Top 5 WordPress Membership Plugins

If you are looking to build a membership site, it is understandable that you will look for the best WordPress plugin you can use. Choosing the right WordPress plugin is essential to your business success. Why? For starters, a better platform can translate to more growth opportunities. 

WordPress Membership Plugins: What Should You Look For?

There are several WordPress membership plugins to choose from. However, not all of them come with specific features you might need to create your membership site. For instance, while some membership plugins are great for selling subscriptions on a single level, others offer various subscription management features and diverse membership levels.

Some plugins are restricted to offering hidden content while others offer drip content features that allows users to gradually release new content. You will also need to consider the payment gateways you will be using. Would you like to accept credit cards only or PayPal, or both? Preferably, your chosen membership plugin should support the payment gateways either built-in or through an add-on.

Top 5 WordPress Membership Plugins: Which One is Right for You?

LearnDash

This WordPress LMS plugin is not only super flexible, but it is also extremely easy to use. LearnDash comes with tons of integrations and advanced membership modules. LearnDash is also the ideal plugin solution for those looking to sell online courses on a paid membership site. Its vast range of integrations and add-ons allows you to create highly-engaging platforms.

Pros

Easy to set up

Setting up LearnDash is very straightforward, and adding content to it is just as simple. LearnDash also comes with advanced tools that make organising membership content into groups, levels, etc. possible. 

Sell courses

LearnDash allows users to create and sell online courses easily. It also comes with advanced modules that enable users to effectively and easily manage learning materials.

Integrations and payments

This WordPress membership plugin also has an amazing set of payment integrations and gateways. You can also connect it to WooCommerce, bbPress, Slack, MemberPress, etc.

Cons

Lacks membership features

If you want to build a membership site without selling courses, some of LearnDash’s features are of no use to you.

s2Member

s2Member is a free and highly popular WordPress plugin. However, it has a pro version available as well. This membership plugin has been around for quite some time and already has a devoted user base. 

Pros

Free base plugin

Anyone can download the plugin and give it a spin. While it has limited support and features, it provides users with a good starting point.

Payment gateways

The free version can support PayPal. The pro version on the other hand, supports other payment gateways like authorize.net and Stripe.

Documentation and support

s2Member has a vast knowledge base you can have access to. Pro users also have email-based support.

Cons

Not user-friendly 

Compared to other membership plugins, s2Member is more difficult to use.

Free version limitations

The free version only supports PayPal and is limited to only 4 membership levels. It also does not have a drip content feature.

MemberPress

MemberPress is considered one of the most popular WordPress membership plugins available. Among the plugins in our list, it is the most robust when it comes to features. It is also the easiest to use.

Pros

Easy to set up

MemberPress makes setting up a membership website extremely easy. It automatically sets up login, account, pricing, and thank you pages for the users. Also, with MemberPress, adding membership plans is effortless.

Content access control

This WordPress plugin comes equipped with powerful access control that allows users to restrict access to certain content such as pages, categories, posts, files, and tags.

Content dripping

Content dripping allows users to show content that is restricted to members after a certain time. This is an incredibly useful feature for selling learning materials or online courses.

Cons

Limited integrations

While the plugin provides ample support for popular services to run a membership site efficiently, it still lacks integrations with other popular services. The plugin is easily extensible however and users have the option to just pay for the integration of third-party services.

Limited payment options

MemberPress only supports three payment gateways. This is a deal breaker for site owners that live in countries not supported by the payment gateways supported.

Teachable

This membership plugin is an all-inclusive online courses builder. It packs exciting features like LMS, discussion forum, analytics, and email marketing in one dashboard.

Pros

Ease of use 

Teachable is not only easy to set up, but it also will not require technical know-how. Creating membership content is a walk in the park. This plugin also comes with built-in tools that allow users to easily create texts, videos, PDFs, and more.

Built-in engagement features

Teachable offers quizzes, contact forms, discussion forums, certificates, and other features that are designed to build powerful online communities and boost user engagement. 

Drip content

Teachable also comes with a flexible drip content feature that allows users to roll out content that is based on the subscription level and progress of the users.

Cons

Not a WordPress plugin

Teachable is not a WordPress plugin. However, it can be integrated to the WordPress site by adding a subdomain or adding links.

More costly

Teachable is more expensive compared to other membership plugins.

Restrict Content Pro

Restrict Content Pro is a great contender for the title best membership plugin. This plugin is the brainchild of the same people behind AffiliateWP plugin and Easy Digital Downloads.

Pros

Ease of use

This plugin integrates beautifully with the WordPress user interface. Using this plugin is also extremely easy and straightforward.

Payment gateways

PayPal, Braintree, and Stripe are free add-ons. Other supported payment gateways include PayPal Website Payments Pro, PayPal Express, and Stripe Checkout.

Excellent support

Restrict Content Pro comes with an extensive free documentation. You also get professional support by email with quick response times.

Cons

Fewer integrations

Compared to others, Restrict Content Pro has fewer integrations with third party services like email service providers.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best membership plugin can be easy if you know what you are looking for. The information above should give you a clear idea of some of the relevant features offered, so you can pick the one that is best for your business.