 - BusinessCard 2.0 by Elegant Themes
14 db queries in 0.0044455528259277 - Twenty Ten 1.2 by the WordPress team
14 db queries in 0.0045411586761475 - Bigfoot 1.0.7 by Theme Junkie
14 db queries in 0.0046136379241943 - Derelict Beta 1.0 by Theme Force
18 db queries in 0.004737377166748 - Catalyst 1.1.2 by The Catalyst Team
16 database queries in 0.0048117637634277 - Dynamik 1.1 by The Catalyst Team
16 database queries in 0.004889965057373 - Classic 1.6 by Dave Shea
13 db queries in 0.0048260688781738 - WP Framework 0.2.4.10 by Ptah Dunbar
13 database queries in 0.0049338340759277 - Sandbox 1.6.1 by Andy Skelton & Scott Allan Wallick
13 database queries in 0.0049946308135986 - Bold 4.1 by Elegant Themes
18 database queries in 0.0051465034484863 - Focal Point 1.0.0 by Graph Paper Press
17 database queries in 0.0051498413085938 - Bluesky 2.6 by Elegant Themes
17 database queries in 0.00534987449646 - Default 1.7.2 by Michael Heilemann
16 database queries in 0.005363941192627 - Base 1.1 by Graph Paper Press
18 database queries in 0.0053915977478027 - Headway 2.0.9 by Headway Themes
13 database queries in 0.0056333541870117 - ArtSee 2.5 by Elegant Themes
18 database queries in 0.0056798458099365 - SwiftPremium 0.3 by Swift Themes
16 database queries in 0.0056867599487305 - 13floor 1.7 by Elegant Themes
17 database queries in 0.0056912899017334 - Monokrome 1.0 by ThemeBaker
17 database queries in 0.0058357715606689 - Biznizz 1.1.4 by WooThemes
23 database queries in 0.005845308303833 - Headway 2.0.8 by Headway Themes
13 database queries in 0.0058732032775879 - AskIt 1.5 by Elegant Themes
16 database queries in 0.0059399604797363 - Headway 2.0.10 by Headway Themes
13 database queries in 0.0060820579528809 - Carrington Blog 2.2 by Crowd Favorite
23 database queries in 0.0064208507537842 - Bluemist 2.8 by Elegant Themes
23 database queries in 0.006488561630249 - Delicious Magazine 1.0.3 by WooThemes
27 database queries in 0.0065755844116211 - Kaboodle 1.0 by WooThemes
26 database queries in 0.00663161277771 - ChannelPro 1.0.2 by Theme Junkie
19 database queries run in 0.0066862106323242 - Inspire 2.4.4 by WooThemes
27 database queries in 0.0068049430847168 - Fresh News 3.2.2 by WooThemes
28 database queries run in 0.006871223449707 - Delicate News 2.2 by Elegant Themes
21 database queries in 0.0068967342376709 - Premiere 1.0.3 by WooThemes
28 database queries in 0.0070610046386719 - Bloggie 1.1.7 by Themify
24 database queries in 0.0071310997009277 - Simplicious 1.0 by themebaker
23 database queries in 0.0071501731872559 - InReview 1.0 by Elegant Themes
22 database queries in 0.0073695182800293 - PureType 3.9 by Elegant Themes
23 database queries in 0.0075540542602539 - Bold News 1.0.10 by WooThemes
30 database queries run in 0.0076193809509277 - Listings 1.2.13 by WooThemes
34 database queries in 0.0076332092285156 - Saving Grace 1.0 by WooThemes
30 database queries in 0.0077245235443115 - Simplicity 1.2.6 by WooThemes
32 database queries in 0.0077071189880371 - Canvas 4.0.3 by WooThemes
31 database queries in 0.0078539848327637 - Photobox 1.0.6 by Themify
30 database queries in 0.0080797672271729 - Rezo 1.0.6 by Themify
34 database queries in 0.0088396072387695 - Afterburner 1.3 by RocketTheme
30 database queries in 0.0088694095611572 - Envisioned 1.1 by Elegant Themes
30 database queries in 0.0088872909545898 - Gazette Edition 2.9.6 by WooThemes
35 database queries run in 0.0096333026885986 - Folo 1.0.0 by Themify
35 database queries in 0.0096437931060791 - Canvas 3.4.13 by WooThemes
47 database queries in 0.0099258422851562 - Minblr 1.0.3 by Themify
33 database queries run in 0.010851383209229 - Funki 1.0.4 by Themify
46 database queries run in 0.011050939559937 - Estate 1.2.2 by WooThemes
44 database queries in 0.011443614959717 - Chameleon 1.0 by Elegant Themes
33 database queries in 0.011250972747803 - Wigi 1.1.8 by Themify
47 database queries run in 0.011812686920166 - Wumblr 1.1.0 by Themify
54 database queries run in 0.013551712036133 - OverALL 1.3 by ThemeForest | Codestar
69 database queries run in 0.013619661331177 - FaultPress 1.0 by WooThemes
58 database queries in 0.014721155166626 - Modularity 2.9.1 by Graph Paper Press
71 database queries run in 0.015994071960449
I then run the same test but this time with imported content from a site with loads of pages, posts, images and comments. I run two tests, first on the homepage and second on a page with 46 comments, you can see the results of both tests below:
Due to a number of Themes not actually displaying the 46 comments on the test page (I will highlight those results with * ). I’ve decided to add a 3rd test, where I run the same search query on each Theme. This information will be displayed as the third test result, below the ‘Homepage’ & ’46 comments page’ results.
Classic 1.6 by Dave Shea
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.010859489440918 sec.
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.011161327362061 sec.
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.019618272781372 sec.
Default 1.7.2 by Michael Heilemann
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.011600971221924 sec.
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.013220071792603 sec.
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.019407749176025 sec.
Twenty Ten 1.2 by the WordPress team
Time: 10 database queries run in 0.0085268020629883 sec.
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.010899305343628 sec.
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.019685745239258 sec.
Duster 1.0.5 by Automattic
Time: 9 database queries run in 0.0085337162017822 sec
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.010359287261963 sec
Time: 9 database queries run in 0.018793106079102 sec
Delicate News 2.2 by Elegant Themes
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.019034147262573 sec.
Time: 69 database queries run in 0.02458930015564 sec *
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.033744812011719 sec.
Genesis 1.6 by StudioPress
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0054953098297119 sec
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0039951801300049 sec *
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.015622615814209 sec
Genesis 1.5 by StudioPress
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0053954124450684 sec.
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0037450790405273 sec *
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.015266180038452 sec.
Headway 2.0.8 by Headway Themes
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.011230945587158 sec.
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.012529373168945 sec.*
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.020308494567871 sec.
Headway 2.0.9 by Headway Themes
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.010218858718872 sec.
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.013006925582886 sec *
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.019757747650146 sec.
Headway 2.0.10 by Headway Themes
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.010539054870605 sec
Time: 21 database queries run in 0.01421594619751 sec *
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.020859956741333 sec
Hybrid 0.9 by Justin Tadlock
Time: 9 database queries run in 0.0053858757019043 sec.
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.0061540603637695 sec.
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.016433000564575 sec.
Thesis 1.8 by Chris Pearson
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0054011344909668 sec.
Time: 12 database queries run in 0.0048646926879883 sec.
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.014534473419189 sec.
OverALL 1.3 by ThemeForest | Codestar
Time: 122 database queries run in 0.031898260116577 sec.
Time: 99 database queries run in 0.44418334960938 sec.
Time: 101 database queries run in 0.27860069274902 sec.
Minblr 1.0.3 by Themify
Time: 115 database queries run in 0.052990436553955 sec.
Time: 30 database queries run in 0.014171123504639 sec.
Bloggie 1.1.7 by Themify
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.015562057495117 sec.
Time: 28 database queries run in 0.014686107635498 sec.
Photobox 1.0.6 by Themify
Time: 30 database queries run in 0.012521505355835 sec.
Time: 54 database queries run in 0.15121483802795 sec.
Wumblr 1.1.0 by Themify
Time: 181 database queries run in 0.072348356246948 sec.
Time: 55 database queries run in 0.019159317016602 sec.
Funki 1.0.4 by Themify
Time: 83 database queries run in 0.025003910064697 sec.
Time: 58 database queries run in 0.02036190032959 sec.
Rezo 1.0.6 by Themify
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.014090538024902 sec
Time: 59 database queries run in 0.020477771759033 sec
Time: 51 database queries run in 0.028366804122925 sec
Folo 1.0.0 by Themify
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.013480424880981 sec
Time: 61 database queries run in 0.020161867141724 sec
Time: 56 database queries run in 0.029181241989136 sec
Wigi 1.1.8 by Themify
Time: 55 database queries run in 0.019249200820923 sec
Time: 59 database queries run in 0.020845174789429 sec
Time: 54 database queries run in 0.028913021087646 sec
Thematic 0.9.7.7 by Ian Stewart & Chris Goßmann
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.014473438262939 sec.
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.016648054122925 sec.
F8 Lite 4.2.1 by Graph Paper Press
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.0096426010131836 sec.
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.0078961849212646 sec.
Modularity 2.9.1 by Graph Paper Press
Time: 244 database queries run in 0.078363656997681 sec.
Time: 172 database queries run in 0.044177770614624 sec.
Derelict Beta 1.0 by Theme Force
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.018243312835693 sec.
Time: 25 database queries run in 0.017731904983521 sec.
Sandbox 1.6.1 by Andy Skelton & Scott Allan Wallick
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.010836839675903 sec.
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.012953996658325 sec.
Envisioned 1.1 by Elegant Themes
Time: 27 database queries run in 0.021775722503662 sec
Time: 123 database queries run in 0.038621187210083 sec*
Time: 21 database queries run in 0.036277294158936 sec
Whiteboard 3.1 by Bold Perspective
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.014381170272827 sec
Time: 62 database queries run in 0.020661115646362 sec
Time: 10 database queries run in 0.017475366592407 sec
WP Framework 0.2.4.10 by Ptah Dunbar
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.012094497680664 sec
Time: 64 database queries run in 0.050756216049194 sec
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.019474029541016 sec
Base 1.1 by Graph Paper Press
Time: 19 database queries run in 0.014656066894531 sec.
Time: 76 database queries run in 0.027707815170288 sec *
Focal Point 1.0.0 by Graph Paper Press
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.013771772384644 sec
Time: 76 database queries run in 0.027651786804199 sec
Time: 19 database queries run in 0.023269414901733 sec
13floor 1.7 by Elegant Themes
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.015060424804688 sec.
Time: 69 database queries run in 0.025210380554199 sec *
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.034197092056274 sec
ArtSee 2.5 by Elegant Themes
Time: 31 database queries run in 0.027701139450073 sec.
Time: 73 database queries run in 0.033818006515503 sec *
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.045985698699951 sec.
AskIt 1.5 by Elegant Themes
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.015112638473511 sec.
Time: 175 database queries run in 0.052090883255005 sec *
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.035473585128784 sec
Basic 3.9 by Elegant Themes
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.016218423843384 sec.
Time: 66 database queries run in 0.023319959640503 sec *
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.034974813461304 sec
Bluemist 2.8 by Elegant Themes
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.023586988449097 sec
Time: 53 database queries run in 0.028160095214844 sec *
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.042887687683105 sec
Bluesky 2.6 by Elegant Themes
Time: 28 database queries run in 0.025244951248169 sec
Time: 50 database queries run in 0.026688098907471 sec *
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.042155504226685 sec
Bold 4.1 by Elegant Themes
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.02043080329895 sec.
Time: 68 database queries run in 0.023920297622681 sec *
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.031888961791992 sec
BusinessCard 2.0 by Elegant Themes
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.013096570968628 sec
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.021771192550659 sec *
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.021844625473022 sec
Chameleon 1.0 by Elegant Themes
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.023345708847046 sec
Time: 82 database queries run in 0.030275106430054 sec *
Time: 21 database queries run in 0.038016557693481 sec
PureType 3.9 by Elegant Themes
Time: 36 database queries run in 0.026576042175293 sec
Time: 70 database queries run in 0.025580644607544 sec *
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.036266565322876 sec
InReview 1.0 by Elegant Themes
Time: 32 database queries run in 0.02070951461792 sec
Time: 179 database queries run in 0.05344033241272 sec *
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.035846948623657 sec
Carrington Blog 2.2 by Crowd Favorite
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.012436866760254 sec.
Time: 27 database queries run in 0.01320743560791 sec.
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.021057605743408 sec
Afterburner 1.3 by RocketTheme
Time: 38 database queries run in 0.022199392318726 sec.
Time: 31 database queries run in 0.016927242279053 sec
Time: 25 database queries run in 0.024867057800293 sec
Catalyst 1.1.2 by The Catalyst Team
Time: 20 database queries run in 0.011673450469971 sec
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.0083789825439453 sec *
Time: 20 database queries run in 0.021398067474365 sec
Dynamik 1.1 by The Catalyst Team
Time: 20 database queries run in 0.011724233627319 sec
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.0086536407470703 sec *
Time: 20 database queries run in 0.021769523620605 sec
Monokrome 1.0 by ThemeBaker
Time: 19 database queries run in 0.011788368225098 sec
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.013963460922241 sec
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.022437810897827 sec
Simplicious 1.0 by ThemeBaker
Time: 27 database queries run in 0.01485538482666 sec
Time: 20 database queries run in 0.01419734954834 sec
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.022751092910767 sec
Bigfoot 1.0.7 by Theme Junkie
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.012339115142822 sec
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.0084106922149658 sec *
Time: 14 database queries run in 0.0045614242553711 sec
ChannelPro 1.0.2 by Theme Junkie
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.019309759140015 sec
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.011403322219849 sec *
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.019309759140015 sec
Workaholic 3.0.2 by Graph Paper Press
Time: 19 database queries run in 0.01228666305542 sec
Time: 17 database queries run in 0.0091671943664551 sec *
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.0051100254058838 sec
Builder 2.8.7 by iThemes
Time: 10 database queries run in 0.0066783428192139 sec
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.007758617401123 sec *
Time: 10 database queries run in 0.016505718231201 sec
Biznizz 1.1.4 by WooThemes
Time: 23 database queries run in 0.010088205337524 sec
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.01024866104126 sec *
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.019511222839355 sec
Bold News 1.0.10 by WooThemes
Time: 32 database queries run in 0.015427589416504 sec
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.011626958847046 sec *
Time: 25 database queries run in 0.02160120010376 sec
Canvas 3.4.13 by WooThemes
Time: 47 database queries run in 0.01517391204834 sec
Time: 43 database queries run in 0.01345419883728 sec *
Time: 45 database queries run in 0.023523330688477 sec
Canvas 4.0.3 by WooThemes
Time: 32 database queries run in 0.015141725540161 sec
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.012638568878174 sec *
Time: 28 database queries run in 0.022446870803833 sec
Delicious Magazine 1.0.3 by WooThemes
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.013053894042969 sec
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.010510921478271 sec *
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.019697427749634 sec
FaultPress 1.0 by WooThemes
Time: 57 database queries run in 0.019129753112793 sec
Time: 50 database queries run in 0.016899108886719 sec *
Time: 45 database queries run in 0.025877475738525 sec
Fresh News 3.2.2 by WooThemes
Time: 30 database queries run in 0.014765739440918 sec
Time: 28 database queries run in 0.011922359466553 sec *
Time: 32 database queries run in 0.024497747421265 sec
Gazette Edition 2.9.6 by WooThemes
Time: 37 database queries run in 0.019867420196533 sec
Time: 84 database queries run in 0.028890132904053 sec *
Time: 35 database queries run in 0.028899192810059 sec
Inspire 2.4.4 by WooThemes
Time: 27 database queries run in 0.011401176452637 sec
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.011186361312866 sec *
Time: 25 database queries run in 0.020624399185181 sec
Kaboodle 1.0 by WooThemes
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.010687589645386 sec
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.010782480239868 sec *
Time: 25 database queries run in 0.020078182220459 sec
Premiere 1.0.3 by WooThemes
Time: 28 database queries run in 0.011204719543457 sec
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.010302543640137 sec *
Time: 22 database queries run in 0.019954442977905 sec
Simplicity 1.2.6 by WooThemes
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.014810800552368 sec
Time: 31 database queries run in 0.011165618896484 sec *
Time: 26 database queries run in 0.02013373374939 sec
Estate 1.2.2 by WooThemes
Time: 44 database queries run in 0.020367622375488 sec
Time: 91 database queries run in 0.03071117401123 sec *
Time: 36 database queries run in 0.034440040588379 sec
Listings 1.2.13 by WooThemes
Time: 34 database queries run in 0.01166558265686 sec
Time: 31 database queries run in 0.011839151382446 sec *
Time: 42 database queries run in 0.03130578994751 sec
Saving Grace 1.0 by WooThemes
Time: 32 database queries run in 0.015194654464722 sec
Time: 29 database queries run in 0.011616945266724 sec *
Time: 31 database queries run in 0.024642705917358 sec
SWIFT 5.74 by Satish Gandham
Time: 13 database queries run in 0.012899875640869 sec
Time: 68 database queries run in 0.026264429092407 sec
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.021327495574951 sec
Focus Child Theme 1.0.2 by StudioPress
Time: 18 database queries run in 0.010634660720825 sec
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.0040247440338135 sec *
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.015744209289551 sec
SwiftPremium 0.3 by Swift Themes
Time: 16 database queries run in 0.011839389801025 sec
Time: 15 database queries run in 0.0099120140075684 sec
Time: 11 database queries run in 0.018553972244263 sec
* PLEASE NOTE THIS THEME DID NOT DISPLAY THE 46 COMMENTS
My tests show that the Thesis 1.8 Framework is the fastest out of the box WordPress Theme/Framework, then very closely followed by the Hybrid 0.9 Framework. But in the 2nd tests with content imported, the NEW Gensis Framework is fastest in 1 out of the 3 test against Thesis Framework, with the caveat that in the Genesis Frameworks did not display the 46 comments.
I will also refine these WordPress Speed Result tables into Frameworks and Themes/Skins.
I know this it’s not a fully scientific test, but I found these results quite revealing. Please let me know what you think I can do to improve or enhance these test results, all feedback positive or negative is very welcome.
I will eventually test all the current Themes/Skins from the following family of Themes:
- Elegant Themes
- StudioPress Genesis
- Graph Paper Press
- iThemes
- Catalyst Theme Store
- Theme Junkie
- ThemeBaker
- Themify
- WooThemes
If you would like your WordPress Theme tested then please use this form to upload or contact me here.
If you found any of the above information useful, then please help support this testing programme by leaving a donation in the box below:
or by purchasing any products from the right-hand sidebar or any of the following affiliate links, your support would be very much appreciated: