Why you should never use nulled Gravity Forms plugins (and what to do if you have)

Are you considering downloading a nulled version of a Gravity Forms plugin (or any WordPress plugin, for that matter)? You might want to think again.

Nulled plugins (unauthorized, pirated versions of premium WordPress plugins) can infect your site with malware, compromise sensitive data, and destroy your site’s credibility. In this article, you’ll learn what nulled plugins are, why they’re dangerous, and what to do if you’ve already installed one.

What are nulled plugins?

A nulled WordPress plugin is a hacked or modified version of a premium plugin that removes the need for a license key. These plugins often look and function like the original, but beneath the surface, they frequently hide backdoors, malware, and other forms of malicious code.

They’re typically distributed for free (or at a discounted price) through shady forums, unofficial marketplaces, and social media groups.

Why do people search for nulled WordPress plugins?

It’s simple: people want to save money.

But the initial cost of downloading a nulled plugin doesn’t reflect the long-term risks—website crashes, lost data, legal complications, and even complete loss of web presence.

Not to mention, using a nulled product undermines the hard work of developers and damages the sustainability of the WordPress community. By choosing legitimate versions of plugins, like Gravity Forms and GravityKit add-ons, you’re helping the ecosystem thrive.

The dangers of using nulled Gravity Forms plugins

According to the 2020 Wordfence Threat Report, malware originating from nulled plugins or themes was one of the number one threats to WordPress sites, with malware found on over 200,000 websites!

While the number of these infections has significantly reduced, it’s still an ever-present threat. Here are the major risks:

1. Backdoors

A backdoor gives hackers a secret pathway into your site. Once inside, they can access your files, steal data, and even create secret admin accounts. Many nulled plugins come with these hidden access points baked in.

According to WordPress security experts from Wordfence,

“Nulled plugins and themes frequently contain backdoors and other malware that is used to distribute SEO spam, perform attacks on other websites, steal sensitive information, and redirect site visitors to malvertising websites, all of which can put your site visitors at risk and ruin your website reputation.”

Even worse, some nulled plugins will inject hidden administrator users into your website’s database. This allows hackers to take control of your site so they can modify it however and whenever they want to.

2. Hidden SEO links

Nulled plugins may insert invisible backlinks into your pages as part of shady “black hat SEO” schemes. These links aren’t meant for your visitors, they’re there to fraudulently boost other sites in Google rankings. This can result in a penalty from search engines and a serious drop in your site’s SEO performance.

Luckily, Google and other search engines are getting better at identifying and penalizing sites that abuse the system.

3. Unwanted ads

Some nulled plugins inject unwanted adverts into your website for the purpose of “malvertising“. This can cause huge problems for your site visitors, who might decide to click on an ad and then get redirected to a dodgy website or asked to install a malicious program.

4. Viruses and Malware

Viruses, trojans, and malware can do everything from harvesting passwords to taking your site offline. Infected sites also tend to get blacklisted by search engines, which can wipe out all your traffic and revenue overnight.

Some types of malware may render your website completely unusable. Viruses can add links or redirects to other nefarious phishing sites, obtain sensitive user information or lock you out, preventing you from accessing your own content.

Search engines penalize websites that contain malware. This can ruin your search rankings, causing you to lose traffic and revenue.

Will you get support for nulled Gravity Forms plugins?

Short answer: No.

Support is only provided to users with valid licenses. Even if you’ve paid a third-party for a nulled version, plugin developers will not help you. Without updates and support, you’re on your own if something breaks.

What about GravityView nulled versions?

There are websites out there that offer a nulled version of GravityView. We strongly discourage installing these.

Instead, you can access the free, open-source version of GravityView via our GitHub repository. There are no license restrictions for basic use, and you won’t be compromising your website’s security or credibility.

Already installed a nulled Gravity Forms plugin? Here’s what to do

If you’ve already installed a nulled plugin, don’t panic—but act fast.

Step 1: Delete the plugin immediately

Go to your WordPress admin dashboard, navigate to “Plugins,” deactivate the nulled plugin, and click “Delete.”

Step 2: Scan your website for malware

Removing the plugin is a good first step, but it may have already injected malicious code into your website. That’s why we recommend you immediately scan your site for malware using a reputable WordPress security plugin like Wordfence or Sucuri.

Step 3: Check for unauthorized admin users

Many nulled plugins sneak hidden admin accounts into your database. Log into phpMyAdmin and inspect the wp_users table for unfamiliar accounts. If you need help, consider consulting a developer, or read this article to understand the structure of your user database.

Step 4: Consider professional cleanup

If you’re not confident cleaning your site yourself, hire a WordPress security expert to ensure your site is fully disinfected and secure.

There’s no such thing as a free premium plugin

Nulled plugins may be “free” financially, but they often come with a much higher long-term cost, including lost data, blacklisted domains and irreparable brand damage.

Invest in your plugins and protect your site

At the end of the day, Gravity Forms remains a premium plugin for a reason. Not only is it supported by a dedicated team of developers but it’s continually being improved for a better user experience.

And the same goes for GravityKit, or any other Gravity Forms Certified Developer Add-Ons. By using the licensed versions, you get regular updates, access to all plugin functionality, professional support, and peace of mind.

Final thoughts: stay away from nulled plugins

Here’s the bottom line: don’t install nulled Gravity Forms plugins or add-ons. The risks far outweigh the potential savings. By supporting official developers, you’re not only investing in secure and reliable tools, you’re protecting your website, your data, and your reputation.

But if you’re looking for GravityView and budget is a real concern, don’t be tempted by nulled versions, just download the open-source version from our public GitHub repository!