10 Best Subscription Plugins for WordPress (2024)

WordPress subscription plugins allow you to create a membership-based website where users can sign up for access to exclusive content or features. These plugins let you manage memberships, control access levels, and offer various subscription options.

In this article, we’ll review the key features of these plugins and the most notable items you can use for membership sites.

What Can a Subscription Plugin Do?

Subscription plugins contain many features that can change your WordPress site into a fully-featured membership site.

The first is the most interesting feature, which allows restricted access to content based on the user’s membership level. Whether you want to limit entire pages or custom post types, this can be done in subscription plugins to set up access levels according to user roles or specific membership tiers. This way, only paying members or limited user groups can access the premium content on your site.

If your membership website charges a set fee, recurring payments, and subscription renewals are also important. The members’ billing cycle can be managed efficiently through both methods. These plugins automate collecting recurring payments, subscription renewals, and even managing cancellations. Therefore, it does secure a constant and steady flow of revenue in such a way that it demands less administrative work.

Fully detailed reporting tools provide a platform for deriving insights into how your membership site is performing. These may include reports on each member’s activity, registrations, terminations, revenue, and activity. This data is essential for intelligent decision-making and optimization of membership strategies.

Customizable registration forms are needed to collect information from new members. Most subscription plugins offer drag-and-drop form builders and various customization options, so you can create something that fits your site’s brand well and meets all other requirements.

If your membership plugin does not have enough flexibility in the registration or user input form, you can use the JetFormBuilder plugin, which offers a high level of customization. You’re welcome to check out the use cases described by the JetFormBuilder development team.

How to Choose the Best WordPress Subscription Plugin?

Consider the following factors when choosing the best WordPress subscription plugin.

Ease of use

One of the first things to consider is that the plugin should be user-friendly. This can save you much time and a learning curve because plugins with an easy interface and well-written documentation will likely be the best. The most feature-rich plugins have a good user interface, drag-and-drop builders, and dashboards that even non-technical users can easily understand.

Features

You need to know if the plugin has all the features you need—content restriction, payment gateways, and member management. Look out for extra features, such as content dripping, customizable email notifications, and integration with third-party services. The more feature-rich the plugin is, the greater the flexibility to craft a membership site that meets one’s needs.

Compatibility

It should be compatible with other themes and plugins loaded on the site. Incompatibility can, therefore, be a root cause of conflict and other glitches on the website. Ensuring that a plugin will work with the existing WordPress ecosystem is essential. Many developers include information about compatibility and support for major themes and plugins.

Price

Match the price with the features you want to use. While tempting, free plugins may come with limited features and support. Premium plugins are usually a little pricier, but in return, you get more features, such as regular updates and support. Consider your budget and relate it to the value of the plugin for your membership website before deciding.

Top 10 WordPress Subscription Plugins for Your Website

1. MemberPress (Premium)

🏆 Best for managing memberships and restricting content with ease.

MemberPress is a powerful and easy-to-use membership plugin for WordPress. It offers comprehensive features for managing memberships, restricting content, and handling payments.

• Pros: Easy to use, comprehensive feature set, supports multiple payment gateways, detailed reporting.
• Cons: Premium pricing can be too high for beginners.

Features:

• content dripping and access control;
• integration with popular email marketing services;
• detailed reporting and analytics;
• support for multiple payment gateways;
• customizable pricing pages.

Pricing: the plugin has a variable pricing model starting from $190/year.

2. Restrict Content Pro (Premium)

🏆 Best for creating subscription-based websites with extensive reporting tools.

Restrict Content Pro is a robust membership plugin designed to create subscription-based websites easily. It offers a user-friendly interface and a variety of useful features.

• Pros: Unlimited subscription packages, user-friendly interface, extensive hooks for developers.
• Cons: Premium pricing and fewer integrations compared to some competitors.

Features:

• unlimited subscription packages;
• discount codes and promotions;
• extensive reporting tools;
• integration with numerous payment gateways;
• developer-friendly with extensive hooks.

Pricing: the plugin has a variable pricing model starting from $99/year.

3. Paid Memberships Pro (Freemium)

🏆 Best for offering both free and premium membership options with flexibility.

Paid Memberships Pro is a flexible membership plugin that provides all the tools you need to run a membership site. It offers both free and premium versions with extensive features.

• Pros: Multiple membership levels, content restriction options, extensive add-ons.
• Cons: There are limited features in the free version, and setup can be complex.

Features:

• multiple membership levels;
• content restriction options;
• integration with email marketing services;
• recurring payment options;
• extensive add-ons for extra functionality.

Pricing: freemium.

4. WooCommerce Memberships (Premium)

🏆 Best WooCommerce subscription plugin for integrating memberships within WordPress stores.

The WooCommerce Memberships plugin allows you to create a membership system using WooCommerce. It’s perfect for integrating a membership system with an online store.

• Pros: Seamless WooCommerce integration, flexible membership plans, customizable emails.
• Cons: Requires WooCommerce, which can be expensive with additional plugins.

Features:

• seamless integration with WooCommerce;
• content restriction based on membership level;
• membership plans with flexible options;
• integration with WooCommerce Subscriptions for recurring payments;
• customizable membership emails.

Pricing: the premium version is billed annually at $199/year.

5. S2Member (Freemium)

🏆 Best for highly configurable membership sites with robust content protection.

S2Member is a feature-rich membership plugin that offers various tools to manage subscriptions and protect content. It’s highly configurable and supports multiple payment gateways.

• Pros: Highly configurable, supports multiple payment gateways, extensive API.
• Cons: Steep learning curve, dated user interface.

Features:

• restriction of posts, pages, and custom post types;
• content dripping and access expiration;
• integration with major payment gateways;
• extensive API and developer hooks;
• custom registration and profile fields.

Pricing: you can start for free, but the premium offers begin at $89 (single fee).

6. LearnDash (Premium)

🏆 Best for creating and selling online courses with membership features.

LearnDash is an advanced learning management system (LMS) plugin with robust membership features. It’s ideal for creating and selling online courses.

• Pros: Advanced LMS features, detailed reporting, and integration with other membership plugins.
• Cons: Premium pricing can be overkill for simple membership sites.

Features:

• course creation and management tools;
• content dripping and scheduling;
• advanced quizzes and assessments;
• integration with membership plugins like MemberPress;
• detailed reporting and analytics.

Pricing: the plugin has a variable pricing model starting from $199/year.

7. WP-Members (Freemium)

🏆 Best for simple membership site setup.

WP-Members is a straightforward membership plugin that enables you to restrict content and create a membership site without the complexity.

• Pros: Simple setup, customizable forms, easy content restriction.
• Cons: Limited advanced features; plugin requires additional customization for complex needs.

Features:

• simple setup and configuration;
• customizable registration and login forms;
• content restriction by post, page, or custom post type;
• integration with email marketing services;
• extensive customization options via hooks and filters.

Pricing: you can start for free, but the premium offers begin at $59/year.

8. MemberMouse (Premium)

🏆 Best for managing serious membership sites with advanced content access.

MemberMouse is a powerful membership plugin designed for serious membership sites. It offers a wide range of features to manage subscriptions and content access.

• Pros: SmartTags, advanced analytics, built-in affiliate program.
• Cons: Higher cost and complexity can be daunting for beginners.

Features:

• SmartTags for personalized content;
• drip content scheduling;
• advanced reporting and analytics;
• built-in affiliate program;
• integration with various payment gateways.

Pricing: the Basic premium plan starts at $199.50/year.

9. ARMember (Freemium)

🏆 Best for creating modern, visually appealing membership sites.

ARMember is a comprehensive membership plugin with a modern design. It offers a wide array of features for creating and managing memberships effectively.

• Pros: Modern design, drag-and-drop form builder, built-in opt-in tools.
• Cons: Premium pricing and some features require additional setup.

Features:

• drag-and-drop form builder;
• content restriction and dripping;
• multiple membership levels and plans;
• integration with popular payment gateways;
• built-in opt-in tools for email marketing.

Pricing: you can start for free, but the premium is $69 (one-time fee).

10. Ultimate Member (Freemium)

🏆 Best for creating advanced user profiles and community sites.

Ultimate Member is a user-friendly membership plugin that focuses on creating advanced user profiles and community sites.

• Pros: Customizable profiles, member directories, front-end user registration.
• Cons: Limited membership-specific features, requires extensions for additional functionality.

Features:

• customizable user profiles;
• member directories;
• content restriction options;
• integration with popular extensions;
• front-end user registration and login.

Pricing: you can start for free, but the variable premium prices start from $249/year.

Conclusion

Choosing the right WordPress membership site plugin is crucial for creating a successful subscription-based website. Each plugin offers unique features tailored to different needs, whether content restriction, payment integration, or detailed reporting. 

• MemberPress and Restrict Content Pro are great for comprehensive membership management, while WooCommerce Memberships is perfect for integrating with an online store.
• Paid Memberships Pro and S2Member offer robust freemium options for those on a budget. 

Regardless of your choice, ensure the plugin aligns with your site’s requirements, provides reliable support, and is compatible with your existing setup. By carefully selecting the appropriate plugin, you can effectively manage memberships, control access to content, and provide a seamless experience for your subscribers.