Software licensing built for WordPress products
Control activations, validate purchases, enforce site limits, unlock features by plan and deliver automatic updates with the WPBay SDK and licensing API.
- License activation & validation
- Activation limits
- Multiple product plans
- Feature gating
- License deactivation
- Trial & paid-user detection
- Automatic WordPress updates
- REST API access
Connect the purchase to the software
A software licensing system lets your product verify that the customer has a valid purchase and determine what that purchase gives them access to.
For WordPress developers, that can mean limiting how many websites a license can activate on, unlocking different features for Basic, Pro or Agency customers, checking whether a customer has a paid or trial license, and controlling access to product updates.
WPBay connects this licensing layer directly to products sold through the marketplace, so you do not need to build a separate licensing backend from scratch.
The licensing tools your WordPress product actually needs
Use the WPBay SDK for a ready-made WordPress integration or work directly with the API when you need more control.
License activation
Let customers register their WPBay purchase from inside your plugin or theme and associate that activation with the current website.
Online license validation
Your product can verify the stored purchase against WPBay and determine whether the customer has a valid license.
License deactivation
Customers can deactivate an installation so the license seat can be released and used on another website when permitted.
Site activation limits
WPBay returns the maximum permitted activation count with the license, allowing you to sell single-site, multi-site or unlimited-site plans.
Product plan detection
The purchased plan is detected automatically from the customer’s purchase. Your product can distinguish plans such as Basic, Pro or Agency.
Feature gating
Use the active plan inside your code to expose different functionality depending on what the customer purchased.
Paid-user checks
The SDK includes helpers for determining whether the current user has an active paid license.
Trial-user checks
Products using WPBay trials can detect trial users separately from regular paying customers and react accordingly.
Automatic updates
Customers with a valid license can receive new plugin or theme versions through the standard WordPress update workflow.
REST API
Skip the SDK and build your own integration using WPBay’s API endpoints for license registration, validation and product updates.
Developer sandbox mode
Test licensing before launch using developer activations and temporary sandbox licenses without requiring a real customer purchase.
Debug logging
Enable SDK debug mode while developing to log integration errors and troubleshoot activation or communication problems.
Sell different plans without maintaining different products
Create multiple commercial plans for the same product and let the WPBay licensing system tell your software which one the customer owns.
The plan and the activation allowance are separate. That means you can vary features, site limits or both depending on how you want to structure your product.
Your plugin can read the active plan using the WPBay SDK and unlock the corresponding functionality automatically.
Deliver updates directly through WordPress
Licensing is connected to WPBay’s product update infrastructure. Upload a new product version to WPBay and eligible customers can see that update from their WordPress dashboard.
Customers stay inside the update workflow they already understand, while access can remain tied to the WPBay license.
Read the SDK documentationUse the WPBay SDK or build directly with the API
WordPress developers can use the ready-made SDK, while custom implementations can communicate with WPBay directly.
Fast integration for plugins and themes
Include the WPBay SDK in your product, configure your Product ID and API key, and use the included helpers for licensing, plans and updates.
Build your own licensing integration
If the standard SDK is not suitable, communicate directly with WPBay’s API to register licenses, validate purchases and integrate product updates.
Test the integration before customers ever see it
WPBay includes development tools specifically for testing licensing integrations during product development.
Developer Mode
Run the SDK in development mode while building your product without performing normal production license verification.
Testing purchase code
Use the developer testing credentials from your seller account to test activation flows without making a real marketplace purchase.
Sandbox activations
Developer testing activations are kept separate from normal customer licensing and automatically expire after the testing period.
Debug Mode
Enable detailed SDK logging during development to help identify API or licensing integration problems.
Draft Product IDs
WPBay assigns a Product ID as soon as you save a draft, so licensing integration can begin before the product is published.
GPL-compatible SDK
The WPBay SDK uses a GPL-compatible license and is designed specifically for integration into WordPress plugins and themes.
Build the commercial model that fits your product
Single-site licenses
Sell a lower-priced license that activates on one WordPress installation.
Multi-site packages
Create larger license tiers for freelancers and customers managing several websites.
Feature-based plans
Use the same plugin package while enabling different functionality for Basic, Pro or Agency licenses.
Recurring licenses
Combine licensing with WPBay monthly or yearly subscriptions for products using a recurring commercial model.
Free + Pro plugins
Maintain a free product while using WPBay licensing and plan checks for premium functionality or paid add-ons.
Premium add-ons
Give individual add-ons their own WPBay product IDs and licensing integration.
Licensed updates
Make new versions available through WordPress while validating eligibility through the product license.
Custom licensing flows
Use the WPBay API directly when your product requires an integration beyond the standard WordPress SDK.
Your marketplace and licensing infrastructure stay connected
If you already sell your product through WPBay, you do not need to bolt a completely separate licensing service onto it.
The purchase, plan, site allowance, license activation and product update flow can all work around the same WPBay product.
Add licensing to your WordPress product without building the infrastructure from scratch
Create your WPBay seller account, add your product and integrate the WPBay SDK or REST API for licensing, plan detection and automatic updates.