When building a WordPress website, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right theme and plugins. If you value open-source software and the freedom to modify and distribute your site without licensing restrictions, 100% GPL (General Public License) themes and plugins are the way to go. Below is a guide to some of the best GPL-compliant WordPress themes and plugins available today.

Best 100% GPL WordPress website for Theme plugin

What is 100% GPL?

The General Public License (GPL) is a free software license that guarantees end users the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. When a WordPress theme or plugin is 100% GPL, it means that all of its code is licensed under the GPL, providing you with full ownership rights.

Why Choose 100% GPL Themes and Plugins?

1. Freedom to Customize: Modify the code as much as you like to fit your exact needs.
2. No Licensing Fees: Avoid ongoing licensing fees, making it ideal for budget-conscious projects.
3. Community Support: Benefit from a large community of developers who contribute to the improvement of GPL themes and plugins.
4. Legal Safety: Ensure your website remains legally compliant, especially if you plan to distribute it.

Top 100% GPL WordPress Themes

1. Astra

   • Description: Astra is a lightweight, fast, and highly customizable WordPress theme. It's ideal for a wide range of websites, from blogs to business sites and online shops.
   • Features: Seamless integration with popular page builders, extensive customization options, and optimized for speed.
   • Why GPL?: Astra is fully GPL-compliant, ensuring that you can use and modify it freely.

2. GeneratePress

   • Description: GeneratePress is known for its performance and versatility. It's a perfect choice for anyone looking to build a clean, minimalist website.
   • Features: Mobile responsive, SEO-friendly, and compatible with all major plugins.
   • Why GPL?: The theme is entirely GPL, making it a safe and secure choice for developers and end-users.

3. Hestia

   • Description: Hestia is a modern, one-page theme that's perfect for startups, small businesses, and portfolios.
   • Features: Live customizer, WooCommerce compatibility, and ready-made starter sites.
   • Why GPL?: Hestia is 100% GPL, allowing you to tailor it to your needs without legal concerns.

4. OceanWP

   • Description: OceanWP is a versatile theme that works well for both beginners and developers. It’s known for its deep integration with popular page builders.
   • Features: Fully responsive, eCommerce-ready, and fast loading.
   • Why GPL?: As a GPL theme, OceanWP gives you the freedom to customize and use it as you see fit.

5. Neve

   • Description: Neve is a fast, lightweight theme with a focus on mobile-first design. It's great for blogs, small businesses, startups, and more.
   • Features: AMP-ready, SEO optimized, and highly customizable.
   • Why GPL?: Neve’s GPL license ensures that you can use and modify the theme without any restrictions.

Top 100% GPL WordPress Plugins

1. WooCommerce

   • Description: WooCommerce is the most popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress, offering extensive features for building and managing an online store.
   • Why GPL?: As a 100% GPL plugin, WooCommerce allows you to fully customize your online store without licensing concerns.

2. Elementor

   • Description: Elementor is a powerful page builder plugin that lets you design complex layouts without coding.
   • Why GPL?: Elementor is GPL-compliant, ensuring that you have complete control over your site’s design and functionality.

3. Yoast SEO

   • Description: Yoast SEO is a must-have plugin for optimizing your site’s SEO. It provides on-page SEO insights, readability analysis, and more.
   • Why GPL?: Yoast SEO is GPL licensed, allowing you to modify and improve your site’s SEO capabilities freely.

4. Contact Form 7

   • Description: Contact Form 7 is a flexible and easy-to-use plugin for creating contact forms on your WordPress site.
   • Why GPL?: With a 100% GPL license, you can customize the forms to meet your exact needs without worrying about legal issues.

5. WP Super Cache

   • Description: WP Super Cache is a must-have plugin for improving your site’s performance by generating static HTML files from your dynamic WordPress site.
   • Why GPL?: As a GPL plugin, WP Super Cache gives you the freedom to optimize your site’s speed and performance without restrictions.

Conclusion

Choosing 100% GPL WordPress themes and plugins gives you the freedom to build, modify, and share your website without legal or financial constraints. Whether you're a developer, designer, or site owner, opting for GPL-compliant tools ensures that your project remains flexible, secure, and fully customizable.