Kadence Starter Templates — Predesigned Website Templates
by Nexcess · Blocks
Also makes 23 other plugins · 2.6M+ installs across the portfolio →
Build a Beautiful "performance optimized" website with ease.
Try it live opens a temporary test site in your browser, which can take about 20 seconds to load. Plugins that rely on outside services or a full server may not work completely there.
Health
B 84/100
no flags
Active installs
200K+
≈270K estimated
Momentum
-16%
downloads vs prior 30d
Biggest opportunity: Add “template”, “optimized” and “website” to your wp.org tags. You rank #11, #14 and #14 for them without listing them, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 2 listed these are the slots worth spending.
84 health vs 71 average across 2,526 Blocks plugins
Install conversion
How it's measured →2.9%
of downloads still active
At least 200K of 6.8M lifetime downloads are still running, above its category: the median Blocks plugin keeps 2.1%, across 1,580 plugins.
Downloads count every update, not just first installs, so older and more frequently released plugins read lower. Compare against other Blocks plugins, not across the directory. wp.org reports active installs as the bottom of a band, so the real rate is this or higher.
This plugin shipped 6 releases in the last 12 months, and every existing install that updated counted as another download. wp.org publishes no split between first installs and updates, so we show the raw rate rather than guess at one.
Details
Directory ranking optimization
How it's scored →How well this listing is tuned to rank in WordPress.org search, on the factors an owner controls. Not popularity, optimization.
Well optimized
Most to gain: Support resolution
Updated 81 days ago
Tested up to WordPress 7.0.8, the current branch or newer
4.3★ over 19 reviews, smoothed to 4.16★ and held back under 25 reviews
2 of 5 tags set · short description in place
0 of 1 support threads resolved in the last 2 months
To rank higher: Mark more forum threads resolved — the resolved ratio feeds the ranking.
Get the full rank-higher report →Search visibility
How it's tracked →Directory searches this plugin turns up in, and which way each one is moving. WordPress.org publishes no history of search positions, so this starts the day we first tracked a keyword and never backfills.
45
Momentum
Holding steady
+0.1
Velocity
places per keyword, 28d
33%
Breadth
of keywords climbing, 28d
+0.1
Acceleration
recent half vs earlier
wp.org is where the directory puts the plugin for that search. On merit is where it would sit if results were ranked on rating, support and updates, without the install boost. The last column is how far the wp.org position moved, from our first reading in the last 90 days to the latest.
| Keyword | wp.org | On merit | wp.org move, 90 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| starter | #2 | #4 | 0 |
| starter templates | #2 | #3 | 0 |
| website templates | #3 | #9 | 0 |
| kadence | #4 | #10 | 0 |
| palette | #3 | #6 | 0 |
| color palette | #3 | #7 | up 1 |
| templates your tag | #6 | #18 | up 1 |
| block templates | #5 | #13 | up 2 |
| starter sites | #8 | #10 | 0 |
| gutenberg templates | #9 | #20 | down 2 |
| optimized | #14 | #21 | up 1 |
| template | #11 | #21 | up 1 |
| site templates | #7 | #18 | up 1 |
| page templates | #7 | #17 | 0 |
| starter site | #7 | #9 | 0 |
| wordpress templates | #8 | #20 | up 2 |
| post templates | #9 | #21 | up 2 |
| wp page templates | #10 | #24 | up 2 |
| custom templates | #11 | #22 | up 1 |
| website performance | #15 | #23 | up 2 |
| gutenberg your tag | Not in the top 24 | ||
132 searches this plugin appeared in over the last 90 days, 20 listed. 112 left out as unrelated or noise (years, numbers, stray words). 1 of its tags isn't in the top 24 for their own search.
What to do about it
- Add “template”, “optimized” and “website” to your wp.org tags. You rank #11, #14 and #14 for them without listing them, close enough for a declared tag to move you up. WordPress.org counts only your first five tags, so with 2 listed these are the slots worth spending.
Daily downloads
Since 5 Oct 2022 · 1,489 days · wp.org + Plugin Pulse archive
30-day downloads
Rolling 30-day volume · peak 637.5K · peaks are release surges
Directory rank vs rivals
wp.org popularity rank over time · higher is better · when a rival's line climbs above yours, they've overtaken you
Rating trend
Star average over time · dips mark rough releases
Health trend
Composite health score, snapshotted daily
Update activity
How busy the existing users are, measured as downloads in the last 30 days for every 1,000 active sites. A spike means a new release everyone's pulling; a long, slow decline means an aging user base that updates less.
Release cadence
Actively maintainedHow often this plugin actually ships. A steady rhythm is the maintenance signal a single "last updated" date can't show.
6
releases in the last 12 months
3mo ago
latest release · v2.3.4 · 12 Aug 2026
72
tagged releases on record
Recent releases
What its installed base runs
via wordpress.orgShare of active installs on each version of this plugin · 52% run the current release. Green is the current release; a big slice on older versions is a user base that has stopped updating.
Estimated active installs
The public count shows “200K+”. Our estimate pins where the real number sits.
Crossed into this band 4 months ago; a band this size takes about a year or more to cross, which places it about 69% of the way through.
Install history since 1 Sep 2021
Recent reviews
All reviews on wp.org ↗- ★★★★★ Krishnakumar KA1.1y ago
It’s very easy. First you choose the Kadence theme, and it will ask for installation of starter templates. Once you do that it will take you through the wizard of website building. Give the right prompt and you get the right result.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ aburbanowp2.8y ago
After spend some minutes to configure at last doesn’t do anything, doesn’t import the content, etc. In addition, this damaged something that worked well and that was the starter templates, now, with this new function, the previous one stopped working.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ orbixtar3.4y ago
I originally had an issue that was caused by SSL issue. And got the error “Error, Unable to access template database, please try re-downloading“ However after a bit of help from the team I was able to get this working. Works perfectly and team has great support. This topic was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by orbixtar.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ dkexception3.7y ago
Error, Unable to access template database, please try re-downloading Sync with Cloud
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ healthylivingfromheadtotoe3.7y ago
Love this theme and its clean look, as well as features provided. Switched my sites to this theme. Absolutely love it!
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ interere3.8y ago
nicely done
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ Ifegwu-Mbonu Victor C.3.8y ago
I have tried working with the Kadence Starter Plugin on 3 different website projects and on each occasion, it broke my sites immediately, triggering ‘website-wide database errors’. I had to access the root file through FTP to delete. And always immediately, site start functioning properly. I am still wondering why this is the case, probably another plugin I installed is conflicting with it.
Read on wp.org ↗ - ★★★★★ markuserikssen4.2y ago
Kadence offers so many different great designs for different purposes. They can be used for inspiration and also to learn from. These designs are very helpful.
Read on wp.org ↗
Latest updates
via wp.org changelogRecent releases and news for this plugin
- — Version 2.3.2 Release Date: 26th May 2026 * Fix: Resolved an issue where stored auth tokens could have been read incorrectly. 2.3.2
- — Version 2.3.1 Release Date: 19th May 2026 * Fix: Resolved an issue where the Site Assist -> Starter Templates -> Pre-Designed Templates dropdown wouldn’t render. 2.3.1
- — Version 2.3.0 Release Date: 11th May 2026 * Tweak: Improvements to the starter templates experience for managed hosting environments. 2.3.0
- — Version 2.2.14 Release Date: 3rd Dec 2025 * Fix: Issue with some translation functions in wp 6.9 causing issues with ai templates. 2.2.14
- — Version 2.2.13 Release Date: 21st July 2025 * Fix: Issue with templates CLI command. 2.2.13
- — Version 2.2.12 Release Date: 11th July 2025 * Fix: Issue importing premium templates. 2.2.12
Security history
via Wordfence IntelligenceAll 2 disclosed vulnerabilities are patched in the current version (2.3.4). Sites still on an older version should update.
Vulnerability records provided by Wordfence Intelligence. Copyright 2012-2026 Defiant Inc. License and terms.
CVE records: Copyright 1999-2026 The MITRE Corporation. CVE terms of use.
Languages
via translate.wordpress.orgTranslated into 22 languages, 13 at 90% or more
AI assistants
How it's measured →Whether ChatGPT and Claude name this plugin when asked the category question, and whether the readme gives them something to quote.
Not measured yet for this plugin’s topics. Its tracked searches are not among the measured topics. See the topics measured so far.
Readme readiness
7 of 8 pass · checked 1 Nov 2026Can an assistant quote this readme? Eight deterministic checks over the wp.org listing, no model involved.
- ✓ Says what it does "Build a Beautiful "performance optimized" website with ease."
- ✓ Has a FAQ 6 questions in the FAQ.
- ✓ FAQ asks real questions 6 of 6 read like questions a user would type.
- ! Names who it is for Never says who the plugin is for or what they use it for.
- ✓ Names what it works with Mentions WooCommerce, Block editor, Facebook.
- ✓ Headings and lists 10 headings and 1 list.
- ✓ Enough to quote 3,062 characters of description.
- ✓ Tags match the text 1 of 2 tags appear in the text; "gutenberg" does not.
Growth timeline
Install-tier crossings we have observed, and how long each tier took to outgrow
- 2026-07-10 300K+ → 200K+ down after 104 days in tier
- 2026-03-28 200K+ → 300K+ up after 870 days in tier
- 2023-11-09 100K+ → 200K+ up after 526 days in tier
- 2022-06-01 90K+ → 100K+ up after 61 days in tier
- 2022-04-01 80K+ → 90K+ up after 31 days in tier
- 2022-03-01 60K+ → 80K+ up after 120 days in tier
- 2021-11-01 50K+ → 60K+ up after 61 days in tier
- 2021-09-01 40K+ → 50K+ up after 62 days in tier
Competes with
The plugins that solve the same job, ranked by shared tags then reach, closest match first. The letter on the right is each plugin's health grade (A best, F worst).
-
Extendify 500K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags A -
Starter Sites & Templates by Neve 100K+ installs · 4.6★ · 2 shared tags A -
SKT Templates – 100% Free Templates for Elementor & Gutenberg 20K+ installs · 4.3★ · 2 shared tags A -
Ibtana – WordPress Website Builder 10K+ installs · 4.2★ · 2 shared tags B -
Responsive Starter Templates – Elementor Templates & Starter Sites 10K+ installs · 4.4★ · 2 shared tags A -
Inspiro Starter Sites – 20+ Free Demo Templates for Gutenberg & Elementor 10K+ installs · 4.0★ · 2 shared tags B
Embed this report card
Drop a live Pulse card for Kadence Starter Templates — Predesigned Website Templates into a readme, a review or a deck. It updates itself.
<iframe src="https://plugins.wpmayor.com/embed/kadence-starter-templates" width="480" height="300" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Kadence Starter Templates — Predesigned Website Templates — Plugin Pulse"></iframe> Kadence Starter Templates — Predesigned Website Templates: 200K+ active installs, 4.3★ (19 reviews). Plugin Pulse (WP Mayor), as of 2026-11-01. https://plugins.wpmayor.com/plugin/kadence-starter-templates
Spotted a number that looks wrong? Report a data issue and we'll check it against the source.