12 Best Membership Platforms for Content Creators, Communities and Courses

Key highlights

• Know how to match platform features with your business goals so you can choose the right tool from the start. 
• Learn to distinguish between entry-level and professional options to find a platform that matches your technical skill level. 
• Understand content protection settings to keep your exclusive resources secure while ensuring easy access for paid members. 
• Evaluate community and course tools to build the specific engagement style your audience prefers. 
• Compare pricing, fees and feature limits so you can grow without paying for tools you do not need.

A membership business can help you turn your content, courses or community into recurring revenue. But with so many tools available, choosing the right platform can feel overwhelming. 

Some membership platforms are built for online courses. Some focus on communities. Others help creators sell exclusive content, digital products or member-only resources from their own website. 

The best choice depends on your goal, budget, comfort level with setup and how you want members to interact with your brand. 

This guide compares 12 of the best membership platforms for content creators, online communities and courses. You’ll see what each platform does well, where it may fall short and which option makes the most sense for your next step.

Quick TL;DR: Best membership platforms

Platform	Best for	Setup level	Main strength	Pricing style
WordPress	Flexible membership websites	Moderate	Full ownership, SEO control and plugin flexibility	Flexible cost (varies by hosting, plugins and setup)
Bluehost Membership Website Builder	Beginners building on WordPress	Easy	Guided WordPress setup with membership and WooCommerce tools	Paid plans; no store transaction fees
Mighty Networks	Community-led memberships	Easy to moderate	Strong community, event and engagement tools	Higher-priced plans
Squarespace	Design-first content memberships	Easy	Polished templates with member-only pages	Entry-level paid plans
Wix	Simple membership websites	Easy	Beginner-friendly site builder with pricing plans and member areas	Free to test; paid for professional use
MemberSpace	Existing websites	Easy	Adds gated content and payments to a site you already have	Entry-level paid plans
Kajabi	Premium courses and coaching businesses	Easy to moderate	All-in-one courses, memberships, email, funnels and checkout	Higher-priced plans
Teachable	Course-led memberships	Easy	Fast course setup with student access and payment tools	Entry-level paid plans
Podia	Solo creators selling digital products	Easy	Simple setup for courses, downloads, email and memberships	Entry-level paid plans
Thinkific	Structured learning memberships	Easy to moderate	Strong course, community and learning-product tools	Entry-level paid plans
Patreon	Creators with an existing audience	Easy	Fast fan-supported memberships without building a website	Free to start; platform fees apply
Circle	Premium communities and masterminds	Easy to moderate	Organized community spaces with events, courses and payments	Higher-priced plans

Top 12 best membership platforms to consider

The best membership site platforms make it easier to protect your content, manage members and collect payments in one place. However, each platform solves a different problem. Some help you build a full membership website, while others work as plugins or add-ons for a site you already have. 

Here are some of the top membership website platforms to consider based on your goals, content type and audience. 

1. WordPress

WordPress is not a membership platform on its own, but you can turn it into one with the right hosting, theme, WordPress membership plugin and payment tools. It is a strong choice if your membership site is also your main website, blog, course hub or online store. Popular WordPress membership plugin options can help you restrict content, create pricing tiers, manage members and connect payments.

Features

• Free, open-source platform 
• Thousands of free and premium plugins 
• Gated content with the right membership plugin 
• Drip content, member discounts and member-only products with WooCommerce add-ons 

Pros

• Full control over SEO, design and data
• Huge add-on ecosystem for custom workflows
• Strong fit for hybrid store + membership sites

Cons

• You handle hosting, backups and updates
• Manual upgrades require database and file backups first
• Recurring billing usually needs an extra plugin stack

2. Bluehost Membership Website Builder

Our Bluehost Membership Website Builder is a good fit for beginners who want to create a WordPress membership website without starting from a blank setup. We combine WordPress flexibility with tools that support gated content, subscriptions and online selling. It works well for creators, educators and small businesses that want their own branded membership website and long-term control.

Features

• Unlimited membership plans and gated access 
• Member-only store access and drip content 
• Recurring subscriptions & payments options available 
• Access to member benefits & monetization tools 

Pros

• Speeds up launch with an AI-powered store builder 
• Provides 99.99% uptime to keep your membership site available 
• Lets you manage up to 100 storefronts as your business grows 
• 0% transaction fees on store sales 
• 24/7 chat and phone support (call charges may apply) 

Cons

• Some advanced features may require extra WordPress plugins or setup 
• Some membership and subscription settings may still require working through WooCommerce-style configuration 
• You may need time to learn basic WordPress settings and workflows. 

Also read: How to Create a WordPress Membership Website (Step-by-Step) 

3. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is built for memberships where community engagement is the main value. It helps creators and brands create paid communities. It is a strong choice if members are joining not just for content, but also for connection, accountability and networking.

Features

• Offers access to community, courses, events, chat, polls and livestreams
• iOS, Android and web on every plan
• Unlimited members and unlimited spaces
• Quizzes, tests, dripped courses, badges and certifications
• AI Cohost built into the platform

Pros

• Community tools feel central, not bolted on
• The Launch plan starts at $79 per month
• Free 14-day trial with no credit card
• Annual billing includes 2 months free

Cons

• Pricing can feel high for beginners
• Branded apps are Mighty Pro only
• The Launch plan allows team access to up to 3 hosts and 10 moderators 
• Livestream caps start at 20 hours and 100 viewers

4. Squarespace

Squarespace is best for creators and small brands that want a polished website with simple member-only content. Its member site features work well for paid resource libraries, workshops, newsletters and gated pages. It is a good choice if design matters and your membership model is simple.

Features

• Designer templates with drag-and-drop editing
• Managed hosting and SSL included
• Sells courses, videos, memberships and subscriptions
• Customer accounts and checkout on your domain
• Squarespace Payments supports Apple Pay, ACH, Klarna and more in supported countries

Pros

• Strong design polish with very little setup friction
• 24/7 customer support
• 14-day free trial with no credit card
• 0% digital content and membership transaction fees on the Advanced plan.

Cons

• No permanent free plan 
• Digital content and membership transaction fees are higher on basic plan 
• Online store fees still hit 2% on basic paid plan 
• Video hosting is limited to 30 minutes or 5 hours on lower plans 

5. Wix

Wix is a beginner-friendly website builder for simple membership websites. It works well for small businesses, service providers and creators who want member-only pages, pricing plans and basic gated access without coding. It is best when your membership needs are straightforward and you want a fast setup.

Features

• Free plan available
• 2000+ templates and drag-and-drop editing
• Members Area app connects with stores, bookings, events, programs and pricing plans
• Upgraded plans allow accepting payments
• Multi-cloud hosting on paid plans

Pros

• Easy starting point for first-time site owners
• Free plan lets you test the builder before paying
• Members Area is free to install
• Strong mix of website, store, booking and event tools in one ecosystem

Cons

• The Light plan does not support accepting payments.
• Collaborator limits vary by plan
• Membership features are managed through Wix apps instead of one dedicated membership product.
• It is better suited for simpler memberships than advanced communities or structured online courses.

6. Memberspace

MemberSpace is best for adding memberships to a website you already have and start charging for premium content. Instead of rebuilding your site, you can use MemberSpace to protect pages, sell access and manage members across different website platforms.

Features

• Works with WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Webflow, Notion and more
• Gate any page on your membership website
• Accepts payments with Apple Pay, Google Pay and easy Google login
• Offers drip content, failed-payment recovery and cancellation alternatives
• Cross-site member logins on multi-site plans

Pros

• Add one code snippet to your header for fast installation
• Unlimited members and tiers on every plan
• Lets you move website platforms without changing member logins or billing
• It can be easier than setting up a custom membership system.

Cons

• Every plan takes a sales fee: 5%, 2% or 1%
• Starter plan limits you to 5 member spaces and connects to only 1 website
• You still need a separate website platform underneath it

7. Kajabi

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform for creators, coaches and experts who want to sell courses, memberships, coaching and digital products from one place. It also includes marketing tools such as landing pages, email, checkout and automation. This is best for established creators who want a complete business platform and are ready to invest in a higher-priced tool.

Features

• Supports memberships, online courses, coaching, communities and digital products. 
• Unlimited landing pages, funnels and marketing emails 
• Product limits range from 5 to 50 to unlimited depending on the plan you choose 
• The Pro plan includes a branded mobile app

Pros

• Replaces separate email, funnel, checkout and product tools 
• No revenue sharing 
• Strong fit for creators selling both courses and memberships 
• The Pro plan supports 3 websites and 3 communities 

Cons

• It can be expensive for beginners or creators with a small audience. 
• Payment processing fees still apply and vary by provider and country 
• Design flexibility may feel limited 
• Moving your full business away from Kajabi later can take planning. 

8. Teachable

Teachable is best for creators who want to sell online courses, coaching and learning products. It supports membership-style offers, but its biggest strength is structured education. This platform is a good fit if your paid membership is centered on lessons, student progress, coaching or a course library.

Features

• Sells courses, digital downloads, memberships and coaching 
• Access to student mobile apps on iOS and Android 
• Global payments plus U.S. sales tax, VAT and GST handling 
• Community, memberships, drip content, quizzes and certificates in the feature set 
• Webhooks, API and custom domain on higher plans 

Pros

• 7-day free trial on paid plans 
• Builder and Growth plan remove Teachable transaction fees 
• Product limits scale from 5 to 10 to 50 across core tiers 
• Built for course creators who want hosted delivery and payments 

Cons

• Starter plan keeps a 7.5% transaction fee and caps you at 5 products 
• Advanced integrations are still plan-gated 
• You get fewer website customization options and less website control 

9. Podia

Podia is a simple creator platform for selling courses, digital downloads, coaching and memberships. It is designed for creators who want fewer tools to manage and a simpler way to sell digital products.

Features

• Offers website, store, email, courses, downloads, webinars, coaching and community
• Unlimited products on both paid plans
• Built-in email newsletters, automations, segmentation and analytics
• Custom domain and blogging on both paid plans
• Supports payments through common payment providers such as Stripe and PayPal.

Pros

• 30-day trial includes access to all the feature 
• Very simple setup for solo creators 
• Shaker plan removes Podia transaction fees 
• Both paid plans include 7-days-a-week support 

Cons

• Mover plan charges a 5% platform fee
• Affiliate marketing is included in Shaker plan only
• Free email covers only 100 subscribers
• Feature limits may apply depending on the plan.

10. Thinkific

Thinkific is best for membership businesses built around structured learning. It helps creators and businesses package courses into paid learning experiences. You can consider this platform as a strong choice if your members are paying for education, training or ongoing skill development.

Features

• Supports online courses, memberships, communities, downloads, coaching and webinars.
• Lets you bundle courses, communities and resources into membership plans.
• Built-in email automation, landing pages and site builder
• Branded mobile app available as a $199 add-on

Pros

• One of the stronger platforms for education-based memberships.
• The Start plan includes memberships and a community from day one
• 30-day free trial is longer than other platforms
• It is easier than building a full learning platform from scratch.

Cons

• It may be more structured than needed for simple gated content.
• Video bandwidth caps at 100GB, 200GB, or 400GB per month depending on plans
• Costs can increase as you need more advanced learning or business features.
• It is less focused on social-style community engagement

11. Patreon

Patreon is best for creators who already have an audience and want a simple way to offer paid membership tiers. It works well for podcasters, video creators, writers, artists and independent creators who want fan-supported recurring revenue.

Features

• Lets creators offer monthly and annual memberships, tiers and one-time purchases
• Supports exclusive posts, chats, direct messages, newsletters, video and livestreaming.
• Offers audience insights and growth tools
• Allows podcast syncing, RSS deliver and Spotify integration

Pros

• Free to start
• Patreon handles fraud, chargebacks and most tax collection
• Supports common payment methods like cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Venmo
• Supports 16+ payout and pay-in currencies

Cons

• Platform fees and payment processing fees reduce your earnings.
• You have less control over branding, checkout and the member experience.
• It is not built for advanced courses or complex membership websites.
• Your membership business depends on a third-party platform.

12. Circle

Circle is best for premium communities, masterminds, coaching groups and professional networks. It is a strong fit when your membership depends on organized conversations, live events and a high-quality member experience.

Features

• Supports community spaces, discussions, chat, events, courses and livestreams.
• Includes member directories, analytics, gamification and access controls.
• Offers website pages, landing pages, branded checkout and payments.
• Includes email broadcasts, automations and segmentation tools.

Pros

• One of the cleanest community-first member experiences
• Good fit for paid cohorts, client communities and networks
• Offers 14-day free trial
• Transaction fees decrease as plans rise: 2%, 1% then 0.5%

Cons

• It can be expensive for creators who are just starting.
• Limited number of live stream attendees and hours
• Some advanced options, such as branded apps or deeper customization, require higher plans.
• Priority support is not available except for Circle Plus plan

Disclaimer: The pricing, features and plan details listed above are subject to change based on each platform’s updates, so always confirm the latest information on the official platform website.

The right platform should feel like a natural fit for what you sell, not a tool you have to work around. 

Use the goal-based breakdown below to narrow your options and find the best fit for your business. 

Best membership platform for your goals

The best membership platform depends on what you want to sell and how your members will use it. A course creator, community builder and blogger may all need different tools. Use this table to match your goal with the right platform type.

Goal	Best platform options	Why it fits
Best platform options	WordPress, Bluehost Membership Website Builder	Gives you more control over SEO, branding, content and customer relationships.
Best for content creators	Patreon, Podia, MemberSpace	Good for fan support, digital products and paid content access.
Best for online communities	Circle, Mighty Networks	Built for discussions, events, member engagement and community growth.
Best for online courses	Thinkific, Teachable,Kajabi	Strong for lessons, course libraries,coaching and student access.
Best for WordPress sites	WordPress, Bluehost Membership Website Builder	Control overplugins, SEO, content and site ownership.
Best for beginners	Bluehost Membership Website Builder, Wix, Squarespace, Podia	Easier setup with guided tools, templates or simple dashboards.
Best for associations	Circle, WordPress, MemberSpace	Useful for gated resources, events, member groups and organized access.

Once you know which platform type fits your goal, it becomes easier to compare features and pricing. 

Next, let’s look at the key factors to check before choosing the right membership platform.

How to choose the best membership platform?

Before you compare plans and features, start with the experience you want to create for your members. The right platform should support your content, payment model and long-term growth.

• Match the platform to your goal: Choose a course platform for lessons, a community platform for engagement or WordPress if you want more control. Your main offer should guide the decision.
• Check the content features: Look for gated pages, downloads, videos, posts and member-only resources. The platform should make it easy to publish content and control who can access it.
• Review course options: If you plan to sell courses, check for lessons, modules, quizzes, drip content and progress tracking. Course-focused tools are better when learning outcomes matter.
• Compare marketing and community tools: Look for email, landing pages, coupons, events, discussions and automation features. These tools help you attract members and keep them engaged after they join.
• Compare pricing and fees: Check monthly pricing, transaction fees, payment processing fees and add-on costs. The cheapest plan is not always the best choice if it lacks the features you need to grow.
• Check payment options: Make sure the platform supports recurring payments, one-time purchases, coupons and your preferred payment gateways. A smooth payment process can improve signups and reduce support issues.
• Test the member experience: Review the signup flow, login process, payment page and member dashboard before you commit. Members should be able to join, pay and access content without confusion.

When you choose a platform that fits your content, audience and growth plans, it becomes easier to launch your membership site and keep members engaged over time. 

Final thoughts

A membership platform is not just a place to put content behind a login. It shapes how people join, how they experience your value and whether they stay long enough to become loyal members.

If you want speed, choose a hosted platform. If you want community, choose a community-first tool. If you want long-term control over your content, SEO and customer experience, a WordPress-based membership website is often the stronger path.

Ready to build your membership site? Start with Bluehost Membership Website Builder and create a member experience you can launch confidently and grow over time.

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