WP Membership is a comprehensive WordPress plugin for building membership-based websites with integrated payment processing, content protection, and user management. It supports multiple payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce, alongside flexible subscription models from free trials to recurring billing. Developers use it to create everything from content paywalls to professional member directories without custom coding.
WPExclusive members get access to WP Membership as part of a full plugin and theme library — plans from $9.99/month. See the full CodeCanyon collection →
What Is WP Membership?
WP Membership is developed by CodeCanyon and is a membership plugin for WordPress. It belongs to the membership category on WPExclusive, alongside other tools for subscription management and content access control.
The plugin solves the complexity of gating content and managing recurring payments without heavy custom development. It is designed for site owners who need tiered access levels, user directories, and automated subscription workflows.
WP Membership Features
WP Membership provides a full-stack solution for membership sites with payment synchronization, content restriction rules, and member profile management.
Payment Gateway Integration
The plugin supports three primary payment methods: PayPal Express Checkout for rapid deployment, Stripe with full synchronization to Stripe Plans for advanced subscription management, and WooCommerce Payment for stores already running on WooCommerce infrastructure. It handles multiple membership types including free accounts, one-time payments, recurring subscriptions, free trials, paid trials, and variable payment packages, making it one of the strongest tools in the WordPress membership category.
User Management & Directories
Administrators can create custom user roles tied directly to membership packages, while the plugin automatically generates detailed user profiles with social links and privacy controls. It includes two distinct user directory styles for public member listings, frontend post submission capabilities with custom fields, and comprehensive account management where users can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel subscriptions without admin intervention.
Content Protection & Templating
Content protection settings allow granular control over which membership tiers access specific posts, pages, or custom post types. The plugin supports template overriding for complete design customization, configurable page redirects for registration and account flows, and the ability to hide the WordPress admin bar for specific user roles.
Reporting & Communication
Built-in reporting generates 3D pie charts and line graphs for membership analytics, while integrated email templates handle welcome messages, password resets, and order confirmations for both users and administrators. The system includes Mailchimp integration for new registrant email capture and automated subscription reminder emails to reduce churn.
WP Membership Pricing
Check current pricing on the WP Membership sales page — WPExclusive members access it as part of their plan.
| Plan | Price | Sites | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WPExclusive Membership | From $9.99/month | Unlimited | WP Membership + full library |
For developers managing multiple sites, a WPExclusive membership covers WP Membership plus hundreds of other plugins and themes — usually less than one premium license.
WP Membership – Latest Version
WP Membership is actively maintained and receives regular updates to maintain compatibility with WordPress core and payment gateway APIs. WPExclusive keeps plugin files current — members always download the latest available release.
How to Install WP Membership
- Download the WP Membership .zip from your WPExclusive member account
- In WordPress: Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin
- Select the .zip and click Install Now → Activate
- Navigate to the plugin settings panel to configure your preferred payment gateway (PayPal, Stripe, or WooCommerce)
- Create your first membership package with associated user roles and pricing tiers
WP Membership Use Cases
Online Course Creators & Digital Publishers
Course creators use WP Membership to gate lesson content behind subscription tiers, offering free trials to convert leads and recurring payments for ongoing access. The content protection system restricts lessons based on membership levels while the built-in user directories allow students to connect and network, making it one of the strongest tools in the WordPress membership category.
Professional Associations & Niche Communities
Industry associations leverage the plugin’s user directory features and public profile templates to create searchable member databases. The system handles annual membership renewals automatically, sends subscription reminder emails before expiration, and provides role-based access to exclusive industry reports or event listings.
Agencies Managing Multiple Client Sites
Development agencies deploy WP Membership across client projects ranging from private content libraries to paid newsletter communities. A WPExclusive membership eliminates per-site licensing costs, allowing teams to standardize on this platform for all membership functionality regardless of client budget.
WP Membership vs Alternatives
| Feature | WP Membership | MemberPress |
|---|---|---|
| Payment Gateways | PayPal, Stripe, WooCommerce | Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net |
| Built-in User Directory | ✅ Yes (2 styles) | ❌ Requires addon |
| Front-end Post Submission | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Not standard |
| Available on WPExclusive | ✅ Yes | ❌ |
Browse the full membership collection on WPExclusive →
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths
- Triple payment gateway support including WooCommerce integration for existing stores
- Flexible membership types with trial periods and variable payment packages
- Built-in user directories and frontend post submission without additional plugins
- Template override system allows complete customization of member-facing pages
⚠️ Limitations
- Template customization requires HTML/CSS knowledge for optimal results
- Developer auto-updates require an active license key. WPExclusive publishes updates manually when new versions are released.
Is WP Membership GPL Licensed?
Yes. WP Membership 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 WP Membership on WPExclusive
WPExclusive membership starts at $9.99/month, $79/year, or $149 lifetime — giving you WP Membership plus every plugin and theme in the library, on unlimited sites.
Explore the full CodeCanyon collection → or browse all WordPress plugins →
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WP Membership do?
WP Membership is a WordPress plugin that creates subscription-based access control for content, including payment processing through PayPal, Stripe, and WooCommerce. It provides user registration, tiered membership levels, content protection rules, and member directories for building paid communities or premium content sites.
Is WP Membership free?
WP Membership is a premium plugin available through CodeCanyon. It is not available as a free version on WordPress.org. Via WPExclusive, you can access it as part of a membership plan starting at $9.99/month.
What is the latest version of WP Membership?
WP Membership is actively maintained — WPExclusive members always receive the most current release compatible with the latest WordPress and payment gateway API versions.
How much does WP Membership cost?
Pricing is set by the developer on CodeCanyon. Via WPExclusive, it’s included in plans from $9.99/month with unlimited site usage.
Is it legal to use WP Membership via WPExclusive?
WP Membership is GPL licensed, which explicitly permits redistribution. WPExclusive provides original, unmodified files — fully within GPL terms.
What are the best alternatives to WP Membership?
Real alternatives include MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro, and Restrict Content Pro. MemberPress offers similar subscription management but lacks built-in user directories. All are available on WPExclusive within the same membership.
