Wilcity is the directory theme that quietly stopped growing. It still works if you already own it, but the ThemeForest listing is gone, the roadmap is dead, and starting a new project on Wilcity in 2026 means betting on a product the developer has all but walked away from.
What is Wilcity?
Wilcity is a WordPress directory and listings theme built by Wiloke (sometimes credited as DesignerWP), first released in 2018. The pitch was generous: rating systems, user dashboards, native messaging, paid listings, both iOS and Android companion apps, and 56 add-on plugins on CodeCanyon to extend the core theme into whatever niche you wanted.
For a few years it was a credible mid-tier option for general directory builds. Then the updates slowed.
The ThemeForest listing now returns a 410 Gone response, the support workflow has fragmented across Ticksy and wilcityservice.com, and the only place to legally buy a fresh copy is third-party GPL mirrors at $10 with no support or updates.
Wilcity pros and cons
- 56 companion plugins on CodeCanyon, more than any directory theme in its tier
- Native messaging and notification system without forcing BuddyPress
- iOS and Android apps ship in the package (extremely rare at this price point)
- ThemeForest listing pulled, no official purchase path
- Promised roadmap features never shipped, last major update was 1.4.52
- Support split across three different ticket portals depending on what broke
What customers say about Wilcity
“Wilcity is effectively in maintenance mode. It hasn’t been abandoned, but the innovation has stopped. The ‘next-gen’ features that were promised years ago haven’t materialized. If you own it, it still works. If you are starting a new project today, do not buy it.”
— DirectoryBuildr editorial review, February 2026 (directorybuildr.com/blog/what-happened-to-wilcity/)
A separate long-running Envato forum thread titled “Wilcity theme abandoned for months, Envato and devs do not respond” has been accumulating buyer complaints about unanswered support tickets since 2024. Wiloke’s own author page now lists just one ThemeForest item (down from a peak of multiple themes), with 56 CodeCanyon plugins absorbing most of the developer’s remaining attention.
Frequently asked questions
What is Wilcity?
Wilcity is the directory theme that quietly stopped growing.
How much does Wilcity cost?
Was $69 one-time on ThemeForest (no longer available; resellers list at $10). Pricing is current as of 2026 unless the vendor has delisted the product.
Is Wilcity actively maintained in 2026?
No. Based on public update history and customer reviews, Wilcity has not received a substantive update in over 12 months and should be treated as unmaintained for new projects.
Who is Wilcity for?
Existing Wilcity owners who already have a live site running.
Who should avoid Wilcity?
Avoid if You are starting a fresh directory in 2026.
Is Wilcity better than Smart Directory Pro?
It depends on use case. Wilcity costs Was $69 one-time on ThemeForest (no longer available; resellers list at $10). Smart Directory Pro is $99 to $399 per year, includes both theme and plugin, ships AI SEO audit + AI categorisation + AI semantic search out of the box, and is built specifically for local SEO agencies. See the comparison section above for the specifics.
Is Wilcity worth it in 2026?
If you bought Wilcity in 2019 and it runs your directory today, keep it.
Wilcity vs Smart Directory Pro
Different leagues at this point. Smart Directory Pro ships a current theme plus a current plugin together for $99 per year on the Basic tier, with active development, 22 documented features, and AI-powered tools like AI SEO audit, AI categorisation, and AI semantic search.
Wilcity in 2026 is a legacy asset, not a product you can buy from the vendor. SDP also focuses tightly on local SEO agencies running multiple directory sites, which Wilcity never targeted.
| Wilcity | Smart Directory Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Was $69 one-time on ThemeForest; listing pulled, GPL mirrors at $10 | $99 / $199 / $399 per year |
| Theme + plugin bundled | Theme + 56 separate CodeCanyon add-ons | Both, single download |
| AI features included | None | 7 (SEO audit, semantic search, categorisation, FAQ generator, meta generator, tag suggestions, content enricher) |
| Programmatic SEO pages | No | Yes (Agency tier) |
| Business claim with email verification | No | Built in |
| Recurring fees | None (no vendor to charge them) | None |
| Last major update | Version 1.4.52, over 12 months ago | Monthly |
| Best for | Existing owners keeping a live site running | Local SEO agencies running niche directories |
