Did you know that membership websites are projected to grow by 25% in the next year alone? Whether you're a content creator, an educator, or an e-commerce business owner, adding a membership feature can revolutionize how you engage with your audience. But with so many options available, how do you choose the right one?
In this article, we’ll explore three powerful membership plugin solutions: MemberPress, WooCommerce Memberships + Subscriptions, and SureMembers + SureCart. By the end, you’ll know exactly which option is right for your unique business needs.
Why Membership Plugins Matter
Membership plugins are the backbone of subscription-based businesses, allowing you to:
- Restrict access to premium content.
- Offer exclusive perks like discounts or early access.
- Create sustainable revenue streams with recurring payments.
But not all plugins are created equal. Choosing the wrong one can lead to unnecessary complexity and frustration. Let's look at how MemberPress, WooCommerce Memberships + Subscriptions, and SureMembers + SureCart compare.
1. MemberPress: The Content Creator’s Dream
MemberPress is a standalone plugin designed for websites focused on delivering premium content like blogs, courses, or downloadable resources. It’s a favorite among educators and creators because it offers everything you need in one package.
Key Features
- Built-in course builder for managing online learning.
- Content dripping to release materials gradually.
- No dependencies on other plugins or tools.
- Intuitive and beginner-friendly interface.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Completely standalone, no need for other plugins.
- Built-in course builder for online learning.
- Intuitive setup and beginner-friendly.
- Content dripping and access rules included.
Cons:
- Limited e-commerce features.
- Higher initial and renewal costs compared to alternatives.
- May require add-ons for advanced functionality.
Use Case Example
"An online coach uses MemberPress to sell video tutorials and courses to a global audience, releasing new lessons weekly using the content dripping feature."
Pricing
Starts at $179.50/year (renews at $359/year)
Best For
Content creators, bloggers, and educators who focus on premium content or online courses.
2. WooCommerce Memberships + Subscriptions: The E-Commerce Champion
For e-commerce businesses, WooCommerce Memberships paired with WooCommerce Subscriptions is a powerful solution. If you already run a WooCommerce store, this combination allows you to tie memberships to product sales seamlessly.
Key Features
- Members-only product discounts and exclusive access.
- Full e-commerce capabilities for product management.
- Flexible recurring billing through WooCommerce Subscriptions.
- Integrates with WooCommerce’s vast plugin ecosystem.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Seamless integration with WooCommerce.
- Perfect for e-commerce businesses with product-based memberships.
- Access to WooCommerce’s extensive ecosystem of plugins.
- Advanced recurring payment management with Subscriptions.
Cons:
- Requires WooCommerce, adding complexity and potential setup challenges.
- High cost when combined with WooCommerce Subscriptions.
- Less ideal for content-driven memberships without additional LMS plugins.
Use Case Example
"A subscription box company uses WooCommerce Memberships to offer members 10% off every product and access to exclusive items available only to subscribers."
Pricing
$199/year for Memberships + $279/year for Subscriptions
Best For
E-commerce stores that want to integrate memberships with their product offerings.
3. SureMembers + SureCart: The Affordable Hybrid
SureMembers is a lightweight and affordable membership plugin that pairs perfectly with SureCart for payment and subscription management. This combination is ideal for small-to-medium businesses seeking simplicity and flexibility.
Key Features
- Content restriction for posts, pages, and custom post types.
- Native content dripping for timed releases.
- Affordable pricing with modular add-ons.
- Integrates with SureCart for recurring payments and product sales.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable pricing for small-to-medium businesses.
- Lightweight, flexible, and easy to set up.
- Works for hybrid use cases (content + e-commerce).
- Modular system lets you add features as needed.
Cons:
- No built-in course builder; requires an LMS for courses.
- Smaller ecosystem compared to WooCommerce or MemberPress.
- Relatively new, so fewer third-party integrations.
Use Case Example
"A small business owner uses SureMembers + SureCart to sell premium blog content and downloadable resources while offering exclusive product discounts to subscribers."
Pricing
Starts at $99/year (SureMembers) + $199/year (SureCart Pro).
Best For
Businesses needing a cost-effective solution for both content and product memberships.
Customization with Page Builders
A well-designed membership site reflects your brand’s identity, and customizing your membership pages is key to achieving this. Fortunately, all three plugins offer varying levels of integration with popular page builders like Elementor, Gutenberg, and Bricks.
- MemberPress
- Works with Elementor and Gutenberg for designing custom login, registration, and restricted content pages.
- Provides flexibility to style membership pages without writing code.
- WooCommerce Memberships + Subscriptions
- Fully compatible with WooCommerce blocks in Gutenberg.
- Supports Elementor widgets for creating branded membership pages like checkout, registration, and product archives.
- SureMembers + SureCart
- Pairs seamlessly with Bricks and Gutenberg for lightweight customization.
- Works with Elementor to design membership-related pages using custom widgets and templates.
Each plugin provides unique tools for tailoring your membership site’s look and feel, making it easier to deliver a seamless user experience.
Scalability Comparison
SEO Benefits of Membership Plugins
Membership sites can significantly boost SEO when optimized effectively:
MemberPress:
- Gated content attracts sign-ups while leaving teasers visible for indexing.
- Perfect for blogs and premium resources.
WooCommerce Memberships:
- Product-based memberships drive organic traffic through targeted product pages.
- Members-only product descriptions boost engagement.
SureMembers:
- Lightweight structure keeps your site fast, improving search rankings.
- Works well with hybrid content strategies (blogs + products).
Security Considerations
Protecting member data is critical. Here’s how these plugins ensure security:
MemberPress:
- Offers advanced access rules to protect premium content.
- Supports SSL for payment security.
WooCommerce Memberships:
- Relies on WooCommerce’s robust ecosystem for security, including payment gateway compliance.
SureMembers:
- Provides lightweight access controls with role-based restrictions.
- Pairs with SureCart to securely handle transactions.
Long-Term Costs
Understanding the total cost of ownership is essential when choosing a plugin:
Explore Plugin Pricing Options
To help you make an informed decision, here are the pricing details for each plugin mentioned in this article. Click the links below to explore the most up-to-date pricing information:
- MemberPress Pricing: Discover the plans and features offered by MemberPress, designed for content-driven membership sites.
- WooCommerce Memberships and Subscriptions Pricing: Explore pricing for WooCommerce Memberships and the WooCommerce Subscriptions add-on to create product-based memberships.
- SureMembers and SureCart Pricing: Check out the affordable pricing plans for SureMembers, a lightweight and flexible membership solution.
TL;DR: Best Membership Plugins for WordPress
Looking to create a membership site on WordPress? Here’s a quick comparison of the best membership plugins:
- MemberPress:
- Best for content-driven memberships like blogs, courses, or premium resources.
- Features: Built-in course builder, content dripping, standalone setup.
- Pricing: Starts at $179.50/year.
- WooCommerce Memberships + Subscriptions:
- Best for e-commerce sites offering members-only products and discounts.
- Features: Seamless WooCommerce integration, recurring billing via Subscriptions.
- Pricing: $199/year for Memberships + $279/year for Subscriptions.
- SureMembers + SureCart:
- Best for hybrid setups (content + e-commerce) on a budget.
- Features: Lightweight, flexible content restriction, recurring payments with SureCart.
- Pricing: $99/year (SureMembers) + $199/year (SureCart Pro).
Key Takeaways:
- Choose MemberPress for standalone content memberships.
- Choose WooCommerce Memberships for product-based memberships.
- Choose SureMembers for an affordable, lightweight solution.
For a detailed breakdown and pricing links, read the full article or contact CodeVidia for expert advice!
Conclusion
Choosing the right membership plugin depends on your business needs and goals. Here are some final tips:
- Start Small: Choose the plugin that best fits your current needs, and scale up as you grow.
- Use Trials or Demos: Test each plugin to see which one feels intuitive for you.
- Optimize for SEO: Use teasers and member-specific content to boost organic traffic.
- Get Professional Help: If you’re unsure, reach out to experts like CodeVidia to ensure a smooth setup.
Ready to build your membership site? Contact CodeVidia today, and let’s bring your vision to life!
