WordPress is an incredibly versatile platform, allowing site owners to create any type of website, including membership sites. If you’re looking to create a membership site and offer premium content or exclusive community access, the following plugins are great options, with many of them available for free on WordPress.org.
This blog will list the top 10 free membership plugins available on WordPress.org, based on active installations. We will dive into when to use them, provide WordPress.org links, discuss active install counts, and mention the developers behind these plugins. Let’s also explore their pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
1. Ultimate Member
Active Installations: 200,000+
Developer: Ultimate Member
When to Use:
Ideal for sites where user registration and profile management are key features. It comes with built-in membership functionalities that make it suitable for communities and social networks.
Pros:
- Customizable user roles
- Easy to create registration/login forms
- Excellent front-end user profiles
- Integration with WooCommerce, BuddyPress, and Mailchimp
Cons:
- Limited support for advanced membership functionalities in the free version
- Some users report conflicts with other plugins and themes
2. Paid Memberships Pro
Active Installations: 100,000+
Developer: Stranger Studios
When to Use:
Best for websites that need robust membership management, with multiple membership levels and options to restrict content based on user roles.
Pros:
- Supports multiple payment gateways
- Highly extensible with various add-ons
- Full integration with popular plugins like WooCommerce and BuddyPress
Cons:
- Free version lacks features like recurring payments and WooCommerce integration
- Add-ons can get costly if many features are required
3. MemberPress (Lite)
Active Installations: 50,000+
Developer: Caseproof
When to Use:
Great for basic membership management. If you need a straightforward, no-fuss plugin for membership sites with gated content, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- Easy setup and integration with WordPress
- Includes content protection and simple membership functionality
- Paid version has rich features
Cons:
- Free version is quite limited in features
- Full features require an upgrade to the premium version
4. Simple Membership
Active Installations: 50,000+
Developer: wp.insider
When to Use:
Perfect for smaller sites that need a basic membership setup without complex rules and requirements. Works well for blogs, small businesses, or restricted content websites.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to configure
- Protects content based on membership levels
- Allows unlimited membership levels
Cons:
- Limited in terms of customization and integrations compared to larger plugins
- No support for advanced marketing features like email automation
5. Restrict Content
Active Installations: 30,000+
Developer: Sandhills Development
When to Use:
Ideal if you just want to restrict content based on user roles. It’s lightweight and works well for simple sites that don’t need complex membership management.
Pros:
- Simple and lightweight
- Allows restrictions on specific content for registered users
- Works seamlessly with WordPress roles
Cons:
- Lacks advanced membership features in the free version
- Limited integrations
6. Members
Active Installations: 200,000+
Developer: MemberPress
When to Use:
Best suited for customizing user roles and restricting content for certain user groups. It’s an excellent plugin for content-driven sites that don’t need advanced membership features.
Pros:
- Powerful role management
- Content restriction capabilities
- Can be used with other membership plugins to enhance role management
Cons:
- Doesn’t have built-in payment or membership management features
- Lacks a complete membership system
7. WP-Members
Active Installations: 80,000+
Developer: RocketGeek
When to Use:
Great for sites that need to manage user registrations and restrict content without complicated membership systems. It works well for blogs and small businesses.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Customizable login and registration forms
- Offers content restriction based on user roles
Cons:
- Limited in terms of integrations
- No built-in payment options
8. S2Member Framework
Active Installations: 30,000+
Developer: WP Sharks
When to Use:
S2Member is one of the most flexible and feature-rich plugins for managing memberships, payments, and subscriptions. Suitable for larger sites needing complex membership setups.
Pros:
- Highly configurable
- Supports content protection and drip content
- PayPal integration out of the box
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve compared to other plugins
- Limited payment gateways in the free version
9. ProfilePress
Active Installations: 10,000+
Developer: ProfilePress
When to Use:
Excellent for sites that want front-end user registration and profile management. It integrates well with WooCommerce and provides some basic membership functionalities.
Pros:
- Easy to use with a great interface
- Works well with WooCommerce and LearnDash
- Flexible front-end user management
Cons:
- Limited functionality in the free version
- Paid version required for advanced features
10. WooCommerce Memberships (Lite)
Active Installations: 20,000+
Developer: SkyVerge
When to Use:
If you already run a WooCommerce store and need to create membership options, this plugin integrates seamlessly. It’s useful for restricting product purchases and managing subscriptions.
Pros:
- Fully integrates with WooCommerce
- Easy to restrict products and services based on membership levels
- Supports multiple payment gateways
Cons:
- Lite version is extremely limited
- Requires WooCommerce Subscriptions for recurring payments
Conclusion
Each of these plugins serves different types of websites, whether you’re creating a simple membership-based blog, an online store, or a large community website. Choose based on your specific needs:
- Ultimate Member or Members for community or user profile-driven sites.
- Paid Memberships Pro or S2Member for subscription-based content or courses.
- WooCommerce Memberships if you have an online store with membership benefits.
Evaluate the pros and cons to make the best decision for your WordPress membership site.
