Use Case · Plugin & Theme Developers

The Best Way to Sell WordPress Plugins With Your Own License System

Stop paying Envato 37.5% or Gumroad 10%. Take your plugin sales off-marketplace, generate license keys automatically, and validate them in real-time via REST API — all on your own server.

Get ChargePanda — From $25 View Demo
License validation from your plugin
// In your WordPress plugin
function check_license() {
    $response = wp_remote_post(
        'https://yourstore.com/api/validate-license',
        ['body' => [
            'license_key' => get_option('my_plugin_license'),
            'domain'      => home_url(),
            'product'     => 'my-plugin',
        ]]
    );
    $data = json_decode(wp_remote_retrieve_body($response));
    return $data->valid === true;
}

Why developers move off Envato and Gumroad

✗

37.5% author fee

Envato takes up to 37.5% of every sale. On a $49 plugin, you keep $30. Every. Single. Sale.

✗

No license control

Marketplaces handle purchases but not license validation. You have no way to revoke access, enforce activation limits, or bind to a domain.

✗

No direct customer relationship

Your buyers belong to the marketplace. You can't email them about updates, upsell, or run your own renewal flow.

How ChargePanda handles license management

Everything happens automatically from the moment a customer pays.

1

Customer pays

Stripe, PayPal, or any gateway. One-time or subscription.

2

License key generated

A cryptographically secure key is auto-issued and emailed.

3

Plugin validates in real-time

Your plugin calls the REST API on activation. ChargePanda checks domain, activation count, and expiry.

4

Renewals handled automatically

Expiry notifications go out. Customers renew. You get paid. License reactivates.

Everything a plugin seller needs

  • Activation limits
    Set how many sites a single license can activate. Customers self-manage activations from their account portal.
  • Domain binding
    Bind a license to a specific domain. Perfect for site licenses.
  • REST validation API
    A single POST endpoint your plugin calls on activation and optionally on each load. Returns valid/invalid, remaining activations, expiry.
  • Support window policies
    Define 6-month, 12-month, or lifetime support. After expiry, customers can still use the plugin but can't download updates until they renew.
  • Renewal notifications
    Automated emails go out before expiry. You configure the timing. Customers click and pay.
  • Multiple plans per product
    Sell a Starter (1 site), Pro (5 sites), and Agency (unlimited) tier from one product page.
REST API response
{
  "valid": true,
  "license_key": "ABCD-1234-EFGH-5678",
  "product": "my-wordpress-plugin",
  "domain": "client-site.com",
  "activations_used": 2,
  "activations_limit": 5,
  "expires_at": "2027-01-15T00:00:00Z",
  "support_active": true
}

Revenue comparison

Envato (37.5% fee)
$49 plugin × 100 sales
$3,063
Gumroad (10% fee)
$49 plugin × 100 sales
$4,410
ChargePanda (0% fee)
$49 plugin × 100 sales
$4,900

Ready to own your plugin sales?

One-time purchase. Self-hosted. You keep 100% of every sale.

Get ChargePanda — From $25 View Demo