Best GPL Club Websites for WordPress (Free Plugins/Themes)

WordPress is full of opportunities for anyone looking to build or enhance a website, thanks to a vast selection of themes and plugins.

But what if you could access many of these premium tools without breaking the bank?

That’s where WordPress GPL themes and plugins come in.

With the freedom provided by the GPL (General Public License), users can download, modify, and even share WordPress products freely.

In this guide, we’ll dive into what WordPress GPL is all about, how it impacts developers and users and the best places to get GPL themes and plugins at a fraction of the cost.

Understanding WordPress GPL Themes and Plugins

GNU GPL (General Public License) is an open-source software license that guarantees four things to users:

• The ability to use the software however you want
• The ability to study and modify the software’s source code
• The ability to distribute it freely
• The ability for others to redistribute it

WordPress uses this type of license, aligning with its open-source nature.

WordPress GPL refers to the four freedoms given to users as outlined above. Users can run a plugin or theme as they see fit. If they want to modify the source code of any file, they can do so freely without facing legal complications.

Additionally, WordPress GPL allows non-developers (i.e., users) to distribute products (that aren’t theirs) to benefit the whole community.

When a distribution happens, the file concerned inherits the same freedom. This means when non-developers tweak certain software and upload it, others can also redo the same with their work.

That’s WordPress GPL for us.

What Does It Mean for Developers and WordPress Users?

For developers, it means:

Any software they build for WordPress inherits the GPL license, so compliance is needed.

For users, it could mean the following:

They can freely use, modify, or even redistribute software tools in their name, but they must fall under the same privileges.

The discovery of the rights given by WordPress GPL may negatively affect developers (more on this in the next section).

What are WordPress GPL Websites?

GPL themes and plugin sites are platforms that use the freedom of redistribution to remarket WordPress solutions for free.

These platforms typically get premium software licenses from the main developers. These files may be modified or redistributed as they are to people.

When modified, the license field for premium software is bypassed, allowing unlimited people to use it for free.

It’s worth noting that these platforms charge a small fee for downloading these themes and plugins.

How are GPL Themes and Plugins Different from Nulled Files?

GPL themes and plugins are fundamentally different from nulled files.

GPL files fall under the General Public License. All derivative work from WordPress (i.e., themes and plugins) are GPL products, making them entirely different from nulled files.

“Nulled” means “hacked,” “compromised,” or an illegally obtained version of the software.

Best GPL Websites

There are countless platforms distributing GPL themes and plugins, but how do you know which is the best to use?

We’ve got you covered.

Here are the best and reputable GPL sites that we have used, tested, and approved:

• Pluginsforwp
• WorldPressIT
• Srmehranclub

We will evaluate the platforms based on the following standard features:

• Regular Updates
• WordPress Plugin
• Version Control
• Automatic Updates

Where Regular Updates indicate that the platform concerned strives to release latest versions on their site after developer’s release.

WordPress Plugin means that the platform has a plugin for WP that ensures automatic updates.

Version Control refers to the ability to switch between different versions of a plugin or theme.

Automatic Updates refer to the ability to replicate the same update capability for themes and plugins on WordPress.

So, pay close attention to figure out where one has an advantage over another.

1. Pluginsforwp

Pluginsforwp made it to the top spot on my list of the best GPL sites.

It’s a GPL platform that has managed to provide almost all the services you can get by going directly to developers for your items.

It has over 10,000 WordPress plugins and themes, making it unlikely that you won’t find what you’re looking for.

Pluginsforwp downloads GPL items from developers directly and redistributes them at a 93% discounted price.

It’s perhaps the best platform for downloading the latest products due to its vendor program.

For just $4.99, you can secure your desired plugin or theme.

The good news is — if you want automatic updates (the same as you would get from the main developers), you can download their plugin manager.

Their plugin manager gives you a seamless experience; installing and auto-updating items is made easy.

I have spent considerable time scanning the items from Pluginsforwp, and I have found no threats.

There was a time when I blindly downloaded a very outdated version of a plugin from their site. I reached out to their customer support, and they fully refunded me.

Their customer support is responsive, ensuring that you don’t have any bad experiences with their platform.

Key Features

• Regular Updates
• WordPress Plugin
• Version Control
• Automatic Updates
• Request Missing Items

Pricing

• $4.99 per item
• $14.50/month for unlimited downloads (20 downloads/day)
• $99.50/year for unlimited downloads (50 downloads/day)
• $399 for lifetime access (100 downloads/day)

Best For?

If you want the best overall GPL site to download free premium WordPress plugins and themes, then it should be Pluginsforwp.

Or read PluginsForWP Review.

2. Srmehranclub

This is the largest GPL marketplace. It started in 2016 and now boasts over 35,500 plugins, templates, and themes.

The platform distinguishes itself from other WordPress GPL sites by also offering items for CMS like Shopify, Joomla, Drupal, and Magento.

The platform has multiple plugins for WordPress — the Automatic Updates plugin, which ensures that activated plugins and themes stay up-to-date at all times, the Toolkit Update, which lets you manage things like automatic updates for all of your sites, and the Templates Kit for complete replication of a chosen design on your site.

Srmehranclub also comes with another provision called Templates Kit. Think of it as the renowned Starter Templates theme for WordPress.

If you’re starting a new site or would like to apply a one-click stellar template to your site, then Srmehranclub has you covered.

When it comes to trust and safety concerns, the platform is entirely legitimate as it only distributes files that fall under the GPL license.

Features

• Regular Updates
• WordPress Plugin
• Version Control
• Automatic Updates
• Request Missing Items

Pricing

• Starts from $5 per item
• $19/month (150 downloads)
• $29/month (420 downloads)
• $59/half-year (2700 downloads)
• $75/year (5400 downloads)
• $99/lifetime (7200 downloads)

Best For?

If you want your GPL subscription or lifetime payment to cover solutions beyond just WordPress, then Srmehranclub is the best choice.

Or read Srmehranclub review.

Follow the special link to get 10% off Srm. Use code GD10OFF altogether.

3. WorldPressIT

WorldPressIT has been providing managed WordPress hosting solutions for some time now.

On top of that service, they have formed a club where WordPress plugins and themes are sold at a low price under GPL.

The platform also took security further by integrating vulnerability scans to ensure files are 100% in good condition before download.

WorldPressIT has been in the GPL distribution business since 2016, so its inclusion on this list is well-informed.

They have a huge library of 3,500+ products and growing, that they actively maintain.

WorldPressIT, like the other three on the list, is a legitimate platform operating under GPL permission.

Key Features

• Regular Updates
• Request Missing Items

Pricing

• Starts from $4.99 per item
• $14.99/month (10 downloads/day)
• $49.99/month (25 downloads/day)
• $67/month (35 downloads/day)
• $119.95 lifetime (unlimited downloads)

Best For?

If you only need a single theme or plugin, then WordPressIT is the best bargain. It offers up to 6 months of updates for every purchase.

Or read WorldPressIT review.

Follow the special link to get 18% off WorldPressIT. Use code GD18OFF altogether.

4. GPL Vault

GPL Vault is another reputable GPL website where one can download free premium items with confidence.

The platform has lasted for a long time, giving it a seat as one of the focused GPL club websites.

With a countable number of 4,748 WordPress themes and plugins, GPL Vault has made it almost rare not to find the item of your choice (even if the product is unpopular).

Through an API connection, GPL Vault delivers automatic updates to its users.

One downside of the platform is that — there’s no option to download a single item. So users are always forced to go with their membership plans which come at a greater cost.

How to Choose the Right GPL Website for Your Needs

Base your selection on Safety —

Thankfully, the GPL sites on the list passed my safety check.

Base your selection on Trust —

The platforms on the list also passed my trust check. That’s why I have only listed 4 out of hundreds of them.

Do you need automatic updates or the latest version?

If you need regular updates, go with any of the platforms as they all support it.

If you want automatic updates directly from the WordPress area, choose the ones with a dedicated plugin manager (Pluginsforwp, Srmehranclub, or GPL Vault).

Their plugin managers allow upgrades automatically, so you get nearly the same usual update experience on wordpress.

What is the library size?

Srmehranclub has the largest library size for both WordPress and non-WordPress solutions (17500+ for WP, 35,500+ in total).

Pluginsforwp comes next with a substantial number of WordPress solutions after Srmehranclub.com (10,000+). It’s mostly where I find rarely-used plugins not found in other directory.

WorldPressIT has around 3,500+ WP themes and plugins.

GPL Vault counts over 4,700+ themes and plugins for WordPress.

If you’re opting for a subscription, calculate wisely.

You’ll likely find what you’re looking for if you go with Pluginsforwp or Srmehranclub (assuming you’re using WordPress).

Note: The library size was thoroughly verified by counting the number of their products from the end users’ view. And it happened that the numbers they are all claiming are nothing but the truth.

What about earning as you download free premium GPL softwares?

Pluginsforwp has a vendor program where users can even earn money as if they are running their own GPL site.

It works this way – Users submit the premium version of a software (as they have gotten from actual developers), and then the teams at Pluginsforwp review them for authenticity and potentially pass them to the next process.

If approved, the software is stored on the server and it will be made downloadable for everyone.

When folks download your item, Pluginsforwp pays you a commission.

We can take this as another pretty way of running a GPL site, particularly for those who don’t have big budgets.

Best GPL Themes and Plugins Sites Comparison

	Library	Type	WP Plugin	Updates	Lifetime deal	Vendor Program
PluginsForWP	10k+	WP-only	✔	✔	✔	✔
Srmehranclub	35k+	WP & others	✔	✔	✔	❌
WorldPressIT	3,500+	WP-only	❌	✔	✔	❌
GPL Vault	4,700+	WP-only	✔	✔	✔	❌

Note: By “WP Plugin“, I’m referring to the availability of an automatic upgrades plugin which is required for plugin and theme updates.

Pluginsforwp.com differs from other GPL Websites by packing rare plugins in its server. Srmehranclub meets every CMS goal, from WordPress to Shopify just to name a few.

WorldPressIT has earned the badge for the ideal go-to for a single plugin or theme needs. The lifetime update it offers (at just $3.99) paved her the way.

GPL Vault, though doesn’t support the download of a single product, is another great site to take into consideration.

Conclusion

While it costs hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars to install all the plugins you need to make a professional website, some people believe it shouldn’t cost that much for short-term usage or testing purposes.

WordPress GPL gives users the full right to use, manipulate, and distribute software.

However, when you think about it from another angle, it could be detrimental to the efforts of the developers themselves, who are doing the actual work.

That’s why you should only use products distributed through GPL vendors when you have no other option than to do so.

Remember, crediting the original developers is the only way we can continue enjoying the best from WordPress.

Therefore, the ethical advice is to only use GPL products when necessary (e.g., for testing or short-term usage).

In all, real customers will continue to support their developers unless they believe the product isn’t worth it for some of the reasons I have repeatedly mentioned.

FAQs

Are GPL themes and plugins safe to use?

Absolutely. They are safe to use. It’s important to know the difference between GPL files and nulled ones.

Are all WordPress plugins and themes GPL?

Yes, all derivative work from WordPress (including themes and plugins) is licensed under GPL.

Are GPL plugins and themes legal?

WordPress GPL files are legal, and those taking advantage of them, either as individuals or as distributors, are not engaging in illegal activity.

Are GPL Clubs safe?

Standing on the universal side of judgment, GPL websites are mostly safe to use especially the ones found in this list.

They typically maintain a subscription from the developers’ end to feed their stores, so that users of all financial status can come and download for cheap.

However, it’s still advisable to exercise caution while dealing with any gpl club, as vulnerability might still exist especially on unreputable places that doesn’t appear on the list.

Why are some plugins or themes not found in GPL Clubs?

Some items may not be fully released under the GPL freedom rights, which exempts parts of the products from the regular act of redistribution these GPL Clubs do.

In such cases, you will resort to purchasing from actual developers even for your testing needs.

Another reason that can cause this is that GPL platforms aren’t the same in library size and they might not have many of the plugins or themes you desire (especially rarely downloaded ones).

When you are in such a condition, you should browse other GPL sites to check availability. Otherwise, go ahead and patronize the actual developers.

What is the best GPL Club?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. But immediately you come across the platforms on the list, you’re already in the vicinity of the top leading and reputable GPL websites.

If it comes specially to WordPress, then I would confidently say that Pluginsforwp.com is the best overall option.

When it relates to other CMS, Srmehranclub has been known to offer great values including bizarre abilities with its three native plugins, all based on automatic updates and site-wide control.