Running a membership website — whether for online courses, subscription content, or digital products — requires a solid membership plugin.
Two of the most popular options for WordPress are:
MemberPress
Restrict Content Pro (RCP)
Both have strong reputations, but they differ in features, flexibility, pricing, and integrations.
In this guide, we’ll compare them head-to-head so you can choose the best for your 2026 membership site.
What Is MemberPress?
MemberPress is a full-featured WordPress membership plugin that allows you to:
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Create unlimited membership levels
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Restrict content easily
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Sell digital products & subscriptions
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Integrate with payment gateways
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Build forums, courses, and protected areas
It’s known for ease of use and strong feature depth.
What Is Restrict Content Pro?
Restrict Content Pro (RCP) is a lightweight membership plugin that focuses on streamlined access control and subscriptions.
It’s popular with developers and businesses that want clean, performance-focused membership setups without unnecessary bloat.
MemberPress vs Restrict Content Pro – Feature Comparison
| Feature | MemberPress | Restrict Content Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Registration Fields | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Subscription Management | ✅ Advanced | ✅ Advanced |
| Payment Integrations | Credit Cards, PayPal, Stripe | Credit Cards, PayPal, Stripe |
| Discount Codes | Yes | Yes |
| Drip Content | Built-in | Plugin/Add-on |
| Course LMS Integration | Yes (via add-ons) | Yes (via 3rd party) |
| Performance / Lightweight | Moderate | Lightweight |
| Developer Friendliness | Good | Excellent |
Key Differences
🔹 Ease of Use
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MemberPress: Very beginner-friendly with visual menus and setup wizards
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RCP: Clean interface, slightly more developer-oriented
🔹 Feature Depth
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MemberPress: Richer built-in features (dripping, rules, content access)
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RCP: Minimal core, additional features via add-ons
🔹 Performance
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RCP wins for lighter footprint and speed
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MemberPress loads more functions but remains stable
🔹 Pricing Flexibility
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MemberPress: Higher starting cost
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RCP: More affordable for entry-level sites
When to Choose MemberPress
➡️ You want a powerful all-in-one solution
➡️ You expect many membership levels and complex rules
➡️ You want built-in course and forum integration
➡️ You want a plugin that grows with your business
Recommended for: Agencies, online course creators, service providers
When to Choose Restrict Content Pro
➡️ You want a lightweight membership system
➡️ You’re performance-focused
➡️ You’re comfortable with a few add-ons for advanced features
➡️ Budget is a priority for smaller sites
Recommended for: Content blogs, newsletters, digital downloads, small membership portals
Affiliate Recommendation Section (Place Under Comparison)
If you’re ready to choose, here are the official links:
Using the official plugin links ensures you get updates and support, and helps support this blog at no extra cost to you.
Use Case: Online Courses
✔ MemberPress + LMS add-on
💡 Easier setup, deeper integration
Use Case: Newsletter / Content Lock
✔ Restrict Content Pro
💡 Simple, fast, affordable
Use Case: Paid Community
✔ MemberPress
💡 Built-in rule logic and advanced upgrades
Use Case: Lightweight Blog with Paid Access
✔ Restrict Content Pro
💡 Minimal impact on speed
Still Have Questions?
It depends on your needs. MemberPress offers more built-in features, while Restrict Content Pro is cleaner and lighter.
Yes. Both integrate smoothly with SEO plugins like Rank Math for schema and title optimization.
Yes, both can be integrated with WooCommerce for product-based memberships with appropriate extensions.
Yes, you may require email automation integrations like FluentCRM, Mailchimp, or ActiveCampaign via add-ons or third-party tools.
Final Thoughts
Both MemberPress and Restrict Content Pro are excellent WordPress membership plugins — but they target slightly different needs.
Choose MemberPress if you want rich features with minimal add-ons.
Choose Restrict Content Pro if you want clean performance and minimal overhead.
Your choice should align with your long-term business goals, budget, and expected membership complexity.