Quick Overview
- 1#1: MemberPress - Powerful WordPress plugin for creating secure membership sites with subscription billing, content dripping, and access controls.
- 2#2: Paid Memberships Pro - Flexible open-source WordPress plugin offering unlimited membership levels, payment gateways, and content restriction features.
- 3#3: MemberMouse - Robust WordPress membership software with CRM, automation, affiliate tracking, and advanced reporting.
- 4#4: WishList Member - Advanced WordPress plugin for membership sites featuring content sequencing, rules-based access, and integrations.
- 5#5: MemberSpace - Embeddable membership tool that adds subscriptions and member logins to any website without coding.
- 6#6: Kajabi - All-in-one platform for building membership sites, courses, websites, and email marketing automation.
- 7#7: Podia - User-friendly platform for selling memberships, online courses, digital products, and hosting webinars.
- 8#8: Thinkific - Scalable platform for creating membership sites with courses, communities, and unlimited students.
- 9#9: Teachable - Course-focused platform supporting memberships, coaching, and custom domains for online businesses.
- 10#10: Mighty Networks - Community-building platform with memberships, courses, events, and native iOS/Android apps.
We ranked these tools based on key attributes: robust feature sets (including subscription management and content control), technical quality (security, scalability, and integrations), user-friendliness, and long-term value, ensuring they cater to diverse needs from small businesses to large-scale operations.
Comparison Table
Discover the top website membership software options, including MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro, MemberMouse, WishList Member, MemberSpace, and more, in this comparison table. Learn about key features, pricing models, and unique capabilities to identify the best fit for your online community's needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MemberPress Powerful WordPress plugin for creating secure membership sites with subscription billing, content dripping, and access controls. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 2 | Paid Memberships Pro Flexible open-source WordPress plugin offering unlimited membership levels, payment gateways, and content restriction features. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.7/10 |
| 3 | MemberMouse Robust WordPress membership software with CRM, automation, affiliate tracking, and advanced reporting. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 4 | WishList Member Advanced WordPress plugin for membership sites featuring content sequencing, rules-based access, and integrations. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | MemberSpace Embeddable membership tool that adds subscriptions and member logins to any website without coding. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | Kajabi All-in-one platform for building membership sites, courses, websites, and email marketing automation. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 7 | Podia User-friendly platform for selling memberships, online courses, digital products, and hosting webinars. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | Thinkific Scalable platform for creating membership sites with courses, communities, and unlimited students. | enterprise | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Teachable Course-focused platform supporting memberships, coaching, and custom domains for online businesses. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | Mighty Networks Community-building platform with memberships, courses, events, and native iOS/Android apps. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
Powerful WordPress plugin for creating secure membership sites with subscription billing, content dripping, and access controls.
Flexible open-source WordPress plugin offering unlimited membership levels, payment gateways, and content restriction features.
Robust WordPress membership software with CRM, automation, affiliate tracking, and advanced reporting.
Advanced WordPress plugin for membership sites featuring content sequencing, rules-based access, and integrations.
Embeddable membership tool that adds subscriptions and member logins to any website without coding.
All-in-one platform for building membership sites, courses, websites, and email marketing automation.
User-friendly platform for selling memberships, online courses, digital products, and hosting webinars.
Scalable platform for creating membership sites with courses, communities, and unlimited students.
Course-focused platform supporting memberships, coaching, and custom domains for online businesses.
Community-building platform with memberships, courses, events, and native iOS/Android apps.
MemberPress
specializedPowerful WordPress plugin for creating secure membership sites with subscription billing, content dripping, and access controls.
Advanced rules engine for granular content access control and dripping
MemberPress is a leading WordPress plugin for building and managing membership websites, enabling content restriction, subscription handling, and monetization. It supports recurring payments via integrations with Stripe, PayPal, and others, while offering tools for membership levels, content dripping, and access rules. With add-ons like Courses, Pro Fields, and Communities, it extends to full LMS, custom registration forms, and forums.
Pros
- Extensive feature set including subscriptions, LMS, quizzes, and integrations
- Seamless WordPress compatibility with thousands of plugins
- Strong security, automation rules, and reliable support
Cons
- WordPress-exclusive, limiting non-WP users
- Full functionality requires paid add-ons
- Steeper learning curve for complex setups
Best For
WordPress site owners seeking a robust, all-in-one solution for paid memberships, courses, and subscriptions.
Pricing
Annual plans from $179 (Basic, 1 site) to $499 (All Access, unlimited sites); add-ons like Courses start at $149/year.
Paid Memberships Pro
specializedFlexible open-source WordPress plugin offering unlimited membership levels, payment gateways, and content restriction features.
Unlimited membership levels and members on the free plan, with granular content restriction shortcodes
Paid Memberships Pro is a powerful WordPress plugin for building and managing membership websites, enabling site owners to create unlimited membership levels, restrict content, and process recurring payments. It supports a wide range of payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, with features for drip content, forums, and custom pages. The free core version includes essential functionality, while hundreds of add-ons extend capabilities for advanced users.
Pros
- Free core plugin with robust core features and unlimited members/levels
- Extensive add-ons ecosystem and seamless WordPress/theme integration
- Strong community support, detailed documentation, and multiple payment gateways
Cons
- Steep learning curve for complex setups and add-on management
- Advanced features often require paid add-ons
- Potential performance issues on high-traffic sites without optimization
Best For
WordPress site owners seeking a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective membership solution for blogs, courses, or communities.
Pricing
Free core plugin; paid add-ons from $97 one-time; no site limits or recurring fees required.
MemberMouse
specializedRobust WordPress membership software with CRM, automation, affiliate tracking, and advanced reporting.
Advanced product bundling that mixes one-time purchases, subscriptions, and free trials with granular access control and expiration rules
MemberMouse is a robust WordPress plugin designed specifically for building and managing membership websites, offering comprehensive tools for subscriptions, content protection, and member management. It supports features like drip content, customizable registration forms, bundle products, and integrations with major payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net. With detailed reporting, affiliate tracking, and automation capabilities, it's ideal for course creators, coaches, and online communities seeking scalable solutions. Primarily tailored for WordPress users, it excels in handling complex membership structures without requiring custom coding.
Pros
- Extensive customization for membership levels, bundles, and access rules
- Seamless integrations with email marketing tools, CRMs, and payment processors
- Powerful analytics, reporting, and automation for scaling businesses
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to advanced options
- Higher pricing compared to simpler alternatives
- Limited to WordPress platforms, requiring compatible hosting
Best For
Experienced WordPress users or agencies creating sophisticated, high-volume membership sites with complex billing and content access needs.
Pricing
Plans start at $29.97/month (billed annually as $297/year) for Basic (1 site), up to $499/month for All Access (unlimited sites), with tiered features.
WishList Member
specializedAdvanced WordPress plugin for membership sites featuring content sequencing, rules-based access, and integrations.
Granular content protection that secures specific paragraphs, images, or embeds within pages/posts
WishList Member is a robust WordPress plugin for building and managing membership sites, offering granular content protection, multiple membership levels, and automated content dripping. It integrates seamlessly with popular payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, along with email marketing tools and LMS platforms. This solution excels in protecting specific content sections and handling complex membership rules, making it suitable for course creators and subscription-based sites.
Pros
- Lifetime licensing with one-time payment provides excellent long-term value
- Advanced content protection and dripping rules for precise member access control
- Extensive integrations with payment processors, email services, and LMS plugins
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to complex setup and configuration options
- Dated user interface that feels outdated compared to modern competitors
- Heavy reliance on WordPress limits flexibility for non-WP users
Best For
WordPress site owners building advanced membership sites with complex content access rules and long-term scalability needs.
Pricing
Lifetime licenses: Basic ($297), Pro ($497), Infinite ($697); no recurring fees.
MemberSpace
specializedEmbeddable membership tool that adds subscriptions and member logins to any website without coding.
Native, code-free embedding on any website builder for instant paywalls and member areas
MemberSpace is a no-code membership platform that allows website owners to add paywalls, member logins, subscriptions, and content protection to sites built on platforms like Webflow, Squarespace, Carrd, and Framer. It integrates directly with Stripe for payments and handles recurring billing, member management, and access rules without requiring developers. Ideal for creators and businesses enhancing existing websites with monetized memberships.
Pros
- Seamless integration with no-code builders like Webflow and Squarespace
- Quick setup with no coding required
- Reliable Stripe payments and member management tools
Cons
- Limited advanced customization without custom code
- Pricing scales with member count, getting expensive for large audiences
- Fewer built-in marketing tools compared to full membership platforms
Best For
Site owners on Webflow, Squarespace, or similar builders who want to add memberships without rebuilding their site.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Basic, up to 100 members), $99/mo (Pro, 1k members), $199/mo (Premium, 10k members); annual billing discounts available, plus Stripe fees.
Kajabi
enterpriseAll-in-one platform for building membership sites, courses, websites, and email marketing automation.
Sales Pipelines for automated funnels that nurture leads into paying members
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform for creators to build professional websites, host online courses, manage memberships, and handle marketing automation. It enables gated content delivery, recurring subscriptions, community forums, and drip-fed access for membership sites, all within a drag-and-drop builder. With integrated payment processing and sales pipelines, it streamlines monetization for digital products and coaching programs.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one toolkit including memberships, courses, email marketing, and websites
- Beautiful, mobile-responsive templates with strong customization options
- Robust automation for member onboarding, payments, and content delivery
Cons
- High pricing that may not suit bootstrapped creators
- Steeper learning curve for advanced pipelines and integrations
- Limited native community features compared to dedicated forum tools
Best For
Course creators, coaches, and digital entrepreneurs seeking an integrated platform to launch and scale membership sites.
Pricing
Basic ($149/mo annually), Growth ($199/mo), Pro ($399/mo); no free plan, 14-day trial available.
Podia
specializedUser-friendly platform for selling memberships, online courses, digital products, and hosting webinars.
Seamless all-in-one integration of memberships, courses, digital downloads, email marketing, and payments with unlimited everything and 0% transaction fees
Podia is an all-in-one platform that enables creators to build websites, sell memberships, online courses, digital downloads, and host webinars without needing multiple tools. It offers membership features like recurring billing, content dripping, private member areas, and basic community chat. With built-in email marketing and affiliate tools, it's designed for simplicity and handles payments with zero transaction fees.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop website builder and no-code setup
- Unlimited members, courses, products, and emails on all plans
- Zero transaction fees and 14-day free trial
Cons
- Limited design customization and templates
- Basic community features lacking forums or advanced engagement tools
- No built-in quizzes, certificates, or in-depth analytics
Best For
Solopreneurs and small course creators seeking a simple all-in-one solution for memberships and digital products without technical expertise.
Pricing
Mover ($39/mo), Shaker ($89/mo), Earthquaker ($179/mo) billed annually; 14-day free trial, no transaction fees, discounts for annual billing.
Thinkific
enterpriseScalable platform for creating membership sites with courses, communities, and unlimited students.
Unlimited courses, students, and bandwidth with zero transaction fees on all paid plans
Thinkific is a robust platform primarily designed for creating, hosting, and selling online courses, with strong membership capabilities including subscriptions, content dripping, and private communities. It enables users to build branded membership sites with unlimited courses, quizzes, certificates, and live events. Ideal for educators and creators, it supports multiple revenue models like one-time payments, recurring memberships, and bundles without transaction fees on paid plans.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop course and site builder
- No transaction fees on paid plans with unlimited courses and students
- Integrated communities, email marketing, and analytics
Cons
- Limited website customization and templates
- Advanced membership features like bundles require higher plans
- No native blogging or advanced e-commerce beyond courses
Best For
Course creators and educators building scalable online schools with membership access to educational content.
Pricing
Free plan available; paid plans start at $49/mo (Basic), $99/mo (Start), $199/mo (Grow), $499/mo (Expand) billed annually.
Teachable
enterpriseCourse-focused platform supporting memberships, coaching, and custom domains for online businesses.
Drip scheduling and bundling of courses/coaching into flexible membership subscriptions
Teachable is an all-in-one platform primarily for creating and selling online courses, with robust membership features that allow users to offer subscription-based access to gated content, communities, and coaching. It supports drip content, student management, quizzes, certificates, and integrated payments without needing coding skills. While versatile for membership sites tied to educational content, it excels more in course delivery than pure community-driven memberships.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder for courses and memberships
- No transaction fees on Pro and higher plans
- Built-in marketing tools like affiliate programs and email integrations
Cons
- Limited customization for site design and branding
- Advanced analytics and features require expensive Business plan
- Membership communities lack depth compared to dedicated tools like Circle or Mighty Networks
Best For
Educators, coaches, and course creators who want a simple way to bundle online courses into subscription memberships.
Pricing
Free plan (with 10% + $1 transaction fees); Basic $39/mo, Pro $119/mo, Business $199/mo (billed annually).
Mighty Networks
specializedCommunity-building platform with memberships, courses, events, and native iOS/Android apps.
Branded native mobile apps for iOS and Android included in all plans, enabling app-like community experiences without app store hassles.
Mighty Networks is an all-in-one platform designed for building and monetizing vibrant online communities, membership sites, courses, events, and live sessions. It combines social networking features like feeds, chats, member directories, and spaces with membership management tools for recurring billing and gated content. Creators can launch branded communities that foster deep engagement, supported by native mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Pros
- Robust community tools including spaces, live events, and chats
- Native mobile apps included at no extra cost
- Seamless integration of courses, memberships, and monetization
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers required for advanced features
- Limited customization compared to developer-focused platforms
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors
Best For
Course creators and community builders seeking interactive, mobile-first membership experiences with strong engagement tools.
Pricing
Starts at $39/month (annual) for Community plan; Business at $119/month; higher tiers like Mighty Pro are custom-priced.
Conclusion
After examining the top 10 membership software options, MemberPress leads as the top choice, boasting a powerful WordPress integration, secure subscription management, and precise content controls. Competing strongly are Paid Memberships Pro, a flexible open-source solution with unlimited customization, and MemberMouse, which shines with advanced CRM and automation tools, both serving as excellent alternatives depending on specific needs like scalability or community focus.
Ready to build a thriving membership site? Start with MemberPress to harness its intuitive setup, robust features, and proven ability to engage and retain members effectively.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison