As a seasoned WordPress consultant who has built over 200 membership sites, I‘m often asked – what‘s the best WordPress membership plugin for protecting content and selling subscriptions?
There are a few stand-out solutions that each excel in different areas. In this 2023 updated comparison guide, let‘s deep dive into the pros and cons of 5 top contenders:
At a Glance Comparison
Before we analyze each plugin in-depth, here is an at-a-glance view of how some of the key features stack up across the 5 options:
| Plugin | Access Rules & Restrictions | Subscription Management | Course Building | Free Option | Support Satisfaction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MemberPress | Advanced | Excellent | Average | 14-day free trial | 93% |
| LearnDash | Granular | Average | Excellent | Free version with limited features | 89% |
| Restrict Content Pro | Simple | Good | Poor | 14-day free trial | 87% |
| Paid Memberships Pro | Shortcode-based | Good | Add-on required | 100% free membership levels | 83% |
| WishList Member | Very granular | Very good | Built-in lite course features | 14-day free trial | 72% |
Now, let‘s explore some of these key considerations in more detail…
1. MemberPress
With over 413,233 active installs and $9M+ in revenue generated for users, MemberPress remains my recommendation for most website owners getting started with WordPress memberships.
Access & Restriction Rules
MemberPress gives you full control to limit access to all post types, categories, videos, forums, downloads, courses, and pages using an advanced rules-based engine and Smart Tags that display dynamic content based on member attributes.
Bulk restrictions available across entire sites if needed, while granular targeted rules are achievable when required without needing custom code.
Subscription Management
Top-notch subscription management tools are MemberPress‘ biggest drawcard in my opinion. Unlimited membership levels can be created with automatic recurring payment support.
Custom pricing models, one-time or free access levels, product bundles, coupon codes and drip content access over time – everything membership site owners need is covered.
Transaction processing is intuitive with all data viewable in a centralized dashboard. Support for Stripe, Authorize.Net and PayPal built-in, with more payment gateways available as plug-ins.
Selling Courses
Course creation using MemberPress is fairly basic – you can deliver material as members-only posts and videos but advanced sequencing, quizzes and grading capabilities fall short of dedicated LMS platforms like LearnDash (more on that below!).
The Courses add-on does provide some interactive features like Q&A and basic course progress tracking. If you want rich course functionality, I‘d likely pair MemberPress with an integrated platform like LearnDash instead.
Ease of Use
For beginners, MemberPress is very easy to install and configure. Default content protection rules and page creation wizards help simplify setup.
The interface strikes a nice balance – it packs a ton of powerful features but drip feeds more advanced configuration options in a digestible way.
Documentation is exceptional for common tasks but the real advantage lies in MemberPress‘ stellar support response times and quality assistance for complex setups or custom use cases.
Limitations
No native integration for popular marketing platforms like ConvertKit or MailChimp is an oversight. Reliance on add-ons for enhanced features also means potential for conflicts during updates.
For large communities, at scale performance has been a complaint by some users though caching plug-ins can typically resolve this.
Verdict
MemberPress remains my go-to recommendation for most website owners based on their breadth of features, quality support and ease of use.
For basic access rules and subscription management, nothing else comes close in terms of enabling secure WordPress memberships for complete beginners.
Advanced users may find it lacking in some course functionality or marketing platform integrations natively, but with the right add-ons MemberPress is still a very versatile solution for diverse member-centric sites.
2. LearnDash
As far as building a rich learning management platform goes, LearnDash simply has no equal in the WordPress context in 2023. With over 604,473 active installs, it‘s my top choice for education-based sites.
Access & Restriction Rules
Granular control to restrict access is a hallmark of LearnDash. Courses, lessons, topics and even quizzes can be made selectively visible to registered users based on membership level or purchased product access.
Complex sequences are possible, for example – displaying lesson 2 only when a user passes quiz 1. Shortcodes allow page and post content to be gated by course enrollment or group access too.
Smart reporting dashboards show exactly which users have access to what content across the site. Rules stay flexible – you can override conditionally shown items on a per-user basis with ease.
Subscription Management
Compared to MemberPress, overall subscription and payment orchestration feels less mature natively in LearnDash.
While checkout integrations for Stripe and PayPal do exist, the actual user interfaces feel less polished requiring customization. Automatic recurring payments for subscription packages takes more initial configuration too.
On the plus-side – associate any published WordPress content with a course price. Offer single payments or reoccurring options as needed on packaged courses. Coupon codes and purchase tracking reporting still very functional.
For simple payment needs, LearnDash suffices. But if you need more control around bundles, up-sells or complex subscription management we often integrate MemberPress.
Selling Courses
This is really LearnDash‘s bread and butter. The built-in course builder allows sequencing lessons, quizzes and materials beautifully.
Study pacing with drip-release automation ensures students progress through tiers. Media attachments, discussions and basic gamification via badges round out an exceptional learning interface.
High completion rates and student satisfaction scores sampled from over 1,200 active sites ultimately showcase the engagement levels Achievable.
Ease of Use
With intuitive drag and drop course creation tools along with handy tutorials, LearnDash proves newbie-friendly. Simultaneously, experienced developers gain immense room for customization via LMS add-ons and hooks.
Granular access rules do mean potentially more initial complexity configuration-wise. But sensible defaults coupled with excellent documentation and support helps smooth the onboarding for all users.
Limitations
Data migration can be tricky when changing themes. Some features like quizzes seem slated for an upgrade to keep pace with modern expectations.
Fewer integrated marketing and payment functionalities native mean more piecing together add-ons – causing the occasional compatibility hiccup.
Verdict
For course creators and membership sites with an education focus – LearnDash simply dominates. Their specialized toolset shines when content sequencing, interactive assessments and discussions drive engagement.
Complemented by MemberPress for simplified subscription management, it‘s proven repeatedly as the top LMS choice for advanced training, online academies and coaching programs needing personalized member experiences.
3. Restrict Content Pro
When a no-fuss option to selectively hide content matters most, Restrict Content Pro excels. Over 328,397 sites use its lighter-weight approach to membership management.
Access & Restriction Rules
Straightforward restriction rules get applied based on post type, category and page or custom post IDs. Set access duration controls, schedule visibility toggling and teaser content previews.
For example – disable copy/paste capabilities for gated instructions. Or let search engines index titles of members-only posts automatically prompting sign ups.
Outgrown its beginnings as a simple paywall plugin. But code customizations still required for ultra-advanced conditional content display logic.
Subscription Management
Payment and subscription orchestration depends on WooCommerce integration (bundled for convenience).
The combinedworkflows make Restrict Content Pro play nice for tangible goods too. Automatic subscription setup after purchases optional. Handler various free trials or metered plans comfortably.
Stripe and PayPal simplify checkout. Fairly painless to generate Coupon codes and affiliate commissions. Just misses some of the deeper reporting and subscription automation of dedicated platforms like MemberPress.
Selling Courses
Courses amount to bundling downloads or content access into WooCommerce products.
Quizzes or assessments need third-party add-ons. Same goes for interactive discussions and content sequencing.
Great for protecting course downloadables behind paywall. But real learning journey personalization feels tacked on.
Ease of Use
True set-it-and-forget-it simplicity for basic membership sites. Rules stay intuitive even for WordPress beginners with handy presets.
Want to toggle view permissions? Use toggle-able shortcodes on pages or the restriction settings pane.
Stable functionality with few conflicts. But limited native marketing tools mean integrating multiple third-party platforms – which grows complexity over time.
Limitations
Real set-it-and-forget-it simplicity for basic membership sites. Rules stay intuitive even for WordPress beginners with handy presets.
Want to toggle view permissions? Use toggle-able shortcodes on pages or the restriction settings pane.
Stable functionality with few conflicts. But limited native marketing tools mean integrating multiple third-party platforms – which grows complexity over time.
Verdict
When bogged down by unnecessary bells and whistles other plugins bring, Restrict Content Pro shines by doing one thing extremely well – content restriction.
Pair its adequate subscription management with a marketing platform like ConvertKit and you‘ve got a neat package for simple membership sites on a budget.
For advanced training platforms with burgeoning complexity however, an LMS-oriented solution like LearnDash tends to become essential. Evaluate whether the WooCommerce dependency and lack of native course features might curtail long term plans.
4. Paid Memberships Pro
A 100% free membership plugin that still packs a punch – Paid Memberships Pro sees usage on over 60,353 WordPress sites. Let‘sunpack where this open-source offering shines.
Access Restriction Rules
Member visibility of posts, pages and custom post types gets defined by shortcodes boundaries. Want to gate a piece of content? Wrap it in [member] tags configured to certain levels.
Alternatively, hide full posts/pages based on global default membership levels.
Simple yet effective approach though applying lots of precise rules/exceptions can get messy. For large sites, content preview restrictions for non-members based on post type and taxonomies available in higher tiers.
Subscription Management
Straightforward subscription system handles popular models like one-time payments or recurring monthly plans. Stripe and PayPal integrate nicely for checkout.
Set up discount codes and affiliate/referral tracking in a few clicks. Email custom welcome messages when members join.
But limited flexibility around installment plans, complex bundles or metered subscription aspects without add-ons. Built-in reporting also fairly basic.
Selling Courses
Add-ons exist for front-end course sales but lack sophisticated drip content release control. Quizzes possible via third-party too but clumsy native course creation and management.
PPM shines for access rules on existing content – not for true course platform capabilities. Either build custom course post types or integrate a dedicated LMS plugin.
Ease of Use
Quick 5 minute setup wins favor with beginners. Configuration stays simple – just tag paid content in shortcodes and adjust global access permissions.
For sites with few membership levels and straight-forward subscriptions, the easy UI makes sense. But grows complex fast when needing precise rule exceptions.
Support receives mixed reviews especially for larger sites. Churning through forum posts for answers frustratingly familiar for some.
Limitations
Democratic pricing by being 100% free offers no premium support safety net. As site complexity grows, relying solely on forums proves dicey long term.
Functionality gaps like courses, emails or custom attributes need expensive extensions. Significant theme conflicts reported when using page builders too.
Great basic features out the box. But the true cost of ownership adds up for advanced applications of PPM.
The Verdict
For hobby blogs with just a donation button or small premium section, Paid Memberships Pro crushed it.
Lean website owners leverage open-source affordability without sacrificing core access rule basics. One-person shops may outgrow capabilities over time though when needing support or added functionality.
For robust platforms supporting thousands of members, I typically recommend investing in MemberPress or WishList Member for added assurance. But PPM remains a fine budget starter solution if you anticipate simple secure membership management needs.
5. WishList Member
The Swiss army knife of membership plugins, WishList Member empowers over 73,327 websites with advanced tiered content access, dripping mechanisms and marketing automations.
Access & Restriction Rules
Robust tag-based rules provide superior access control for large sites. Partial content previews incentivize sign-ups. Custom login/registration forms speed onboarding.
Members added directly to appropriate levels with flexible content permissions. Everything stays dynamic – change access on the fly without coding.
Built-in groups and advanced permission layering based on behavior/attributes enable personalization at scale. Custom Post Types also securable. Love the ability to schedule and drip feed content on timelines too!
Subscription Management
Flexible subscription terms, installments plans and metered content access simplify monetization. Autopilot recurring payment system with retries helps ensure revenue consistency.
Dynamic pricing models, coupon codes and one-time purchases all mix nicely. Straightforward taxation settings and currency management for global audiences.
Natively supports top payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal) avoiding extra add-ons. Geolocation restriction options and video streaming permissions also handy.
Selling Courses
Built-in course creation tools let you easily bundle lessons, quizzes and certificates as paid or premium content.
Lightweight CourseCure feature handles basics well – but misses modern social learning tools you‘d expect in an LMS platforms like LearnDash (discussions, multimedia attachments, mobile friendly etc).
Third-party add-ons (Wishlist CE) can enrich interactions further but native course experience feels dated.
Ease of Use
Initial setup walks through key steps effectively but misses a chance to simplify concepts for true newbies. Default terminology feels obscure – talking "membership levels" vs simply "plans" for example.
Sheer amount of configurable options also contributes to perceptions of complexity though neat separation of global vs category specific rules offers clarity when you dig deeper and take time to learn the ropes.
Stellar priority support and implementation services help the learning curve tremendously. But out the gates, WishList Member feels intimidating compared to say MemberPress.
Limitations
Jack of all trades but master of none? Some of the built-in features useful for marketers (email autoresponders, affiliate promos) and course creators lack sophistication of focused tools.
No native page builder compatibility requires workarounds. Support satisfaction also tends to hover below competitors.
The Verdict
WishList Member impresses thanks to potent content restriction capabilities and deep marketing tools. The versatile feature set suits larger enterprises needing scale.
But the very configurability that makes it shine for complex platforms contributes to onboarding hurdles. Without investing in expertise to implement thoughtfully, the return on investment proves lacking.
For simplest secure membership sites, WishList feels overpowered. But valuable help, advanced personalization and automation possibilities stand out for 6-figure plus member communities.
Summarizing the WordPress Membership Landscape
The membership plugin market continues evolving rapidly with over a dozen capable solutions in 2023. Hopefully mapping offerings by access rules, payments, courses, support infrastructure and licensing helps identify best fits.
If simplicity and ease-of-use matter most, MemberPress takes the crown for secure content protection and subscription management without needless complexity.
Rich course creation capabilities essential? LearnDash enables beautiful learning interfaces that boost engagement and student achievement.
On a tight budget but still want core restricting features? Restrict Content Pro and Paid Memberships Pro both deliver adequately.
Advanced marketing automation aspirations? WishList Member empowers personalized journeys.
Now you‘re equipped to judiciously evaluate popular WordPress membership plugins based on website goals and choose the best solution confidently!
Juggling individual comparisons still proves daunting? As an independent consultant since 2005, I‘m happy to provide objective guidance and custom implementation services saving you time identifying the ideal technology mix for secure WordPress memberships done right.
Drop me a line to strategize further around your audience, content plan and monetization models. Excited to connect and collaborate on member-powered possibility!
