BuddyNext runs on any well-built WordPress theme. But three themes are designed for community
and tuned to work beautifully with BuddyNext, so your site looks right from the first visit.
Start free with BuddyX, or go premium with BuddyX Pro or Reign.
No. BuddyNext is theme-agnostic. It ships its own templates, is REST-first, and supports
child-theme overrides, so it works with the theme you already have. The themes below are
recommended because they are built for community and integrate most cleanly: header
notification and message icons, member-friendly layouts, and a light and dark mode that
BuddyNext follows automatically. They simply save you styling work.
Recommended themes
Three themes, one easy choice.
Every one of these works with BuddyNext Free and Pro. Pick by budget and how much design control you want.
BuddyX
Free
The free community theme. The fastest way to get a polished BuddyNext site live.
Best for: New communities and anyone who wants a clean, modern look at no cost.
Free on the WordPress.org theme directory
Designed for community: header notification and message icons, member-friendly layouts
Light and dark mode that BuddyNext follows automatically
Child-theme ready, so your customizations survive updates
A great starting point you can upgrade later without switching themes
BuddyNext renders its own community pages, so it runs on any well-built theme. The one piece a
non-community theme does not provide is the member header navigation - the notification, messages,
and profile menu. You add that yourself, and the rest works out of the box.
Install your theme and BuddyNext
Activate the theme you want, then install and activate BuddyNext on top of it. No community-specific theme is required.
Run the setup wizard
BuddyNext creates the community pages - feed, members, spaces, messages, and notifications - automatically. These work with any theme.
Add the header navigation to your child theme
This is the key step for a third-party theme. Add the BuddyNext header navigation - the
notification bell, messages icon, and profile menu - to your theme's header. The easiest way is
the BuddyNext header navigation block in a block-based header, or the
[buddynext_user_menu] shortcode in a classic header. For full control in a custom
theme, call the header helper in your child theme's header template so it survives theme updates.
Match your brand
BuddyNext adopts your theme's colors and fonts, and follows its light and dark mode. You can set the community accent color in BuddyNext settings if you want a different highlight.
Customize templates from the child theme (optional)
For deeper changes, copy any BuddyNext template into your child theme and edit it there - your changes survive plugin and theme updates. See the developer docs for the override path.
Prefer not to configure the header at all? Start with BuddyX (free) - it ships the member header navigation built in, so there is nothing to add. Full setup details are in the BuddyNext docs.
Colors and fonts
Match BuddyNext to your theme's look
BuddyNext uses a token-based design system. It inherits your theme's body font for most text, and it
builds its entire color palette from a single accent color. So matching your theme is two steps: set
your colors and fonts in your theme, then set the same accent color in BuddyNext settings. Here is
where to do that in the five most popular free themes.
Where to set your color scheme and fonts in popular free WordPress themes, then mirror the accent in BuddyNext.
Free theme
Where to set colors and fonts
Astra
Customize, then Global, then Colors and Typography
OceanWP
Customize, then Typography and General Options for colors
GeneratePress
Customize, then Colors and Typography
Kadence
Customize, then the global color palette and Typography
Neve
Customize, then Colors and Background and Typography
Using a block theme such as Twenty Twenty-Five or Blocksy? Set colors and fonts in the Site Editor
under Styles. Then, for any theme, open BuddyNext settings and set the community accent color to your
theme's primary color - BuddyNext derives its highlights, buttons, and links from that one value, so
the community matches your site. Fonts follow your theme automatically.
Questions
Theme FAQ
Do I need a special theme to run BuddyNext?
No. BuddyNext is theme-agnostic. It ships its own templates, is REST-first, and supports child-theme overrides, so it works with any well-built WordPress theme. The three themes here are simply tuned for community and integrate most cleanly, so your site looks right on day one with the least setup.
Which theme should I start with?
Start with free BuddyX if you want to launch quickly at no cost. Choose BuddyX Pro when you want more design control while staying in the BuddyX family. Choose Reign when you want the widest set of community layouts and integrations for a larger or niche community.
Can I switch themes later?
Yes. Because BuddyNext keeps your community data in its own tables and renders through its own templates, your members, spaces, and content stay intact when you change themes. You can begin on free BuddyX and move to BuddyX Pro or Reign whenever you are ready.
Can I use my own theme instead?
Absolutely. BuddyNext does not depend on any of these themes. If you already have a theme you like, BuddyNext will run on it and you can override its templates from your child theme. The recommended themes just save you styling work.
What is the difference between BuddyX and BuddyX Pro?
Free BuddyX gives you a clean, complete community look at no cost. BuddyX Pro adds premium layouts, more color and typography options, additional homepage sections, starter sites, and priority support, all on the same foundation, so upgrading does not mean rebuilding.
Got your theme? Add the community.
BuddyNext is the community engine that runs on top of any of these themes. Start free and grow into Pro when you are ready.
WBCOM Designs has constantly updated and supported their plugins and themes. Recently the new BuddyNext project is Amazing! - and the new line of addons like Mediaverse, Jetonomy, Mediashield, and Listora.. are likewise Amazing! - and very well built. Today their online Chat solved a download…
Edward S. · US ·
WBComDesigns is amazing!
WBComDesigns is amazing. The WP plugins and themes are of top notch quality with lots of features and updated very frequently. Supports are very responsive and helpful. I use Reign with TutorLMS, and the experience is surprisingly smooth. The recently launched BuddyNext Pro and MediaShield Pro are…
Hoang Phan · VN ·
These guys are absolutely amazing
These guys are absolutely amazing. Such a quick turn around. Their support is second to none.
Miss Decades · GB ·
Fast response for a customisation request
Fast response (1 weekday day) for a simple customisation from Camilia, thank you very much!
Stephanie · AU ·
Quick and helpful support
Quick and helpful support The supporters, i.e Manuzza Zaidi, have been very helpful and provided some css code even for other plugins.
Lars Henriksen.x · DK ·
Fast and knowledgeable staff
Fast and knowledgeable staff. The support team goes beyond and above their roles by consulting and sharing their extensive knowledge in trying to solve a problem.
Elias · CA ·
Very responsive
Very responsive, helpful, patient, and solve big problems for me. Great customer service!
Kate Zhang · US ·
Great Addon, great Support
Had a minor issue with displaying information in the Resume Manager. Opened a ticket and had the issue fixed the same day. Great job!
Mike & Cris in de Palz · DE ·
Fast and friendly Support
It was really great working with shashank from wbcom designs on my project!
Helen Foster · UA ·
Exceptional WordPress Expertise & Support by Wbcom Designs!
A huge thanks to Wbcom Designs for their unparalleled support and cooperation. Their WordPress expertise truly shines through in their work. Highly appreciated and recommended!
