WordPress handles membership sites well once you add the right plugin, gated content, exclusive community access, or paid subscriptions. Here are 10 genuinely free WordPress.org membership plugins, with real current status, since three entries in earlier versions of this list turned out not to exist as free WordPress.org plugins at all.
1. Ultimate Member
Downloads: 13 million+ total | Developer: Ultimate Member
Ultimate Member, v2.12.1, updated within the last month.
When to Use:
Best for sites where user registration and profile management matter as much as membership gating, communities and social networks especially.
Pros:
- Customizable user roles
- Easy registration/login form building
- Strong front-end user profiles
- Integrates with WooCommerce, BuddyPress, and Mailchimp
Cons:
- Advanced membership functionality is limited in the free version
- Some reported conflicts with specific themes and plugins
2. Kadence Memberships (formerly Restrict Content Pro / Restrict Content)
Downloads: 669,845+ | Developer: Nexcess/StellarWP
The original version of this post listed two separate entries here, “Paid Memberships Pro” and “Restrict Content.” Paid Memberships Pro was permanently closed on WordPress.org in October 2024 (author’s own request) and is no longer available for download under any circumstances. Separately, Sandhills Development’s free “Restrict Content” plugin has since been folded into Kadence Memberships under its current owner, Nexcess/StellarWP, v4.0.1, updated within the last two months.
When to Use:
Straightforward content restriction by user role, without needing a full membership-level system.
Pros:
- Simple and lightweight
- Restricts specific content to registered users
- Works directly with WordPress roles
Cons:
- Advanced membership features require the paid tier
- Limited third-party integrations in the free version
3. Simple Membership
Version: 4.7.8, updated within the last week | Developer: wp.insider
When to Use:
Smaller sites needing basic membership setup without complex rules, blogs, small businesses, restricted-content sites.
Pros:
- Lightweight, easy to configure
- Content protection by membership level
- Unlimited membership levels
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to larger plugins
- No built-in email automation
4. Members
Version: 3.2.26, updated within the last month | Developer: MemberPress
When to Use:
Customizing user roles and restricting content for specific user groups, without needing a full membership/payment system on top.
Pros:
- Strong role management
- Content restriction capabilities
- Pairs well with other membership plugins to extend role handling
Cons:
- No built-in payment or membership management
- Not a complete membership system on its own
5. WP-Members
Version: 3.5.6, updated within the last several months | Developer: RocketGeek
When to Use:
Managing user registration and content restriction without a complicated membership system, blogs and small businesses mainly.
Pros:
- User-friendly
- Customizable login/registration forms
- Role-based content restriction
Cons:
- Limited integrations
- No built-in payment options
6. s2Member
Version: updated within the last three months | Developer: WP Sharks
When to Use:
Larger sites needing complex membership setups, one of the more flexible free options for managing memberships, payments, and subscriptions together.
Pros:
- Highly configurable
- Content protection and drip content support
- PayPal integration built in
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve than simpler plugins on this list
- Limited payment gateways without the paid tier
7. ProfilePress
Version: 4.16.19, updated within the last month | Developer: ProfilePress
ProfilePress (listed under the wp-user-avatar slug on WordPress.org)
When to Use:
Front-end user registration and profile management, with some membership functionality baked in.
Pros:
- Clean interface, easy to use
- Works well with WooCommerce and LearnDash
- Flexible front-end user management
Cons:
- Free version has limited functionality
- Advanced features require the paid tier
8. Paid Member Subscriptions
Downloads: 2 million+ total | Developer: Cozmoslabs
The original version of this post recommended “MemberPress (Lite)” here, claiming 50,000+ active installs on WordPress.org. That entry doesn’t exist, MemberPress has never had a free WordPress.org listing; it’s paid-only, currently $199.50-399.60/year. Paid Member Subscriptions is a genuine, actively updated free alternative covering recurring payments and content restriction. Active, v3.0.8, updated within the last week.
When to Use:
Sites needing real recurring-payment membership tiers without starting on a paid plugin.
Pros:
- Genuinely free core with recurring payments included
- Content restriction by membership level
- Large, established install base
Cons:
- Add-ons cost extra for deeper integrations
9. Groups
Downloads: 1 million+ total | Developer: itthinx
The original version of this post recommended “WooCommerce Memberships (Lite)” here. That entry doesn’t exist as a free WordPress.org plugin either, WooCommerce Memberships is a paid extension sold through WooCommerce.com. Groups is a real, actively maintained free alternative for role- and group-based content restriction. Active, v4.4.0, updated within the last week.
When to Use:
Organizing members into groups with different access levels, without requiring WooCommerce specifically.
Pros:
- Genuinely free, well-established
- Flexible group and capability management
- Works independently of WooCommerce
Cons:
- No built-in payment processing, pair with a separate payments plugin if you need paid tiers
Picking One
- Ultimate Member or Members for community or profile-driven sites.
- Paid Member Subscriptions or s2Member for subscription-based content or courses.
- Groups for role-based access without WooCommerce dependency.
- Kadence Memberships if you specifically need what Restrict Content Pro used to offer, under its current name.
Evaluate the pros and cons against your specific needs. And verify a plugin’s free-tier claims directly on WordPress.org before committing, as this list’s own history shows, listings change.