ByHayat Amin· editorial direction, Top 11Updated June 13, 2026

Creators · Membership

The 11 Best Membership Site Software

Name: The 11 Best Membership Site Software (dataset)
Published: 2026-06-13
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A ranked list of platforms for creators to build, manage, and grow a paid membership community without requiring deep technical skill.

Verified June 202625+ screened · 11 rankedNo paid placement

The short answer

The best membership site software is Mighty Networks, followed by Circle.so and Kajabi.

✓ Independent

Top 11 takes no payment from any provider on this list. Scores are computed from a public weighted rubric; methodology weights were locked before entry research began.

↻ Verified June 2026 · re-checked quarterly

Re-scored every 90 days.

Scored on a 9.4-point scale across 5 weighted criteria, reviewed quarterly.

Citing this list?

[The 11 Best Membership Site Software](https://11.market/membership-software). Top 11, AI-native independent ranking. Methodology public at https://11.market/methodology.

The Ranking

ALL 11

Ranked comparison of The 11 Best Membership Site Software, with best-for segment, price band, and score out of 9.4. Updated June 2026.
#	Provider · best for	Price	Score
1	Mighty NetworksAll-in-one community platform	$$	9.2/9.4
2	Circle.soPremium modern communities	$$	9.1/9.4
3	KajabiAll-in-one for course creators	$$$	8.8/9.4
4	MemberPressBest WordPress membership plugin	$	8.6/9.4
5	PodiaEasiest all-in-one for beginners	$	8.3/9.4
6	MemberfulAdd memberships to any site	$	8.1/9.4
7	ThinkificCourse platform with memberships	$$	7.9/9.4
8	UscreenBest for video memberships	$$$	7.7/9.4
9	MemberSpaceMemberships for Squarespace/Webflow	$	7.5/9.4
10	Wild ApricotFor clubs and associations	$$	7.3/9.4
11	GhostWILDCARDPublishing platform with memberships	$	7.1/9.4

Best pick for your situation

Matched by the problem you're solving. Agents can query /api/lists/membership-software/recommend?problem=… or the recommend MCP tool to get these matches as structured data.

Best for Building an integrated community and content hub

Mighty Networks (#1, scores 9.2/9.4). The best all-in-one platform with deep community features, courses, and live events built-in. It also handles Reducing reliance on multiple plugins.

Best for Creating a premium, modern community space

Circle.so (#2, scores 9.1/9.4). A beautifully designed community platform with excellent integrations and a premium feel. It also handles Integrating community into an existing product.

Best for Monetizing expertise through courses and memberships

Kajabi (#3, scores 8.8/9.4). A powerful, course-centric platform with built-in marketing automation and sales funnels. It also handles Automating marketing and sales funnels.

Best for Adding powerful membership features to a WordPress site

MemberPress (#4, scores 8.6/9.4). The most powerful and flexible membership plugin for WordPress, offering total control. It also handles Maintaining full control over site data and design.

The Breakdown

9.2/9.4

Mighty Networks

Best for: All-in-one community platform$$ · $41 to $299+/moPalo Alto, USA · est. 2017

Solves: Building an integrated community and content hub · Reducing reliance on multiple plugins

Mighty Networks: The best all-in-one platform with deep community features, courses, and live events built-in.

✓Flexible 'Spaces' for organizing content and community.

✕Can be complex for absolute beginners.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: mightynetworks.com · Data verified June 2026

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9.1/9.4

Circle.so

Best for: Premium modern communities$$ · $49 to $399+/moNew York, USA · est. 2019

Solves: Creating a premium, modern community space · Integrating community into an existing product

Circle.so: A beautifully designed community platform with excellent integrations and a premium feel.

✓Excellent API and Zapier integration for workflows.

✕Course features and email marketing are not native.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: circle.so · Data verified June 2026

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8.8/9.4

Kajabi

Best for: All-in-one for course creators$$$ · $149 to $399+/moIrvine, USA · est. 2010

Solves: Monetizing expertise through courses and memberships · Automating marketing and sales funnels

Kajabi: A powerful, course-centric platform with built-in marketing automation and sales funnels.

✓Unmatched 'Pipelines' for marketing automation.

✕Community features are basic; high starting price.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: kajabi.com · Data verified June 2026

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8.6/9.4

MemberPress

Best for: Best WordPress membership plugin$ · $179 to $399/yrSouth Jordan, USA · est. 2013

Solves: Adding powerful membership features to a WordPress site · Maintaining full control over site data and design

MemberPress: The most powerful and flexible membership plugin for WordPress, offering total control.

✓Granular content protection rules for WordPress.

✕Requires user to manage hosting and security.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: memberpress.com · Data verified June 2026

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8.3/9.4

Podia

Best for: Easiest all-in-one for beginners$ · $39 to $89/moNew York, USA · est. 2014

Podia: The easiest platform for beginners, combining memberships, courses, and digital products.

✓Zero transaction fees on paid plans.

✕Lacks advanced features and marketing automation.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: podia.com · Data verified June 2026

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8.1/9.4

Memberful

Best for: Add memberships to any site$ · $0 to $100/mo + feesRemote · est. 2013

Memberful: The best tool for adding a payment and access layer to an existing website.

✓Excellent Stripe integration with Apple/Google Pay.

✕Not an all-in-one; requires your own website.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: memberful.com · Data verified June 2026

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7.9/9.4

Thinkific

Best for: Course platform with memberships$$ · $49 to $199/moVancouver, Canada · est. 2012

Thinkific: A top-tier course creation platform that also supports memberships and communities.

✓Highly flexible and powerful course builder.

✕Site design and customization options are limited.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: thinkific.com · Data verified June 2026

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7.7/9.4

Uscreen

Best for: Best for video memberships$$$ · $149 to $499+/moWashington D.C., USA · est. 2015

Uscreen: The leading platform for launching a Netflix-style video subscription service.

✓Creates branded apps for TV and mobile.

✕Non-video features are very basic; high price.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: uscreen.tv · Data verified June 2026

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7.5/9.4

MemberSpace

Best for: Memberships for Squarespace/Webflow$ · $29 to $299/moRemote · est. 2015

MemberSpace: The go-to tool for adding member paywalls to platforms like Squarespace and Webflow.

✓Works with many different website builders.

✕User experience can feel disjointed; no native tools.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: memberspace.com · Data verified June 2026

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7.3/9.4

Wild Apricot

Best for: For clubs and associations$$ · $60 to $900/moToronto, Canada · est. 2006

Wild Apricot: A member management system built for formal organizations like non-profits and clubs.

✓Strong member database and event tools for associations.

✕Dated interface; not built for content creators.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: wildapricot.com · Data verified June 2026

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7.1/9.4

GhostWILDCARD · #11

Best for: Publishing platform with memberships$ · $11 to $249/moSingapore · est. 2013

Ghost: A publishing-first platform for writers to monetize blogs and newsletters with memberships.

✓Excellent writing experience and integrated newsletters.

✕No native community features like forums.

✓Risk signals: No material public risk signals as of 2026-06-13.

Primary source: ghost.org · Data verified June 2026

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Buyer's guide

What's the main difference between all-in-one platforms and WordPress plugins?

All-in-one platforms like Mighty Networks or Kajabi handle hosting, security, and feature updates for you, offering a simpler user experience at a higher monthly cost. WordPress plugins like MemberPress give you total control and ownership over your site on your own hosting, which is cheaper and more flexible but requires more technical maintenance and security management.

Should I choose a platform based on community or content features first?

Prioritize the feature set that drives the core value for your members. If your main offering is member interaction, live events, and networking, choose a community-first platform like Circle. If your value comes from structured courses and premium articles, start with a content-focused platform like Kajabi or Podia.

How to choose

1.First, decide if you want to build on your own WordPress site or use a fully hosted platform. This is the most significant fork in the road.
2.Second, map your core member value. Is it courses, community discussion, exclusive content, or live events? Rank platforms by their strengths in your primary area.
3.Third, calculate your total cost of ownership. Factor in transaction fees, integration costs (like a separate email service), and the price of higher tiers you'll need as you grow.
4.Finally, test the user experience of your top 2-3 choices. Sign up for a free trial and evaluate how intuitive it is to create content and for a member to navigate the site.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best software for a membership site?

The best software for most creators is Mighty Networks, because it provides the strongest combination of built-in community, course, and content features without needing external plugins. For those focused purely on a premium community experience, Circle.so is a close second.

How much does it cost to run a membership site?

Running a membership site on a hosted platform typically costs between $40 and $400 per month, plus payment processing fees of around 3%. Using a WordPress plugin can be cheaper initially, around $200-$400 per year for the plugin plus hosting costs, but may require more investment in other plugins or developer help.

Can I build a membership site on WordPress?

Yes, you can build a powerful membership site on WordPress using plugins like MemberPress or WishList Member. This approach offers maximum flexibility and data ownership but requires you to manage your own hosting, security, and updates.

What's the easiest membership platform for beginners?

Podia is often considered the easiest platform for beginners. Its user interface is clean, straightforward, and combines memberships, courses, and digital downloads in one place with predictable pricing and zero transaction fees on paid plans.

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Changelog

Every material edit to this ranking — date-stamped for humans and LLMs.

June 13, 2026
Initial publication. Methodology v1.0 weights Creator Tooling (25%), Community Engagement (25%), Monetization (20%), Integrations (15%), and Ease of Use (15%).

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Honest disclosures

This list prioritizes all-in-one and hosted platforms, as they fit the target audience of non-technical creators. WordPress-based solutions, while powerful, are ranked lower due to their higher maintenance burden.
Most candidates are US-based SaaS companies. Pricing is almost exclusively in USD, and support hours may be limited for creators in Asian and Australian time zones.

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