WordPress is blessed with tons of developers creating plugins and themes for the platform. As a user, you benefit from the quick installation of the styles you need on your website.
Most WordPress plugins run on a freemium model, where you can access some features for free, but others are only available through a premium subscription or purchase.
In this article, I will quickly review the Srmehranclub platform, which serves as a marketplace to get WordPress items at a fraction of the price.
Note: Check out best platforms to buy GPL plugins and themes. It will help you to ascertain Srmehranclub’s current position in the industry.
Table of Contents
Understanding WordPress GPL Themes and Plugins
Before we can understand what Srmehranclub is, we first need to understand WordPress GPL.
What exactly is GPL on WordPress?
GPL is an open-source software license used mainly by open-source applications, including WordPress, to freely showcase their work and its derivatives.
The GPL (General Public License) gives users four main freedoms:
- 1. Use the software for any purpose.
- 2. Access and modify the software’s source code.
- 3. Distribute the original software to help others.
- 4. Share modified versions under the same GPL terms.
Let me carefully dissect these four freedoms that come with the GPL license.
The first freedom is the ability to use the software for any purpose. That’s self-explanatory.
The second freedom is to access and modify the software’s source code. This lets users of WordPress plugins and themes interact with the source code of the software and alter it however they want.
The third freedom is to distribute the original software to help others. This goes a bit further. Besides interacting with and modifying the source code, users are also allowed to share any software from WordPress just like the actual developers do on their websites.
Normally, when a GPL product is shared, it retains the same privileges. The fourth freedom says that even when modified by users, the altered version will still fall under the same terms (i.e., the four freedoms being explained).
What do these freedoms mean for actual developers?
Unfortunately, if you want to build for WordPress, you must comply with the four freedoms that have made the platform what it is today.
As a developer, you accept the fact that anything you’re releasing on WordPress isn’t only your own. Others can distribute your product in their name freely and legally.
What do these freedoms mean for WordPress users?
When you combine these four privileges, it means that users have more flexibility on WordPress than they might initially think.
Most people aren’t aware of these freedoms, and as a result, don’t use them ethically.
Just as we have explored the GPL license, users of WordPress have an unquestionable right to use, modify, and even distribute software tools (that aren’t even theirs) to benefit the community.
What is Srmehranclub?
Srmehranclub is a GPL (General Public License) website that offers a wide range of WordPress plugins, themes, and other digital products at a low cost.
The platform leverages the freedoms provided by the GPL license to distribute these tools.
The platform acquires these products from the original developers and makes them available to its users.
The site is not limited to just WordPress. It also provides tools for other content management systems like Joomla, Magento, Drupal, and Shopify.
Srmehranclub is particularly useful for web developers and site owners who want to test plugins and themes before deciding whether to purchase them directly from the developers.
Beyond selling GPL products at a low cost, it also offers additional services such as website speed optimization, backlink building, graphic design, and WordPress coaching.
Note: It’s important to note that Srmehranclub does not provide direct customer support for the products it distributes, as this support is typically reserved for users who buy directly from the developers.
Having defined Srmehranclub, it’s time to review the platform. We’ll study it for;
- Legality
- Update frequency
- Features and
- Pros and Cons
How Legal is Srmehranclub?
Srmehranclub is one of the best GPL websites because it uses the four freedoms to share GPL-only WordPress plugins and themes.
Remember, the GPL license allows anyone to use, modify, and share WordPress derivatives anyhow they want.
Srmehranclub gets these plugins and themes directly from the original developers. Then, they offer them to users under GPL terms. As a GPL site, Srmehranclub doesn’t provide any customer support for the products they distribute.
The platform is legal because it follows the GPL rules, which permit them to share these products. They provide the same original versions of WordPress themes and plugins that developers offer, but at a low cost.
Srmehranclub charges a small fee to cover their operational costs. This fee helps them stay up-to-date by renewing subscriptions with developers.
What that means is that GPL sites normally buy from actual developers, making it possible for them to reshare.
Before I forget, Srmehranclub isn’t limited to WordPress solutions. They also host products from platforms that are using similar software licenses.
Some of the platforms it covers include Joomla, Magento, Drupal, Shopify, etc.
Are the Products on Srmehranclub up-to-date?
Now that we’ve discussed the legality of Srmehranclub, it’s also important to consider how often the platform updates the products they offer.
For popular plugins and themes, updates are provided regularly, although they might not be as immediate as those directly from the original developers.
For less frequently downloaded items, updates may take a bit longer. However, we have noticed that even if a product is not the very latest version, it is usually not too far behind the current release.
Features that set Srmehranclub apart?
Here are the features we’ve found rare in other GPL platforms.
Automatic updates from Plugin manager right on WordPress
The Srmehran Automatic Upgrades plugin is responsible for the updates of downloaded items right on WordPress.
The platform nearly reflects what goes behind the scene for WordPress Auto-updating capability.
In reality, you could get almost the same type of experience as you would from actual developers.
You can download the plugin from their website. And then upload it to your site.
Upon doing so, you no longer have to redownload when a new release comes out, it happens on its own on WordPress.
Version Control
Version Control is the ability of switching from one version of a plugin or theme to another.
It’s a vital feature whenever GPL themes and plugin websites are being discussed.
Because you’re not getting a Plugin from the main developers, at times, the new version they upload might not work.
I have noticed that some times. One major reason why new releases might not work is particularly product license issues.
When such a thing happens, users can gently switch back to a version that gives them what they want.
More than a WordPress GPL site
Srmehranclub offers 17500+ WordPress themes and plugins. When combined with its other products, the library size hits 35,500+.
If you’re using a CMS that uses a license similar to GNU GPL, then check the platforms here to see whether it appears on the list – Shopify, Joomla, Woocommerce, Drupal and Magento.
Srmehranclub boasts of over 1.7k items for Shopify, 2k products for Woocommerce, 500 for Magento and 485 for Joomla.
Web development service
Srmehranclub goes beyond just offering GPL products by providing a comprehensive web development service.
They cater to users who need professional assistance in building or enhancing their WordPress sites.
The service includes custom theme and plugin development, site maintenance, and optimization services.
WP coaching
Srmehranclub offers a WordPress coaching service to help users better understand and utilize WordPress for their websites.
This feature is especially beneficial for beginners or those who want to learn more advanced techniques.
The coaching sessions cover a wide range of topics, including WordPress basics, SEO strategies, and advanced customization techniques.
Graphic design service
In addition to providing WordPress tools, Srmehranclub also offers a graphic design service.
This feature allows users to get custom graphics, logos, banners, and other visual content created by professional designers.
This service is integrated into their membership plans, making it easier for users to access high-quality graphics that can enhance their website’s appearance and branding.
Backlink building service
Srmehranclub provides a backlink building service to help improve your site’s SEO.
This service focuses on creating quality backlinks, which are essential for achieving better search engine rankings.
For users looking to boost their site’s visibility and drive more traffic, this feature adds significant value.
Srmehranclub Pricing Breakdown
You can get a product from Srmehranclub by paying for it alone (starts from $5 per item). Alternatively, you can look at its membership pricing below.
- $19/month (150 downloads)
- $29/month (420 downloads)
- $59/half-year (2700 downloads)
- $75/year (5400 downloads)
- $99/lifetime (7200 downloads)
Srmehranclub Alternatives and Competitors
Before deciding to go with Srmehranclub, it’s important to compare it with the alternatives.
Check the best GPL sites comparison.
- PluginsForWP, best overall for WordPress GPL products (10k+ solutions) | Visit site
- Festinger Vault, best for WordPress in terms of library size (25k+ solutions) | Visit site
- WorldPressIT, best for single product purchase (3,500+ solutions) | Visit site.
Note: Srmehranclub has 17500+ WordPress Plugins and Themes.
Srmehranclub Review: Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of going with a GPL site like Srmehranclub instead of crediting the main developers.
Srmehranclub Pros
- Premium WordPress plugins and themes at 97% off
- Great for short-term usage and testing of products without paying the original price
Srmehranclub Cons
- Unpopular products don’t receive updates as frequently as they should
- Delays in updates are common
Conclusion
When you make a quick search on the web about GPL themes and plugin websites, you’ll likely find Srmehranclub in the top 3 position.
The platform is using the four freedoms of WordPress GPL to redistribute derivative works at a low cost.
Just like we learned in the beginning, the license upon which WordPress operates on, gives users the ability to use, modify and distribute however they want.
WordPress is a free and an open-source platform. And it intentionally employed the GNU GPL licensing to ensure that everything falls under the free nature.
Srmehranclub exists as a platform where more than WordPres solutions are shared freely.
It can be a lifesaver when it comes to checking whether a product is really worth it before buying from actual developers.
It can come in handy for short-term goals like making a product review or giving clients samples of your idea.
It’s important to know how to use platforms like Srmehranclub the right way.
If you’re a brand looking to have a certain functionality on your site, going with a GPL site in order to make that happen can become a threat to both actual developers and your platform.
To be frank, GPL platforms like Srmehranclub won’t give you the same experience compared to purchasing from actual developers.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Srmehranclub and WordPress GPL in general.
Is Srmehranclub safe?
The platform is probably safe to use, but always expect the worst. Make sure to run downloaded files through scanners like VirusTotal before uploading them to your site.
Best GPL site for Shopify?
Srmehranclub is a great place to download GPL products for Shopify. I can’t tell whether it’s best for that. But from what I have come across and reviewed, it’s the only Shopify GPL website i know of as of my of time of writing.
Does Srmehranclub GPL cover Woocommerce Themes and Plugins?
Of course, you can find your dream product at a fraction of its price on Srmehranclub. From themes to plugins for Woocommerce, that have a good chance of powering your online store.
But don’t forget to limit your use of GPL sites to a minimum.
Why does Srmehranclub offer products for Shopify, Woocommerce, Joomla and all the rest? Are they functioning on the same idea of the GPL license?
While there are discrepancies with the level of freedoms shared with the platforms as per their licensing structure, I believe that they possess similar rights with our regular WordPres GPL.
As a result, their products were also able to be distributed freely and legally.
Why are GPL themes and plugins less commonly discussed?
The GPL topic is a sensitive area in WordPress. It’s the last thing a developer will discuss since it can undermine their work.
Which site is considered the top choice for GPL WordPress themes and plugins?
To find the best site overall for WordPress themes and plugins, visit my collection: The best sites for WordPress GPL products.
Is it legal to sell GPL-licensed software?
Yes, it is.
You can sell GPL-licensed software without any legal issues.
Why do most GPL club owners keep their identities private?
There’s a stigma associated with redistributing developers’ products as your own, even when the law allows it. That’s why most of them don’t reveal their identities.
What’s your advice? Should I use a GPL site or the developer’s site?
Ultimately, the decision is yours.
But I always advise getting products from the actual developers. By doing so, you’re supporting their work, and in turn, you receive consistent updates and customer support.
