11 Greatest WordPress Paywall Plugins (Free and Paid Choices)

At WPBeginner, we’ve had a whole lot of expertise working with completely different web site monetization instruments, together with paywall plugins, membership software program, and extra. We’ve examined every part from easy plugins to advanced options, studying that there’s no one-size-fits-all reply in relation to paywalls.

The proper paywall plugin may help you monetize your content material successfully by controlling who can entry particular items of content material. It will also be helpful for amassing leads and increasing your e-mail listing.

On this article, we’ll assessment the highest paywall plugins for WordPress, together with each free and paid choices, that can assist you discover the proper match on your web site.

Fast Picks: The Greatest Paywall Plugins for WordPress

RankPluginGreatest ForBeginning WorthFree Model🥇MemberPressPremium memberships$179.50 per yearYes🥈MemberMouseMember engagement automation$199.50 per yearYes🥉WishList MemberMost content material management$149.50 per yearNo4Paid Memberships ProfessionalFull membership administration$247 per yearYes5Thrive LeadsAll-in-one lead era and conversion optimization$99 per yearNo6OptinMonsterLead era $59.60 per yearYes7AccessAllyAll-in-one studying administration system$99 per monthNo8Limit Content material ProfessionalTheme and plugin integrations$99 per yearYes9aMemberProSuperior membership reportingOne-time cost of $149No10LearnDashCustomized programs$199 per yearNo
11 WooCommerce MembershipsMemberships to on-line retailer integration$199 per yearNo

What Are WordPress Paywall Plugins, And Why Do You Want One?

A WordPress paywall plugin permits you to monetize your content material by proscribing entry to sure posts or pages till customers make a cost or subscribe to a membership plan.

There are a whole lot of similarities between a paywall and a membership plugin, however the largest distinction is that membership plugins can provide something of their plans. This could embrace issues like non-public communities, programs, coaching applications, stay occasions and meetups, reductions, and so forth.

On the flip aspect, paywall plugins normally solely restrict gated content material.

Consider websites like Medium.com, the New York Instances, Patreon, or others that enable customers to entry premium content material once they subscribe.

Some paywall websites cost by particular person submit, whereas others help you entry every part after paying an upfront payment.

So, why do you want WordPress paywall plugins? Typically, you need to save your greatest content material on your most loyal paying clients.

Gating your content material is without doubt one of the most confirmed methods to earn money on-line running a blog. Nevertheless, paywalls should not solely restricted to bloggers.

Listed here are another use circumstances for paywalls:

Content material creators and podcasters might gate their most dear media content material to make it unique to their paying clients.

Digital publishers like on-line newspapers or magazines can prohibit entry to premium articles.

Course creators can provide premium tutorials and academic content material with paywall plugins.

Photographers and artists can use paywall plugins to promote entry to paintings, digital downloads, or high-resolution photographs.

Freelancers or businesses might cost a payment to entry premium assets, like templates or help.

The purpose is there are various instructions you’ll be able to take. A paywall is commonly used to monetize your content material, so that you receives a commission for all the precious data you present to your viewers. However it’s additionally a fantastic method to develop your e-mail listing since you’ll be able to require customers to create an account to entry premium content material.

Why Belief WPBeginner

1. MemberPress

MemberPress is one of the best paywall plugin available on the market, permitting you to promote unique members-only content material. This plugin comes full of options that help you construct a paywall behind your WordPress web site, handle content material and memberships, and obtain recurring funds.

As the positioning proprietor, you might be accountable for content material entry guidelines. You may drip content material primarily based on set time durations and entry expirations. Dripping content material primarily based on a time schedule is a good way to enhance buyer retention, as clients have to stay onboard for continued entry.

Past that, you can even create completely different membership ranges. Customers can select the plan they need to be part of, and every plan comes with its personal distinctive content material, pricing, and options. That method, you’ll be able to construct membership plans that enchantment to completely different audiences, which may help increase gross sales.

For instance, within the MemberPress settings, you’ll be able to select what number of pages a customer can entry with no subscription.

This can be a good way for brand spanking new guests to pattern your content material and get a preview of what to anticipate in your premium content material.

As well as, there are many different guidelines you’ll be able to set. For instance, you’ll be able to select to gate content material primarily based on tags, classes, and different taxonomies.

For extra particulars about what this plugin can do, take a look at our final MemberPress assessment.

Execs:

MemberPress is straightforward to make use of.

It integrates with many different third-party apps, similar to Drip, Fixed Contact, Stripe, PayPal, and others.

You’ve whole management over the way you need to prohibit content material and create membership ranges.

Cons:

Whereas MemberPress gives a free model with fundamental options to prohibit content material, the Professional model has rather more superior options like subscription billing, digital downloads, content material dripping, and extra.

Why We Advocate Utilizing MemberPress: With MemberPress, it’s simple to arrange and prohibit particular posts, pages, classes, and information to paying web site members. You may even prohibit content material primarily based on account signups and never paid subscriptions. In our expertise and testing, we haven’t discovered a paywall plugin that gives as many options as MemberPress does.

2. MemberMouse

MemberMouse is without doubt one of the most user-friendly paywall plugins you’ll discover. It permits you to promote protected content material and merchandise. What’s nice about this software program is that you’ve loads of choices to maximise gross sales, similar to one-click upsells, free and paid trials, and members-only pricing.

As well as, you’ll be able to prohibit content material entry by defending sure pages and posts and auto-lock shared accounts. Similar to MemberPress, you’ll be able to add customized content material dripping schedules and a number of membership ranges. General, you might be within the driver’s seat in relation to content material restriction and dripping.

For example, you’ll be able to set a selected content material drip schedule primarily based on the particular membership degree. This helps to encourage subscribers to proceed renewing their membership.

Plus, you’ll be able to create login types so customers can simply sign up anytime as soon as they’ve turn into members. MemberMouse creates customized HTML for every login type.

You may then add that HTML to a customized gross sales web page or touchdown web page you’ve created utilizing a web page builder plugin like SeedProd.

For extra particulars in regards to the options accessible, take a look at our MemberMouse assessment.

Execs:

You may promote paywall subscriptions and bodily merchandise.

The plugin connects along with your favourite e-mail advertising and marketing companies and cost gateways.

You may embed the login type on nearly any web page in your web site, similar to your own home web page, touchdown web page, or different pages.

Cons:

There’s no free plugin, and the pricing begins at $199.50 per 12 months.

Why We Advocate Utilizing MemberMouse: As a result of its superior options, we advocate MemberMouse for bigger and enterprise-level firms. It’s good for creating paywalls, membership websites, and bodily product gross sales.

3. WishList Member

WishList Member is a paywall plugin that permits you to promote premium content material in your web site.

With this plugin, you have got granular management over when, who, and which content material you might be giving entry to. Even higher, it’ll robotically present entry and take away entry primarily based on the membership degree. Like the opposite plugins, you’ll be able to create as many member ranges as you’d like.

You can even automate content material distribution by scheduling posts to go stay on a selected time and date. We additionally actually just like the cool “sneak peek” function, which exhibits snippets of gated content material. This provides readers a style of what they’re lacking and may help drive conversions.

WishList Member is without doubt one of the few plugins that gives a Pay-per-Submit function. Slightly than offering entry to particular content material primarily based on membership degree, customers will pay for every submit individually. Meaning you can even set a unique value level for every submit, relying on its worth.

Moreover, top-of-the-line issues about WishList Member is its wide selection of integrations. You’ll discover a lengthy listing of cost suppliers, e-mail advertising and marketing companies, and different advertising and marketing automation.

For instance, in case you are a course creator or coach, then you’ll be able to combine the plugin with LearnDash or FunnelKit Automations to construct a backend gross sales funnel for higher-ticket applications.

Execs:

You should use sneak peeks with previews of particular content material and invite customers to enroll.

There’s an enormous library of integrations.

You may select to gate content material by membership or cost per submit.

Cons:

The interface is somewhat sophisticated for newcomers.

Why We Advocate Utilizing WishList Member: WishList Member prices $147 for a single license, making it one of many cheaper paid membership plugins. Contemplating the entire options you get, you’ll have whole management over your paywall at a good value.

4. Paid Memberships Professional

Paid Memberships Professional proves that you simply don’t want to purchase an costly plugin to have an efficient paywall. With the free model alone, you’ll have an answer to safe your content material and cost a recurring subscription for it.

The free model gives 28 various kinds of content material restrictions, similar to:

Restricted entry to a selected variety of web page views earlier than hitting the paywall

Present sneak peeks or disguise the restricted content material solely

Drip feed entry primarily based on a schedule

Supply directories to view different member profiles

Created personalised content material primarily based on membership degree

That mentioned, the paid model provides you extra management and superior options. In our testing, we had been very impressed with the Paid Membership Professional plugin’s array of options, which you’ll entry upon upgrading.

The paid plans provide premium customization recipes so you’ll be able to customise your paywall web site to your precise wants. For instance, you would add a progress bar to point out how a lot content material a person has consumed or redirect members upon logout primarily based on degree.

Moreover, you get a ton of addons like Google Analytics and eCommerce monitoring, premium help, superior checkout web page customizations, and extra.

Execs:

The plugin helps well-liked cost gateways.

It offers paywall web site efficiency, similar to income and gross sales reviews.

You may enable customers to purchase single-category purchases, one-time entry, and even particular person content material.

Cons:

The plugin doesn’t embrace a built-in function that enables directors to selectively allow or disable particular person actions. For instance, you could need to enable customers to self-upgrade however disable the self-cancellations choice.

Why We Advocate Utilizing Paid Memberships Professional: We like Paid Memberships Professional as a result of the free model is sweet sufficient to get began in the event you simply need to create a paywall in WordPress. However if you wish to add different customizations like enhancing the checkout expertise, the flexibility to simply accept donations, or different superior options, then you’ll be able to improve to the Professional model.

5. Thrive Leads

Thrive Leads is a list-building answer designed to transform site visitors guests into e-mail subscribers. It gives quite a lot of options, similar to the flexibility to create a pop-up lightbox, sticky and floating bars, in-line types, and even a content material lock with a paywall.

The plugin has an easy-to-use drag-and-drop visible editor, permitting you to create an opt-in type. Past that, there are tons of professionally-designed templates, so you’ll be able to choose one that most closely fits your provide.

What we like most about Thrive Leads is that you could select to gate your content material through an e-mail opt-in or by amassing funds.

If you wish to arrange a paywall on your premium content material, you’ll want so as to add a hyperlink to your checkout web page. Consider you’ll want a WordPress cost plugin similar to WooCommerce.

Thrive Leads comes as a standalone plugin subscription or as a part of the complete Thrive Suite. For instance, with Thrive Apprentice, you’ll be able to simply arrange a paywall and get your guests to pay for entry to your membership web site.

Execs:

There are many opt-in templates to select from.

You may embed the content material lock on any a part of your web site.

The plugin is intuitive and simple to make use of.

Cons:

You want a separate plugin to gather funds.

Why We Advocate Utilizing Thrive Leads: Connecting your paywall plugin to different advertising and marketing and lead era instruments generally is a trouble. That’s what makes Thrive Leads particular. With the Thrive Suite, you have got every part you might want to appeal to and convert new clients with out bouncing from one plugin to a different.

6. OptinMonster

OptinMonster is our top-recommended lead era software program, that means it’s one of the best device available on the market to get you extra site visitors and develop your e-mail listing.

OptinMonster gives a content-lock function just for in-line campaigns, that means lead era types which might be already embedded onto a web page. With this function, you’ll be able to take away your gated content material from the web page till the reader indicators up or make every part blurry for customers till they join.

As soon as the person enters their e-mail, the gated content material will seem, and they’re going to be capable to begin studying your unique materials.

Plus, identical to Thrive Leads, it permits you to create participating lead era campaigns similar to lightbox popups, slide-in scroll packing containers, and fullscreen welcome mats.

Execs:

It’s a good way to develop your e-mail listing.

There are tons of templates and lead era sorts.

You may take away content material from the web page or make it blurry to suit your wants.

Cons:

Doesn’t settle for funds for paywalls.

Why We Advocate Utilizing OptinMonster: If you’re in search of a method to disguise content material till customers join your e-mail listing, then OptinMonster is a superb choice. Though it’s not a conventional paywall, it’s a nice choice for lead era.

7. AccessAlly

AccessAlly is a studying administration system (LMS) plugin designed to assist coaches, trainers, and creators promote their digital merchandise.

In contrast to most platforms, AccessAlly focuses on being an all-in-one platform that helps on-line coaches create gorgeous studying experiences. With the platform, you’re in a position to ship on-line programs, memberships, certifications, high-end teaching applications, communities, and books. There are even templates for every of those, so that you by no means have to start out from scratch.

After testing AccessAlly ourselves, we actually just like the management you get in relation to defending content material. With entry tags, you’ll be able to simply add and shield information like PDFs, MP3s, and extra.

As a course creator, you’ll be able to prohibit content material primarily based on membership degree or course. Every thing is dealt with with tags and supplies, guaranteeing solely paying members can view sure supplies.

As well as, AccessAlly’s protected content material permits you to take away it from Google search outcomes. That method, unauthorized customers received’t be capable to stumble onto your restricted paywall content material.

Execs:

You may home all your digital merchandise, memberships, communities, and gated content material in a single place.

It may possibly combine with different instruments like CRM apps and e-mail advertising and marketing companies.

Use gamification to maintain customers engaged by incomes factors for conducting duties.

Cons:

No free model.

Why We Advocate Utilizing AccessAlly: AccessAlly is a strong plugin that’s greatest suited to content material creators and on-line coaches. With this plugin, you’ll be able to shield gated content material and separate it into membership tiers. Plus, there are built-in recurring Stripe and PayPal funds.

8. Limit Content material Professional

Limit Content material Professional is a WordPress paywall plugin that permits you to prohibit content material in a couple of methods, similar to tags, content material class, membership standing, WordPress person roles, and extra.

We like that Limit Content material Professional permits members to handle their accounts simply. They’ll view their account standing and membership expiration date, improve or cancel their accounts, and look at their full cost historical past and previous invoices.

You can even ship automated, customizable emails to your subscribers. It has tags to select from, so you’ll be able to personalize your emails, like including their first and final identify, expiration dates, coupon codes, and extra.

Whereas there’s a free model, the Professional model gives extra superior options. In our opinion, detailed reporting in regards to the earnings in your paywall web site is essential to success. You may even provide free trial subscriptions so potential consumers can attempt a membership earlier than they purchase.

Execs:

You may provide free trials to spice up gross sales.

The plugin gives a WooCommerce integration, permitting you to limit who should purchase merchandise out of your on-line retailer primarily based on membership ranges.

The plugin gives a whole lot of content material restriction choices.

Cons:

Content material dripping is just accessible as an add-on within the Professional model.

Why We Advocate Utilizing Limit Content material Professional: Limit Content material Professional gives a complete buyer dashboard that enables customers to make modifications to their memberships. We additionally like that it gives wonderful premium options at an reasonably priced value level.

9. aMemberPro

aMemberPro is a straightforward, user-friendly paywall plugin that provides you whole management over which content material is made accessible to the general public.

Like the opposite plugins on our listing, you’ll be able to create limitless member ranges. This lets you promote which content material to limit primarily based on completely different value factors and subscription phrases.

The plugin permits you to construct your personal members-only space. Every bit of content material goes to solely the members’ space, so non-paid members received’t know what’s inside.

What stands out about aMember Professional is its multi-language help, so you’ll be able to simply translate your content material to any of its 22 languages.

Past that, you get superior options like versatile signup types with automated password era and even a built-in associates program. The associates program is a good way to encourage subscribers to unfold the phrase about your memberships.

Execs:

You may create your personal associates program, just like a plugin like AffiliateWP.

The checkout course of permits for in depth customization, similar to versatile signup types, fail-back cost processors, coupon codes, and extra.

The plugin provides granular entry management on your paywall web site.

Cons:

There’s no free model.

It has an outdated interface.

Why We Advocate Utilizing aMember Professional: This can be a nice plugin that gives loads of customization. You even have full management over scheduled content material drips, membership ranges, and the kind of content material you need restricted.

10. LearnDash

LearnDash is a well-liked WordPress LMS plugin that permits you to create limitless on-line programs, quizzes, and classes. With its easy drag-and-drop editor, you’ll be able to arrange backend programs with out writing a single line of code.

This plugin is nice for anybody seeking to promote programs on their WordPress web site. This studying administration system goes method past only a easy paywall web site.

It comes with complete course builder instruments, the place you’ll be able to design branded course content material. For instance, customers can entry the subsequent module solely as soon as they’ve accomplished the earlier one, which gives extra structured steering for extra environment friendly studying.

On-line studying can rapidly turn into boring, which is why LearnDash is one of the best plugin for holding customers engaged in your materials. You may add a non-public discussion board, create membership quizzes, situation person badges, and even give award certifications upon course completion.

You may even set content material restriction guidelines, similar to requiring college students to fulfill a sure variety of factors by finishing quizzes or studying previous articles in a collection.

For extra data, take a look at our full LearnDash assessment.

Execs:

Nice for promoting on-line programs.

LearnDash has loads of gamification parts to interact customers.

You may management the way you need to prohibit content material entry.

Cons:

It’s a plugin designed for programs quite than only a paywall.

Why We Advocate Utilizing LearnDash: We like LearnDash as a result of it takes a extra dynamic method to your conventional paywall web site. Slightly than simply gating content material, LearnDash gives extra methods to interact customers, similar to progress bars, gamification parts, and awards, which is nice for constructing buyer loyalty.

11. WooCommerce Memberships

WooCommerce Memberships is a membership plugin addon for WooCommerce retailer house owners. With this plugin, you’ll be able to prohibit companies, merchandise, and content material to solely registered customers in your retailer.

It’s one of many few instruments accessible that brings your store, content material, and memberships collectively. Giving particular entry to paid members helps to construct a tight-knit group and increase loyalty.

For instance, you could need to ship members presents together with unique content material. This lets you add extra perks to every membership plan than you’ll get from a easy paywall plugin. You may even provide free transport for paid members.

Like the opposite paywall plugins, you can even drip content material, that means clients should be a member for a set time frame earlier than they’ll entry sure pages or posts.

Moreover that, WooCommerce Memberships provide you with different superior management choices. You may prohibit product viewing to solely members so solely members can view your greatest merchandise. This works nice in the event you promote gadgets utilizing one thing like an public sale plugin to cope with restricted stock.

Execs:

You’ve tons of management choices, like which forms of content material and merchandise to limit viewing.

The add-on permits you to provide free trials.

You may drip content material on schedule.

Cons:

It is just accessible for WooCommerce retailer house owners.

Why We Advocate Utilizing WooCommerce Memberships: WooCommerce Memberships are a good way to gate content material for retailer guests. When clients pay to turn into a member, they’re comfortable to obtain further perks they won’t discover elsewhere.

Often Requested Questions About Paywall Plugins

Can I put a paywall on WordPress?

Sure, all you want is a paywall plugin that permits you to prohibit entry to content material by web page, submit, class, URL, and so forth. That method, guests should full an motion like creating an account in your web site or changing into a paid member to view the paywall.

What’s the greatest paywall plugin for WordPress?

One of the best paywall plugin is, hands-down, MemberPress. It comes with highly effective entry management, letting you prohibit content material nevertheless you’d wish to.

You can even drip content material to members after a sure time. Past the fundamentals, you’re in a position to promote on-line programs, which give a extra interactive studying expertise than only a fundamental paywall.

What’s the greatest free paywall plugin for WordPress?

Paid Memberships Professional is one of the best paywall plugin with a free model. It gives tons of content material restriction sorts, providing you with granular management, and you may settle for recurring funds.

We hope this text helped you discover one of the best paywall plugin for WordPress. You may additionally need to take a look at our final information to making a WordPress membership web site and our listing of the must-have WordPress plugins and instruments for enterprise websites.

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