MemberPress vs SureMembers
This comparison pits the established leader, MemberPress, against the fast-rising SureMembers. MemberPress is a complete monetization platform including courses and billing integration. SureMembers offers extremely granular content protection and superior flexibility for agency use. You need to decide between an all-in-one suite or a focused access control tool.
Rock-Solid WordPress Membership Leader
MemberPress is a robust solution that simplifies complex membership site management and content monetization within WordPress. We found the combination of its drag-and-drop course builder and powerful content access rules to be highly effective. Overall, it stands out for offering enterprise-level control backed by universally praised customer support.
Pros
- Exceptional, responsive, and detailed technical support.
- Powerful course LMS platform with drag-and-drop functionality.
- User-friendly interface that simplifies content protection for non-coders.
- Reliable performance suitable for long-term content monetization.
Cons
- Transparency issues reported regarding subsequent annual renewal pricing.
- Introductory pricing model requires careful attention to full costs.
- Minor configuration limitations exist for highly customized setups.
User-Friendly Access Control for WordPress
We observe SureMembers delivering on its promise of being an exceptionally simple and fast way to set up content restriction. Its integration focus is robust, though we note that advanced monetization requires adopting the full SureCart and SureTriggers ecosystem. Overall, this is a top-tier WordPress membership plugin offering high usability and strong flexible features.
Pros
- Exceptionally user-friendly setup and clean interface.
- Granular control for restricting content, including sections within a page.
- Seamless integration with SureCart, SureTriggers, and WooCommerce.
- Effective content dripping and scheduling features.
Cons
- Professional functionality requires implementing the SureCart/SureTriggers ecosystem.
- Some users report that the documentation and tutorials are outdated.
- Highly polarized feedback exists regarding customer service response times.
AboutMemberPress
MemberPress is a complete WordPress plugin that makes building and monetizing your site simple. It serves creators who want to build the perfect membership site, sell online courses, and manage digital downloads. The platform offers extraordinary paywall power using Content Access Rules. This capability lets you customize who sees what content with just the click of a button. It's truly recommended as a great combination of rich features and easy use. ✅
AboutSureMembers
SureMembers is the versatile WordPress Membership Plugin designed specifically for securing and managing content. This powerful tool provides secure and tailored protection for any type of business. Whether you are an influencer crafting a Patreon-like experience or a course creator managing complex cohorts, SureMembers adapts to your needs.
Built by experienced industry veterans, SureMembers simplifies member management into a clear process. You simply create an Access Group, select the content you want to monetize, and decide how to manage any unauthorized visitors. It turns complex content restriction into a straightforward task. 💡
Highlights
Feature Comparison
Features Overview
We highlight the main differences and pick a winner for each feature.
Built-in Courses (LMS)
MemberPress includes a dedicated, drag-and-drop course platform. SureMembers requires external integration for courses.
MemberPress offers the robust MemberPress Courses LMS platform included with all plans. You get unlimited courses, lessons, and a built-in curriculum builder. MemberPress supports advanced features like assignments, gradebooks, and certificates in higher tiers. SureMembers does not offer a native Learning Management System solution. You must integrate SureMembers with external courseware, typically SureCart, for full e-learning functionality. If your primary goal is selling online courses, the integrated LMS in MemberPress saves significant hassle. Creators seeking an all-in-one educational platform should choose MemberPress immediately.
Granular Content Control
SureMembers can restrict content sections inside a page. MemberPress restricts entire pages or posts.
SureMembers provides exceptionally granular control over content segmentation. You can apply protection rules to specific HTML sections *within* any given page. This makes content teasers and upgrades highly flexible with SureMembers. MemberPress uses robust Content Access Rules applied to whole posts or pages. It provides powerful paywalling but lacks the fine-grained, section-level protection. SureMembers is best if you frequently use 'in-post' upgrades or require maximum flexibility for partial content display. MemberPress is perfect for protecting large, monolithic pieces of content.
Pricing Flexibility
SureMembers offers a valuable Lifetime license option. MemberPress is strictly an annual subscription.
SureMembers offers a highly attractive Business Lifetime plan priced at $599 (one-time). This eliminates all future recurring yearly fees entirely. All MemberPress plans are annual subscriptions starting at $179.50 (introductory price). MemberPress renewals are billed at the full, higher standard price. SureMembers provides better long-term cost predictability with its lifetime deal. MemberPress provides excellent value upfront but carries a higher future renewal cost concern.
Agency/Multi-Site Use
SureMembers supports up to 100 sites on its top tiers. MemberPress is primarily geared for single-site optimization.
SureMembers is clearly designed with agencies and professionals in mind. Its Business and Lifetime plans cover licenses for up to 100 separate websites. This massive capacity makes SureMembers highly scalable for client work. MemberPress is generally optimized for deep integration on a single site. Its focus is on maximizing monetization features like corporate accounts and tax integration. Agencies needing high volume licensing will find SureMembers substantially more cost-effective.
Advanced Revenue Tools
MemberPress natively supports Order Bumps and Corporate Accounts. SureMembers relies on its ecosystem for these features.
MemberPress Pro includes unique monetization features like Order Bumps at checkout. It allows you to sell Corporate Accounts and Gifted Memberships natively. This provides maximum control for driving significant revenue growth. SureMembers focuses strictly on member access control; complex commerce tools are delegated. You must use integrated platforms like SureCart to implement such advanced strategies. If you need built-in tools to maximize AOV quickly, MemberPress is the clear winner.
Payment Gateway Diversity
MemberPress supports more third-party gateways natively. SureMembers tightly integrates with SureCart and WooCommerce.
MemberPress offers broad support for gateways like Stripe, PayPal, and Square. The Pro plan even adds Authorize.net and TaxJar integration for taxes. This diverse support prevents missed sales globally. SureMembers integrates smoothly with SureCart and, secondarily, WooCommerce. While highly functional, this may force reliance on one primary payment ecosystem. MemberPress offers better flexibility if you need varied payment processors or advanced tax handling immediately.
Setup & Onboarding
SureMembers emphasizes clean, centralized rule management. MemberPress highlights its ReadyLaunch™ visual tool.
SureMembers is praised for its streamlined, centralized setup for access rules. Users report rapid configuration due to the clean interface and easy access group creation. MemberPress helps beginners launch quickly with its ReadyLaunch™ page maker. This tool creates gorgeous, mobile-responsive pages code-free. If visual design is your biggest hurdle, MemberPress helps you launch faster. If simple, central rule management is key, SureMembers is superior.
User Management & Migration
SureMembers features explicit Bulk Edit tools for efficiency. MemberPress focuses on subscription management complexity.
SureMembers highlights its Bulk Edit Users feature for administrative efficiency. It also promises easy user migration from previous membership platforms. This streamlines user administration tasks substantially. MemberPress excels at managing complex membership upgrade paths and prorations. Its strength lies in automated billing and subscription complexity. SureMembers is superior for managing large groups of existing users and migrating them seamlessly.
Our Verdict
Choosing between MemberPress and SureMembers is really about your primary business strategy. You need to decide if you want an all-in-one suite or a focused, scalable access tool. MemberPress is the established powerhouse, offering deep functionality for one major site. SureMembers is the agile newcomer known for flexibility and site coverage. MemberPress’s superpower is the integrated monetization platform. It includes a complete, built-in LMS for creating and selling courses easily. MemberPress Pro also unlocks advanced revenue features like Order Bumps and selling corporate licenses. If your goal is maximizing profit and complexity on a single site, MemberPress gives you all the tools natively. SureMembers shines with its superior licensing and granular control. It supports up to 100 websites, perfect for agencies and freelancers. SureMembers allows you to restrict tiny sections within a page, offering detailed content previews. Plus, the SureMembers lifetime license option provides unbeatable long-term value. The deciding factor is the core deliverable: Are you selling courses or protecting content access? If courses are primary, MemberPress is streamlined and simple. If you manage multiple sites or mainly need flexible protection, SureMembers is superior. Pick MemberPress if you are a course creator needing an integrated LMS. Choose SureMembers if you are an agency manager or need to protect content on many sites cheaply. Both MemberPress and SureMembers protect your content securely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for creating and selling online courses, MemberPress or SureMembers?
MemberPress is better because it offers a fully integrated LMS platform. This includes a drag-and-drop course builder and features like certificates. SureMembers requires integration with external tools like SureCart for full course functionality.
Does SureMembers offer a lifetime license like MemberPress?
SureMembers offers a highly attractive Business Lifetime license for $599 upfront. MemberPress does not currently offer a lifetime license option. MemberPress only provides annual subscriptions with renewing costs.
Can SureMembers restrict specific content sections within a page, or only whole pages like MemberPress?
SureMembers excels at granular control and can protect specific sections *within* a page. MemberPress generally applies its access rules to secure entire posts and pages only. SureMembers is more flexible for content teasers.
Which software is better suited for marketing agencies needing multi-site licensing?
SureMembers is clearly superior for agencies and multi-site use. Its top plans allow licensing across up to 100 client sites. MemberPress focuses its deep features on scaling a single, large project.
Which tool offers a wider range of native payment gateway integrations?
MemberPress offers broader integration support out of the box. It supports Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Authorize.net (Pro plan). SureMembers integrates tightly with SureCart and WooCommerce.
Does MemberPress include advanced revenue tools like Order Bumps?
Yes, MemberPress Pro includes native Order Bumps at checkout. It also enables selling Corporate Accounts and Gifted Memberships. SureMembers relies on its e-commerce integration, like SureCart, for these advanced options.
Ready to Choose?
Both tools have their strengths. Choose based on your specific needs.