Why Use a Membership Plugin?
Ever ask yourself why a lot of websites have “Members Only” parts? It’s not just an extra feature. It is a clever method of retaining visitors as well as creating a consistent revenue. A membership plugin helps you achieve that effortlessly.
Instead of having people come and go freely, a membership plugin allows you to change your guests into loyal customers. You can provide unique content, packages, courses, or even discounts, and just about anything your business requires. The most significant feature is, you’re in control. You determine what is free, what is paid, and who gets what rewards.
Why rely on a one time revenue when you can get reocurring revenue? You do not need to make new customers all the time. Building up a community where a majority of the people wish to stay is what brings in the revenue. Best of all, you know what your audience likes which means you can keep on expanding your services and enchancing your business.
If your goal is to make your website much more engaging while increasing its overall value, then a membership plugin will prove to be immensely beneficial.
Key Features to Look For
So, you are thinking of using a membership plugin on your site, but with the endless plugins available, how can you choose the right one? Nobody wants to spend countless hours setting something up just to realize that it doesn’t do its intended purpose.
To get straight to the point, this is the exact information that you need to pay attention to.
Firstly, the plugin should be fairly straightforward to set up. You, for instance, wouldn’t want to scroll through hard to understand options to set up membership levels or content restrictions. A good plugin should make this easy and not have the user be technologically proficient.
Next, consider the membership levels alongside the access restriction features. Ideally, you’d want to have a free plan to capture users, a paid plan that unlocks premium content, and even a VIP level that offers exclusives. A good plugin allows several levels of access to be set up with a few clicks.
Now let’s move on to payments. If memberships are going to cost money, then your plugin has to work with all of the good payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal and even direct credit card payments. Simplifying the entire payment process means having to deal with fewer users abandoning the signup process.
Ever registered on a website that only partially allows its content to be viewed on a weekly basis? That is called drip content, and it’s an effective method to keep members active instead of offering everything outright. If you are providing courses or other members-only content, then this is a necessity.
However, it is not just about the material provided, but the entire community surrounding it. The best membership sites engage the members with forums, discussions groups, and even exclusive membership content.
If you want members to stay engaged and retain them, then search for plugins with engaging features.
Also, the compatibility issue remains important. If you have a website built in WordPress or you use WooCommerce or any other tools, then it is imperative that the plugin works. A poor-quality plugin can contribute to loading issues and conflicts on your website, which are drawbacks you can avoid.
Do remember that security should not be omitted. Considering that you’re handling customer data as well as payments, the plugin must re>aim of a great standard to ensure everything stays protected.
To summarize, the best might be the plugin that answers your objections without complicating the issue further. Keeping more focus on these major features, and you will ensure a satisfied membership as well as business growth with a well-functioning system.
Top Membership & Subscription Plugins
MemberPress
Description:
This is the best membership software and membership plugin because it is simple in nature yet extremwly powerful. MemberPress makes it easy to create custom membership programs, subscriptions, and other premium features which you can control. In case you are providing online courses, premium content, and other exclusive services, it helps you control everything as well. Thanks to its advanced features and built in automation tools and payment processors, managing a membership site becomes easier.
Key Features:
- Easy Membership Management – Set up different membership levels and control access with just a few clicks.
- Drip Content & Content Restriction – Unlock content over time or restrict access to specific pages, posts, and files.
- Seamless Payment Integration – Works with Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net for hassle-free transactions.
- Online Course Support – Includes a learning management system (LMS) for selling and managing courses.
- Automation & Custom Rules – Set up content rules, renewal reminders, and coupons without manual work.
- Email Marketing Integration – Connects with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and other email tools to keep members engaged.
Pricing:
MemberPress offers three pricing plans:
- Basic – $179/year (1 site, essential features)
- Plus – $299/year (Up to 2 sites, additional integrations)
- Pro – $399/year (Up to 5 sites, advanced features & add-ons)
All plans include a 14-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Restrict Content Pro
Description:
Restrict Content Pro is a “Easy to use” membership software, that is incredibly powerful because it is cleverly designed. It empowers users to manage subscriptions, provides restriction, and simplifies content management, resulting in a great experience for all members. If you are running a small low budget membership site, or even a large subscription based business, it whatever the complexity of your requirements.
Key Features:
- Simple & Intuitive Setup – Easily create and manage membership levels with a clean, user-friendly interface.
- Content Restriction – Lock specific posts, pages, or entire sections of your site for paying members.
- Flexible Payment Options – Supports Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and more for hassle-free transactions.
- Discount Codes & Promotions – Create custom discount codes to attract new members.
- Member Management Dashboard – View and control member activity, subscriptions, and payments in one place.
- Seamless Integrations – Works with WooCommerce, email marketing tools, and other WordPress plugins.
Pricing:
Restrict Content Pro offers four pricing plans:
- Personal – $99/year (1 site, basic features)
- Plus – $149/year (Up to 5 sites, additional integrations)
- Professional – $249/year (Unlimited sites, all add-ons included)
- Ultimate – $749 (One-time payment for lifetime access)
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out risk-free.
WooCommerce Memberships
Description:
Using WooCommerce Memberships, your WooCommerce store can now transform into a fully functional membership website without using an external membership plugin. If your store comes with products, courses, or even memberships, it is easy to use. Different membership rules enable businesses to target very specific marketing needs by providing the ability to produce content, discounts, or even products that are solely available with a certain membership.
Key Features:
- Full WooCommerce Integration – Perfect for stores that want to offer memberships alongside physical or digital products.
- Flexible Content Restriction – Control access to posts, pages, products, or even entire categories based on membership levels.
- Drip Content – Schedule content to be released gradually, keeping members engaged over time.
- Member-Only Discounts & Perks – Reward members with exclusive discounts, free shipping, or special offers.
- Membership Plans & Expirations – Set up different membership tiers with automatic expirations and renewals.
- Works with WooCommerce Subscriptions – Combine with WooCommerce Subscriptions to enable recurring payments.
Pricing:
WooCommerce Memberships is available for $199/year for a single site, with one year of updates and support. While it doesn’t include built-in recurring payments, you can pair it with WooCommerce Subscriptions ($239/year) for full subscription management.
All purchases come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk.
LearnDash Membership
Description:
With LearnDash Membership, creating and managing membership based courses becomes a hassle free task. It is suitable for one-on-one tutors, educational corporations, or businesses providing lessons, making class management and access control simple. It was created for course developers so they can take advantage of advanced membership features that allow instructors to monitor students’ activities engagement and business driven education.
Key Features:
- Integrated Course & Membership System – Restrict course access based on membership levels.
- Drip-Feed Content – Unlock lessons gradually to keep members engaged.
- Flexible Payment Options – One-time purchases, subscriptions, or installment plans with Stripe, PayPal, and WooCommerce.
- Interactive Learning Experience – Includes quizzes, certificates, badges, and discussion forums.
- Member Dashboards – Give learners a personalized space to track their progress.
- Seamless Integrations – Works with WooCommerce, email marketing tools, CRMs, and automation plugins.
Pricing:
LearnDash pricing starts at $199/year for one site, with higher-tier plans available for multiple sites and additional features. While it includes built-in payment options, you can enhance it with WooCommerce Subscriptions for advanced recurring billing.
All plans come with a 15-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it without any risk.
Subscriptions for WooCommerce
Description:
The combination of WooCommerce plus Provides gives users flexibility over subscription services in advertising subscription based products and services. Managing recurring services has never been easier. This powerful plugin takes care of the hard part such as renewals, automated payments, and marketing retention with little effort. With just a few clicks, subscription based products or services can be placed in the store.
Key Features:
- Recurring Payments Made Simple – Set up daily, weekly, monthly, or custom billing cycles.
- Multiple Subscription Types – Offer product subscriptions, membership plans, or even service-based recurring payments.
- Automatic Renewals & Reminders – Reduce churn with automated billing and renewal notifications.
- Trial Periods & Sign-Up Fees – Let customers test your service with free trials or charge an upfront setup fee.
- Seamless Payment Gateway Integration – Works with Stripe, PayPal, and other major payment processors.
- Member Management & Prorated Upgrades – Allow customers to switch plans or upgrade without losing their progress.
Pricing:
Subscriptions for WooCommerce is available for $239/year per site, including updates and support. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out risk-free.
If you’re looking to turn one-time buyers into long-term customers, this plugin is a must-have for any WooCommerce store.
S2Member
Description:
s2Member is one of the most flexible WordPress plugins that comes with advanced membership functionalities. There are many ways in which businesses can monetize their content, from premium articles to digital downloads and even subscriptions and s2Member offers extensive customization while ensuring security and simplicity for all processes. It is ideal for business that requires strong access control, advanced membership management, and multiple payment methods.
Key Features:
- Granular Content Restriction – Lock entire pages, posts, specific URLs, files, or even parts of a page based on membership level.
- Flexible Payment Integrations – Supports PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, and more for one-time or recurring payments.
- Drip-Feed Content – Deliver content gradually to keep members engaged over time.
- Custom Registration & Login Forms – Personalize the user experience with custom fields and branding.
- Coupon Codes & Discounts – Offer promotions to attract and retain members.
- Secure File Downloads – Restrict access to digital downloads, making it ideal for selling eBooks, PDFs, or exclusive media.
Pricing:
s2Member offers both a free version and a Pro version:
- s2Member Free – Basic membership features at no cost.
- s2Member Pro – Starts at $89 (one-time payment) for a single site license, including lifetime updates.
- Unlimited Sites License – $189 (one-time payment) for use on multiple websites.
With a one-time payment structure, s2Member stands out from many competitors that charge recurring fees, making it a budget-friendly option for long-term use.
ARMember
Description:
With ARMember, anyone can get a membership based site up and running with very little technical knowledge. It is a smart membership site capable of selling subscriptions, implementing a content restriction policy, or even a tier membership system. It allows you to do all of the above and much more in one bundle. There is also a form builder which facilitates easy registration for users.
Key Features:
- Easy Membership Setup – Create free, paid, or one-time membership plans with just a few clicks.
- Content Restriction – Lock posts, pages, files, or even specific sections of content.
- Drip Content & Scheduled Access – Release content over time to keep members engaged.
- Multiple Payment Options – Supports Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and offline payments.
- Built-in Form Builder – Customize signup, login, and checkout forms without extra plugins.
- Member Dashboard & Profile Customization – Let users manage their accounts with a clean, user-friendly interface.
Pricing:
ARMember is available for a one-time payment of $59 for a single-site license, including lifetime updates. It’s a cost-effective choice for those who want full membership features without ongoing subscription fees.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution with great flexibility at an affordable price, ARMember is worth considering.
Member Pro
Description:
AMember Pro: For those businesses who need to make changes and have a tight control aMember offers the complete feature set for membership and subscription control. aMember Pro is not a WordPress only solution, it integrates with WordPress and other solutions as well because it is a standalone platform. It is best for businesses that need a robust membership solution with different payment methods, content control, and robust automation systems.
Key Features:
- Customizable Membership Plans – Offer free, paid, recurring, or one-time payment memberships.
- Supports 80+ Payment Gateways – Works with PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net, and many more.
- Drip-Feed Content & Expiry Rules – Control when members access content and set expiration dates.
- Secure Content Protection – Restrict access to digital files, videos, and premium pages.
- Automated Member Management – Handle sign-ups, renewals, and email notifications effortlessly.
- Built-in Affiliate Program – Allow members to refer others and earn commissions.
Pricing:
aMember Pro is available for a one-time payment of $149.36, which includes lifetime updates and six months of support. Additional support can be extended for an extra fee.
For those who need a standalone membership system with deep customization and no recurring fees, aMember Pro is a reliable and cost-effective solution.
Choosing the Right Plugin: Pricing, Features & Ease of Use
Picking the right membership plugin comes down to three key factors:
1. Pricing
- One-time payment: s2Member Pro ($89), aMember Pro ($149.36)
- Annual subscription: WooCommerce Memberships ($199/year), LearnDash ($199/year)
- Freemium model: ARMember (Free with premium upgrades)
If you want a lifetime deal, go for a one-time payment. For ongoing support, a subscription model works best.
2. Features
- Basic Content Restriction: s2Member, ARMember
- Drip Content & Courses: LearnDash, MemberPress
- Recurring Subscriptions: Subscriptions for WooCommerce, aMember Pro
- Advanced Integrations: WooCommerce Memberships, MemberPress
Match the features to your business needs—simple content restriction or advanced subscriptions?
3. Ease of Use
- Beginner-friendly: MemberPress, WooCommerce Memberships, ARMember
- More advanced: s2Member, aMember Pro
If you need a quick setup, go for an easy-to-use plugin. If customization is a priority, choose a more flexible option.
Final Thoughts
- For beginners: MemberPress, WooCommerce Memberships
- For lifetime access: aMember Pro
- For budget-conscious users: s2Member, ARMember
Pick a plugin based on your budget, features, and ease of use to build a successful membership site.
Conclusion: Best Picks & Next Steps
- Considering the parameters of your requirement, budget, and comfort IT wise will help you set straight your plugin requirements. Here’s a summary:
- Ideal for Beginners: MemberPress, WooCommerce Memberships – has a simple setup process, yet advanced features are available.
- Most Suitable For A One Time Fee: aMember Pro, s2Member Pro – No monthly or yearly payment is required, access is valid for life.
- Perfect For Learning: LearnDash – specifically built for well organized learning flows.
- Most Appropriate For Recurring Payment Sites: Subscriptions for WooCommerce and MemberPress are excellent for multi subscription merchants and have flexible deals.
- Best and Cheapest: ARMember – Low priced and still packs an extensive range of features.
Next Steps
- Define Your Needs – Do you need simple content restriction or full-fledged subscription management?
- Compare Features – Make sure the plugin aligns with your business model.
- Try a Demo or Free Version – Some plugins offer free versions or trials to test before buying.
- Set Up & Optimize – Once you’ve chosen a plugin, configure it to match your site’s goals.
The right membership plugin can help you grow your business, engage your audience, and create a steady revenue stream. Choose wisely and start building your membership site today!
