Best MemberPress Alternatives Guide

Last Updated on August 17, 2023 by Ewen Finser

Members-only products are becoming a popular way to generate revenue from your hobby. I’ve dabbled in membership-only platforms, and I am interested in using this function for my website. I have a WordPress website, so I was looking for a membership plugin.

That’s when I came across MemberPress. MemberPress supports nearly every digital business model, from online courses to blogs. But the high prices and unnecessary features made me shy away from MemberPress. Fortunately, MemberPress has different competitors that are a better option for me. I want to share some of these companies in my best MemberPress alternatives guide.

Bottom Line Upfront

If you want your membership platform to offer course creation features, I suggest choosing Teachable. If you want a general membership platform, I recommend Mighty Networks. If you prefer a WordPress plugin, I suggest looking at these alternatives and choosing the best one.

My Top Picks at a Glance

• Teachable
• Mighty Networks
• Wild Apricot

What Is MemberPress?

First, let’s learn a little more about MemberPress. MemberPress is a WordPress plugin that makes certain areas of your website available to paid subscribers. You can create different content for paying visitors–digital downloads, content, and even courses. If you already have a WordPress website, sign up for a MemberPress account and add it to the backend of your WP account. MemberPress can integrate with numerous other WordPress plugins, such as the payment processing system Stripe.

Is MemberPress Right for You?

I realized MemberPress wasn’t right for me when I looked at the price–the basic plan costs around $180/year. You can only use MemberPress for one website (I have two).

I want to make a new course, and MemberPress’ course features don’t start until the second tier (which costs $300/year). I would also get some unnecessary features, such as email marketing automation. Overall, I think MemberPress is limiting for its price.

If you agree with any of this, I suggest considering any of the alternatives I will cover. I also suggest looking through my alternatives if you want a solution that’s not on WordPress, has more community-based features, offers easier development tools, platforms that are optimized for mobile, and is more affordable.

Tips When Finding MemberPress Alternatives

I’m going to be listing quite a few alternatives. How do you know which one is right for you?

Features

When I look for alternatives, I first look at the features. Even though WordPress has limitless plugin options, you should get most of your features from this one plugin alone. And if you’re using a third-party platform, it should include every feature you need to run your members-only business.

You may also not know which features you’ll need. In this case, I suggest exploring solutions for your craft. Members-only businesses typically create courses, content, downloads, and more. I blog for my websites, so I need a customizable solution. And since I want to create a course, I would look for tools to help my students, such as quizzes and certificates.

No matter your business type, there are general features you should prioritize. I like to discover how a platform can benefit my sales; for example, maybe they offer landing page creation, sales analytics, and payment processing.

WordPress or All-in-One

MemberPress is a WordPress plugin, so you should know whether you plan on creating a WordPress website or if you want an all-in-one solution. I suggest choosing a WordPress website if you want more capabilities and customizations for your business platform. I’ve been a WordPress user for 10 years and have used this platform alone for blogging, video, courses, and even e-commerce.

However, WordPress can be complicated to learn–especially if you’re not experienced with website creation, hosting, or CMS platforms. If this sounds like you, you may benefit from an all-in-one platform. These platforms vary in features and capabilities, so it’s worth knowing the tools you need before signing up.

App and Mobile

Some business platforms extend to an app or other mobile/responsive benefits. MemberPress doesn’t offer an app creation feature, which is a shame since many users prefer apps.

If you want to give your members an app experience, I suggest choosing a platform that offers a built-in app. Remember that some apps may be limited in functionality compared to browser view, so always research the app features before signing up. It’s also important to note that not all of these alternatives have an app, but I’m mentioning the ones that do.

Customizations

How I Chose These Alternatives

I took all of the previously mentioned tips into consideration when I chose these alternatives, as well as other buying factors that I look at when finding a business platform. These factors will ensure you’ll be pleased with these membership platforms.

Goals

While every business has different goals, most want to achieve the same outcome. You want more growth to your membership website and can better connect to your audience. I researched these companies and ensured that these membership platforms achieved these goals and more.

Strengths

Support

When using a membership platform, there are times when you’ll need a helping hand. You may also have questions or may even run into a tech issue. That’s why excellent support is paramount when choosing a membership platform. To gauge a platform’s support, I researched ones that offered different support options, responded in a short amount of time, and opened these options up to all customers–no matter what plan they have.

Marketing Capabilities

Membership platforms offer marketing tools so users can grow their following and make more money. I not only gauged whether or not a platform offered its marketing tools but ensured they offered a whole suite of promotion capabilities. If a platform doesn’t offer a specific marketing function, I also ensured there was an integration for it.

Price and Scalability

User-Friendliness

The Best MemberPress Alternatives

Are you ready to look at these MemberPress competitors? Here are my favorite MemberPress alternatives.

Teachable

Teachable is the main MemberPress alternative I recommend if you want to create a membership course. There are many ways that you can generate revenue from your courses, and one of them is by offering a membership section.

I also recommend Teachable as an LMS over MemberPress because Teachable offers everything you need to create a high-quality course. You can create lessons using text and multimedia and create interactive quizzes. Teachable also offers solutions to coaches who want a more customizable solution. No matter what you’re creating, Teachable offers a powerful and user-friendly course editor so you can create your courses with ease.

I also love Teachable’s marketing tools. For example, their platform supports affiliate marketing, which many competitors don’t offer. Teachable also offers impressive integrations if they don’t offer the marketing tools you need. I especially love their integrations with Zapier, MailChimp, and Google Analytics.

If you’re looking for another type of membership platform, I suggest looking at the other alternatives. I also recommend Teachable to website owners in the USA; they handle all accounting internally, and I’m unsure how they handle taxes in different countries. Teachable offers email support as well as a knowledge base and support guides.

Pros

• Powerful tools for instructors and coaches
• User-friendly course creation platform
• Offer a free plan
• Affordable prices for higher-tiered plans
• Affiliate marketing capabilities

Cons

• Lack of direct customer support options
• Only a good option for those who want an LMS

Mighty Networks

If you want a general membership platform recommendation, I suggest Mighty Networks. Mighty Networks can support nearly every membership business–courses, e-commerce, and content. Because of that, Mighty Networks offers features you won’t find anywhere else, such as event integration.

Mighty Networks also offers more ways for creators can connect to their audience. Some of my favorite features include the chat and feed communities that will bring your audience closer together. You can add a live stream to your network, plus a chat feature.

Mighty Networks also has cool Q&A features, so your audience can learn more about you. I love how Mighty Networks can also connect to your app. I also love Mighty Networks for its global capabilities. They support 10 different currencies, and they offer a full payment gateway.

Mighty Networks is a standalone platform, though they do have a WordPress integration. I find Mighty Networks is lacking in its marketing capabilities, though they have integrations to MailChimp and HubSpot. The only downside is Mighty Networks isn’t the most user-friendly platform, and they only offer an FAQ page for support.

Pros

• Wide range of features
• Communication and messaging capabilities
• Are always adding new features
• Perfect for membership companies that want to host a community
• Livestreaming features
• 10 different currencies

Cons

• Not user-friendly
• Lack of support

Wild Apricot

Wild Apricot is a membership platform for nonprofits. Their platform is on cloud software, but they can also integrate with WordPress. Organizations can create and manage nonprofit membership and can also build communities.

One of the ways they do this is by offering email software and text message capabilities, keeping members engaged. If you host online events, Wild Apricot also offers an event management platform where you can create events, accept payments, and even promote your event.

Your members can apply directly on this platform, and Wild Apricot even offers automated renewals. You can create membership-only parts of your website and even create content tailored to members. They even offer a platform to manage multiple chapters.

I love how this platform offers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder with plenty of customization and branding options. If you still have any questions or are stuck, Wild Apricot offers a great help center, and you can easily send tech support requests online.

Wild Apricot is only a solution for nonprofits. If you own another type of business, I suggest looking at other alternatives.

Pros

• Offers a free plan
• Affordable pricing
• Multi-chapter management features
• Drag-and-drop builder

Cons

• Only ideal for nonprofits

Kajabi

I used Kajabi recently. While it wasn’t for me, I know this platform works for various knowledge businesses. Kajabi offers course creation, tools for podcast owners, capabilities to create newsletters, and more. Just know that Kajabi doesn’t offer a way to bundle or categorize these products.

I was impressed by their course creation tools. There are many customization options, you can add different media types, and it’s easy to learn. Kajabi has a clean interface, so it’s easy to learn their backend. The only area you can’t customize is the checkout area, which is a shame if you’re selling a membership.

Their management software is also very simple but powerful, so you can easily sell memberships. You can also build your membership website to your liking, or you can use one of their pre-made templates. I don’t like how Kajabi doesn’t offer community features, so it will be difficult to interact with your audience.

Kajabi is a standalone platform that has no WordPress integrations. This comes with some setbacks; for example, their marketing tools are lacking. Kajabi does offer great ways to sell your memberships and includes all of the reports needed to track revenue and growth. On the plus side, Kajabi offers an app for you and your members.

I didn’t have to use or contact support when I used Kajabi, but they do offer an impressive help center. They also offer live chat (business hours for basic plan members and 24/7 for all other plans).

I don’t suggest Kajabi unless your business already drives revenue. This platform is probably the most expensive on this list–the basic plan is $120/month for the current promotion (usually $150/month), and Kajabi doesn’t offer a free plan option.

Pros

• Great support
• Lots of product options
• Easy to create a course
• Clean interface

Cons

• Expensive
• You can’t customize certain areas of your platform

BuddyBoss

If you’re looking for a community plugin for WordPress, I suggest choosing BuddyBoss. BuddyBoss is more than just a membership and community platform–this plugin also hosts a course creator.

For the community features, you can create a news feed, forum, private messaging, and your members can have their profiles. I find BuddyBoss goes further than the competition; you can even assign admin roles and moderators. Your forum can also have subgroups.

While it doesn’t offer the features of another LMS, such as Teachable, it is a good course platform if you need something simple. BuddyBoss also integrates with LearnDash if you need more functionality from your course creator. BuddyBoss also integrates with Elementor if you want a convenient drag-and-drop builder for your website.

I don’t recommend BuddyBoss if you need an all-in-one platform–this is a better option if you already host a WordPress website and want community features. I also don’t think BuddyBoss has the best backend. Everything feels so unorganized, and it comes with a learning curve.

On the plus side, it’s affordable. If you only have one website, this platform costs $228 annually. This is more affordable than many competitors.

Pros

• Great community features
• Excellent support
• Affordable
• Integration with various WordPress plugins
• App

Cons

• Unorganized backend
• A little buggy

Memberful

Memberful is another membership WordPress plugin. This is the one I recommend to blogs since you can gate your content to paid subscribers. As a WordPress plugin, you can still customize your website and CMS. Memberful integrates with Stripe for payment processing, which is convenient if you already use that platform.

Memberful also offers some revenue-boosting functions, such as sales emails. If there’s a function you need that Memberful won’t provide, there’s a WordPress plugin for everything. I also recommend Memberful for global businesses since they accept various currencies.

I love how Memberful offers a free plan. The free plan is powerful; you can host unlimited members, sell private podcasts, access complete metrics, and more. If you find the free plan is lacking, the second-tier plan only costs $25/month and includes many advanced features, such as coupon codes and a members-only newsletter.

Pros

• Lots of integrations and plugins
• Free plan
• Affordable
• Integrates with Stripe for payment processing
• Excellent support
• Perfect solution for gated content
• Seamless setup

Cons

• It doesn’t work across different domains if you own more than one website

Podia

If you want a cheaper alternative to Kajabi, I suggest Podia. Like Kajabi and other knowledge platforms, you can sell various products to your members, such as courses, digital downloads, webinars, and coaching services.

However, Podia offers a free plan with a full website, marketing functions, a community, and more. If the free plan isn’t enough, the second-tier plan costs $33/month. The only additional feature this plan offers is chat support, but Podia’s customer service is phenomenal.

Podia’s platform also packs a punch for the price you pay. They offer various tools to build your website and create your products. While I wish there was an app, Podia is a great affordable, all-in-one membership platform.

Pros

• Powerful page builder tools
• Lots of features
• Various membership products
• Includes marketing and affiliate tools
• Exceptional customer service for higher-tiered plans
• Don’t take a percentage of your sales
• Free plan
• Affordable subscription price

Cons

• Lacks community features

LearnDash

While LearnDash is an LMS, they do offer a membership option. I love LearnDash, but I don’t like their membership function at all, which is why LearnDash is last on my list.

First, let’s cover the basics of LearnDash. LearnDash is an LMS plugin for WordPress. If you already have a WordPress website, you will find it easy to add LearnDash to your backend. If you use the Elementor integration, you’ll love using the drag-and-drop editor for your course. The best part about LearnDash is they can support nearly any course type.

LearnDash doesn’t call their membership function a “membership.” Rather, they call it a “group.” I included a video on creating a membership with LearnDash using the group function, but it’s not user-friendly, and it took me a while to figure it out. I also wish LearnDash offered more community features.

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Pros

• Integration with Elementor
• Updates in real-time
• Wide range of teaching tools
• Affordable price

Cons

• The memberships function isn’t user-friendly
• It doesn’t have a community function

FAQs

Best MemberPress Alternatives: Bottom Line

The MemberPress alternative I recommend depends on your business. If you host a members-only course, I recommend Teachable. But if you want a general membership platform, I suggest Mighty Networks. While MemberPress may be a good solution for your business, I don’t like how the basic plan offers limited features, and they don’t even offer a free trial. That’s why I suggest considering all of these alternatives.