5 Best WordPress Membership Plugins (Free & Paid)
Looking for the best WordPress membership plugins to build a membership site, restrict premium content, or sell online courses? You’re in the right place.
Membership websites are one of the most effective ways to generate recurring income, grow your audience, and deliver premium value to your community.
Thankfully, WordPress offers dozens of powerful membership plugins—both free and paid—that make it easy to build any type of membership site, from online communities to subscription-based course platforms.
In this guide, we compare the 5 best WordPress membership plugins based on real features, user experience, integrations, pricing, and long-term scalability.
Quick Answer: What Is the Best WordPress Membership Plugin?
If you want the short answer, here it is:
- MemberPress: Best overall WordPress membership plugin
- LearnPress: Best WordPress membership plugin for creating and selling online courses
- Restrict Content Pro: Best lightweight plugin for content restriction
- s2Member: Best free WordPress membership plugin
- Teachable: Best hosted membership platform (not a true plugin)
Below, you’ll find detailed reviews, pricing, pros and cons, and use-case recommendations for each.
Comparison Table: 5 Best WordPress Membership Plugins
| Plugin | Best For | Starting Price | Free Version | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MemberPress | All-in-one memberships & content restriction | $199.50/yr | ❌ | Content restriction, subscriptions, coupons, course builder |
| LearnPress | Online courses + LMS memberships | Free + addons | ✔ | Drag-and-drop course builder, membership bundles, quizzes, payments |
| Restrict Content Pro | Lightweight membership sites | $99/yr | ❌ | Content restriction, subscriptions, discounts, reports |
| s2Member | Free membership sites | Free | ✔ | Paywall, restriction rules, PayPal integration |
| Teachable | Hosted platform for selling courses | $0–$179/mo | ✔ | Course builder, affiliate marketing, analytics, email tools |
Benefits of Using a Membership Plugin in WordPress
A WordPress membership plugin helps you transform your website into a recurring-revenue engine. The main benefits include:
1. Generate Stable, Recurring Income
Members pay monthly or yearly for access to your exclusive content, creating predictable income.
2. Build a Loyal Community
Membership websites help you connect with your most engaged audience, whether it’s a course, coaching program, or private community.
3. Grow Your Email List
Registration often requires email signup, giving you valuable data for email marketing.
4. Protect Premium Content
Pages, posts, videos, downloads, forums, and more can be restricted based on membership level.
5. Automate Content Delivery
Most membership plugins support content dripping, subscriptions, renewals, and automated onboarding.
How to Choose the Right WordPress Membership Plugin
Different membership sites require different features. Here are the key factors to consider:
✓ Membership features you need
Such as:
- Content restriction
- Subscription tiers
- Course builder support
- Content dripping
- Digital downloads
- Community features
✓ Integrations
Check compatibility with:
- Email marketing tools
- Payment gateways
- LMS plugins
- Page builders
- WooCommerce
✓ Ease of use
Choose a plugin that matches your skill level—some are beginner-friendly, others require more configuration.
✓ Scalability
Your plugin should grow with your business without slowing down your site.
✓ Pricing
Not all membership plugins include everything in the base plan. Check whether:
- Payment gateways require add-ons
- Drip content is included
- Pro features are locked behind higher tiers
The 5 Best WordPress Membership Plugins (Full Reviews)
Below are detailed reviews based on usability, features, cost, and real-world use cases.
MemberPress — Best Overall WordPress Membership Plugin
MemberPress consistently ranks as the most powerful and complete membership plugin for WordPress. It’s easy to set up, integrates with nearly every tool you need, and includes advanced features like content restriction, coupons, and built-in course creation.
Key Features
- Simple setup wizard
- Content restriction for posts, pages, custom post types, tags, and categories
- Drag-and-drop course builder
- Content dripping
- Member management
- Email marketing integrations (MailerLite, MailChimp, Constant Contact)
- Multiple payment gateways (PayPal, Stripe, Authorize.net)
- Analytics dashboard
Pros
- Extremely beginner-friendly
- Great documentation
- Reliable recurring payment system
- Works with all major WordPress themes
Cons
- No free version
- Some integrations require higher-tier plans
Best For
Creators, coaches, educators, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who want an all-in-one membership and course system.
Pricing
Starts at $199.50/year.
Teachable — Best Hosted Platform for Membership Courses
While not a true plugin, Teachable is one of the leading hosted solutions for memberships and online courses. It’s ideal if you want full convenience without managing WordPress.
Key Features
- Visual course and membership builder
- Unlimited video hosting
- Certificates, quizzes, and student analytics
- Affiliate program
- Coupon codes and promotions
- Built-in email tools
- Custom domain integration
Pros
- Zero technical setup
- Beginner-friendly
- All-in-one hosted platform
Cons
- Transaction fees on lower plans
- Limited design customization
- Not hosted on your WordPress website
Best For
Course creators who want a fully hosted solution with no maintenance.
Pricing
Free plan available
Paid plans start at $29/mo.
s2Member — Best Free WordPress Membership Plugin
If your budget is limited, s2Member may be the best option. The free version includes essential features, although more advanced tools require upgrading.
Key Features
- Restrict posts, pages, files, and URLs
- PayPal integration (free)
- Stripe and Authorize.net (Pro version)
- Shortcode-based restrictions
- Custom membership levels
Pros
- Free version available
- Flexible configuration
- Good documentation
Cons
- Interface is outdated
- Requires more technical knowledge
- Limited features unless upgraded
Best For
Beginners or hobby website owners who need a functional free membership system.
Pricing
Free version available
Pro starts at $89 one-time.
LearnPress — Best WordPress Membership Plugin for Online Courses (Free)
LearnPress is a highly popular free WordPress LMS plugin trusted by hundreds of thousands of users. If your membership model involves selling online courses, LearnPress is the most powerful free solution—and our recommended choice for course creators.
Because it’s designed specifically for LMS websites, it provides course features that traditional membership plugins lack.
Key Features
- Free LMS with drag-and-drop course builder
- Create unlimited courses, lessons, quizzes
- Content dripping (via add-on)
- Membership + course bundles (via add-on)
- Integrations with WooCommerce, Elementor, and major payment gateways
- Multi-instructor support
- Certificates, assignments, student progress tracking
Pros
- Completely free core plugin
- Powerful enough to build full online academies
- Add-ons allow advanced membership functionality
- Ideal replacement for LearnDash at a much lower cost
- Works perfectly with the Eduma WordPress theme
Cons
- Full features require add-ons
- LMS-based memberships may require some setup
Best For
Anyone selling online courses, tutorials, training programs, or eLearning subscriptions.
Pricing
Free core plugin
Premium add-ons and bundles available.
Restrict Content Pro — Best Lightweight Membership Plugin
If you want a simple and lightweight tool focused on content restriction, Restrict Content Pro is a top choice. It’s clean, fast, and easy to use.
Key Features
- Restrict posts, pages, categories, and downloads
- Subscription management
- Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, Authorize.net
- Discount codes
- CSV export
- Integrations with Mailchimp, bbPress, WP Job Manager
Pros
- Minimal and lightweight
- Easy setup
- Great for simple membership sites
Cons
- Lacks a built-in course builder
- Advanced features require higher plans
Best For
Bloggers, educators, and creators who only need content restriction—not an LMS.
Pricing
Starts at $99/year.
Final Thoughts
Have you decided which one to choose after viewing our WordPress Membership Plugins? In our opinion, MemberPress is the perfect plugin that includes everything like simple to use, multiple payment channels, email marketing integration, content dripping, online course creation, detail reporting, and so on.
Read More: +7 Best Email Marketing Services for Small Business
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