A framework is a base or parent theme template that can be used as a foundation for theme development, basically reusable building blocks of a wordpress theme.
Let us take a quick on some of the best frameworks available to develop themes and plugins for wordpress.
Codestar
- Lightweight wordpress theme options framework
- Shortcodes and customizer options
- License: GNU Public license
Cherry Framework
http://www.cherryframework.com/
- Fully responsive, 100+ handy elements, 80+ comfy short codes, unlimited colors
- Super cool sliders, Easy install, Bootstrap functions, Widgets
- License: Free
Unyson
- Build wordpress themes with ease through drag and drop builder
- Built in extensions and options.
- Free license
Understrap
- Starter theme and bootsrap grid framework
- Slider & Icon fonts, Options panel and woocommerce support
- Free download
Beans
- Lightweight framework built for speed
- Responsive content with adaptive images
- SEO friendly and extendable
Foundation Press
https://foundationpress.olefredrik.com/
- Ultimate starter theme and responsive framework built on top of Zurb
- Free open source project contains tools to build any website.
- Customizable and built for speed
Runway
- Generate new wordpress themes using child theme generator
- Addons available such as plugins, themes and more.
- 100% open source and free with custom branding
Themosis
http://framework.themosis.com/
- Simple code syntax to build rapid wordpress websites and applications.
- Manage the behaviour of website theme or application.
- Seamlessly integrates to wordpress APIs and Plugins
- License: Free
Gantry
- Next generation theme framework from Rockettheme development team
- Powerful layout manager, Mega menu support, Visual menu, Ajax admin
- Fast & lightweight, Free and Open source
Hybrid core
http://themehybrid.com/hybrid-core
- WordPress framework built for themes
- Features such as Gallery, Media grabber, Pagination, Breadcrumbs, Layouts, Templates etc.
- 100% open source and free
Volatyl
- 7 Responsive layouts, Supports child themes
- Add menus, pagination, logo etc.
- Customize built in hooks
- License: Commercial ($29 per site)
Ultimatum framework
- Drag and drop theme builder (no coding required)
- Includes premium plugins and bootstrap
- Commercial license ($65) for unlimited domains
Nouveau
- Rapid development wordpress theme and plugin framework
- Clean code, free and open source
- Built on top of Zurb for speed
Reverie
http://themefortress.com/reverie/
- Versatile wordpress html5 framework based on Zurb
- Fully responsive, SEO friendly, Child themes
- Free under MIT license
Jumpstart
- Powerful wordpress framework (Commercial)
- Modern responsive design with integration to twitter bootstrap
- Parallax and video backgrounds, Lightbox, Social media, Google fonts
rtCamp
- Theme framework based on Foundation5.
- Mobile responsive, Grid system, HTML5, Font Awesome support
- 100% GPL, 100% Free
Vafpress
http://vafpress.com/vafpress-framework/
- Admin options framework for wordpress
- Theme option builder with data validation
- Form fields interaction with meta builder
Redux
- Options framework for wordpress themes and plugins
- Clean code, brandable, cross browser compatible
- 100% open source
TemplateToaster
- Framework for multi CMS (wordpress, joomla, drupal, magento etc..)
- Responsive design, fonts and color schemes
- Social media integration
Layers
- Site builder built into wordpress with point and click interface
- Responsive, Woocommerce integrated
- Free and open source
Klasik
http://www.klasikthemes.com/framework/
- Responsive and flexible framework
- Search engine friendly
- HTML5 and CSS3 support
Warp
https://yootheme.com/themes/warp-framework
- Cutting edge, fast, lightweight, standalone framework
- Supports all browsers, Responsive, Markup
- Blueprint master theme to build your own custom themes
UpThemes Framework
https://upthemes.com/upthemes-framework/
- Framework to use WordPress Settings API and Theme Customizer
- Custom layouts and color themes
- Live theme customizer, Custom header and background images
Equity
http://www.agentevolution.com/equity/
- Real estate theme framework for wordpress for broker and agent websites
- Mobile responsive and IDX broker optimization
- License: Commercial
Wonderflux
- Open source responsive theme framework
- Rapidly develop highly sophisticated themes
- Free to use
SEO Design framework
http://www.seodesignframework.com/
- Powerful SEO design framework for wordpress
- Drag and drop templates, Mobile ready
- Drag and drop, secure optimized code, Woocommerce
MVC Framework
- WordPress MVC (model, view , controller) framework similar to CakePHP and Ruby-on-rails
- Access to wordpress actions and filter hooks to rapidly build wordpress sites using native functionality
- Free to download as wordpress plugin
Backbone
http://colorlabsproject.com/themes/backbone/
- Ultra clean powerful theme framework with unlimited options
- Child themes, built-in page templates, a powerful theme panel
- Commercial
Skematic Framework
- Base Theme + Framework + Bootstrap components
- Includes Options panel library, Metabox library, Theme customizer, Automatic page titles
- Commercial license
Piklist Framework
- Rapid development framework for developers
- Super simple, write less code in wordpress themes and plugins.
- Free to download (available as plugin)
Largo
- WordPress framework for news websites
- Powerful publishing tools, Responsive & developer friendly
- Free to download
Scaffolding
- Bootstrap grids, Fontawesome icons
- Modular CSS architecture, Clean tested and documented code
- Free of charge
Woocommerce
https://www.woothemes.com/woocommerce/
- Popular e-commerce online store toolkit for wordpress.
- Used by 30% of online stores powered by wordpress
- Free and open source
Generate Press
- Lightweight, responsive wordpress theme and framework
- Developer friendly, Addons and more
- Free to use
YA Framework
http://www.flytheme.net/wordpress/themes/item/475-ya-framework-responsive-wordpress-theme-framework
- Layout builder, Responsive design, Shortcodes
- Powerful templates framework with Less and Bootstrap
- Free to download
Base Framework
https://graphpaperpress.com/themes/base/
- Feature rich theme framework to write child themes
- Page templates, backgrounds, responsive, clean code
- Includes access to 56 themes.
Impulse Press
- WordPress starter theme built on bootstrap framework
- Packed with revolution slider, options framework and shortcodes
- Commercial license ($35)
Audiotheme
https://audiotheme.com/view/audiotheme/
- Platform for music oriented websites (available as plugin)
- Features such as Live performance, tour dates, track albums, videos
- Commercial license
OPtions
https://wordpress.org/plugins/options-framework/
- Create featured options panel in any wordpress theme
- Available as wordpress plugin
- Free to use for personal or commercial projects
Genesis Framework
http://my.studiopress.com/themes/genesis/
- Build custom designed child themes with this framework
- Airtight security, SEO friendly, Custom widgets & layout options
- Unlimited domains, Advertising ready, Commercial
Titan Framework
http://www.titanframework.net/
- WordPress options framework for themes and plugins
- Creatte admin pages, tabs, options, meta boxes, theme customizer sections
- Easy to use and setup with three lines of code.
