Reddit is a goldmine for honest opinions. Especially when it comes to WordPress plugins. If you’ve ever searched for a membership plugin, you’ve likely seen the same names pop up again and again. But many Reddit users ask the same question: What else is good besides Paid Memberships Pro? The answers are surprisingly diverse. And often very practical.
TLDR: Reddit users recommend several strong WordPress membership plugins that are not Paid Memberships Pro. Favorites include MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, Wishlist Member, Memberful, and WooCommerce Memberships. Each has different strengths, pricing models, and learning curves. The best one for you depends on your goals, tech skills, and budget.
Why People Look for Alternatives
Let’s be honest. No plugin fits everyone.
Some users find certain membership plugins too complex. Others think they are too expensive. Some just want something lighter. Or more beginner-friendly. On Reddit, you’ll often see threads like:
- “What’s the easiest membership plugin?”
- “What scales well?”
- “What works great with WooCommerce?”
Below are the plugins Redditors mention the most. And why they like them.
1. MemberPress
MemberPress is one of the most recommended plugins on Reddit. It’s powerful. But still user-friendly.
What Reddit Likes:
- Easy setup process
- Clean interface
- Strong content protection tools
- Built-in courses feature
Many users say it “just works.” That matters. Especially when you don’t want to fight with settings for hours.
You can:
- Drip content over time
- Create multiple membership levels
- Restrict posts, pages, categories, or files
- Accept Stripe and PayPal payments
Downsides?
It’s not cheap. There’s no free version. Some Redditors mention that renewal pricing can sting.
Best for: Course creators, coaches, and small businesses who want an all-in-one solution.
2. Restrict Content Pro
This plugin gets a lot of love from developers on Reddit. Why? It’s clean and lightweight.
Restrict Content Pro feels less bloated. That’s a big word in WordPress circles.
What Reddit Likes:
- Simple interface
- Logical settings
- Good developer documentation
- Smooth WooCommerce integration
Developers often say it’s easier to customize. The codebase is clean. That makes a difference if you plan to extend your site later.
It handles:
- Subscription memberships
- Discount codes
- Member dashboards
- Reporting tools
Downsides?
It’s slightly more basic out of the box. Some advanced features require add-ons.
Best for: Developers or site owners who value performance and flexibility.
3. Wishlist Member
This one has been around for years. And it still shows up often in Reddit discussions.
Wishlist Member focuses heavily on content protection.
What Reddit Likes:
- Strong access control rules
- Flexible membership levels
- Good email marketing integrations
It allows you to protect almost anything. Pages. Posts. Custom post types. Even specific parts of content.
Some Reddit users who run content-heavy sites prefer it because of its protection depth.
Downsides?
The interface feels a bit old-school to some users. It may take time to learn.
Best for: Content publishers and course creators who need granular control.
4. Memberful
Memberful is interesting. It’s not just a plugin. It’s more of an external platform that connects to WordPress.
Reddit users like it for one big reason: simplicity.
What Reddit Likes:
- Super clean checkout experience
- Handles payments and subscriptions externally
- Less technical maintenance
This is helpful if you don’t want to deal with payment security details directly on your server.
It’s popular with:
- Podcasters
- Newsletter creators
- Indie publishers
You manage memberships in Memberful’s dashboard. WordPress just handles content restriction.
Downsides?
You rely on a third-party system. That may not be ideal if you want full control.
Best for: Creators who want low technical overhead.
5. WooCommerce Memberships
If you’re already using WooCommerce, Reddit users often suggest sticking inside that ecosystem.
WooCommerce Memberships works perfectly alongside WooCommerce Subscriptions.
Image not found in postmetaWhat Reddit Likes:
- Deep integration with products
- Sell memberships like products
- Restrict content and purchases
This combo is powerful if your site is more store than blog.
You can:
- Offer member-only products
- Give discounts automatically
- Tie memberships to product purchases
Some Redditors say this setup “just makes sense” for ecommerce-driven sites.
Downsides?
Costs can stack up. You may need multiple premium extensions.
Best for: Online stores adding a membership layer.
6. LearnDash (For Course-First Sites)
While technically an LMS, LearnDash often enters membership discussions on Reddit.
If your main goal is selling courses, it might be a better fit than a general membership plugin.
What Reddit Likes:
- Structured course builder
- Quizzes and certifications
- Drip content features
You can combine it with other membership tools. Or use its built-in restrictions.
Downsides?
It’s more focused on courses than broader membership perks.
Best for: Education-driven membership sites.
Common Reddit Advice Before Choosing
Reddit users repeat a few key points over and over.
1. Define Your Business Model First
Are you selling:
- Premium blog content?
- Online courses?
- A private community?
- Physical products with perks?
The plugin should match the goal. Not the other way around.
2. Check Renewal Pricing
Many plugins look affordable at first. Then renew at a higher rate.
Reddit users constantly warn about this. Read the fine print.
3. Think About Scale
Will you have 50 members? Or 5,000?
Performance matters. Hosting matters. Plugin efficiency matters.
4. Test Support Quality
A surprising tip from Reddit: contact support before buying.
Ask a presale question. See how fast they respond.
This can tell you a lot.
Free vs Paid: What Reddit Thinks
This comes up often.
Some users love free plugins. Others say membership sites are too important to rely on fully free tools.
The general Reddit consensus?
- If you are making money, invest in solid software.
- If you are testing an idea, start small.
A broken membership system can mean refund headaches. And angry customers.
So, Which One Is “Best”?
Here’s the honest answer.
There is no universal winner.
But patterns do appear in Reddit threads:
- MemberPress is praised for balance and ease.
- Restrict Content Pro is loved by developers.
- Wishlist Member shines in content protection.
- Memberful wins for simplicity.
- WooCommerce Memberships dominates ecommerce setups.
The “best” plugin depends on your workflow.
Not someone else’s.
Final Thoughts
Reddit is brutally honest. That’s why it’s useful.
When users recommend a plugin repeatedly, it’s usually for a reason. Stability. Support. Simplicity.
If you’re building a WordPress membership site and want something other than Paid Memberships Pro, you have great options.
Start with your end goal. Keep the setup simple. Don’t overbuy features you don’t need.
And remember. The best membership plugin is the one that:
- Fits your budget
- Matches your business model
- Feels manageable for your skill level
- Will still work for you two years from now
Reddit can guide you. But your project is unique.
Choose wisely. Then build something awesome.