How To Choose a WordPress Membership Plugin: The Best Membership Plugins for WordPress

Creating a membership site is an excellent way to monetize content, build a community, or offer exclusive resources to your audience. WordPress makes it easy to achieve this with a variety of membership plugins designed for different needs, from content restriction to eLearning and community building. But with so many available, which WordPress membership plugin is right for you? Here’s a detailed look at some of the best WordPress membership plugins to help you choose the right one for your site. Let’s explore how to choose a WordPress membership plugin for your site.
How Do You Choose a WordPress Membership Plugin?
Choosing the right WordPress membership plugin depends on your site’s goals, budget, and technical expertise. Evaluate the features offered by each plugin, such as content restriction, payment gateway support, and integration with other tools you already use.
Additionally, consider the scalability of the plugin to ensure it can grow with your site’s needs. Whether you’re building a community, selling courses, or offering exclusive content, there’s a plugin tailored to your needs.
Begin by identifying your primary objectives, such as the type of content you want to restrict, the payment gateways you’ll use, or the level of interactivity required, to help match your goals with the most suitable plugin. Start with a clear understanding of your requirements and budget to find the best solution for your membership site.
Consider asking yourself these key questions:
- What is the primary goal of my membership site (e.g., selling courses, restricting content, or building a community)?
- What payment gateways and integrations are essential for my business?
- How technically advanced does the plugin need to be for my level of expertise?
- Will the plugin scale with my site as it grows?
- What is my budget for upfront costs and ongoing subscriptions?
There are plenty of powerful membership plugins for WordPress, but each has it’s pros and cons. Choosing the right one means looking at the options and deciding which fits with your needs and goals.
The 13 Best Membership Plugins for WordPress
Building a membership site on WordPress opens up a world of possibilities for content creators, educators, and businesses. Whether you want to restrict premium content, create an online course, or foster a vibrant community, the right WordPress membership plugin is essential. With countless plugins available, each offering unique features and benefits, it can be challenging to decide which one suits your needs.
To make the decision easier, we’ve curated a list of the best WordPress membership plugins. These plugins cater to various goals, from simple content restriction to advanced eLearning platforms, and include options for every budget and level of technical expertise. Let’s dive in and explore what makes each plugin stand out.
MemberPress
MemberPress is often regarded as one of the most powerful membership plugins for WordPress. It features advanced content dripping, robust access rules, and a built-in course builder, making it an excellent choice for businesses or creators focused on creating online courses or offering premium content. It integrates seamlessly with popular email marketing tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit and supports multiple payment gateways, including Stripe and PayPal. However, it is a premium WordPress membership plugin and does not offer a free version. But it’s comprehensive features make it ideal for those seeking to build a robust membership site.
Top Features:
- Includes a build in content create features and scheduling
- Supports PayPal and Stripe payments
- Includes an add-on system for extended functionality
- Supports an unlimited number of members
- Integrates with popular email marketing tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit
Pricing: The MemberPress WordPress membership plugin starts at US$179.50 per year.
Restrict Content Pro
Restrict Content Pro is a user-friendly WordPress membership plugin designed for those who need a clean and seamless membership system. It offers unlimited subscription levels, discount codes for promotions, and detailed reporting for member management. With integrations for payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, it’s a favorite for bloggers and content creators. A free version is available for those starting small, while the premium version provides additional flexibility and functionality.
Top Features:
- Unlimited subscription levels.
- Discount codes for promotions.
- Detailed reporting for member management.
- Integrations with payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net.
- Free version available with premium upgrades.
Pricing: Restrict Content Pro offers free basic plans, with premium plans starting at US$99 per year.
Paid Memberships Subscriptions
With its versatility and extensive add-ons, Paid Member Subscriptions stands out from other membership plugins for WordPress. It allows for multiple membership levels, customizable checkout processes, and content restriction by posts, pages, and custom post types. Its free core version makes it accessible to beginners, while paid add-ons enable advanced functionalities like recurring payments and email marketing integration. This flexibility makes it suitable for a variety of membership site types.
Top Features:
- Multiple membership levels.
- Customizable checkout processes.
- Content restriction by posts, pages, and custom post types.
- Free core version with extensive paid add-ons.
- Recurring payments and email marketing integration.
Pricing: Paid Member Subscriptions offers a limited free version, with pro features starting at US$102.96 per year.
ProfilePress
ProfilePress is a user-friendly WordPress membership plugin that focuses on simplicity and functionality. It offers content restriction, custom login forms, and registration pages, along with seamless integration with email marketing tools and payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal. Its intuitive interface and robust features make it an excellent choice for beginners and experienced developers alike.
Top Features:
- Content restriction and custom login forms.
- Customizable registration pages.
- Integration with email marketing tools and payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal.
- User-friendly interface for both beginners and developers.
- Robust features for managing memberships effectively.
Pricing: ProfilePress starts at at US$129 per year.
Ultimate Member
Perfect for community-driven websites, Ultimate Member focuses on front-end user registration, member directories, and custom user roles. With optional premium extensions, it supports integrations with WooCommerce, real-time notifications, and other tools. Whether building forums or social networks, this free plugin provides an interactive platform for user engagement.
Top Features:
- Front-end user registration and login.
- Member directories and custom user roles.
- WooCommerce integration with optional premium extensions.
- Support for real-time notifications.
- Free core plugin with additional premium features.
Pricing: The Ultimate Member WordPress membership plugin is free with premium features available from US$249 per year.
LearnDash
LearnDash is a standout option for membership sites centered on eLearning, setting it apart from other membership plugins for WordPress. It includes powerful course creation tools, content dripping, and advanced quiz features. Its ability to integrate with WooCommerce and other WordPress membership plugins makes it a comprehensive solution for instructors, trainers, and institutions. Although it’s a premium plugin, its features are well worth the investment for educational content.
Top Features:
- Powerful course creation tools.
- Content dripping and advanced quiz capabilities.
- Seamless integration with WooCommerce and other plugins.
- Ideal for educational content and online courses.
- Premium plugin with robust features for instructors and trainers.
Pricing: The LearnDash WordPress membership plugin is available for US$199 per year.
WooCommerce Memberships
For WooCommerce-powered sites, WooCommerce Memberships provides an excellent extension for managing memberships tied to product purchases. It allows for content restriction by membership level and seamless integration with WooCommerce. This premium plugin is ideal for eCommerce sites looking to enhance their offerings with subscription-based products.
Top Features:
- Seamless integration with WooCommerce.
- Memberships tied to product purchases.
- Content restriction by membership level.
- Ideal for eCommerce sites with subscription-based products.
- Premium plugin for expanding WooCommerce functionality.
Pricing: WooCommerce Memberships starts at US$199 per year.
s2Member
s2Member is a budget-friendly WordPress membership plugin offering support for multiple payment gateways, custom registration fields, and integration with email marketing tools. With a free version available, it’s a practical option for those seeking a straightforward solution. The premium version adds more advanced features, making it a reliable choice for small to mid-sized sites.
Top Features:
- Support for multiple payment gateways.
- Custom registration and profile fields.
- Integration with email marketing tools.
- Free version available for basic needs.
- Advanced features available in the premium version.
Pricing: The core S2Member plugin is free, with premium features available for a US$89 one-time payment.
ProfileGrid
ProfileGrid is a versatile plugin ideal for social networks, directories, and multi-community sites. It includes features such as user profiles, group memberships, private messaging, and content restriction by groups. The free core plugin is feature-rich, while premium add-ons enhance its capabilities, making it perfect for fostering interaction and collaboration.
Top Features:
- User profiles and group memberships.
- Private messaging system.
- Content restriction by groups.
- Free core plugin with premium add-ons.
- Ideal for social networks and collaborative platforms.
Pricing: ProfileGrid is a free WordPress membership plugin, with premium add-ons starting at US$79 per year.
Wishlist Member
Wishlist Member is a highly scalable WordPress membership plugin offering features like content dripping, pay-per-post, and advanced membership level management. It integrates with popular CRMs and payment gateways, making it suitable for growing membership sites. Although it’s a premium plugin, its flexibility and comprehensive functionality justify the cost compared with other membership plugins for WordPress.
Top Features:
- Content dripping and pay-per-post.
- Advanced membership level management.
- Integrates with popular CRMs and payment gateways.
- Scalable solution for growing membership sites.
- Premium plugin with comprehensive functionality.
Pricing: Wishlist Member starts at US$149.50 per year.
Simple Membership
True to its name, Simple Membership is an easy-to-use WordPress membership plugin perfect for beginners or small sites. It supports multiple membership levels, lightweight content restriction, and integration with payment gateways like PayPal. Like other membership plugins for WordPress, there is a free core version with optional paid add-ons to unlock additional features.
Top Features:
- Lightweight and easy to use.
- Supports multiple membership levels.
- Integration with payment gateways like PayPal.
- Free core plugin with optional paid add-ons.
- Perfect for small and straightforward membership sites.
Pricing: Simple Membership is free, with additional free and paid add-ons available.
ARMember
The ARMember WordPress membership plugin combines a modern design with powerful features, including a built-in form builder, content dripping, and WooCommerce integration. It is a premium plugin with a one-time fee, making it a cost-effective option for users looking for a seamless and visually appealing solution.
Top Features:
- Modern design with a built-in form builder.
- Content dripping and subscription management.
- Integration with WooCommerce.
- One-time fee for premium features.
- Cost-effective and visually appealing solution.
Pricing: ARMember starts at US$69 per year.
WP-Members
WP-Members offers simple user registration and login features, shortcodes for content restriction, and customizable user permissions. This free plugin is ideal for sites with basic needs, while optional premium support and add-ons expand its capabilities.
Top Features:
- Simple user registration and login.
- Shortcodes for content restriction.
- Customizable user permissions.
- Free plugin with optional premium support.
- Ideal for basic membership site needs.
Pricing: The core WP-Members plugin is free with premium support for US$59 per year.
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