You’re not here because you don’t know what WooCommerce Subscription is. You’re here because you’ve likely hit a wall somewhere. Maybe you tried the “obvious choice” and discovered it doesn’t handle license keys the way theme shops actually need them.
Or the upgrade paths break every time a customer switches from monthly to annual. Perhaps you’re just tired of paying $200/year for features you’ll never touch, while the one thing you actually need costs extra.
Here’s the deal: most subscription plugins were built for generic stuff, Coffee subscriptions, Membership sites, and Monthly boxes of dog treats. They handle recurring payments just fine.
But when you need license key management, update server integration, and support period tracking that actually syncs with billing cycles? That’s where everything falls apart.
The honest truth? Some plugins genuinely understand the theme business. Others happen to have “subscriptions” in the name.
So let’s talk about what actually works and, more importantly, what breaks and when. Because the last thing you need is to migrate your entire customer base six months from now, only to discover your “perfect solution” can’t handle license management.
Comparing Subscription Plugins for Selling WordPress Themes
The best subscription plugins for selling WordPress themes aren’t necessarily the ones with the fanciest features. They’re the ones who understand your business model isn’t just “charge someone monthly.”
It’s managing access rights, handling upgrades between license tiers, and making sure when someone’s card fails, everything pauses correctly without you having to babysit it.
We’ve pulled together the tools that actually get this right. Not perfect — nothing is — but solid enough that you can focus on building themes instead of fixing subscription disasters at midnight.
1. WPSubscription (hi 👋) – Best subscription plugin for WordPress theme sellers wanting simple recurring billing
WPSubscription was built specifically for creators selling digital products like WordPress themes, plugins, and courses. We designed it after seeing too many developers struggle with bloated enterprise tools that cost more than they earned in their first year of subscriptions.
The plugin combines everything theme sellers actually need: flexible recurring billing, seamless license management integration, split payment options for expensive themes, and support for modern payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Paddle—all without the complexity or price tag of enterprise solutions.
Recurring payments built for digital products
Managing subscription plugins for selling WordPress themes shouldn’t feel like rocket science. WPSubscription’s shared inbox approach keeps your entire billing operation organized in one clean dashboard where you can see active subscriptions, upcoming renewals, and payment history at a glance.
Key features:
- Flexible billing cycles: Set up daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly subscriptions that match your theme pricing strategy
- Variable subscriptions: Offer different subscription tiers for your themes (basic, pro, agency) with unique pricing and features
- Custom renewal pricing: Reward loyal customers with discounted renewal rates or special upgrade paths
- Split payments: Let customers pay for premium themes in installments instead of one large upfront payment
- Free trials: Hook customers with 7, 14, or 30-day trials before their subscription begins
- Payment history: Track every transaction, refund, and renewal in one organized place
Manage licenses with confidence — smart, automated, and stress-free
Selling subscription plugins for selling WordPress themes means you need tight license control. WPSubscription integrates seamlessly with popular license managers so your customers get automatic updates while you maintain control over activations.
Supported integrations:
- License Manager for WooCommerce: Automatically generate and deliver license keys with each subscription purchase
- WP Software License: Control how many sites your theme can be activated on per subscription tier
- Academy LMS: Bundle theme subscriptions with training courses for customers
- Tutor LMS: Create learning paths for customers buying your theme frameworks
- OttoKit: Automate customer onboarding workflows when subscriptions start
- Bit Integrations: Connect with 200+ tools to automate your entire sales funnel
International payment gateways you can count on — simple, secure, fast
WPSubscription supports the payment processors that digital product sellers actually use, including Stripe, PayPal, and Paddle, with more integrations coming soon. Enjoy clean, reliable recurring billing without juggling multiple gateway plugins.
Available gateways:
- Paddle: Perfect for theme sellers wanting merchant-of-record services and automatic VAT handling
- Stripe: Accept cards globally with strong fraud protection and automatic subscription management
- PayPal: Let customers pay with existing PayPal accounts for instant checkouts
Why theme developers choose WPSubscription
Unlike subscription plugins designed for physical products or generic e-commerce, WPSubscription understands that selling WordPress themes comes with unique requirements: license key delivery, update systems, activation limits, and customers who expect immediate access after purchase.
The plugin handles all this while keeping your checkout experience clean and fast. No bloated forms, no unnecessary fields—just smooth transactions that convert browsers into paying subscribers.
WPSubscription Pricing
- Free version available: Test core features before committing
- Basic: $79/year (1 website)
- Standard: $139/year (5 websites)
- Pro: $299/year (50 websites)
💛 Friendly tip: Many subscription plugins look affordable until you add payment gateway fees, license management add-ons, or “premium” support. WPSubscription includes license manager integrations, all payment gateways, and full support at every tier—no surprise costs.
One final thing…
We’re a small team of developers who actually use our own product to sell software. We built WPSubscription because we got tired of complex subscription setups that took weeks to configure.
If you’re selling WordPress themes and want a subscription plugin that just works, we think you’ll feel right at home.
2. YITH WooCommerce Subscription
YITH WooCommerce Subscription stands out with its unique subscription box feature, originally designed for physical product boxes but surprisingly useful for theme sellers offering curated packages. If you’re bundling multiple themes or creating “theme of the month” subscription models, this plugin deserves serious consideration.
👍 Pros
- Subscription box builder: Create customizable theme bundles where customers choose which themes they want in their subscription package
- Variable subscription support: Offer different theme licensing tiers with unique pricing and renewal schedules
- Sign-up fees: Charge one-time setup fees for agency-level subscriptions that include onboarding or customization
- Comprehensive documentation: YITH provides detailed setup guides specifically for digital product sellers
👎 Cons
- Steeper learning curve: The subscription box feature adds complexity if you just need basic recurring billing
- Limited payment gateways: Requires separate YITH payment extensions for Stripe and PayPal, adding to total cost
- Higher price point: At €199.99/year, it’s pricier than alternatives offering similar core features
- Best for physical products: Many features designed for tangible goods feel unnecessary for digital theme sales
YITH Pricing
- Single license: €199.99/year (includes 1 site, updates, and support)
When to choose YITH: You’re creating subscription boxes with multiple themes, offering “theme club” memberships, or need step-by-step configuration for complex packages.
🐟 Fun Fact: From Sicilian Fish Shop to Plugin Business
Nando Pappalardo worked in his dad’s fish shop in Sicily before starting YITH. He and his wife Sara built WordPress themes from their apartment as a side hustle in 2011. By 2015, they switched to WooCommerce plugins and never looked back. Bluehost’s parent company bought them in 2022.
3. Subscriptions for WooCommerce Pro
Subscriptions for WooCommerce Pro by WP Swings brings serious analytics firepower to subscription plugins for selling WordPress themes. If you’re data-driven and want to track churn rates, annual recurring revenue, and subscriber behavior, this plugin delivers insights that help you optimize your theme business.
👍 Pros
- Multi-step subscription boxes: Build complex theme bundle flows with quantity limits and customization options
- Churn rate analytics: Track exactly why customers cancel and identify patterns to improve retention
- ARR dashboard: Monitor annual recurring revenue growth to understand your theme business health
- Payment retry logic: Automatically retry failed payments before canceling subscriptions
- Subscription proration: Calculate fair charges when customers upgrade or downgrade theme tiers mid-cycle
- Exceptional support: WP Swings is known for responsive, knowledgeable customer service
👎 Cons
- Learning curve for analytics: The extensive reporting features take time to master
- Pricing by inquiry: No transparent pricing on the website; typically $99-149/year
- Gateway extensions needed: Popular payment processors require separate WooCommerce gateway plugins
Subscriptions for WooCommerce Pro Pricing
- Free version available: Test basic subscription functionality
- Pro version: Contact for pricing (typically $99-149/year based on features needed)
When to choose WP Swings: You’re scaling your theme shop and need detailed subscriber analytics to make data-driven business decisions.
🔄 Fun Fact: Born From a Company Split
WP Swings used to be part of MakeWebBetter for eight years. In 2022, they split into two separate companies—one for WordPress, one for HubSpot. The split worked out better than staying together. Now they’ve got 9,000+ merchants using their stuff.
4. WooCommerce Subscriptions
WooCommerce Subscriptions is the official solution from Automattic, the company behind WooCommerce itself. If you’re running an established theme business with complex subscription requirements, international customers, and the budget for premium tooling, this is the industry standard.
👍 Pros
- 25+ payment gateways: Accept recurring payments through virtually any processor your international customers prefer
- Advanced subscription switching: Let customers upgrade from basic to pro theme licenses with automatic proration
- Gift subscriptions: Enable customers to purchase theme subscriptions for others (great for agencies buying for clients)
- Renewal synchronization: Align all customer renewals to specific dates for easier accounting and support planning
- Rock-solid reliability: Backed by Automattic with enterprise-grade infrastructure and security
👎 Cons
- Premium pricing: $279/year is steep for new theme developers or small shops
- Overwhelming for beginners: The extensive feature set creates complexity if you only need basic subscriptions
- Designed for general e-commerce: Not specifically optimized for digital product workflows
- Requires additional plugins: License management needs separate integrations
WooCommerce Subscriptions Pricing
- Standard license: $279/year (1 site, includes updates and support)
When to choose WooCommerce Subscriptions: You’re an established theme shop needing enterprise features, supporting international markets, or requiring specific payment gateway compatibility.
🚀 Fun Fact: Too Good Not to Buy
Brent Shepherd built this plugin independently through his company, Prospress back in 2012. It became WooCommerce’s best-selling extension even though he wasn’t part of their team. In 2019, Automattic just bought the whole company to bring it in-house. When you can’t beat ’em, buy ’em.
5. SUMO Subscriptions
SUMO Subscriptions breaks the mold with its one-time payment model from CodeCanyon. For bootstrapped theme developers watching every dollar, this subscription plugin offers surprisingly solid features without recurring annual costs eating into thin early-stage margins.
👍 Pros
- One-time payment: Pay $49 once, own it forever (includes 6 months of support)
- Simple and variable subscriptions: Handle both basic recurring billing and tiered theme packages
- Order subscriptions: Let customers subscribe to receive your new theme releases automatically
- Subscription synchronization: Align renewals across customers for predictable cash flow
- Free and paid trials: Test different trial strategies to maximize conversions
👎 Cons
- Limited ongoing support: After 6 months, extended support costs extra
- Smaller user community: Fewer tutorials and third-party resources compared to premium options
- Manual payment gateways: Automatic recurring billing is limited to PayPal and Stripe
- Basic feature set: Missing advanced analytics and automation found in pricier alternatives
SUMO Subscriptions Pricing
- Regular license: $49 one-time (includes 6 months support)
- Extended support: Additional cost after the initial period
When to choose SUMO Subscriptions: You’re bootstrapping your theme business and need functional subscription plugins for selling WordPress themes without ongoing subscription costs.
💰 Fun Fact: Pay Once, Keep Forever
Most subscription plugins charge you every year, which is pretty ironic. FantasticPlugins said screw that and made SUMO a one-time $49 purchase. Since 2016, they’ve sold nearly 5,000 copies this way. Bootstrappers love them for it.
6. WP Simple Pay
WP Simple Pay takes a different approach—it’s not a full WooCommerce subscription plugin but rather a streamlined Stripe-only solution. If you’re selling themes exclusively through Stripe and want dead-simple payment forms without WooCommerce complexity, this might be your fastest path to recurring revenue.
👍 Pros
- Drag-and-drop form builder: Create checkout forms in minutes without touching code
- Multiple form types: Embed payment forms in pages, trigger overlays, or create standalone landing pages
- Installment plans: Offer “buy now, pay later” options for premium themes
- No WooCommerce required: Lighter weight solution if you don’t need full e-commerce features
- Fast setup: Start accepting subscriptions within an hour of installation
👎 Cons
- Stripe only: No PayPal, Paddle, or other payment processors—deal breaker for many markets
- Not full WooCommerce integration: Separate from your existing store if you sell other products
- Limited e-commerce features: No shopping cart, product variations, or advanced inventory management
- Free version has transaction fees: 3% additional fee on top of Stripe’s charges unless you upgrade
WP Simple Pay Pricing
- Lite: Free (with 3% additional transaction fee)
- Personal: $99.50/year (1 site)
- Plus: $199.50/year (3 sites, includes subscription features)
- Professional: $399.50/year (unlimited sites)
- Elite: $599/year (unlimited sites with advanced features)
When to choose WP Simple Pay: You’re exclusively using Stripe, selling themes through simple payment forms, and don’t need full WooCommerce functionality.
⚡ Fun Fact: Bought By The Guys Who Recommended It
Phil Derksen created this in 2014 to accept Stripe payments without the hassle. WPBeginner spent years telling people to use it in their tutorials. In 2021, they just bought the plugin themselves. Makes sense when you think about it.
7. Paid Member Subscriptions
Paid Member Subscriptions by Cozmoslabs approaches subscriptions from a membership angle. If you’re building a “theme club” where subscribers get access to your entire theme library plus premium tutorials, documentation, or community forums, this plugin excels at content restriction combined with subscription billing.
👍 Pros
- Content restriction engine: Lock pages, posts, custom post types, and specific themes behind subscription tiers
- Multiple subscription plans: Create bronze, silver, gold theme access levels with different pricing
- WooCommerce product restriction: Sell some themes publicly while reserving premium themes for subscribers
- Proration for plan changes: Calculate fair prices when members upgrade mid-billing cycle
- Course and community focused: Perfect for theme developers offering learning resources
👎 Cons
- Not primarily subscription-focused: Built first for membership sites, subscriptions feel like an add-on
- Limited payment gateways: Mainly PayPal and Stripe support
- Learning curve for setup: Configuring content restriction rules takes time initially
- Overkill for simple sales: If you’re just selling themes directly, simpler options exist
Paid Member Subscriptions Pricing
- Free version available: Test basic membership functionality
- Hobbyist: €99/year (1 site with 9 add-ons)
- Professional: €169/year (3 sites with 16 add-ons)
- Agency: €299/year (unlimited sites with full add-on library)
When to choose Paid Member Subscriptions: You’re creating a membership site where subscribers get access to your complete theme library, documentation, and community.
📝 Fun Fact: Users Basically Forced Them To Build It
Cozmoslabs made Profile Builder in 2011, and people kept asking for payment features. They refused for over a year because they didn’t want to bloat their main plugin. Finally gave in and built Paid Member Subscriptions as a separate thing in 2015. Hit $4,000/month within 10 months.
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