BuddyPress’s built-in Privacy component controls basic visibility, profile fields, activity, groups, but on its own it doesn’t give you a full members-only, approval-gated community. For that, most sites add Private Community for BuddyPress (also listed as “WordPress Lock for BuddyPress”) on top of it.
What the Plugin Actually Locks Down
Restrict registration to invite-only, or require manual admin approval before a new signup gets access. Hide activities, profiles, and groups from anyone who isn’t an approved member. Give members control over their own profile visibility, everyone, friends only, or specific roles.
Groups get their own three-tier privacy: public (visible to everyone), private (join by approval or invite), and hidden (invisible unless directly invited). Messaging can be restricted to friends-only. When someone tries to access something they can’t see, a configurable request form lets them ask for access, and admins get email notifications to review and approve it.
The Other Path: Membership Plugins
If the community also needs paid tiers rather than just approval-gating, a full membership plugin fits better than a privacy add-on alone. Kadence Memberships (formerly Restrict Content Pro, rebranded after Nexcess/Liquid Web’s acquisition) and WooCommerce Memberships both integrate with BuddyPress for this. Custom development is the third option if requirements go beyond what either handles out of the box.
Whichever route you take, keep GDPR (or your applicable privacy regulation) in mind, a private community still collects and stores member data, and locking down visibility isn’t the same as data-protection compliance.
Pricing
Private Community for BuddyPress: free tier available (unlimited sites), Pro from $49/year (1 site) up to $129/year (unlimited sites), with lifetime licenses too. Current version v2.3.0, updated within the last month.