EDD Content Restriction Addon is an extension for Easy Digital Downloads that limits access to posts, pages, and custom post types to users who have purchased specific products. It serves over 50,000 businesses looking to monetize their digital stores through gatekeeping content. This addon provides a straightforward way to create customer-only areas without a complex membership setup.
WPExclusive members get access to Content Restriction as part of a full plugin and theme library — plans from $9.99/month. See the full Easy Digital Downloads collection →
What Is EDD Content Restriction Addon?
EDD Content Restriction Addon is developed by Easy Digital Downloads and is an ecommerce plugin for WordPress. It belongs to the ecommerce category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for digital store owners. The plugin solves the problem of protecting premium documentation, video courses, or private downloads by requiring a confirmed purchase before the user can view the data.
Store owners can selectively lock entire pages or just specific segments of text. It is specifically built for creators selling digital products who need to deliver added value via restricted web pages.
EDD Content Restriction Addon Features
The feature set is built around granular access control integrated directly into the WordPress editor.
Universal Post Type Support
Content Restriction adds a settings box to every post, page, and public custom post type. This allows you to restrict content to buyers of specific downloads or any customer who has made any purchase in your store. The integration is native to the default WordPress edit screen, requiring no external dashboards. You can find more compatible extensions in the Easy Digital Downloads vendor library.
Partial Content Gating
Along with restricting entire pages, the plugin provides the [edd_restrict] shortcode. This enables you to show a portion of a page to the public while hiding the sensitive parts for verified customers only. This is highly effective for offering public “teasers” of premium content while securing the actual value. It helps in converting visitors into buyers directly on the page they are viewing.
bbPress Forum Integration
The addon extends its functionality to bbPress forums, topics, and replies. This allows you to create private support forums or community areas accessible only to those who have bought a software license or digital asset. If a user has not purchased the required product, the plugin automatically displays a customizable message informing them of the purchase requirement.
Pricing
Check current pricing on the Content Restriction sales page or access it through a WPExclusive membership for a flat monthly fee. Retail prices for individual addons usually start at a higher yearly rate for single-site licenses.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Individual License | Check Sales Page | 1 Site | Updates + Support |
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | Content Restriction + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers the addon plus hundreds of other plugins and themes — usually less than one premium license.
Latest Version
The plugin receives regular updates to ensure compatibility with the core Easy Digital Downloads environment. WPExclusive updates plugin files promptly after each release to maintain security and performance.
How to Install
- Download the Content Restriction .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to the edit screen of any post or page to find the new restriction section
- Select the products required for access and save the post
Use Cases
Premium Software Documentation
Create a knowledge base that is only visible to active customers. This ensures that your support resources and technical guides stay exclusive to paying users, reducing the load on your public support channels in the ecommerce space.
Customer-Only Discussion Boards
By using the bbPress integration, you can host VIP forums where users can interact with each other. This builds a sense of community for your digital store and provides an incentive for new customers to complete a purchase.
Agencies and Developers Managing Multiple Client Sites
Agencies can deploy this addon across various client projects to quickly set up gated content areas without needing full membership software. Using WPExclusive provides a cost-effective way to scale these solutions across many domains.
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Seamless integration with the core Easy Digital Downloads purchase history
- Works with any public custom post type, not just standard pages
- Post-purchase redirection automatically lists restricted pages on the confirmation screen
⚠️ Limitations
- Users must create an account during checkout to access restricted content
- Does not offer recurring subscription logic on its own (requires EDD Recurring Payments)
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is EDD Content Restriction Addon GPL Licensed?
Yes. EDD Content Restriction Addon is distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL) — the same license that governs WordPress itself. GPL gives any user the legal right to use, study, share, and redistribute the software. This is the legal framework that makes WPExclusive’s membership model possible.
WPExclusive distributes 100% original, unmodified files — the same release the developer publishes. No injected code, no alterations, no security risks.
Get EDD Content Restriction Addon on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $87/year, or $149 lifetime — giving you EDD Content Restriction Addon plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full Easy Digital Downloads collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does EDD Content Restriction Addon do?
EDD Content Restriction Addon is an ecommerce plugin used to restrict access to specific WordPress content based on purchase history. Content Restriction ensures that only customers who have bought certain products can see protected pages, posts, or forums.
Is EDD Content Restriction Addon free?
This is a premium extension. While there is no standalone free version, you can access it via a WPExclusive membership starting from $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of EDD Content Restriction Addon?
The plugin is actively maintained — WPExclusive members always receive the most current release after it is verified and uploaded to our repository.
How much does EDD Content Restriction Addon cost?
Individual licenses are sold via the official vendor. Via WPExclusive, it is included in plans from $9.99/month.
Is it legal to use EDD Content Restriction Addon via WPExclusive?
The plugin is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files — fully within GPL terms.
Can I restrict only parts of a page with EDD Content Restriction Addon?
Yes, Content Restriction supports a specific shortcode that blocks visibility for selected sections of text or media while allowing the rest of the page to remain public for SEO purposes.
