Besides engaging audiences and ensuring they stay updated with the latest developments relevant to them, news publishers also seek revenue. This is necessary to sustain operations. In recent years, paywalls have emerged as a viable option for publishers to increase revenue.
Depending on the nature of implementation, paywalls allow users to access only limited amounts of content for free. In order to unlock access to premium content, users need to pay for the content they wish to see or subscribe to the website via a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee. Consider this approach similar to News-as-a-Service, just as you pay a subscription for a software service.
By implementing a paywall, your publication can selectively provide premium content that fulfills your customers’ needs. In return, you get compensated for all the hard work and effort that goes into creating engaging content. You can do all this while still creating regular content that is available to everyone for free.
Prominent publications and online magazines such as The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and The Washington Post have successfully implemented paywalls on their site. If WordPress powers your website, then plugins could simplify your implementation of a paywall. If you need a simplified explanation, you may read our post on News Paywalls and how they work.
Since finding the ideal WordPress plugin to implement a paywall for your website can be a daunting task, we created a guide with the 7 best paywall plugins for WordPress.
Paywall Plugins |
Features |
Price |
Free Version |
Leaky |
Supports traditional, hybrid & metered paywalls. |
$249/month |
Available |
Memberful WP |
Single sign-in. Automatic syncing of data. |
$25/month |
Available |
Member Press |
Restrict access to pages, child pages, custom posts |
$279 (customizable) |
Unavailable |
Restrict Content Pro Plugin |
Unlimited membership levels. Built-in member account dashboard. |
$99/year |
Available |
S2Member Plugin |
Integrates with leading payment options. Easy customization |
$89 (customizable) |
Available |
Paid Memberships Pro |
Content Restrictions, Membership Management, Admin Reports, Popular Site Enhancements |
$247 |
Available |
Zlick |
Zero Set-up cost, Flexible restrictions, Users can pay without signing up |
$37/month |
Available |
By implementing the Leaky Paywall, you will be able to have subscribers pay you via PayPal, MagHub, RunMags, and Stripe.
The Leaky Paywall plugin is available for download for free. The premium version costs $249 a month but offers setup and instant support to help you with smooth operations.
Also Read: Best Paywall Solutions
Using Stripe, you can use this paywall plugin to integrate the Memberful subscription tool to sell articles and post subscriptions. It implements a paywall and restricts content based on membership levels.
Memberful WP integrates with WordPress directly and allows users to automatically sign in once they have signed in to WordPress. Users don't have to log in twice.
The pay-per-click plugin allows you to restrict access to specific content and secure your website based on how many people are logged in at the same time.
You can construct password-protected forums using MemberPress, such as bbPress, which can significantly enhance your membership retention rates. You can also use this plugin to generate coupon codes. This will also help you increase your membership retention rates.
The MemberPress plugin offers professionally designed price pages that can be personalized for your website. You do not require any coding skills to set up or manage MemberPress.
This plugin costs $279 and includes 12 months of free support.
Also Read: News Paywalls Explained
You can create an unlimited number of membership levels, trial subscriptions, free trials, and paid subscriptions with Restrict Content Pro plugin. It also provides detailed reports on the site's performance, revenue, and transaction tracking, as well as modifies the information to match the needs of the client.
This paywall plugin allows you to view all of your members in one place, including active, pending, expired, canceled, and free members.
Your WordPress website has several membership levels. Restrict Content Pro helps you get complete control over the pricing, signup fee, and the role that members receive when they register. This plugin is priced at $99.
Also Read: How iZooto can help you increase paid subscriptions by 12%
When you purchase a pay-per-post plugin, you will acquire a security badge, which enhances visitor confidence but does not increase the security of your website. The membership plugin includes all of the features required to create a fully effective membership site, such as subscription renewal functions and restriction options.
Business owners can also sell user keys when entered into S2Member. This allows users to access digital content such as eBooks and online courses.
The plugin is free with the Free/Lite version and $89 with the Premium version.
Also Read: 12 Content Remarketing Playbooks for Publishers
You can generate sales and revenue reports for your business with Paid Memberships Pro, which will help you make smarter decisions in the future. You can also check how many members have joined and canceled, as well as how many active members there are.
You can give your members complete control over their profiles by granting them full access.
Although the Lite version is free, the Pro edition costs $247.
Also Read: Monetization challenges that are hurting publisher revenues
Users can pay-per-post or Subscribe for premium content using various methods of payment such as credit cards, apple pay, etc.
Readers can see the content previews before they see the Zlick button, allowing them to continue reading with a single click.
Zlick is made especially for content creators. This is why it is easy to use and set up. Everything is accessible easily.
Price- $37 per month. A free version is also available. Charges 5% for every transaction.
The plugins mentioned above, have different features and functionalities. They all offer various ways in which you can set up a paywall for your WordPress website. The plugin you choose should align with the content you are offering.
For example, if you only need a simple paywall to cover up the content on your WordPress website, then you can use Leaky Paywall, pay-per-view, or Memberful plugin.
If you want to do more with your site than just publish premium content, consider using one of the membership plugins. This suggests that you should create a variety of content for various subscription levels, community forums, products, and so on.
We suggest you make a list of goals for your WordPress site and business and then choose which plugin best resonates with your vision.
Looking for different plugins for your website? Check out the best WordPress plugin for you blog. We have a list of 14 plugins to choose from.