Wordpress Membership Plugins

Best Wordpress Membership Site Plugins

[membership-site-plugins]

WordPress Membership Plugins

6 WordPress Membership Site Plugins Worth Considering

There is not “best” membership site plugin which reigns supreme for every type and size of membership site. Instead of looking for a best solution, it is more effective and useful to search for the “right” WordPress plugin for your membership site. While you specific needs will merit looking at additional plugins not contained in this list, the following 7 WordPress membership site plugins have consistently proven to be versatile, flexible, and effective solutions for a broad range of membership site types and sizes.

WordPress Membership Plugin

WishList Member

WishList Member is considered by many to be one of the oldest WordPress membership site plugins still being actively developed. It provides a strong, mature core architecture and includes all of the essential functions the average membership needs. Due to its maturity it currently boasts more than 30 different training videos and extensive documentation. It isn’t the least expense option on the market but it is a proven, comprehensive solution. Go to Wishlist Member Review page.

Magic Members

Magic Members has become as one of the easiest membership site plugins to setup and manage, especially for website owners who are looking to create a membership area within their current website. Additionally, it boasts a massive amount of built-in payment gateways. This is particularly important for international users who require a variety of regional payment processors. It is obvious from the overall design in the admin area that this plugin was not only designed to be feature-rich but also relatively simple to use. Go to Magic Members Review page.

 S2Member

There is no doubt the free version of S2Member is one of the elite free WordPress Membership plugins. Unfortunately, many of the most popular features are only available with S2Member Pro. The primary difference between the two is the number of payment processors available but there are some additional features only available with the Pro version as well. If the free version is adequate then this solution is definitely worth a look. Go to S2Member Review page.

 MemberPress

MemberPress is another popular membership plugin. While it is full of essential features it stands out due to its smooth interface, especially for front-end users. Another benefit is the payment systems are setup to be nearly hands-free which makes adding new subscription tiers and products quick and simple. Its ability to quickly prorate charges is a benefit as well. Go to MemberPress Review page.

 MemberMouse

MemberMouse bills itself as a membership and ecommerce solution. It is best used by membership websites that also sell products (both digital and physical) within the member’s area or to the general public. The back-end is designed to be easy to use. MemberMousedevelopers have gone so far to say new MemberMouse users can go “from zero to first customer in 2 minutes and 30 seconds”. Go toMemberMouse Review page.

 Paid Memberships Pro

Another popular choice is Paid Memberships Pro. PMPro offers an easy to use free plugin. While it is a solid option, it is equally important to consider that the free version offers zero developer support. The only way to get customer service/support is by joining the PMPro user’s forum which does have a yearly subscription fee. If you must have a free option in the beginning then this is a great place to start but most membership sites will need to transition to a different solution over time.

[membership-site-plugins]

aMember Pro vs Digital Access Pass / DAP

aMember Pro vs Digital Access Pass (aka DAP)

aMember Pro and Digital Access Pass are both quality WordPress membership plugins / membership software which continue to make a name for themselves across the premium plugin marketplace. Both of these plugins share similar characteristics which make them relatively unique and easy to compare against other competitors.

They Both Have the Same Primary Drawback

In an age where ease-of-use reigns supreme both aMember Pro and Digital Access Pass are considered to be fairly difficult to use in comparison. This isn’t too surprising considering the massive amount of features the plugin’s include however their back-end complexity creates a significant learning curve. To make matter worse, even once someone is comfortable with how to setup and operate the plugins the average amount of time it takes to setup a new product or membership level will still be greater than most other membership site plugins developed for the WordPress platform. The real question is whether the additional time and effort needed to get everything setup and managed efficiently worth the additional features either of these plugins can provide.

Price

The next variable to consider is price both in the short-term and long-term. The initial purchase price of aMember Pro is $179.95. This is a lifetime license for one membership site which includes 6 months of upgrades. Additional upgrade packages will need to be purchased after the 6 month period is up which normally costs $80.

Digital Access Pass offers multiple licensing options ranging from $167 to $497. The licenses available range from usage on one website to unlimited websites and free updates are available for one year post-purchase. DAP also offers an ongoing monthly payment option at $39.99. Not only does it include unlimited usage but also unlimited updates and unlimited access to every plugin created by WickedCoolPlugins.com (including future releases).

“Best Feature” Comparison

Both plugin list nearly every feature a membership site owner would want so the real separator is what the highlight feature or functionality of each plugin is. The best feature of aMember Pro is the maximum flexibility provided by 3rd party integration. It is built to play nice with nearly every other WordPress plugin. Plus, you get complete access to the source code (excluding the primary source file) to make additional adjustments as you see fit.

It is difficult to decide what the best features of DAP is because two really stand out. The first is drip feeding content capabilities. While most membership plugins have this feature DAP definitely stands out for the maximum protection flexibility it provides. This capability feeds into the other stand out feature which is the ability to broadcast or drip feed emails to members without needing to integrate a 3rd party mailing host.

Overall

In the end, both of these plugins offer a solid solution in terms of the amount options and capabilities you will have. At the same time they both have drawbacks which need to be considered. For anyone searching for a premium membership plugin to be used on multiple sites Digital Access Pass quickly becomes the best value in terms of cost. For a single site it will come down to which option meets your specific needs the best.

aMember Pro Membership Software Single License: $179,95 Upgrade Fee after 6 months: $80

aMember Pro Review

Digital Access Pass Single License: $167 Developer License:$297

Digital Access Pass Review

[membership-site-plugins]

S2Member Free WordPress Membership Site Plugin

S2Member Free WordPress Membership Site Plugin

S2Member offers both a free and premium WordPress membership site plugin. When deciding whether or not to try the S2Memberfree plugin there are two different decisions to make. The first is whether or not the S2Member free plugin offers the functionality and capabilities required to operate your membership site. If not, the second question is whether upgrading to the premium version would offer the additional resources you need.

Big Picture View of S2Member

Overall the free S2Member has many of the core features developers want in a WordPress membership plugin. The one obvious feature which is lacking is the ability to easily drip-feed content but this is only an issue for very specific types of membership sites and continuity sites. The framework is cleanly designed and easily integrates with the core WordPress architecture and other popular plugins.

Payment Integration

A key consideration for every membership site is how monies will be collected. The free version of S2Member allows for PayPal standard button integration – which includes recurring and non-recurring subscriptions. The only caveat is it does not support custom thank you page URLs. For this functionality an upgrade to the premium version of S2Member is required. Other popular payment gateways such as PayPal Pro, Authorize.Net, Google Wallet, and ClickBank are only available with the premium version of S2Member.

Core Membership Functions

The S2Member free plugin includes variations on most of the key membership functions including an array of customization options. One limitation is the number of membership levels available. The free version is limited to a maximum of 4 membership levels. For unlimited levels upgrading to the premium version is required. The premium version is also needed for customizable one-time offers upon user login.

Content/Download Restrictions

There is no difference between the free and premium S2Member plugin versions in regards to content protection and download restrictions. The free version makes it easy to protect individual or all WordPress posts, pages, and categories. For download protection this plugin supports both inline and forced file downloads, restrictions based on membership level, localized storage protection, and comes pre-integrated with Amazon S3 Cloudfront.

Mass Actions

Depending on the size of your membership site the need to mass import, delete, promote, and demote members is critical. Unfortunately, the free version of S2Member only allows for mass promotion, deletion, and demotion. It does not support mass importation, updates, or exportation. The premium version is required for this.

3rd Party Integration

The free S2Member WordPress membership plugin includes pre-integration for a variety of 3rd party tools. For mailing list functionality MailChimp and AWeber are pre-integrated. These are the only two mailing list options available regardless of whether you choose the free or premium version. Both versions are also the same in terms of affiliate management/website tracking. They both are pre-integrated with iDevAffiliate, ShareASale, and Google Analytics. Additionally they are fully compatible with any affiliate management system that utilizes pixel tracking, code snippets, and event driven API notifications.

Capabilities Only Available With the Premium Version

There are several other capabilities of note which are only available with the premium version. They include remote operations API for PHP developers, API function for dynamic Pro Login Widgets via PHP, and support for WordPress multisite blog farms allowing child blogs – including BuddyPress support on multisite networks.

Overall

The S2Member free WordPress membership site plugin offers tremendous overall value considering it is regularly updated and is a no cost solution. At the same time, there are certain restrictions and drawbacks which may make many membership site owners seriously consider upgrading to the premium version or selecting an alternate WordPress membership plugin solution.

Check S2Member Review or Go to S2Member Website

[membership-site-plugins]

Wishlist Member vs DAP

Wishlist Member vs DAP/ Digital Access Pass

Comparing Wishlist Member and DAP (Digital Access Pass) is an interesting proposition because they are so different from a user’s point of view. At the same time, they both offer similar core functionality, features, and overall effectiveness. In most cases, the final decision is based upon how someone wants to setup and manage their membership site rather than the core features themselves.

Ease of Use vs Built-In Features

There is no arguing that both Wishlist Member and DAP membership software are feature-rich solutions, the difference is how they provide the extensibility. Wishlist Member is extremely easy to setup and use out of the box with minimal tinkering. At the same time,Wishlist Member is heavily reliant on 3rd party integration in order to provide the maximum amount of features. In fact, Wishlist Member has a very active community which is consistently releasing new add-ons to boost the number of 3rd party applications which are integrated with it. As a result, the setup and backend management is simple, streamlined, and to the point.

On the other hand, DAP require little to no 3rd party integration solutions to provide nearly every feature a membership site owner would want. Unfortunately, this means the initial setup process can be a bit laborious. There is a considerably steeper learning curve in order to become comfortable with DAP. On the other hand, once you learn it there is no additional or supplement solutions which will need to be used.

The Look and Feel

From a members point of view there is nearly no difference between the two solutions. Unfortunately, on the back-end this isn’t the case.Wishlist Member membership site plugin looks and feels much fresher and newer. The back-end of DAP looks dated as a majority of the updates are functionality/feature-based rather than improving usability or the look of the admin area.

Price

For anyone interested in only a single site license Wishlist Member is much less expensive at $97 with unlimited 1 year updates. A single site license for DAP is $167 with 1 year of unlimited updates. When you move into multi-site/unlimited licenses thing start to even out. A multi-site Wishlist Member license is $297 as is a multi-site DAP license. Where DAP stands out is the additional “Wicked Cool Club Platinum” license. It is $39.99 per month. Not only does it include unlimited updates but it also includes free access to every other plugin being sold at WickedCoolPlugins.com. This includes both current and future plugins.

Overall

In the end it is all about user preference. Both are extremely mature WordPress membership plugins. If you are only interested in a single site license then it is hard to argue with Wishlist Member but when it comes to the multi-site license it comes down to built-in features for 3rd party integration.

Wishlist Member Plugin Single License: $97 Unlimited License: $297

Wishlist Member Review

Digital Access Pass Single License: $167 Developer License:$297

Digital Access Pass Review

[membership-site-plugins]

Kajabi vs MemberMouse Membership Platform

Kajabi vs MemberMouse

Kajabi and MemberMouse have both left their mark on the membership site solution market in different ways. While they are both fundamentally designed to make it easier to manage a membership site, they go about it in completely different ways. This can make comparing the two options difficult as the final verdict has as much to do with personal preference as anything else.

Self-Hosting vs Hosted Solution

The immediate difference between Kajabi and MemberMouse is how the solution is hosted. Kajabi is a hosted membership platform. This means you will never have to download or install anything. For some people this also means better security and network reliability if they are unhappy with their current website host. MemberMouse is like any other WordPress plugin insofar as it requires a self-hosted WordPress content management system to be utilized. There will always be a heated discussion as whether or not a self-hosted or hosted solution is better as both options offer unique benefits and drawbacks. Generally, people who want more control over their website’s environment will opt for self-hosting while those who want a more hands-free solution will prefer a hosted solution.

Platform

Another key variable to consider when choosing between Kajabi and MemberMouse is the underlying platform you prefer. Kajabi is not only a hosted solution but it is completely reliant on its own platform. The primary benefit is the platform was purpose-built solely formembership site management. MemberMouse is a WordPress plugin, so it requires the WordPress core platform to be used. WordPress has consistently proven to be a reliable and popular content management system which means it offers greater potential for flexibility and modification for your entire website – not just your member’s area.

Pricing

Both of these membership site solutions utilize a monthly/recurring pricing model rather than a one-time payment model which makes comparing the overall costs fairly simple.

Kajabi offers 3 different primary payment levels. The primary difference between levels is the number of members you have and the number of projects (membership sites) you are managing. The Starter package allows for up to 3 projects and 1,000 members for $99/month. The Pro package allows for 20 projects, 5,000 members at $199/month. The final option is the Ultra package. It features unlimited projects and 12,500 members for $299/month.

The MemberMouse pricing structure is similar to Kajabi in that it is primarily reliant on the number of members you have; although once you jump up into the high-volume levels there are some additional benefits as well. The first series of pricing options includes the Starter, Builder, and Growth packages. The cost is anywhere from $19.95 to $59.95 per month for 1,000 to 10,000 members. The high volume options (Advanced, Premium, and Professional) are designed for membership sites with 10,001 to and unlimited number of members. The price ranges from $99 to $599 per month. These packages also include additional features such as priority support, lifetime value reporting, lime light CRM integration and phone support.

Overall

Fundamentally, Kajabi and MemberMouse are fundamentally polar opposites which ensure there will be differing opinions as to which solution is the best. At the same time they both offer an excellent example of what elite membership management solutions can be. They are both proven winners built on stable, secure frameworks with an emphasis on ease-of-use. The key to choosing between these two options lays solely in your personal website management preferences.

Make your choice

Kajabi

MemberMouse

MemberMouse Review

[membership-site-plugins]

Digital Access Pass Review

Digital Access Pass Review

Digital Access Pass or DAP has become well-known as one of the more powerful WordPress membership plugins / membership software available. It is also one of the most mature plugins on the market. This ensures compatibility and reliability will rarely, if ever, become an issue. At the same time, every membership plugin has its share of pros and cons to consider when comparing it against the other popular premium options.

The Best of Digital Access Pass

DAP has a lot to offer membership site owners. It allows you to sell an unlimited number of products and/or membership levels. It also boasts built-in affiliate management and email management. In terms of features it easily stacks up as one of the best.

One of the best features DAP offers is the Smart Content Dripping. There are a lot of WordPress membership site plugins that offers some version of content dripping or drip feeding but many of them don’t provide maximum control over how the process is setup. Digital Access Pass makes it easy to allow you to drip feed pages, posts, categories, PDF’s, video, zip files, and even images. The best part is this is pair with 2 different layers of content security.

DAP also stands out because it is one of the few membership plugins that will allow you to leverage Amazon SES or SendReach to maximize email deliverability. The best is by using these types of services you don’t need to sign up with a 3rd party email/mailing list provider as everything can be handled from within DAP. If you do want to integrate a 3rd party email provider then AWeber, GetResponse, and MailChimp are all natively supported.

The Worst of Digital Access Pass

There is no doubt that DAP has some flaws but keep in mind – even the worst of DAP tops the best of some other options. In general there are two primary complaints regarding DAP. The first is the overall ease of use. Since this plugin has been around for so long and has added so many features getting everything setup can be an intimidating proposition. Even once you are comfortable with DAP adding new products and membership levels can noticeably longer than with other solutions. This shouldn’t be surprising considering how many features you need to consider when adding new products.

The second common complaint is the user interface. While dramatic improvements have been made to the functionality of DAP, very little has been done to the user interface. As a result, it feels a bit clunky and outdated at times. This could be why many people feel like it takes longer to learn and setup membership sites with it. Plus, the lack of visual improvements also mean very few tracking/analytics are presented to back-end users. While this is a minor issue it so simple to address that most people are surprised that DAP hasn’t incorporated any new analytic/tracking features.

Is It Worth the Price?

Digital Access Pass has 4 different pricing options. The first 3 are time payments which include several modules and either a 1 site or unlimited site license. They range from $167 to $497 and include free updates for 1 year. The other option is $39.99 per month. It not only includes unlimited updates across an unlimited number of websites, it also includes the WCP unlimited site license. The WCP license essentially grants unlimited use and updates of every other plugin developed by WickedCoolPlugins.com- including all future releases. In general, the unlimited lifetime updates alone make the $39.99 per month offer ideal for anyone who wants to use DAP on multiple websites. While it may not be a perfect solution DAP is definitely a membership plugin that should be seriously considered when making your final decision.

Go to Digital Access Pass Review

[membership-site-plugins]

Wishlist Member Plugin Customer Reviews

Wishlist Member Customer Reviews

Wishlist Member is a premium WordPress membership site plugin / software. You can turn your existing WP into a powerful membership website within minutes. We’ll list customers reviews for Wishlist Member.

Wishlist is key to our business. We went through a lot of research before choosing WL and we are delighted with the results and ease of use. Just as important though is excellent support from the team. Running a membership site with WishList Member means we focus on customer capture and retention 

 Hey guys, yes I’ve started putting everything together on my site and I wanted to say that I’m absolutely blown away by the ease of use and the excellent videos. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever come across videos that explain everything so clearly and thoroughly, yet concisely. 

Seth Godin says that the ability to stand out is based on over delivering. Since joining you in 2009 I have had the extreme honor of reviving your elite and excellent service. The web is a fickle thing. And though it is easy to build a great brand by just caring about customers. 

I was always told “you’ll never find a membership site that does EVERYTHING you want it to do” and I assumed these experts were right. They were wrong. Not only is WishList MemberTHE BEST membership site product on the market 

 Just want to let you and all the WishList guys know that the WishList Member product is the coolest product I’ve worked with in years. I’m really impressed with your customer service and tutorial videos as well. The best dollars I’ve spent this year!

  Check out the full Wishlist Member Review

[membership-site-plugins]

Magic Members Discount for Unlimited License

Magic Members Discount for Unlimited License

Magic Members is a premium WordPress membership site plugin that turns your WordPress blog into a powerful, fully automated membership site. It has lots of powerful features, yet easy to use. They offer $90 discount for the developer version.

Key features of Magic Members Membership site Plugin

Payment Module Integrations  

Magic Members allows your members to pay with 1ShoppingCart, PayPal Standard, PayPal Website Payments Pro, PayPal Express Checkout, 2CheckOut, CCBill, Authorize.net, ClickBank, WorldPay, MoneyBookers, iDeal, Epoch, Payza, Ogone, SagePay, eWay, PagSeguro and Manual Pay (Click Here for the details).

Autoresponder Integrations

Magic Members has seamless integration with AWeber, GetResponse, Constant Contact, iContact, AutoResponse Plus and MailChimp.

Flexible Membership Options

In addition to the different levels of membership, you are also able to set different membership billing options with an unlimited amount of subscriptions. Whether you want to charge daily, weekly, monthly or even annually, you will have complete control in how your members pay for their subscriptions. For example, ‘Standard’ memberships may pay monthly, while ‘Premium’ memberships pay annually.

Pay Per Post Access

Allow even more flexibility with the Pay Per Post access feature. Magic Members provides you the ability to allow free memberships to purchase content or articles on a per post basis. Even better, each post can be assigned its own price and your members can purchase as little or as much content as they would like.

Magic Members announced $90 discount for the unlimited license. The unlimited license price was $297, but it’s now $207.  When you compare Magic Members with the competitors such as; Wishlist Member, DAP, aMember Pro or Member Wing,  Magic Members is the winner for the unlimited license price among them.

Go to Magic Members WordPress Membership Site Plugin Website

[membership-site-plugins]

WP-Member Review Membership Site Plugin

WP-Member Review

WP-Member isn’t always considered to be in the top tier of WordPress membership plugins – primarily because it simply isn’t as well-known. The big question is whether or not this plug-in provides enough core features, functionality, and inconvenience to make it worthy of consideration as a legitimate replacement for more popular options. As with all membership site management plug-ins they are both benefits and drawbacks that must be considered.

Price While the final price shouldn’t be a determining factor when selecting the right WordPress membership plugin for your website it is a factor that will be considered at some point. WP-Member features three different pricing options. The first is one domain with lifetime support and one year of updates for $47. The second is $97 and is the same as the $47 version only it is good for unlimited domains. The final option is $147. Not only does it include unlimited domains lifetime support but also lifetime updates and open source code. Anyone who is considering this plug-in should likely focus on the $147 option because it includes lifetime updates which means it will pay for itself, even if it is only used on one website, in about three years.

Setup and Ease of Use The second thing to consider is how easy it will be to set up WP-Member. The initial installation is fairly straightforward. It comes with nearly all of the default settings ready to use which allows you to get it up and running quickly. This is in stark contrast to most other popular WordPress membership plug-in which require a lot of basic default settings to be set up before anything else is done. Plus, the general settings page is designed to cover all of the global options. This includes email settings, redirect options, payment preferences, and even currency preferences. The overall ease-of-use is very straightforward and simple to use. Even newer WordPress users shouldn’t have much difficulty understanding how to navigate and utilize all of the functions provided by the WP-Member plug-in.

WP-Member Members Table Screenshot

All of the Primary Features Are Included There are a growing number of features and core functionality that used to provide a significant advantage to plug-ins in the past but are now considered to be standard features. WP-Member includes all of the standard features you would expect from a full-fledged membership site management plug-ins. This includes the ability to set up and rip the content across to an unlimited number of membership levels, easy-to-use short codes, digital download protection, as well as additional flexible content protection.

Overall Overall WP-Member should now be considered a legitimate option when comparing the top tier of WordPress membership site plug-ins. While it still isn’t as detailed or fully featured as some of the more mature plug-ins it still includes all of the necessary features to effectively run a membership site – as well as many more. Taking into consideration the speed in which updates and new features are added as well as the comparatively low price of $147 for unlimited upgrades/updates for life across an unlimited number of domains and this plug-in definitely boasts an excellent overall value.

Go to WP-Member’s Website

[membership-site-plugins]

Wishlist Member vs. aMember Pro

Wishlist Member vs aMember Pro

There are several popular membership site solutions for the WordPress platform that are often compared to each other by website owners before deciding which one is best for a particular website or application. Two options which are commonly considered are Wishlist Member an aMember Pro. Comparing them can be difficult, especially when looking at how they preform across a myriad of different membership structures. They are similar in a lot of ways which is why the difference is truly in the details.

Core Features – Tie

To understand how similar both of these WordPress solutions are you need to look no further than the core features. Both Wishlist Member and a Member Pro both boast a similar set of core features and functionality. Without a doubt they both offer all of the essential functions for managing various types of membership sites including unlimited membership levels, the ability to drip feed content, and simple solutions to ensure all of the member’s only content is safe and secure even across various membership levels.

Support – aMember Pro

In terms of support aMember Pro gets a slight edge. Both solutions offer a significant amount of documentation which means support is rarely going to be necessary. The big difference is that Wishlist Member encrypts all of the plug-ins code which means you don’t have the option to try and troubleshoot coding issues yourself. Instead you’ll be paired with a plug-in specialist. While these specialists are extremely good the still extra time and effort that isn’t necessary with aMember Pro.

Setup/Integration – Wishlist Member

When looking at the initial setup and integration process there is no doubt that Wishlist Member is a much better solution. This is because it is purpose built specifically for the WordPress platform. On the other hand, aMember Pro includes a free WordPress integration plug-in but it is actually a standalone third-party solution. As a result, it isn’t necessarily as intuitive to set out because it doesn’t rely on the core WordPress architecture.

Price – It Depends Comparing both of them based solely on price is difficult because they utilize different pricing options. Wishlist Member offers a single site license for only $97. This includes unlimited updates and support for one year. aMember Pro is priced at $179.95. Big difference isaMember Pro includes a lifetime license – but only six months of free updates. Wishlist Member also has a multi-site license for use on unlimited domains for $297 but there is still only one year of support and updates. What makes this even more complicated is many of the popular plug-ins integrated with aMember cost an additional $40 apiece. Over time this can actually make it the more expensive solution.

3rd Party Integration – Wishlist Member (barely) The final factor to consider is third-party integration. Both offer a significant number of built-in third-party integration tools especially when it comes to payment processors. What makes WishList Member slightly better is the development community support. There are numerous developers who build plug-ins specifically to add additional integration options for this plug-in. On the other hand, aMember Pro doesn’t necessarily need numerous additional integration options but since it is not a native WordPress plug-in there can be complications with other WordPress plug-ins.

Wishlist Member vs aMember Pro Overall It is difficult to say that there is a clear winner overall. If you are considering solely building membership sites on WordPress platforms thenWishlist Member probably has a slight edge. While the core features are similar with both options, the setup process is much faster withWishlist Member which is particularly important if you plan on building multiple membership sites. Plus, the surrounding development community is consistently adding additional plug-ins to provide even more features and flexibility within the core Wishlist Memberarchitecture.

Read Wishlist Member Review

Read aMember Pro Review

[membership-site-plugins]

MemberMouse Membership Site Plugin Review

MemberMouse Review

MemberMouse is a fairly unique solution for membership site management compared to most of the other plug-ins currently available for the WordPress platform. The best options are not only easy to set up but also provide an unlimited amount of scalability. This is the primary reason MemberMouse has quickly become a popular option for WordPress users. While there are still areas in which this solution needs to improve there is no arguing that it offers more scalability than other plug-ins.

Unique Pricing A majority of WordPress membership site plug-ins are sold with a lifetime license for either one, multiple, or unlimited number of websites. One thing to keep in mind is the amount of updates or upgrades available with each license may vary. MemberMouse took a different approach which is most often associated with software as a service platforms. It charges per month based upon how many members you have. The smallest option is 1000 members at $19.95 per month and tops out with unlimited members for $599 per month. There is also a 14 day free trial available.

Aspects of MemberMouse that Stand Out

1. The use of Smart Tags

One aspect of this plug-in that stands out is the use of smart tags. Before setting up your membership site to sell products is important to take a closer look at everything smart tags have the offer. You can use them to insert purchase links for products, restrict certain pieces of content, and show member data. This is particularly useful because it allows you to insert links which will make it easier for members to manage their own subscriptions, purchase products, and upgrade their memberships from their “My Account Page”.

2. Purchase Links

Another unique aspect of MemberMouse is the ability to use purchase links with greater flexibility than other WordPress plug-ins. In order to sell a membership subscription with the solution you will need to create a page or post with a purchase link. The best part is you can copy purchase links from the product settings for each product or generate a purchase link using a smart tag. This allows you to place purchase links absolutely anywhere – even in emails.

3. Scalability

While scalability comes at a cost when using MemberMouse there is no doubt it is considered to be one of the most scalable solutions available online. It is truly designed for an unlimited number of members and has proven to be much more durable and faster as your membership levels climb in comparison to other popular solutions. This is particularly true when it comes to reporting and analytics.

  MemberMouse Membership Site Plugin Review

Aspects That Still Need Work There are also several aspects of MemberMouse that still need a little work in order to catch up to its primary competition. One of the biggest areas to improve upon is the payment processors which can be easily integrated with it. Currently it only integrates with several popular providers including PayPal, ClickBank, Braintree, Stripe, and Authorize.net. The same is true for third-party email providers. Currently it only integrates with MailChimp, iContact, AWeber, and GetResponse. Considering how young this solution is compared to other popular WordPress membership site plug-ins so it shouldn’t be surprising that there are certain areas in which greater development is required.

Overall Overall MemberMouse is a solution for keeping an eye on. While its current emphasis is scalability there is no doubt additional features and functionality will be built in over the coming months and years. It is also much less expensive solution than one-off purchases for people who are setting a membership sites for the first time.

MemberMouse Demo Account | Go to Website

[membership-site-plugins]

WP eMember Membership Site Plugin Review

WP eMember Membership Site Plugin Review

The WP eMember has grown in popularity since its inception because it is less expensive than many alternatives but still full of features membership site managers love. At the same time, there are still some important potential drawbacks that need to be considered to determine whether or not is the best fit for a particular type of membership site.

Key Features of WP eMember

1. Fully Automated Member Management

One of the best aspects of the WP eMember is how much of the member management processes are fully automated. Membership sign-up, payments, account expirations, cancellations, upgrade notifications, and even password resets are fully automated once the plug-in is been set up. This is true across an unlimited number of membership levels which can significantly decrease the day-to-day maintenance required to operate a fully functional membership site. One of the most unique automated processes is automatic membership upgrades. This plug-in allows you to schedule automatic upgrades for your members based upon certain time increments. For example, you can offer a membership upgrade after a set period of time to reward long-term members.

2. WP eStore Integration

Another great feature of WP eMember is WP eStore integration. Many membership plug-ins for WordPress create compatibility issues with popular e-store plugins. While WP eMember is only designed to be integrated with WP eStore, at least membership site owners know there will be a fully functioning e-store plug-in which will play nice with their membership site.

3. Fee Add-ons

A final benefit of WP eMember is it includes a number of free WP eMember add-ons which are included. They include a member’s profile display, Captcha integration, the ability to capture affiliate leads, the ability to create unique pricing tables, and to send email broadcasts to all members. Plus, if you don’t want these types of functionality integrated into your membership site you can simply not install the add-ons making the overall application more lightweight.

Pricing

One of the most notable benefits of this WordPress membership site plug-in is its price. It requires only a one-time payment of $49.95. This includes a full lifetime license, free lifetime updates, and the ability to use the plug-in on an unlimited number of websites simultaneously.

Potential Drawbacks of WP eMember

If there is one potential drawback of WP eMember it is the fact that it is designed specifically to integrate with other WP eProducts such asWP eStore. Over the long run, this can create compatibility issues with other plug-ins. While this is currently not a systemic issue it is something to keep an eye on as additional WP eProducts are released.

WP eMember Overall

Overall WP eMember will meet the need of most average membership site owners. While it is not as feature-rich as some of the most mature membership site plugins on the market, it definitely covers all of the essential bases effectively. Plus, at the comparatively low price it becomes a great value purchase for most websites.

WP eMember Demo | Go to Website

[membership-site-plugins]

aMember Pro Membership Software Review

aMember Pro Membership Software Review

aMember Pro has been in the discussion as one of the best membership software solutions on the market for some time. It is extremely versatile and includes many of the built-in features membership site developers look for. The big question is what features will make it stand out in comparison to popular WordPress membership plugins.

This is Not a Native WordPress Membership Site Plugin

It is important to note that aMember Pro is not a native WordPress plug-in. Instead it is a membership site software that includes integration for the WordPress framework. While there are no commonly reported compatibility issues the fact that it is a completely separate piece of software that was not designed specifically for WordPress does mean the possibility of compatibility issues is worth considering when comparing it to native WordPress plug-in solutions.

Built-In Affiliate Program

one of the most notable features aMember Pro has to offer that goes above and beyond many other membership site management solutions is the built in affiliate program. Not only can it correctly handle recurring billing but it also allows website owners to turn members into affiliates. Currently it is designed so payouts can be made automatically with PayPal, Moneybookers, and by check. It also features flexible commission levels which will allows the best affiliates to get paid more.

Main Features of Amember Pro

There are a number of primary features which makes aMember Pro a solution worth considering. It offers unlimited membership levels, unlimited items, incremental content delivery, automated sign-up and membership expiration, and fully featured member management. It also integrates several different modules which can be utilized including a newsletter module, shopping cart module, and helpdesk module.

Key Member Management Features

Member management can mean a lot of different things based upon the type of membership site being operated. Not only doesaMember Pro offer all of the standard member management features but it also includes numerous additional capabilities. This includes coupon codes, flexible sign-up forms, and even a fallback payment processor in the event your primary payment processor temporarily fails or goes offline.

Flexibility The final benefits of aMember Pro is the numerous different ways you can control access. Not only can you create different control levels for different types of content but you can also drill down content access and implement unique access sharing prevention strategies.

All of This Comes at a Price While aMember Pro boasts numerous features they definitely come at a higher than normal price. Currently, aMember Pro carries a purchase price of $179.95 for a lifetime license. Additionally, the lifetime license only includes six months of free software updates. Additionally, many of the most popular plug-ins built for this software come at an additional cost of $40. This includes many of the integration plugins – however the WordPress integration plugin is free.

Overall aMember Pro Should Always Be in Consideration While aMember Pro is deathly not a perfect solution for everyone it boasts enough features and capabilities that everyone should consider it when comparing their best options. The big question most people end up asking themselves is whether or not the additional features provided by the software are significant enough to justify the higher than average purchase price.

Demo Account | Go to Amember Pro Website

[membership-site-plugins]

Wordpress Membership Site Plugin

[membership-site-plugins]

Member Press Review

Member Press Review

Beyond the Basics: A Member Press Review

Member Press has had some ups and downs throughout the WordPress community over the past few releases. On one hand, it seems to offer a majority of the features membership site owners want. On the other hand, there are some significant potential drawbacks depending upon what type of membership site is going to be created. As a result, Member Press is considered a good solution for some situations, but far from a comprehensive solution.

Highlights of Member Press

Member Press is a purpose-built membership site plugin designed specifically for WordPress. This provides some inherent benefits over standard membership site software. Primarily this means Member Press works with the built-in WordPress features and architecture which ensure integration will be fairly straightforward.

1. It Covers the Basics

Anyone who wants the typically tiered membership site structure could find Member Press to be a solid solution. It is a rules-driven plugin which means each tier is setup based upon a specific set of rules created by the membership site owner. This plugin also includes all of membership site promotion features which have become fairly standardized. This includes a coupon system, drip feeding content, affiliate program integration (Affiliate Royale), and a variety of useful reporting capabilities.

2. Easy Payment Gateway Integration

One of the big selling points of Member Press is the ability to integrate the most popular online payment gateways with very little effort. At the same time, it doesn’t easily integrate with the more regional payment gateways very easily which could be detrimental for sites seeking an international audience. Currently, the primary payment gateways it supports include PayPal, Authorize.net, and Stripe.

Potential Drawbacks of Member Press

For all of the potential benefits Member Press offers, there are a handful of notable drawbacks which ensures it is not the perfect solution for every situation.

MemberPress Membership Site Plugin

1. Difficult to Get a Refund and No Trial Period

One of the primary reasons many people avoid trying Member Press in the first place is because getting a refund is almost an impossible task. Unlike many other WordPress membership site plugins, Member Press does not offer a short trial period, let along the 30 day trial which has become standard among many of its competitors. There are several stories of people trying Member Press and finding a flaw they cannot overcome, only to be stuck without a refund. While it’s understandable why many plugin developers create very strict rules about what types of situations qualify buyers for a refund, Member Press seems to be more stringent than most.

2. The “Rule System” Can Quickly Get Complicated with Multiple Tiers or Products

Another problem with Member Press is combining multiple types of content restrictions is tedious to the point of exhaustion. This is especially true for membership site owners who are both offering tiered membership levels as well as selling digital products within the member’s area. Accomplishing this is possible but it is more complicated than with many of the other popular WordPress membership site plugins.

3. A Lot More Growth Before Maturity

Compared to some of the other popular WordPress membership site plugins on the market, Member Press isn’t considered to have a mature core of code. There are consistently a large number of tweaks and improvements during every release. While it is great to see the developer continually improving their product, it is also a reason to hesitate. Why try to set up a profitable membership site using a plugin that is constantly requiring significant coding improvements in order to function at a level near its competitors?

Price: Single: $99 Developer: $199

Check Demo Account | Download

[membership-site-plugins]

Magic Members Review

Magic Members Review

Magic Members Review – Membership Site Basics

When comparing membership site management solutions it is easy to get caught up looking at all of the bells, whistles, and extra features the software can provide. Unfortunately, none of these added bonuses are of any use if the solution doesn’t provide the basic abilities every membership site management solution should have. To be useful they must effectively protect content, make member management easy, and process payments correctly. The Magic Members plugin is a popular WordPress solution which not only provides all of the bells and whistles but does an excellent job meeting and exceeding the basic membership site management requirements.

Magic Members and Content Protection

The first area of concern for membership sites is content protection. If your content is not adequately protected then everyone will be able to access it without paying to become a member. The Magic Members plugin addresses content protection in a variety of ways based upon the type of membership structure utilize. It does a good job of providing basic protection for membership only websites. These are the websites which do not provide any content for free but rather keep everything protected in the member’s area. Where the Magic Members plugin truly stands out is in the more complex membership site designs. For example, it makes it easy to maintain a significantly large free content section while still maintaining complete privacy for the member’s area. It also allows for pay per post access which allows you to sell access to a specific post or group of posts to free members.

Magic Members and Ease of Use

Since this plugin is built specifically for the WordPress platform is easily managed just like any other plugin. This is great news for WordPress users because you will not need to learn how to set up or install any other type of software. The user interface is designed so you can manage every aspect of your membership site from the traditional WordPress dashboard. While the solution is full of features which you can customize, you can also do a standard installation and need to make only a few minor changes in order to get your website up and running.

Magic Members and Payment Processors

Compared to most other popular solutions, Magic Members is ahead of the game. It offers a significantly larger number of natively supported payment processors that are easily set up and integrated with just a few clicks and your payment processor account information. Plus, you have the ability to use a single payment gateway or multiple payment gateways. Looking at the list of included payment processor modules it is safe to assume that if you are using a mainstream payment processor there is no doubt it is already included in the plug-in. The good news is even if you are using a region-centric payment processor there is a good chance that is already supported. Plus, new payment processors are added all the time.

In terms of meeting the membership site necessities, this plug-in definitely answers the call. It effectively protects all of the members only content while being extremely easy to set up and use with a variety of different payment processors.

Price: Single: $97 3-Site: 197 Unlimited : $207

Check Demo Account | Download

[membership-site-plugins]

Wishlist Member WordPress Membership Plugin Review

Wishlist Member WordPress Membership Plugin Review Wishlist Member is easily one of the most popular WordPress membership plugins when looking at the sheer number of membership sites using it. It has a lot to offer in terms of customization and usability which makes it an easy choice for many webmasters. While it does have its flaws the positive often outweigh the negatives.

Wishlist Member Review

3 Key Areas Wishlist Member Excels 1. 3rd Party Integration It has become almost an expectation that the best WordPress membership sites have the capability to integrate with popular 3rd party plugins. No one expects a membership plugin to have every feature required to operate a profitable membership site. This is why 3rd party integration is so important. Key integration capabilities include list generation/management, payment gateways/processors, and the ability to be used with a variety of themes and other popular WordPress plugins without breaking.

2. Strong Core Framework Another reason Wishlist Member is so popular is because of its core design. Unlike many other popular WordPress membership plugins,Wishlist Member places a high emphasis on being a WordPress plugin first. This ensures it remains compatible with new WordPress versions. It also leverages built-in WordPress features whenever possible. This helps it remain a fairly lightweight solution in comparison to the capabilities it offers. This is ideal for WordPress users compared to membership plugins that are highly reliant on their own architecture which can cause conflicts with WordPress and lead to additional coding tweaks to ensure integration. 3. Does Miss Key Features It seems like most WordPress membership plugins excel at one or two things but are not ideal for supporting a variety of different types of membership sites. While this doesn’t seem important at first glance, most membership site owners plan on launching additional sites in the future. It is much easier to get comfortable with a single plugin that can used across multiple types of sites. It also saves a lot of setup time.

2 Drawbacks to Consider Before Using Wishlist Member While Wishlist Member is a great solution there are a few drawbacks that keep it from completely dominating the marketplace.

1. A Major Redesign is Nearly Impossible In its current form Wishlist Member is easy to use and extremely popular but if a major redesign was ever needed there could be problems. Choosing a fully mature WordPress membership plugin like Wishlist Member has numerous benefits but it also means you shouldn’t expect any major changes in the near future. It would be nearly impossible to provide this without a major overhaul of the core code. A related problem with fully mature plugins is small issues are often overlooked or 3rd party solutions are required to overcome them.

2. Customer Support Has Never Been a Strength Customer support for Wishlist Member is considered solid but unspectacular. Not only do users need to get through the initial request stage but they are reliant on a designated programmer/support specialist to handle the problem. The specialists are very good but it makes the entire process more time consuming than it often needs to be. Overall Wishlist Member is a great choice for a variety of different situations. It is a strong, mature plugin that relies on WordPress which ensures compatibility with themes and the core framework. At the same time it is important to consider how impactful the drawbacks will be for your specific needs before making a decision.

Price:

Single License: $97 3-User License: $194 Unlimited License: $297

Go to Wishlist Member Website