Are you looking for the top membership website builder to establish a successful online community? You've come to the right spot. Membership websites enable you to provide exclusive content, handle subscriptions, and interact with your audience more effectively. This guide will assist you in identifying the leading membership website builders, ensuring you discover the most suitable option for your requirements.
Many creators and business owners face challenges in finding a website builder that balances ease of use, customization options, and robust membership features. These platforms aim to alleviate these pain points by offering intuitive interfaces, customizable templates, and comprehensive tools for managing memberships. Drawing from my 20 years of experience in digital marketing and web development, I've evaluated numerous membership website builders. This review leverages my expertise to provide a thorough, unbiased evaluation of the best options available, helping you decide which platform best suits your needs.
TL;DR 📌 For most creators and businesses, Squarespace stands out as the best choice for building a membership site due to its visually appealing design, ease of use, and flexible member areas. However, if you need more advanced features and are comfortable with a steeper learning curve, WordPress.com + MemberPress is a great alternative with robust membership capabilities.
Ranked List of the Best Membership Website Builder Platforms:
Our lineup of the best membership site platforms includes a couple of old favourites along with recent players in the industry who have grabbed the attention of users, particularly those involved in the ecommerce sector. After evaluating each based on criteria and membership site ideas, our honours list for the best membership site platforms is as follows:
- Squarespace Membership Site – Best for visually engaging, easy-to-use websites with smooth membership integration. (🎖️Editors’ Pick!)
- WordPress.com + MemberPress – Best for highly flexible and adaptable membership capabilities with vast plugin integrations.
- Wix Membership Site – Best for straightforward membership functionalities and user-friendly interface.
- Weebly Membership Site – Best for budget-conscious users looking for value for money.
- Kajabi – Best for online courses and content-focused memberships with powerful marketing tools.
- Podia – Best for content creators and small business owners offering digital products or memberships.
- GoDaddy Membership Site – Best for simplicity, but with limited customization and features compared to others.
- Wild Apricot – Best for organizations and associations needing robust membership management tools.
Quick Comparison Table
The ranking order is based on the flexibility and comprehensiveness of the membership features offered by each platform, as well as ease of use and overall value for money.
| Platform | Key Features | Pricing | My View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace (My Top Pick!) 🏆 | Member areas, flexible content restrictions, email communications | Starting at $9/month extra for member areas Check Pricing | Squarespace is known for its aesthetic appeal and ease of use. The member areas add-on brings in membership capabilities. |
| WordPress.com + MemberPress | Comprehensive membership features, ability to restrict content, various payment integrations | Starting at $4/month for WordPress.com, MemberPress starts at $149/yearCheck Pricing | For those comfortable with WordPress, this combination offers robust and flexible membership capabilities. |
| Wix | Member-exclusive content, member management, paid plans, forum features | Starting at $14/month Check Pricing | Wix offers an easy-to-use platform with straightforward membership functionalities for small to medium businesses. |
| Weebly | Member management, content restriction, group management | Part of Pro plan starting at $12/month Check Pricing | Weebly offers good value for money with its integrated membership features, ideal for budget-conscious users. |
| GoDaddy | Basic membership features, easy to use, all-in-one platform | Starting at $9.99/month Check Pricing | GoDaddy is a convenient choice for simplicity, though its membership features may be more limited than other platforms. |
| Kajabi | Online courses, memberships, landing pages, marketing automation | Starting at $149/month Check Pricing | Kajabi is ideal for content creators and entrepreneurs offering courses and memberships with strong marketing tools. |
| Podia | Memberships, digital products, courses, and webinars | Starting at $39/month Check Pricing | Podia provides excellent features for creators, offering memberships, digital products, and easy-to-use tools. |
| Wild Apricot | Membership management, CRM, event registration | Free for up to 50 members, Paid plans start at $48/month Check Pricing | Wild Apricot is best suited for associations and nonprofits needing comprehensive membership management solutions. |
Reviewed Best Membership Website Builders in Detail:
1. Squarespace – 🏆 My Choice for Best Membership Website Builder!!!
Best for: Visually engaging and easy-to-use membership sites for small businesses and creatives.
Overview:
Squarespace is well-known for its visually stunning templates, making it an excellent choice for creating a professional membership site. With the addition of the member areas feature, you can restrict content to paying members, sell memberships, and manage content access easily.
Membership Sites Examples and Membership Site Ideas – Made by Squarespace
https://www.gilbertsgazelles.com/ – As one of our membership sites examples made by Squarespace. Olympian Gilbert Tuhaboyne’s website for athletic training is proof that membership sites can go farther than one’s desktop, laptop, and mobile device.
Maybe you can lift inspiration and membership site ideas from this site! For instance, the members-only section offers training sessions for athletes of different age groups and athletic abilities. He uses his Squarespace membership site to organise offline training sessions for Gilbert’s Gazelles athletic programme.
Key Features:
- Member areas for exclusive content
- Flexible content restrictions based on membership tiers
- Email communications to stay connected with members
- Integrated payments via Stripe and PayPal
- Visually appealing templates that work well across devices
Pros:
- Beautiful, professionally designed templates
- Easy-to-use with no technical expertise required
- Simple member management with built-in tools
- SEO-friendly and mobile-responsive design
- Great for creative professionals and small businesses
Cons:
- Limited customizability compared to WordPress
- The member areas feature is an additional cost
- Limited integrations with third-party tools
Pricing:
Membership add-on starts at $9/month on top of the regular website plan.
Interested in Squarespace – one of the best membership site platforms? Read through their terms of service before you commit.
>> Try out Squarespace today <<
2. WordPress.com + MemberPress
Best for: Highly flexible and adaptable membership sites for larger businesses or those with technical knowledge.
Overview:
Combining WordPress.com with the MemberPress plugin offers unmatched flexibility for building and managing membership websites. WordPress provides robust customization options, while MemberPress allows for detailed membership controls, content restrictions, and payment integrations.
Membership Sites Examples and Membership Site Ideas – Made with WordPress
https://quotescover.com/ – This simple but elegant QuotesCover members-only site caters to the needs of creatives and design professionals who want to convert text into dazzling images they can deploy on their websites or social media accounts. While a number of tools may be used by the general browsing public, the more specialised solutions and a wider range to templates and palettes may only be accessed by registered members.
Key Features:
- Advanced membership features like content dripping and group memberships
- Multiple payment gateways for subscription management
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for additional functionality
- Content restriction by user level or subscription status
- Detailed reporting and analytics
Pros:
- Highly customizable with endless possibilities through plugins
- Full control over membership tiers and content access
- Powerful SEO tools and options
- Scalable, great for growing businesses
- Multiple integrations available for additional services
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Requires separate hosting for WordPress and MemberPress
- MemberPress pricing can be high for smaller sites
Pricing:
WordPress.com starts at $4/month, and MemberPress starts at $149/year.
Be sure to check out their service terms before you subscribe.
3. Wix Membership Site
Best for: Straightforward membership capabilities for small to medium-sized businesses.
Overview:
Wix is known for its user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor, making it simple to build a membership site without any coding. Its membership features allow you to create member-exclusive content, manage subscriptions, and provide an easy platform for users to interact with your business.
Membership Sites Examples and Membership Site Ideas – Made by Wix
https://elevateducation.com/ – Educators are among the most stressed people at the moment, and ElevatED, a membership site developed by Natia Lopez, Monique F. Achu, and Diane Nathaniel goes a long way when it comes to helping teachers take care of themselves and keep burnout at bay. Members-only content includes one-on-one counselling, live online lectures, group coaching programmes, and comprehensive training for teachers.
Key Features:
- Member-only pages for exclusive content
- Easy member management and payment collection
- Forum capabilities to foster community engagement
- Simple integration with payment systems like PayPal
- Drag-and-drop interface with customizable templates
Pros:
- Very easy to use, even for beginners
- Quick setup with pre-built templates and features
- Affordable pricing for membership functionality
- Strong support for payment integrations and member management
- Excellent for small businesses or entrepreneurs
Cons:
- Limited customization compared to other platforms like WordPress
- Membership features are not as advanced as MemberPress or Squarespace
- Scaling options are more limited for large membership sites
Pricing:
Wix membership plans start at $14/month.
Do your diligence and read their terms of use before committing.
4. Weebly Membership Site
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses seeking an easy-to-use platform for basic membership features.
Overview:
Weebly is a simple and affordable website builder offering integrated membership management. It’s a great option for small businesses or personal projects that need basic membership capabilities without the complexity of other platforms.
Membership Sites Examples and Membership Site Ideas – Made with Weebly
https://www.ourtable.us/ – As one of our membership websites examples, Our Table is a community-driven farm to table initiative that aims to improve food systems in a bid to get people to eat healthier and more sustainably. Among the perks offered to members are discounts at the site’s online grocery store, access to online lectures, and the ability to interact with those actively speaking for sustainable farming and gastronomy.
Key Features:
- Basic membership management tools
- Content restriction for members-only access
- Integrated e-commerce and payment gateways
- Simple group management for different membership tiers
- Drag-and-drop builder for ease of use
Pros:
- Budget-friendly pricing for smaller websites
- User-friendly interface that requires no technical expertise
- Decent membership functionality for small businesses
- Integrated payment processing and member management
Cons:
- Limited advanced features for larger or growing businesses
- Customizability is not as deep as on other platforms
- May not scale well for larger membership sites
Pricing:
Weebly Pro plan with membership features starts at $12/month.
Read through their terms of service before you commit.
5. GoDaddy
Best for: Simplicity and ease of use for small businesses, but with limited membership capabilities.
Overview:
GoDaddy offers a basic membership solution within its all-in-one website builder. It’s designed for ease of use, making it ideal for small businesses or individuals looking for a straightforward platform without needing advanced membership tools.
Membership Sites Examples and Membership Site Ideas – Made with GoDaddy
https://cssgroupfitness.com/– Consider this site as one of your membership site ideas. CSS Group Fitness offers exclusive training packages and personalised regimens for those signing on to their website. The members-only area features a calendar of various activities held virtually that only registered members may log into.
Key Features:
- Basic membership management
- Simple site builder with pre-built templates
- Integrated marketing tools and email campaigns
- Content restriction for exclusive member areas
- All-in-one platform with hosting and domain services
Pros:
- Very easy to use with a quick setup process
- Affordable pricing for small businesses
- Includes basic membership tools for content restriction
- All-in-one solution, including marketing and email tools
Cons:
- Limited customization and scalability for large membership sites
- Fewer features compared to other platforms like Squarespace or WordPress
- Not ideal for growing businesses that need more advanced membership capabilities
Pricing:
GoDaddy membership features start at $9.99/month.
This puts GoDaddy in the position of being the most cost-friendly site-building option available. Still, don't forget to read their terms of service before subscribing.
6. Kajabi
Best for: Content creators and entrepreneurs needing an all-in-one platform for membership, digital products, and marketing automation.
Overview: Kajabi is an all-in-one platform designed for content creators and entrepreneurs to build membership sites, sell digital products, and offer online courses. It provides robust tools for managing content, memberships, marketing automation, and payment processing, making it ideal for those who want everything in one place.
Key Features:
- All-in-one solution for memberships, courses, and digital products
- Built-in marketing automation tools for email and funnels
- Customizable landing pages and membership tiers
- Integrated payment processing with Stripe and PayPal
- Analytics and insights to track member activity and sales
Pros:
- Comprehensive platform for digital entrepreneurs
- No need for third-party integrations
- Strong marketing tools for email campaigns and funnels
- Course creation and membership management in one place
Cons:
- Higher price point compared to other platforms
- Some users find it overwhelming due to its many features
- Limited design flexibility compared to more customizable platforms
Pricing:
Kajabi pricing starts at $149/month.
7. Podia
Best for: Small creators and entrepreneurs looking for a simple, affordable platform without transaction fees.
Overview: Podia is a user-friendly platform built for creators to sell memberships, courses, and digital products. It’s designed to be simple yet effective, offering the essential tools needed to run a membership site without the complexity of larger platforms like Kajabi.
Key Features:
- Memberships, courses, and digital products all in one platform
- Live chat support to engage with members
- Simple, intuitive interface for easy content creation
- No transaction fees on membership sales
- Built-in email marketing tools
Pros:
- Easy to use with minimal setup
- No transaction fees on sales
- Ideal for small creators and entrepreneurs
- Affordable pricing with essential membership features
Cons:
- Lacks the advanced features of platforms like Kajabi or WordPress
- Limited customization options for site design
- Basic marketing tools compared to larger platforms
Pricing:
Podia’s membership plan starts at $39/month.
8. Wild Apricot
Best for: Associations, non-profits, and clubs needing comprehensive membership management and event tools.
Overview: Wild Apricot is a membership management platform primarily aimed at associations, non-profits, and clubs. It offers features like member databases, event management, and online payments, making it a great choice for organizations needing to manage large member bases with ease.
Key Features:
- Membership database management with member self-service portals
- Event management tools for scheduling and registration
- Online payments and automated renewal reminders
- Mobile app for managing memberships on the go
- Customizable website builder with membership functionality
Pros:
- Perfect for non-profits and associations
- Comprehensive membership management tools
- Easy to manage events and payments
- Member self-service options for convenience
Cons:
- More suited for non-profits than commercial use
- Limited design flexibility compared to other platforms
- Can be expensive for larger organizations
Pricing:
- Wild Apricot starts free for up to 50 members, then $48/month for larger plans.
What are Website Builders for Membership Sites?
A membership website may be described in a similar manner as a gated residential community. In particular, the word “gated” is the operative term as much of the content is only available to those who sign up for the privilege of enjoying it.
These are most commonly used by non-profit or cause-oriented organisations, fan clubs (if you surf onto the sites of Japanese celebrities, you’ll find that eight of every ten sites is a membership site), and professional associations. Indeed, you’ll see these quite often in websites for the medical profession wherein research papers and journals may only be accessed by those registered with the site.
Keep in mind, however, that a membership site is different from a subscription site. While all the former usually needs is for visitors to sign up, the latter calls for payment, essentially initiating a paid contract with visitors to allow them to access content and services. Look at it this way: social media sites may be considered membership sites, but streaming media platforms are subscription sites as they call for the payment of monthly fees.
Technically, any site builder may be used to create a membership site, and we are going to get down to what makes the best membership site platforms the cream of the crop.
How We Chose the Best Membership Site Platforms:
Our review of the best membership website builders is based on how each of these creation platforms performed in terms of the following aspects:
- Ease of use – Being able to set up shop almost immediately is the hallmark of a good building platform, but more so in the case of a membership website builder. Ease of use in this context also refers to how easily visitors can be able to sign up for exclusive access and subsequently log into the system;
- Cost – Especially for those in the nascent stages of their career like writers and musicians, keeping an eye on the budget is one of the main considerations when it comes to choosing the best membership website builder. A free membership website builder is particularly desirable; while these may be riddled with ads, they are the best stepping stone or springboard for those seeking to start a membership site;
- The number of permissible administrators – It takes more than one person to handle a membership site, especially if your entity has a considerable amount of traffic coming in. In which case, users may choose a membership website builder based on how many people may come on board to manage posts, uploads, and visitor comments;
- Membership levels – Tier-based membership ensures that only those who sign up within certain parameters may access files or perks. The most basic would be three-tier access model where you have public (very limited), basic (access to around 50% of premium content), and premium which accords full access;
- Payment integrations – While not all membership sites call for paid subscriptions, it still helps to work with a membership website builder that offers an extensive range of payment gateways at a user's disposal; and
- The amount of content that can be uploaded online through your membership website builder.
Conclusion and Recommendation
When it comes to choosing the best platform for building a membership website, your decision will depend on the complexity of your needs. Squarespace is the top pick for its balance of aesthetics and user-friendliness, making it ideal for businesses or creators looking to deliver content behind paywalls easily. For more control and flexibility, WordPress.com + MemberPress offers a powerful combination, though it comes with more setup and technical expertise required.
If simplicity and value are your main priorities, Weebly and Wix offer solid membership functionalities at affordable prices. Meanwhile, GoDaddy provides a basic but easy-to-use membership system, best suited for those seeking simplicity without heavy customization.
If you're ready to build a beautiful and functional membership website, Squarespace is the perfect place to start with its elegant templates and seamless member area integration.
FAQ:
Which best membership site platforms works best for creatives?
That would be Squarespace as it serves as a great gallery and blogging platform from which artists and authors can share their work.
Is it possible to get multiple options for a membership site app for my site builder?
While most of our choices have the membership site creator built into their respective UIs, the open-source nature of WordPress opens up a number of opportunities, as it offers the most extensive range of plugins for the purpose.
That's all for now:
If you've read all the way through this best membership website builder guide, we are thankful. We hope you can now answer the question of what is the best membership site platforms for you! We have a large collection of articles, guides, and comparison reviews of eCommerce solutions, web hosting providers, website builders, and more! Feel free to check them out;
Hi, I’m Stuart Kerr Spindlow; the publisher behind StuartKerrs.com.
I review and evaluate digital marketing software used by businesses, marketers, and website owners; including hosting platforms, website builders, email marketing tools, SEO software, analytics, and automation systems.
I hold a degree in Computer Science from The Open University and began my career working in financial technology, developing and supporting production software systems, banking intranets, and web platforms. Over the past 20+ years, I’ve tested, implemented, and analysed a wide range of digital tools across real-world business environments.
Today, this site focuses on independent, experience-led software reviews. Tools are assessed based on usability, performance, pricing transparency, long-term value, and suitability for real businesses; not vendor claims or sponsorships.
I don’t run an agency and I don’t sell services through this site. The goal is simple: publish honest, practical software reviews that help people choose the right tools with confidence.
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