The 6 best WordPress Membership-related plugins (Plus an alternative)

Mar 18, 2023

Based on a little research, around one-third of websites on the internet are built using WordPress, so it's simple to see why there's a plugin capable of handling almost anything like subscriptions and memberships.

Membership plugins provide you with the option of deciding those who are able to view your site's contentand which way.

There are a few differences. Not all the WordPress subscription-based plug-ins operate in the exact same manner. It is essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of every one so that you can pick a plugin that has all the features you require from the beginning.

The best 6 WordPress membership-based plugins offering pay-per-use as well as free options as well as all the other information you should be aware of to select the best one.

The best WordPress membership plugins currently available

Plugin Pros & Cons
1. MemberPress

The best for

If you are looking for an all-purpose, middle of the road membership plugin to get started with

Pros
  • It's fully compatible It works with Paypal, Amazon, and Stripe
  • Built-in payment gateways
  • Simple to configure
  • Large- and small-scale restrictions on the contents
  • The ability of "drip" limited content
  • Setup of online courses and administration

Cons

  • The payment options are limited.
  • Integrations are not as extensive when compared with rivals
2. Restrictions on Content Pro

The best option for

those with less expertise in technology who require documentation, and possibly assistance from support personnel

Pros
  • Simple set-up and day-today use
  • Straightforward user experience
  • Integration with Forum plugins
  • Extensive documentation
  • Excellent support

Cons

  • Better integrations than rivals
  • does not work with affiliate marketing systems.
3. OptinMonster

Ideal for

for those who are looking to begin email courses, or established instructors who want to expand their options via email

Pros
  • It's compatible with the services used for marketing emails.
  • Pop-ups and other pop-ups can cause
  • Inexpensive entry-level option

Cons

  • Limited to two-step forms
  • No built-in landing page builder
  • Modifications to templates are limited to a specific amount
4. WooCommerce Memberships

Excellent for

Course creators already use WooCommerce.

Pros

It seamlessly integrates seamlessly into the current WooCommerce stores seamlessly and seamlessly with the existing WooCommerce. It's simple to add with WooCommerce stores.

Cons

  • More affordable than similar plugins
  • A set of features that are limited.
5. Paid Member Pro

Ideal for

Course creators with moderate degree of expertise seeking to be flexible.

Pros
  • An array of extensions
  • Additional add-ons are added constantly
  • Alternatives to WooCommerce members

Cons

  • Certain features that comprise the basic product's feature set are available as add-ons
6. The S2 Member

Perfect for

HTML0 Highly experienced, educated and technologically-adept course creators that know exactly what they need.

Pros
  • Much more customizable than other alternatives
  • Competitive pricing
  • Developer-friendly

Cons

  • The process of setting up isn't the same as its rivals.
  • Complicated, non-intuitive interface

The challenge of plugins is that they're similar to an alternative solution. There are several alternative options to manage your own membership-based site. It won't have the potential be a hassle to have removed, especially if you're working in the field of online learning , or plan to establish an online community.

Related:

1. Member Press

A comprehensive solution perfect for instructors who are trying to find their way through the maze, MemberPress is easy to set up and configure. It offers basic integrations to payments, email marketing tools in addition to a range of different tools. With unlimited membership levels it gives you a range of options to customize your students' experience. In addition, you can set up automatic email reminders that ensure that students are kept informed about specific events, something that other plugins cannot give.

Prices: From $129/year

The Most Popular Features

  • Unlimited membership includes diverse trial periods and payment methods
  • "Membership Groups" are a way to track users' travels in accordance with various upgrade paths
  • Flexible sharing allows users to block access to multiple levels starting with a single page to complete categories of content.
  • The MemberPress Reminders feature sends automatized emails reminding you of important dates like renewal dates or due dates.
Pros
  • Integration with Paypal, Amazon, and Stripe
  • Built-in payment gateways
  • Simple configuration
  • Both large and small-scale restriction on content
  • This permits users to "drip" limited content releases it slowly to users.
  • The configuration of online courses, as well as administration, and the possibility of monitoring the progress of the student
Cons
  • HTML0 Limited payment optionsAlthough Paypal, Amazon, and Stripe are all popular, they're by no means the only choices for payments. MemberPress accepts
  • Although it is compatible with the most popular platforms, such as MailChimp, MemberPass offers limited integrations as compared to rivals
Screenshot of Memberpess
Source: MemberPress

2. Restrict Content Pro

Much more than another option to compare to MemberPass, Restrict Content Pro is a different option for course creators that require more freedom and control. Each price point will provide a certain number of extra features that are applicable to an amount of websites. The plugin lets you select only the options that you want. Like MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro has fewer integrations as compared to its competitors. However, in the event that the integrations you require aren't necessary for your specific class, its lower cost is what is appealing about the plugin.

Prices: From $99/month (12 options, one website)

HTML0: The Most Effective Features

  • The add-ons can be customized that can be customized with drip-content, personalized redirects and restrictions on content previously published and the date of expiration, and many other features.
  • more integrations than its closely related rival MemberPass
  • Customers have had excellent experiences having representatives from customer service
  • It's fully compatible with forum plugins such as bbPress and BbPress giving you more chances to build community
  • Capability to export data into CSV files
Pros
  • It's easy to set up and can be used day or night.
  • Straightforward user experience
  • Integration with Forum plugins
  • Extensive documentation
  • Excellent support
Cons
  • Fewer integrations than competitors.
  • It is not able to integrate with an affiliate marketing system
Restrict Content Pro Screenshot
Source: Restrict Content Pro

3. OptinMonster

If you're looking to become at ease in the new position as an instructor but don't have your entire course running with OptinMonster, it may help in creating lead-generation and drip campaigns to attract your very first students. You can create custom pop-ups to invite customers on your website to subscribe to your newsletter , or perhaps an entirely free class. If you've got a course which is running and has a lot of students, OptinMonster can aid you in creating the course for free via emails and draw the attention of potential students.

Pricing Beginning at $9/month to be paid in a year

     Quality Features    

  • Cloud-based is a way to run
  • It is customizable so that various pop-ups will be displayed to different groups of people who go to your page (eg. those who haven't visited your website before will see only one pop-up while users who've visited your website at least three times get various pop-ups)
  • Integrates with a variety of service for subscription emails
  • Pop-ups of a variety of kinds, such as lightboxes and full-page
  • Multi-pop-up triggers for you to select from
Pros
  • could be a fantastic addition to membership tools and integrate with some of the most well-known methods of marketing via email.
  • A wide range of pop-up forms as well as triggers
  • A cost-effective entry-level method for testing drip-based marketing campaigns
Cons
  • Limited to two-step forms
  • No built-in landing page builder
  • Customization of templates is limited to a certain amount
Optin Monster Screenshot
Source: OptinMonster

Access its strong tools and features come as part of all of the features and tools you'll require when selling online educational materials. The risk is completely free.

4. Memberships in WooCommerce

WooCommerce Memberships are an excellent option for running an online class. It is possible to offer registration for courses in a separate store or even be linked to other purchases. (For instance, a person who buys a set of guitar tablature may enroll in an online program in which they'll be taught ways to play the music.) However, an overall absence of options can render this plug-in an unwise pick just if you already have WooCommerce or are using eCommerce instead of online courses as your primary source of revenue.

Pricing $199/year to enable recurring payments

The Most Effective Features

  • This allows you to restrict certain eCommerce products (eg. textbooks) to a specific amount of membership
  • Features eCommerce functions like discounts, coupons, or ideas for items
  • Users are able to upgrade, downgrade or close the account
Pros
  • It's compatible with all of the WooCommerce stores.
Cons
  • Much less expensive than comparable plugins
  • A set of features that are limited.
Woocommerce Membership Screenshot
Source: WooCommerce

5. Paid Membership Pro

While it was a time, in terms of capabilities, Paid Memberships Pro was not as advanced as its rivals. Recent improvements are bringing it up to the required level and now it has an array of functions that let it compete against other WordPress member-only plugins. While it offers some distinct features, Paid Memberships Pro lacks certain essential features which make up its features.

Pricing: A trial version is available. Prices for paid plans start at $297.

     The Most Effective Features    

  • "Add On" system allows users to gain access to a wide range of choices which users are able to utilize to switch them on and off as needed
  • It's completely integrated with the tracking platforms that monitor affiliates, WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Slack as well as a range of payment options
  • It is also available as a Developer's Toolkit.
Pros
  • An array of additional add-ons put it at par with other plugins for membership.
  • These add-ons keep being added
  • It can be used in lieu of memberships with WooCommerce.
Cons
  • Certain aspects that are one of the features of the core set across different programs (eg. members having the option to be able to join at multiple levels) are offered as additional features that are included with Paid Members Pro.
Paid Memberships Pro Screenshot
Source: Paying Memberships Pro

6. S2 Member

If you're looking for an cost-effective WordPress member-based plugin then S2 Member is your best option. The basic features that are offered in the version that is free could be enough to enable users to put their online class in place as well as let you play around with various options. If you're ready to get serious about your online learning, S2 Member Pro offers affordable pricing for single sites or several sites.

Pricing: Free version. For the Pro version cost $89/year per website, or $189/year for unlimited websites.

The Best Features

  • Customize your login and sign-up procedure
  • Access to the complete source code
  • There are numerous options to allow or delaying access to data
  • Compatible with WordPress Multisite
Pros
  • is more flexible than other options, meaning you can configure it exactly with the specifications you require to manage your online course
  • Competitive pricing
  • Developer-friendly
Cons
  • The method of setting up may not operate as efficiently as similar procedures of rivals'
  • Complex, confusing interface with a myriad of options
S2 Member WordPress Plugin Screenshot
Source: S2 Member

What should you look for in an WordPress Member Plugin

If you are shopping for WordPress Subscription plugins remember these tips in your head.

  • Friendly for users. How much technical knowledge do you need in order to setup the plugin, and to set it up?
  • Interface and user experience. From the standpoint of the customer, does it make sense to join and then navigate the website for membership?
  • Information you decide to share is appropriate. What kinds of information do you share with your students? Do you have a way you'd prefer to present the information? Some plugins have more flexibility than other plugins.
  • Community features.
  • Drip release. Do you want to gradually let each student know about the data in a set time frame? Some plugins permit this. Other plugins don't.
  • Integrations. What other platforms or other devices do you use (eg. videos, social media)? Are they required to be integrated into your membership service?
  • Payments and coupons. Does the plugin you use work together with your payment service provider? Do you have the ability to provide coupon codes?
  • Monitoring affiliates. Will your plugin allow you to track referrals made by affiliates?
  • Analytics. What data can you gather on the user's behavior and interaction? Are you able to keep an accurate record of payment's status?
  • Learn Management System (LMS).

Problems with using WordPress plugins that manage your website's members

If you're only making your marks as an online-based class maker, WordPress membership plugins give users the opportunity to get working. However, they have drawbacks which could create a subscription program attractive to people that are.

The first thing to note is that no one plugin can offer the functions you'll require to run your business in one location. As an example None is every one of the WordPress membership plugins that are available to provide features you need for establishing and running an online school community. What they can do is to integrate with bbPress, which is an additional tool that you'll have to set up and maintain.

The second thing to note is that "memberships" may be broad classes. Although your online course could be considered as"a "membership," so are websites offering photographs for sale on the internet along with magazines online. At the end of the day, WordPress membership plugins aren't designed for classroom use, and therefore don't come with all essential features required by teachers.

At the end of the day, WordPress is vulnerable to security flaws. If you fail to ensure that your plugins remain current You could make your website vulnerable to hackers and also users of your website are at risk of having their data stolen.

The top WordPress membership plugin can be the ideal choice.

If you're looking to improve the design of your site using the API, it provides users with the opportunity to customize the API to meet your needs. It's designed specifically for the use of creators of courses, membership administrators of sites, as well as community creators who develop online. Because it is constantly updated, it isn't plagued by the same security issues that older WordPress plugins must contend with.

It takes more than just tools to run a successful business. By doing this, you'll have access to education resources and an online network of entrepreneurs in the digital age who have the same challenges as you do.

Are you ready to start your online class you've chosen and create your online community confidently? Sign up today to get the permanent, free and never-ending login immediately.

The first time the article was published in february in 2021. The article was revised by March 2023.

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