Membership plugins in WordPress are essential for any member-based website. Those plugins enable subscribing systems, manage memberships, restrict access to specific content, and more.
Choosing the right one seems challenging with so many options. This guide explores the best five membership plugins in WordPress. We’ve analyzed their features, benefits, and limitations.
01. MemberPress
- Content Protection: An easy way to restrict access to specific content (posts, pages, and categories).
- Subscription Management: Easy creation/management of subscription plans with recurring payments.
- Powerful Integrations: It integrates with various payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net).
- Advanced Reporting: In-depth reporting and analytics (growth, payments, and website activity).
- Coupon and Discount: Create and manage discount codes for your loyal/potential clients.
Advantages
- An intuitive UI, simple for beginners to create and manage membership sites.
- Advanced customization options for membership levels, content protection, and payment settings.
- An affiliate management system to reward members for referring new subscribers.
Limitations
- The basic plan starts at $179 per year, which may not be affordable for startups.
- Lack of advanced content protection options like protecting custom post types.
It suits businesses and content creators looking for a feature-rich membership site with extensive customization, reporting, and integration.
02. Restrict Content Pro
- Content Restriction: Restrict content based on membership levels. You can hide specific pages, posts, and categories.
- Subscription Plans: Create multiple subscription plans with pricing options such as free trials, recurring payments, or one-time fees.
- Integrations: It integrates with several payment gateways. It also connects with email marketing services (Mailchimp and ConvertKit).
- Advanced Member Management: Member management tools like exporting member data and viewing membership activity.
Advantages
- Straightforward to use and ideal for businesses that don’t need complex features.
- It’s one of the more affordable membership plugins, starting at just $99 annually.
- Perfect for those looking to create a membership site without any steep learning.
Limitations
- Lacks advanced features like a built-in affiliate system, robust reporting, or learning management.
- Doesn’t offer as many integrations as other, more expensive membership plugins (MemberPress).
Small businesses and individuals needing a cost-effective membership management solution with moderate scaling should look into it.
03. WooCommerce Memberships
- WooCommerce Integration: Seamless integration with WooCommerce to sell membership plans as products, offer member discounts, and create restricted content.
- Drip Content: Create a content drip system to release content gradually to your members over time.
- Content Protection: You can protect posts, pages, categories, and custom post types. You can even restrict members’ access to specific product categories.
- Easy Setup: The plugin’s integration with WooCommerce is an excellent choice for WooCommerce users.
- Membership Discounts: Members can receive discounts on products in your WooCommerce store. It’s possible to customize the membership level.
Advantages
- A great choice for eCommerce stores looking to add membership functionality.
- Drip content is ideal for online courses, member blogs, and exclusive product content.
- As your site grows, WooCommerce Memberships can scale for recurring payments.
Limitations
- WooCommerce Memberships only work with WooCommerce.
- Some advanced features may require additional extensions.
Existing WooCommerce users who want to expand their store through memberships, discounts, and exclusive content can choose it.
04. LearnDash
- Course Content Protection: Restrict access to lessons, quizzes, and courses based on membership level.
- Learning Management System (LMS): A powerful plugin to sell online courses. It offers advanced membership features (course subscriptions, user management, and drip-feed content).
- Advanced Quizzes and Assessments: Advanced quiz features automate grading, certificates, and badges.
- Integration with Membership Plugins: LearnDash integrates with other membership plugins like MemberPress and WooCommerce Memberships to add robust membership functionalities.
- Gamification: Use badges, points, and leaderboards to gamify the learning experience for members.
Advantages
- Tailored to online course creators, with features to create, sell, and manage online courses.
- Integration with third-party tools, including WooCommerce, Zapier, and membership plugins.
- Powerful content drip functionality seems ideal for delivering the course content over time.
Limitations
- It’s not a full membership plugin, requiring 3rd-party plugins (MemberPress).
- LearnDash is relatively expensive, with plans starting at $159 per year.
It’s the go-to option for online course creators who want to create, sell, and manage courses with full functionality.
05. Paid Memberships Pro
- Content Restriction: Restrict content based on membership levels, including posts, pages, categories, and custom posts.
- Unlimited Membership Levels: Paid Memberships Pro offers unlimited membership levels. It can be customized based on subscription duration, price, or benefits.
- Payment Gateway Integration: Supports various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, and more.
- Member Management: Comprehensive member management features (lists, profile updates, and email notifications).
Advantages
- The plugin offers unlimited membership levels, which is ideal for businesses with multiple membership tiers.
- Integration with many third-party tools (email marketing, payment gateways, and analytics).
- There’s a free version available with vital features that are great for small sites and basic membership needs.
Limitations
- Upgrading is necessary to access more advanced features.
- The setup process may be slightly complicated for beginners.
Sites with multiple membership levels or for extensive integrations with 3rd-party tools should get it.
Choosing the best membership plugin for your WordPress site means considering your needs. Each plugin offers unique advantages, so getting the right one depends on your membership site.