Have you ever bought a WordPress Theme or Plugin and decided it's not for you?
Or have you ever wanted to test/try a plugin or theme before you buy it?
Over the last few years there's been a surge in GPL sites that legally allow users to download and use plugins and themes without paying the developer directly.
This usually means that you can download the latest PREMIUM plugin (or theme) and install it on your WordPress site to use/try before you buy.
The GNU General Public License (GPL) is a free software license that allows users to:
- Use, modify, and distribute software without payment
- Make the source code available when distributing copies of software
- License all modifications to the original source under the GPL
- Receive the rights of the Free Software Definition
I'm not going to go into all the technicalities of how the licensing works – there's plenty info on the web if it intetests you.
I'm here to talk about where you can find the BEST GPL sites and what's the PRO's & CON's.
Yes, I've been using these myself for several years. I literally ALWAYS test a plugin or theme before purchasing it. It just makes sense.
The last thing I want to do is purchase a plugin or theme and find it isn't what I want – doesn't do what I want. Or it's just too complicated to use (yes I have limitations too) 🙂
Then it's a case of TRYING to get a refund. Sometimes these developers don't answer you, or go “missing”. Then it's a case of trying to get your money back via PayPal or your credit card company (if you can be bothered).
Before GPL Sites I used to “waste” hundred (if not thousands) of $$$ on plugins and themes I just didn't use.
So that's when I started using GPL sites. I think it was probably around 2017 when I used the first one. It was a little “RAW” and more like a forum but it did the job.
If I found something I liked and used I bought it. Simple as.
However, you'll find that about 90% of what you think you'll need – you don't.
So this is where this review/comparison comes in – I'm here to tell you what's hot and why they are good GNU GPL sites.
*NOTE: There's a LOT of these site sprouting up nowadays. Some you may find are kinda obsolete and don't get updates.
However these are the pick of “my crop” and I'll start from best to good (they're all good but I'll explain the differences).
My #1 - OVERALL Choice
PluginsforWP (https://pluginsforwp.com/)
These guys have the LARGEST collection of WordPress Plugins and Themes. They also have the nicest looking website and easiest to navigate.
Live chat is repsonsive and they also respond very quickly to emails.
Their plugin that helps you automatically update plugins and themes is a great addition for saving time and also if you aren't so keen on manually doing it yourself.
Here's what they offer:
PRO's
- Over 10,000 plugins and themes (largest of them all).
- Best individual item price.
- Basic & Premium (PRO) items included on all monthly/annual and lifetime plans.
- Guaranteed to be 100% original files and virus free.
- Unlimited domain usage.
- 30-Day refund policy.
- Nicest site and very easy to use.
- Online chat and support (or quick email response)
- Best of all – they have their OWN plugin to keep your plugins up to date without having to download and install the latest version yourself.
CON's
- One of the most expensive for a lifetime plan (however they often have discounts).
- Not all product images are displayed. Instead they have a generic image which isn't really a problem – it's just my own personal bug bear 🙂
My #2 - HOT Second
Srmehran Club (https://srmehranclub.com/)
These guys are one of the OG's of GPLlicensing. They date back to 2016 (and their site design shows it) 🙂
However that's the only negative about them – the site design and they're obviously not native English speaking.
However they offer the LARGEST collection of plugins and themes of over 35,000).
I didn't even know there was that many – but I suppose there is. I also assume a lot of them will be obsolete and not updated as things change and move direction.
They also have a TOOLKIT plugin that allows you to manage and update ALL your WP plugins/themes from one location.
Here's what they offer:
PRO's
- Over 35,000 plugins and themes.
- Product images with links to the original product.
- Basic & Premium (PRO) items included on ALL plans.
- Guaranteed to be 100% original files and virus free.
- Unlimited domain usage.
- 7-Day refund policy.
- Online chat and support (always seem to be online)
- Plugin for automatic updates.
- Toolkit to centally manage all your sites, themes and plugins updates.
- Lifetime Plan is very reasonable considering their inventory.
- They also have “older” versions of the plugins/themes so you can always go back if there's a problem or conflict.
CON's
- The website is a bit dated and some links that should be clickable for more info don't work. But this is limited to the website front end only.
- The “plans” have limits to the number of “items” you can download. But they do start at 150. The lifetime plans is 7200 (do you think that's enough?) 🙂
- The “Free Membership” they advertise isn't actually free. You have to purchase web hosting through them to qualify.
- The SEARCH feature retuns too many products. It's easier to look for the product you want whilst you're typing in the search box rather than hit perform a full search.
My #3 BEST VALUE Choice
WorldPressIT (https://worldpressit.com/)
I've been using these guys for a while.
They don't have such a large selection as PluginsforWP, but they do have most of what you're looking for.
Also their site is pretty easy to find what you need with an easy search function.
It's easy to purchase individual items or if you're on a “plan” – once logged in you can just click the download button on the item and it'll download to your computer.
Here's what they offer:
PRO's
- Over 4,000 plugins and themes (most used are all there).
- Easy to use website (with product images and links).
- Basic & Premium (PRO) items included on ALL downloads.
- Guaranteed to be 100% original files and virus free.
- Unlimited domain usage.
- 30-Day refund policy.
- Online chat and support (or quick email response)
- They have an update request button if you find the version is out of date or you need it soon. Just click and sumbit the request and it's usually updated in a few hours.
- Email notifications about what you've downloaded – if there's any compatibilty issues and how to install the plugin (very nice feature).
- They also offer other services such as “Speed-Up” to help speed up your site, hosting and even SEO services – some are included with the LIFETIME plan.
- Cheapest Lifetime plan out of them all – espcially when they're offering a discount.
CON's
- There's no plugin to help you automatically update your themes/plugins like PluginsforWP.
- You have to manually download the latest version of the plugin or theme. Also you may have to extract the file as they often bundle the BASIC & “PRO” version in the download.
- To install/update a plugin you'll have to add the plugin to WordPress manually (Add Plugin). Don't worry though, as WordPress will ask you if you want to replace the old version with the new version (as in upgrade).
- Not as easy for people that aren't so technical or confident manually updating.
