GPL Themes: Best WordPress Clubs and Websites!

GPL WordPress themes have gained a lot of attention, but many users still don’t fully understand what they are, where to find them, or whether they are safe to use.

If you’ve explored different ways to build a WordPress site, you’ve probably come across platforms offering GPL themes, even so-called hosting providers.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about GPL WordPress themes, from what they are to the best places to get them.

You’ll discover both official websites that offer GPL themes and redistributed GPL clubs, so you can make an informed decision.

By the end, you’ll know where to find the best GPL themes, how they compare to redistributed versions, and whether using them is the right choice for your website.

Let’s go!

Understanding GPL on WordPress

Before diving into GPL WordPress themes and the best platforms to get them, it’s crucial to understand what the General Public License (GPL) means in the context of WordPress.

What is GPL?

The GNU General Public License (GPL) is an open-source license that grants users the freedom to use, modify, and redistribute software. WordPress itself operates under the GPL license, meaning that:

• Any software derived from WordPress (themes, plugins, etc.) must also be GPL-licensed.
  
• Developers cannot restrict users from modifying or redistributing their themes and plugins.
  

This licensing model ensures that WordPress remains open-source, allowing developers to create premium themes and plugins while still complying with GPL terms.

Are all WordPress themes GPL?

Not all themes are fully GPL-compliant, but according to WordPress guidelines, any theme hosted on WordPress.org must be GPL. However, some premium theme providers restrict parts of their products, such as design elements and proprietary code, making them partially GPL.

Why Does GPL Matter?

Understanding GPL is important because it explains why redistributed WordPress themes exist. Since GPL allows redistribution, some websites (often called GPL clubs) legally resell or share premium themes at a lower cost or even for free.

However, while redistribution is legal, it raises questions about ethical use, support, and security, which we’ll explore further.

GPL WordPress Themes Overview

What are GPL WordPress Themes?

A GPL WordPress theme is simply a WordPress theme released under the GPL license, meaning users can:

• Install it on unlimited websites
  
• Modify the theme’s code to fit their needs
  
• Redistribute or share it without legal issues
  

These themes come in two main categories:

1. Official GPL WordPress Themes – These are themes offered by reputable companies, theme marketplaces, and developers while maintaining GPL compliance.

2. Redistributed GPL Themes – These are copies of premium themes shared by GPL clubs.

Next, let’s explore the best GPL WordPress themes, highlighting their features.

Best GPL WordPress Themes (WordPress/WooCommerce)

If you’re looking for high-quality GPL-compliant WordPress themes, here are some of the best options:

PS. Artificial intelligence is all the rage at the moment. Ensure you see the list of the best AI WordPress Plugins.

1. Astra

Astra is one of the most popular lightweight and customizable WordPress themes, suitable for blogs, business sites, and WooCommerce stores.

Features:

• Fast loading speed
• Customizable without coding (compatible with Elementor & Gutenberg)
• Pre-built templates for various niches
• SEO-optimized
  

2. GeneratePress

GeneratePress is a minimalist, fast, and flexible theme ideal for performance-focused websites.

Features:

• Less than 30KB in size (super lightweight)
• Full WooCommerce support
• Secure and stable coding
• Drag-and-drop site builder integration
  

3. OceanWP

OceanWP is a multipurpose theme designed for blogs, business websites, and WooCommerce stores.

Features:

• Mobile-friendly design
• Advanced eCommerce features
• Extensive customization options
• Performance-focused

4. Blocksy

Blocksy is a modern, block-based theme built for speed and flexibility.

Features:

• Deep integration with Gutenberg
• Advanced header/footer builder
• Fast-loading and SEO-friendly
• WooCommerce ready
  

5. Neve

Neve is a lightweight and AMP-optimized theme designed for fast-loading websites.

Features:

• Fully compatible with page builders (Elementor, Brizy, etc.)
• Mobile-first design
• WooCommerce integration
• Easy customization options
  

These themes offer official GPL compliance while being fully supported by their developers. But if you’re looking for redistributed GPL themes, the next section will cover the best sources.

Redistributed GPL WordPress Themes Explained

Redistributed GPL themes are premium themes shared by third-party sites (GPL club websites). These sites take paid themes and redistribute them at low costs or for free, legally leveraging the GPL license.

How Do GPL Clubs Operate?

• They purchase premium GPL themes legally.
• They redistribute these themes without the original developer’s support.
• They charge a membership fee for access to multiple themes and plugins.
  

This can be a cost-effective way to test premium themes before purchasing them directly from developers. However, it has risks, which we’ll discuss in the safety section.

You can learn more about GPL clubs and how they operate.

Best GPL Theme Websites (WordPress/WooCommerce)

These are official sources where you can download legitimate GPL themes directly from developers.

Of note: People confuse GPL theme websites and GPL themes to be GPL Clubs and GPL club’s themes respectively. But the actual meaning of GPL themes is this — original WordPress products coming from developers. The name for the offerings of GPL clubs should be — shared or redistributed GPL.

1. WordPress.org

This is the official WordPress theme repository, where every theme is free and follows WordPress coding standards.

Since all themes here are reviewed for security and performance, it’s the safest place to download GPL themes without any concerns.

It’s perfect for those who want free themes that integrate seamlessly with WordPress.

2. ThemeForest (Envato Market)

Themeforest sells premium WordPress themes, some of which are fully GPL.

Themes come with developer support and updates here.

The platform caters to professionals who need premium WordPress themes.

3. TemplateMonster

This is a marketplace that offers a selection of GPL WordPress themes across different industries.

Whether you need a theme for an online store, a business website, or a portfolio, TemplateMonster provides varieties of them.

It’s best for users who want premium-looking GPL themes with customization options.

4. Creative Market

This is a platform where independent designers sell unique WordPress themes, including GPL-licensed ones.

Unlike larger marketplaces, Creative Market focuses on originality, making it an excellent place for those who want a theme with a creative touch. Many themes here stand out due to their artistic and non-generic designs.

5. CSSIgniter

CSS Igniter is another WordPress theme provider that offers a mix of free and premium GPL themes. Known for its lightweight and well-coded designs, CSS Igniter themes are a great choice for most people.

If you need a minimalistic yet functional theme, this is a great option.

Best GPL Theme Websites & Clubs (Redistributed)

If you’re looking for affordable access to premium WordPress themes and plugins, GPL theme clubs are an alternative to buying from official developers.

These platforms legally redistribute GPL-licensed products, giving users access to thousands of premium themes and plugins for a fraction of the cost.

However, not all GPL websites are safe and trustworthy. Some distribute outdated or malicious files, so it’s important to choose reputable platforms.

Below are the best GPL theme sites, ranked based on product availability, security, reputation, pricing, and user experience.

Note: This Page only compared GPL Club’s based on themes. To see a comparison based on Plugins, you may want to see our page — Best GPL Plugin sites. Alternatively, you can check it once for all, on our page — Best GPL WordPress Clubs (where both plugin/theme were considered).

1. Srmehranclub – Best Overall GPL Theme Club

Why Srmehranclub is 1

Srmehranclub is the largest and one of the best GPL clubs, offering over 40,000+ products, including non-wordpress solutions. It stands out due to its huge product library, automatic updates, and value for web developers.

When it comes to themes, Srmehranclub packs the highest number. It has more themes than plugins.

Plus, its two proprietary features — Toolkit Update and Templates Kits.

These are two of the three plugins offered by Srmehranclub.

The Toolkit Update helps web developers to manage automatic upgrades for their installed plugins and themes across different websites.

The Template Kits pack the whole of Elementor kits which is all you need to make fascinating websites.

With all of these, our selection of Srmehranclub as the best GPL theme club site answers for itself.

Note: For WordPress, Srmehranclub has 18,200+ solutions. More than 13,000 of them are WordPress themes. Mind you, these doesn’t include Elementor kits.

Key Features:

• Over 13,000 WordPress themes
  
• Over 5,275 Elementor kits
  
• Automatic Upgrades on WordPress
  
• Template Kits Plugin for Elementor kits
  
• Toolkit Update for multi-site upgrade management for themes and plugins
  

Who Should Use Srmehranclub?

If you want the biggest selection of GPL themes, Srmehranclub is the best choice.

If you need the best features related to themes like the Template Kits and Toolkit Update, Srmehranclub is the best choice.

If you want the best overall GPL theme club, Srmehranclub is the option.

Or read Srmehranclub review.

2. PluginsForWP – One of the biggest GPL theme club

Why PluginsForWP is 2

Pluginsforwp focuses on WordPress plugins and themes.

While it has more plugins in its library than themes, there are loads of WordPress themes also, making it come 2nd in the list of the best GPL theme sites.

The platform has a Plugin manager that allows you to do automatic upgrades on WordPress.

But unlike Srmehranclub which comes with additional features that can make your theme desire better, Pluginsforwp doesn’t come with them.

Specifically the Elementor Kits availability and the Toolkit Update functionality is missing here.

Key Features:

• Over 4,300 WordPress themes
• Plugin manager for automatic upgrades.
  

Who Should Use PluginsForWP?

If you want to use one of the best GPL theme clubs that also has automatic upgrade function, Pluginsforwp is a contender.

Or read Pluginsforwp review.

3. WorldPressIT – One of the best GPL theme sites

Why WorldPressIT is 3

WorldPressIT is one of the trusted GPL clubs whose portfolio of services also include web hosting.

When you get their hosting package, these GPL WordPress Plugins and Themes are included for free.

The platform packs over 2,500 themes, coming after Srmehranclub and Pluginsforwp.

As opposed to the other GPL theme clubs on the list, WorldPressIT doesn’t offer automatic upgrades on WordPress. Therefore, you’ll still pass through the pains involved in installing updates manually.

Key Features:

• Over 2,500 WordPress themes
  

Who Should Use WorldPressIT?

If you want one of the best GPL theme websites, WorldPressIT is a great option.

Or read WorldPressIT review.

4. GPL Vault – Safest GPL theme Club

Why GPL Vault is 4

GPL Vault is one of the oldest GPL theme clubs. In fact, early WP users used it to reduce the high cost.

According to my review of GPL Vault, it seems to refresh its products more than the ones on our best list. Though, it’s the least when it comes to library size.

As a result, we consider GPL Vault to be the safest GPL website.

The platform deals with top WordPress solutions. And it’s good at maintaining them properly.

Unless you need less-popular plugins and themes, GPL Vault will give you the best security.

I have digressed…

For themes, GPL Vault has over 1,200. And all are perhaps up-to-date and in good condition.

The platform connects to WordPress via API where it sends you automatic upgrades so that you’re always current with the developer’s version.

Key Features:

• Over 1,200+ themes
• Regular Updates than others
• Automatic Upgrades on WordPress
  

Who Should Use GPL Vault?

If you only need indispensable and top wordpress, GPL Vault will satisfy you best owing to their active maintenance and updates.

Or read GPL Vault review.

Which is the Best GPL Theme Club for You? (Comparison)

The best GPL theme club websites are summarized according to the terms below.

• Best for library size: Srmehranclub
• Most feature-rich: Srmehranclub
• Best Overall: Srmehranclub (Largest selection, best for themes)
• 2nd position: PluginsForWP
• 3rd Position: WorldPressIT
• Best for security (frequent updates): GPL Vault

Each of these GPL theme sites has different strengths, so choose based on your needs.

The Safety and Legality of GPL Themes (Redistributed)

The safety of redistributed GPL themes can vary based on the mode of acquisition and the GPL club involved.

A good number of GPL clubs nowadays no longer maintain active subscription from actual developers. Instead, here’s what they do — they obtain from their fellow clubs who have later versions than them.

Because of this reason, it’s vital to know where you’re getting your items from.

If you’re going with any of the platforms that appeared on the list, you have better odds.

At least, we have used them a lot which is why we reviewed them.

What am I trying to say — there’s a vulnerability concern that goes with sharing and sharing again. It’s better that the GPL items are gotten from the makers directly.

Another area to look at when evaluating the safety of GPL clubs is the actual platform in question.

Old platforms like GPL Vault and trusted places like Srmehranclub, WorldPressIT and Pluginsforwp have positive intentions. And they make money from it too.

So adding so-called backdoors and threats to their solution would only cause their downfall. And it’s the last thing they will do.

But don’t misquote me, when I say the platforms are mostly safe to use, I don’t mean all of its products have been scanned against top security measures. Instead, I mean, proper vetting has been conducted on the products we have downloaded from them.

Let’s go to the legality side of it —

The GPL license which governs WordPress made these GPL clubs to be legal on every side.

Precisely, the ‘right to distribute copies’ in the GPL freedoms legalized GPL Club’s movement.

Developers benefit from the open source spirit as well as users, the consumers.

Developers build with freedom with the right to use, modify and so on. Users access and distribute their work under the same umbrella — A win-win situation.

And that’s the reason WordPress is the #1 CMS today.

Conclusion

In this post, we explored the best GPL WordPress themes and also where to get them.

We made a bold differentiation between official GPL themes and those offered by GPL theme clubs.

We covered the ins and outs that revolve around WordPress themes and the GPL.

If you want to explore further, you can check the best gpl club websites (plugins and themes are considered here).

Alternatively also check out GPL wordpress plugins and where to get them, even the offerings of GPL clubs.

FAQs

Are GPL Themes safe?

GPL themes are originally items that come from developers, WordPress.org and similar platforms.

Of course, they are mostly safe to use as opposed to GPL club’s downloads which can come with potential risks.

What are the best GPL WordPress Themes?

The best GPL WordPress themes include Astra, GeneratePress, OceanWP, Blocksy, and Neve. These themes come with better functionality than the rest.

What are the best Woocommerce GPL Themes?

Some of the best Woocommerce GPL themes include Astra, Divi, Storefront and Botiga.

Are all WordPress Themes GPL?

WordPress made it a law for its derivatives including themes to be GPL-compliant. Yes, all WordPress themes are GPL.

However, not all WordPress themes are 100% GPL.

What are the differences between GPL themes and reshared ones?

GPL themes are generally WordPress themes that have passed the safety benchmark required for publishing on the CMS.

Reshared or redistributed GPL themes are simply copies/modifications of original WordPress products scattered across GPL website clubs.

Are distributed GPL Themes safe?

Distributed GPL Themes from the platform we recommend are mostly safe to use.

Still, users must exercise caution by rescanning downloaded items before installing.

Are GPL Themes legal? (distributed)

GPL themes found on GPL website clubs are perfectly legal due to the General Public License.

It’s not an illegal activity to distribute WordPress derivatives!

What are the best websites that redistribute GPL themes for free?

The best GPL website will be based on features like Regular Updates, Automatic Upgrades, and Trustworthiness.

The likes of Pluginsforwp and Srmehranclub are contenders.

Should I use GPL Themes or Reshared ones?

You have that question to answer!

But here’s my stance — It’s understandable to use distributed GPL Themes for short-term purposes like testing or review.

Any other thing beyond that should be considered unethical and harmful to actual developers.