Looking for a membership plugin and comparing Ultimate Member vs MemberPress? Both are popular choices, but they approach membership sites differently. Understanding their differences will help you choose the right one for your needs.
In this comparison, I’ll break down both plugins across key areas: features, pricing, ease of use, and use cases. By the end, you’ll know which one fits your project better.
Plugin Overview
Let’s start with what each plugin offers:
Ultimate Member
Ultimate Member is a comprehensive membership solution that focuses on:
- User profiles and directories
- Content restriction
- Form building
- User management
It’s designed for sites that need robust user management and content protection.
MemberPress
MemberPress is a membership and course plugin focused on:
- Paid memberships
- Course delivery
- Payment processing
- Subscription management
It’s designed for sites selling memberships and online courses.
Key Feature Comparison
Let’s compare their main features:
Content Restriction
Ultimate Member: Built-in content restriction with role-based access
MemberPress: Content restriction tied to membership levels
Both handle content restriction well, but Ultimate Member offers more flexibility.
Payment Processing
Ultimate Member: Requires Stripe extension for payments
MemberPress: Built-in payment processing with multiple gateways
MemberPress has stronger built-in payment features.
Form Building
Ultimate Member: Advanced drag-and-drop form builder
MemberPress: Basic forms, focuses on membership signup
Ultimate Member offers more form customization.
User Profiles
Ultimate Member: Comprehensive profile system with directories
MemberPress: Basic profiles, focuses on membership info
Ultimate Member has stronger profile features.
Course Features
Ultimate Member: No built-in course features
MemberPress: Built-in course and lesson management
MemberPress excels at course delivery.
Pricing Comparison
Let’s look at costs:
Ultimate Member
Pricing structure:
- Free core plugin
- Extensions sold separately or in bundles
- One-time or subscription options
- More flexible pricing
You can start free and add what you need.
MemberPress
Pricing structure:
- Paid plugin (no free version)
- Subscription-based pricing
- Different tiers for different features
- Higher initial cost
Requires upfront investment.
Ease of Use
How easy is each to set up and use?
Ultimate Member
Ease of use:
- Intuitive interface
- Visual form builder
- Clear settings
- Good for beginners
Designed to be user-friendly.
MemberPress
Ease of use:
- More complex setup
- Requires payment gateway configuration
- Steeper learning curve
- More technical knowledge helpful
More powerful but requires more setup.
Use Cases
Which plugin fits different scenarios?
Choose Ultimate Member If:
- You need free memberships
- You want user directories
- You need advanced forms
- You want flexible content restriction
- You’re building a community
Choose MemberPress If:
- You’re selling paid memberships
- You’re delivering online courses
- You need subscription management
- You want built-in payments
- You’re monetizing content
Integration Options
Both integrate with popular plugins:
- Ultimate Member: Many extensions available
- MemberPress: Integrates with course plugins, email marketing
- Both work with WooCommerce
- Both support popular themes
Support and Updates
Both offer good support:
- Ultimate Member: Premium support available
- MemberPress: Support included with license
- Both receive regular updates
- Both have active communities
Final Recommendation
Choose Ultimate Member if you need:
- Free memberships
- User directories
- Advanced forms
- Flexible content restriction
Choose MemberPress if you need:
- Paid memberships
- Online courses
- Subscription management
- Built-in payments
Conclusion
Both plugins are excellent but serve different purposes. Ultimate Member is better for community sites and free memberships, while MemberPress is better for monetized memberships and courses. Consider your primary goals and choose accordingly.