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.
Table of Contents
Understanding WordPress GPL Themes and Plugins
GNU GPL (General Public License) is an open-source software license that guarantees four things to users:
- 1. The ability to use the software however you want
- 2. The ability to study and modify the software’s source code
- 3. The ability to distribute it freely
- 4. 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 Themes and Plugins Sites?
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.
4 Best GPL Sites
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 GPL sites that we have used, tested, and approved:
We will evaluate the platforms based on the following standard features:
- WordPress Plugin
- Version Control
- Automatic Updates
Where 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 our 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 97% 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
- 1. WordPress Plugin
- 2. Version Control
- 3. Automatic Updates
- 4. Request Missing Items
Pricing
- 1. $4.99 per item
- 2. $14.50/month for unlimited downloads (20 downloads/day)
- 3. $99.50/year for unlimited downloads (50 downloads/day)
- 4. $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. Festinger Vault
Festinger Vault is a large GPL platform with a wide range of popular and less in-demand themes and plugins.
With over 25k items, it confidently calls itself a mega-hub for GPL products.
The platform is the most feature-rich, with extra capabilities like local-host support and white-label provision for resellers.
It’s a bit like a forum where users can leave comments, interact with others, and communicate feature requests to the platform.
Festinger Vault takes it to the next level with its Plugin Manager, which provides automatic updates for your downloaded themes and plugins.
If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can use their “Request” feature to ask for availability.
When it comes to trust and safety issues, I have also not found any threats with their products.
The platform understands that safety is the first priority, so they integrated a vulnerability scan on their site.
Before downloading a file for use, the platform rescans the product to ensure it’s safe to use.
Unlike other platforms on our list of the best GPL themes and plugin providers, Festinger Vault doesn’t offer a single-download option, requiring all users to go for their subscription that starts at $19/month.
Key Features
- 1. WordPress Plugin
- 2. Version Control
- 3. Automatic Updates
- 4. Request Missing Items
- 5. White-Label for Resellers
Pricing
- $19/month (10 downloads/day)$39/month (30 downloads/day)$299 lifetime (unlimited downloads)
Best For?
If you want to launch your own GPL site, Festinger Vault is your best bet as it offers additional privileges on top of the regular freedom of redistribution. Called White-labeling, the platform removes its branding from GPL products so that you can have your own unique branding as well.
If you want a GPL site with the highest number of WordPress plugins and themes, then Festinger Vault is the go-to option.
Or read Festinger vault review.
3. 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
- WordPress Plugin
- Version Control
- Automatic Updates
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.
4. 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 just like Festinger 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
- Automatic 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.
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 automatic 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, Festinger Vault, or Srmehranclub).
What is the library size?
Festinger Vault has the largest library size for WordPress-only solutions (25k+).
Srmehranclub has the largest library size for both WordPress and non-WordPress solutions (35,500+).
Pluginsforwp likely comes next with a substantial number of WordPress solutions after Festinger (10,000+).
WorldPressIT has around 3,500+ WP themes and plugins.
If you’re opting for a subscription, calculate wisely.
You’ll likely find what you’re looking for if you go with Pluginsforwp or Festinger (assuming you’re using WordPress).
Do you plan to resell the products like them?
Another consideration before choosing a GPL provider is whether they offer a white-labeling option for reselling purposes.
We already know that GPL products are entirely free to distribute, but a provision like white-labeling gives an additional sense of freedom, as it removes the identity of the GPL platform.
Festinger vault is one that comes with that. Therefore, if you’re looking to start a site like that, go with the platform – Easily download and redistribute with peace of mind.
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 | White-labeling | Vendor Program | |
| PluginsForWP | 10k+ | WP-only | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ✔ |
| Festinger Vault | 25k+ | WP-only | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ |
| Srmehranclub | 35k+ | WP & others | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
| WorldPressIT | 3,500+ | WP-only | ❌ | ✔ | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
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.
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.
