What Is a GPL Website? How WordPress GPL Clubs Actually Work
Premium WordPress themes and plugins can be expensive, especially when you need more than one product.
A plugin may cost $100 or more on the developer's website, while another website offers the same premium plugin for $5. Some websites even give you access to thousands of premium WordPress products under one membership.
These websites are commonly called GPL websites or GPL clubs.
The business model is possible because of the GNU General Public License (GPL), which gives users the freedom to use, modify, and redistribute GPL-licensed software.
What Is a GPL Website?
A GPL website is simply a website that offers software licensed under the GNU General Public License.
When we bring the term into WordPress, a GPL website is a platform where you can get GPL-licensed WordPress products such as plugins and themes.
This can be the official website of the developer or a website that redistributes the products.
For example, when a WordPress plugin developer releases a premium plugin under the GPL and sells it through their website, you are buying a GPL product directly from the original source.
Another website can purchase the same plugin and redistribute it because the GPL gives users the freedom to redistribute GPL-licensed software.
The second type is what people normally mean when they talk about GPL websites online.
But there is a difference between a GPL product and a redistributed GPL product.
A plugin doesn't become a GPL plugin because someone redistributed it. It can already be GPL licensed when you buy it directly from its developer.
This is why I prefer to call the versions available on third-party GPL websites redistributed GPL products or GPL-adapted products when modifications have been made for redistribution.
GPL Website vs GPL Club
GPL website and GPL club are often used to mean the same thing, but I don't think they are exactly the same.
A GPL website is a broader term. It can refer to an official website selling GPL software or a third-party website redistributing it.
A GPL club specifically refers to the latter.
GPL clubs purchase premium WordPress themes and plugins and redistribute them to their users. Most of them charge per product or provide memberships that give you access to several products.
So every GPL club can be called a GPL website, but not every GPL website is necessarily a GPL club.
What Does GPL Mean?
GPL stands for General Public License. It is a free and open-source software license used by WordPress.
The license gives users four major freedoms:
- Freedom to use the software
- Freedom to modify it
- Freedom to redistribute it
- Freedom to distribute modified copies
The redistribution part is what gave rise to the GPL website business we are discussing.
If you purchase GPL-licensed software, the license gives you the right to redistribute it. You can also modify the software and distribute your modified version under the same GPL freedom.
WordPress itself is licensed under the GPL, and the license has played an important role in how the platform and its community have grown.
There is more to WordPress GPL, including how it affects developers, derivative works, copyleft, and split licensing. I have already explained all of that in my complete guide to the WordPress GPL license.
For this article, the redistribution freedom is the part we need to understand.
How Do GPL Websites Work?
GPL websites work by purchasing premium plugins and themes from the original developers and redistributing them to their own customers.
Let's say a GPL website purchases a premium plugin for $100. The GPL gives it the freedom to redistribute the GPL-covered software, so the website can make that product available to several customers instead of keeping the purchased copy for itself.
This is why the same plugin can be sold for $5 or included in a membership that gives you access to thousands of other products.
Some GPL websites sell products individually. Some use monthly, yearly, or lifetime memberships. There are also GPL clubs that provide their own update plugins so that you can update downloaded products directly from WordPress.
Another thing I have seen with some GPL websites is the option to purchase original licensed products.
This is different from the normal redistributed version.
Original Licensed Products on GPL Websites
Some GPL websites now offer both GPL-adapted products and original licensed products.
The GPL-adapted version is the cheaper one. It may undergo minor modifications for GPL redistribution, such as removing or bypassing the premium license key or activation trigger.
The original licensed version has not been modified in this way. It comes from the original product and is activated using a genuine license.
Because of this, it is normally more expensive than the redistributed GPL version.
The activation process can also differ.
For some products, you will need to give the GPL website temporary access to your WordPress dashboard. The admin installs or activates the product using their original license, after which you can remove the access you provided.
Why Are GPL Websites So Cheap?
GPL websites can sell premium WordPress products cheaply because they are not the developers of those products.
The original developer did the main work. They build the plugin or theme, maintain it, add new features, fix bugs, provide support, and continue improving the product.
A GPL club purchases the product and redistributes it.
Since the same purchased product can be redistributed to several customers, the website doesn't need to recover the cost from one buyer.
That explains how a $100 plugin can be available for $5.
You should also understand that buying a plugin is not always about getting its ZIP file.
The original purchase usually includes support from the developer, automatic updates, a license key, or other services that are connected to the developer's website.
A GPL website can redistribute the GPL software. That doesn't mean every service attached to the original purchase will follow it.
GPL Website vs Official Developer Website
The major difference is where you are getting the product from.
When you purchase from the official developer, you are buying directly from the people who built and maintain the software.
This normally gives you the original product together with whatever the developer includes in the purchase. This can include direct support, automatic updates, a license key, and access to account-based features.
A redistributed GPL product comes from a third party.
Depending on the GPL website, the product may be modified to remove the license key requirement. This means you can use the premium plugin or theme without purchasing a license directly from the developer.
However, not every premium feature will necessarily work without the original license. Some plugins use the license key for more than activation. It may also be required to access certain features or services connected to the developer's website.
This is why you should check how the plugin or theme works before buying the redistributed version. If the particular feature you need depends on the original license, then you will need the original product.
Are GPL Websites Legal?
GPL websites that redistribute GPL-licensed products are legal because redistribution is one of the freedoms provided by the GPL.
The fact that a developer sells a GPL product doesn't remove the redistribution right from the person who purchases it.
This is what GPL clubs rely on.
However, split licensing can make things more complicated.
The PHP code of a WordPress product can be GPL while other parts of the product use different licenses. This can include images, icons, branding, CSS, JavaScript, or other assets.
So while GPL-covered software can be redistributed, you still have to consider whether everything included in a product is covered by the same license.
There is also the ethical side.
I believe using GPL redistribution to build a business that competes directly with the original developers can be a misuse of the freedom provided by the license, even when redistribution itself is allowed.
Legal and ethical are not always the same thing.
Are GPL Websites Safe?
The GPL license doesn't tell you whether a website is safe.
When you download directly from the developer, the product comes from the original source. With a redistributed product, another party is involved.
So you need to trust the GPL website you are using.
This is why I prefer established GPL websites that have been around for some time, update their products regularly, and have a reputation to protect.
You should still scan downloaded files before installing them on your website.
Updates are another thing to consider. An outdated plugin can become a security problem even if the original file was clean.
For a serious website, especially one that depends heavily on a particular plugin or theme, I would rather purchase the product directly from its developer.
GPL Websites vs Nulled Websites: Are They the Same?
GPL websites and nulled websites are related, but they shouldn't be treated as exactly the same thing.
First, let's understand what nulling means.
Nulling is the process of modifying software to remove or bypass its license requirement. In WordPress, this can involve removing the license field or activation trigger placed on a premium plugin or theme.
Nulling itself does not mean malware. It simply means the product has been modified to bypass the license requirement.
The problem is where you get the nulled product from. There are many untrusted websites distributing nulled plugins and themes, and some of these files can contain malware or other malicious code.
So if a plugin is described as nulled, that alone doesn't tell you whether the file is safe.
How GPL Websites Differ From Nulled Websites
GPL websites normally build their business around the redistribution of GPL-licensed products.
Nulled websites are broader.
A nulled website can distribute GPL products and software that isn't covered by the same redistribution freedoms. Some of these websites simply provide cracked or modified premium software from different categories.
There can still be an overlap.
Some GPL websites modify premium WordPress products to remove the original license activation before redistributing them. In that sense, a GPL-adapted product can go through a nulling process.
But that doesn't make every GPL website the same as a general nulled software website.
And nulling itself doesn't mean malware.
The security concern is that you are installing software modified by someone else. If you don't trust that source, you don't know whether the license check was the only thing changed.
What You May Not Get From a GPL Website
Buying from a GPL website doesn't give you the same benefits as buying directly from the developer.
Depending on the product, you may not get:
- Support from the original developer
- Your own official license key
- Updates directly from the developer
- Access to the original customer account
- Cloud-based features
- API access or credits
- Premium libraries hosted on the developer's servers
This depends on how the product works.
Some products work perfectly without the original license, while others require it to access certain premium features.
When Does Using a GPL Website Make Sense?
For me, GPL websites are mostly useful for testing premium plugins and themes.
Let's say you want to choose between three premium plugins and each costs around $100. You don't have to spend $300 just to find out which one works best for you.
You can get the redistributed versions, test them, and then buy the one you decide to use from the original developer.
A GPL product is also useful when reviewing a product, learning how it works, or when you only need it for a short period.
But when I decide to use a plugin or theme permanently, I prefer buying it from the original developer. You get the official updates, support, and other services that come with the purchase.
I also believe developers should be supported for their work. The GPL gives us the freedom to redistribute their products, but someone still has to build, update, and maintain them.
So I understand using GPL clubs for testing and other short-term purposes. For long-term use, especially on a website that makes money, I would go with the original developer.
How to Choose a GPL Website
There are many GPL websites out there. And pricing alone is not enough to choose one.
I would stick with the bigger and reputable GPL websites. Some smaller GPL sites rely on other GPL websites for their products instead of buying directly from the developers. If the website they rely on alters a file, that same file can be passed on to their customers.
How regularly the products are updated is another thing to consider. You don't want to be several versions behind the original product. Some GPL websites also provide automatic updates through their own update plugins, which is worth looking for if you need that.
The size of the library can also make a difference. With more products available under one membership, you won't have to join different GPL websites just to get the plugins and themes you need.
I have already compared the best GPL websites. Check that out before deciding.
Conclusion
GPL websites exist because the GPL gives users the freedom to redistribute GPL-licensed software.
In WordPress, some of these websites have turned that freedom into a business by purchasing premium themes and plugins and making them available at lower prices.
They can be useful, especially when you need to test a premium product before spending much more on the original version.
But if the product becomes important to your website, my stance is simple: buy it from the developer.
Frequently Asked Questions About GPL Websites
What is a GPL website?
A GPL website is a website that offers software licensed under the GNU General Public License.
In WordPress, the term can refer to an official developer website or a third-party website that redistributes GPL themes and plugins.
What is a GPL club?
A GPL club is a third-party website that redistributes GPL-licensed products.
These websites normally purchase premium WordPress themes and plugins from the original developers and make them available individually or through memberships.
Are GPL websites legal?
Yes. Redistribution is one of the freedoms provided by the GPL.
Plugins and themes are considered derivative works of WordPress, and their PHP code must be GPL licensed. However, other parts of a product, such as images and CSS, can be licensed differently.
So while the PHP can be redistributed under the GPL, the same freedom may not apply to every other asset included with the product.
Are GPL websites safe?
It depends on the website.
The GPL is a software license and doesn't guarantee the safety of a distributor. Use trusted GPL websites, keep products updated, and scan third-party files before installing them.
Is GPL the same as nulled?
No.
GPL is a software license. Nulling is the process of modifying software to remove or bypass a license or activation requirement.
A redistributed GPL product can be nulled for redistribution, but the two terms don't mean the same thing.
Does nulled mean malware?
No. Nulling itself doesn't mean malware.
It means the software has been modified to remove or bypass its license requirement. The risk comes from trusting whoever modified the file because other code can also be added during the modification.
Can I use GPL plugins and themes on unlimited websites?
Yes. GPL plugins and themes can be used on unlimited websites.
The original developer may limit the number of websites that receive services tied to their license key, such as automatic updates and support. But that doesn't take away your GPL right to use the software itself on as many websites as you want.
Redistributed GPL versions normally don't include the developer's license key, but you can still install and use them on unlimited websites.
Do GPL websites provide license keys?
No. Redistributed GPL themes and plugins do not come with your own license key from the original developer.
Some GPL websites also sell original licensed products separately. These cost more and are activated with a genuine license from the developer.
Do GPL plugins receive automatic updates?
It depends on the GPL website.
Some GPL clubs have their own update systems that let you update products from WordPress. Others require you to manually download and install new versions.
Should I use a GPL club website or buy from the original developer?
You are the one to decide when using a GPL website makes sense for you.
For things like testing a plugin, writing a review, learning, or simply satisfying your curiosity, using a GPL website is understandable.
But if a plugin or theme becomes an important part of your website, you rely on it regularly, and you are even making money from it, consider buying from the original developer.
At that point, supporting the people building and maintaining the product helps keep the beauty of the WordPress ecosystem alive.
