Best Membership Plugins for WordPress
Membership plugins allow you to create exclusive content, online courses, or subscription-based communities on WordPress. Whether you want to sell premium content, restrict access, or manage recurring payments, these plugins provide the tools to build a full-featured membership site. Here are the best membership plugins for WordPress.
1) MemberPress
Best all-in-one membership solution.
- Easy setup with simple membership level creation.
- Restrict content by posts, pages, categories, or tags.
- Built-in payment gateway support (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net).
- Course creation with built-in LMS features.
- Paid only: Premium plugin with powerful integrations.
2) Restrict Content Pro
Lightweight yet powerful plugin for content restriction.
- Create unlimited subscription levels.
- Detailed reporting and member management tools.
- Supports Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, and more.
- Developer-friendly with add-ons for extra functionality.
- Paid only: Focused on simplicity and flexibility.
3) Paid Memberships Pro
Best free membership plugin with premium add-ons.
- Unlimited membership levels and flexible pricing models.
- Supports recurring payments and discount codes.
- Detailed member reports and analytics.
- Free version: Core features included.
- Pro version: Adds advanced integrations and premium support.
4) LearnDash
Best for membership sites focused on online courses.
- Full-featured Learning Management System (LMS).
- Sell memberships with recurring subscriptions.
- Drip-feed lessons and quizzes for students.
- Integrates with payment gateways and membership add-ons.
- Paid only: Great for educators and training websites.
5) WooCommerce Memberships
Best for eCommerce stores using WooCommerce.
- Restrict products, categories, and content for members only.
- Integrates with WooCommerce Subscriptions for recurring payments.
- Offer member discounts and perks.
- Paid only: Perfect for combining eCommerce with memberships.
6) S2Member
Popular free option with advanced customization.
- Supports PayPal integration out of the box.
- Restrict content by post, category, or custom capabilities.
- Pro version adds Stripe, Authorize.net, and ClickBank support.
- Free version: Basic features for small sites.
- Pro version: Advanced payment and integrations.
Comparison Table
| Plugin | Free Version | Premium Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MemberPress | ✘ | LMS, payment integrations, advanced rules | All-in-one solution |
| Restrict Content Pro | ✘ | Flexible restrictions, developer-friendly | Lightweight sites |
| Paid Memberships Pro | ✔ | Advanced add-ons, integrations | Free starter, scalable |
| LearnDash | ✘ | LMS tools, quizzes, drip content | Course memberships |
| WooCommerce Memberships | ✘ | Product restrictions, member discounts | eCommerce stores |
| S2Member | ✔ | More payment gateways, pro rules | Free/basic sites |
Summary
If you want an all-in-one premium solution, MemberPress is the top choice. For lightweight but flexible content restriction, Restrict Content Pro is excellent. If you prefer a free plugin, start with Paid Memberships Pro or S2Member. For course-based sites, LearnDash is the best option, while WooCommerce Memberships is ideal if you’re running an online store with memberships.
🔌 Looking for more? Check out our WordPress Plugins Hub to discover recommended tools and how to use them.
