WishList Member is a membership site software for WordPress that secures digital downloads, online courses, and premium content. Since 2008, the plugin has been activated on more than 120,310 membership sites and online communities. It provides a complete toolbox for creating unlimited membership levels and managing recurring payments.
WPExclusive members get access to WishList Member as part of a full plugin and theme library — plans from $9.99/month. See the full Premium Plugins collection →
What Is WishList Member?
WishList Member is developed by Premium Plugins and is a membership plugin for WordPress. As one of the oldest solutions in the ecosystem, it was significantly overhauled in 2019 to remain a modern contender. It belongs to the membership category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for digital entrepreneurs.
The plugin solves the problem of manual content restriction by allowing site owners to gate posts, pages, and custom post types. It is designed for course creators, community builders, and businesses selling subscription-based access.
WishList Member Features
The feature set is built around granular content control and deep integration with marketing services.
Content Protection and Control
WishList Member allows you to protect content with a single click directly within the WordPress editor. You can gate entire pages or use private tags to hide specific sections of a post from non-members. The plugin also supports automated content dripping and scheduling, ensuring members receive articles based on their registration date.
Payment and Member Management
The software integrates with over 20 payment providers including Stripe and PayPal to handle one-time or recurring transactions. You can create unlimited membership levels with specific permissions and trial periods. Management is handled through an easy-to-use dashboard that provides statistics on member growth and retention.
CourseCure Integration
WishList Member includes CourseCure, a tool specifically for building online courses and interactive quizzes. It enables site owners to create modules and track student progress without needing a separate LMS. You can also implement gamification elements to drive knowledge retention and course completion.
Extensive Ecosystem Integrations
The plugin maintains over 50 built-in integrations with major CRMs and email service providers like AWeber and Zapier. Developers can use the full REST API and WordPress style template tags to custom code unique automation workflows. This flexibility ensures the membership site works with existing business stacks.
Pricing
Check current pricing on the WishList Member sales page — WPExclusive members access it as part of their plan.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | WishList Member + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers WishList Member plus hundreds of other plugins and themes — usually less than one premium license.
Latest Version
The plugin receives regular updates to maintain compatibility with the latest versions of WordPress. WPExclusive updates plugin files promptly after each release to ensure security and performance. Members can download the most recent version directly from their dashboard.
How to Install
- Download the WishList Member .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Launch the Getting Started Wizard to configure your initial membership levels
- Set up your preferred payment gateway in the Integrations tab
Use Cases
Premium Content Subscription Sites
Publishers can protect high-value articles and research using its membership content gating capabilities. The plugin allows for “sneak peak” snippets that let non-members see a preview before being invited to sign up.
Online Course Platforms
Using the CourseCure feature, educators can build structured learning paths with quizzes. This is ideal for those who want a unified dashboard for both community access and course materials.
Agencies and Developers Managing Multiple Client Sites
By using WishList Member through a WPExclusive membership, agencies can deploy professional membership solutions across unlimited client projects without individual license costs. This permits rapid prototyping and scaling of membership models for various niches.
vs Alternatives
| Feature | WishList Member | MemberPress | SureMembers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Builder | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ❌ No |
| Integrations | 50+ Native | Many | Fewer |
| Unlimited Levels | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Available on WPExclusive | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Browse the full membership plugins on WPExclusive →
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Unmatched flexibility with over 50 built-in third-party integrations
- Robust content control options including drip, schedule, and archive features
- Native course and quiz creation via the included CourseCure system
⚠️ Limitations
- The sheer number of configuration options may feel overwhelming for absolute beginners
- Legacy features can sometimes make the interface feel more complex than newer, minimalist plugins
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is WishList Member GPL Licensed?
Yes. WishList Member 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 WishList Member on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $87/year, or $149 lifetime — giving you WishList Member plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full Premium Plugins collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WishList Member do?
WishList Member is a membership plugin used to protect WordPress content and manage paid subscriptions. It allows you to create tiered access for members, sell online courses, and automate content delivery.
Is WishList Member free?
WishList Member is a premium-only plugin with no official free version on WordPress.org. You can access it via WPExclusive in plans starting from $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of WishList Member?
The plugin is actively maintained — WPExclusive members always receive the most current release after it is verified by our team.
How much does WishList Member cost?
Retail pricing typically involves annual subscriptions for single or multi-site licenses. Via WPExclusive, it is included in plans from $9.99/month.
Is it legal to use WishList Member via WPExclusive?
The plugin is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files — fully within GPL terms.
What are the best alternatives to WishList Member?
MemberPress and SureMembers are common alternatives for building subscriber sites. All are available on WPExclusive within the same membership.
