WooCommerce Memberships – Why It’s So Popular?
WooCommerce Memberships is a comprehensive solution for creating and managing memberships within your WooCommerce store. It allows you to restrict content, products, and even entire sections of your website to members only. With features like content dripping, integration with WooCommerce Subscriptions, and the ability to offer exclusive discounts to members, it provides a seamless experience for both store owners and customers. Its flexibility and deep integration with WooCommerce make it a preferred choice for businesses aiming to build a loyal customer base through memberships.
WooCommerce Memberships Free vs Pro GPL — Comparison Table
| Feature | Free Version (Limited or None) | Pro GPL Version |
|---|---|---|
| Create Membership Plans | ❌ Not available | ✅ Yes |
| Content Restriction (Posts, Pages) | ❌ No | ✅ Full support |
| Product Access Control | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Member-Only Discounts | ❌ No | ✅ Available |
| Content Dripping | ❌ No | ✅ Scheduled content release |
| WooCommerce Subscriptions Support | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Manual/Automatic Memberships | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Updates & Support | ❌ None | ❌ No official support, manual updates |
Can You Get WooCommerce Memberships Pro for Free?
Yes, you can get WooCommerce Memberships Pro for free through GPL-licensed sources. The plugin is released under the General Public License, which means it’s legal to download, use, and modify. You’ll get full access to all premium features, but without automatic updates or official support. It’s a great option for experienced users or developers managing their own sites.
Best Free or Budget–Friendly Alternatives to WooCommerce Memberships Pro
Here are some great alternatives if you’re on a budget:
- Paid Memberships Pro (Free Version) – Offers basic membership features; paid add-ons available.
- Ultimate Member – Free core plugin with extensions for advanced control.
- Restrict Content – Lightweight and easy to use; free version supports basic restrictions.
- MemberPress (GPL) – Powerful and user-friendly; available via GPL sources.
- WP-Members – Free plugin with simple content restriction features.
These options work well for small businesses or anyone starting a membership site on a budget.
What Is WooCommerce Memberships Pro General Public License?
WooCommerce Memberships Pro GPL means the plugin is shared under the General Public License, allowing anyone to legally use, edit, and distribute it. You get all premium features without paying the official price. However, updates and support won’t come from WooCommerce. It’s a great solution if you’re confident handling plugins manually and want full control without ongoing costs.
WooCommerce Memberships Pro GPL vs Pro: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Pro GPL Version | Pro (Official) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free or low (via GPL sites) | Paid (official WooCommerce store) |
| Membership Features | ✅ Full access | ✅ Full access |
| Updates | ❌ Manual only | ✅ Automatic updates |
| Support | ❌ No official support | ✅ Full customer support |
| License Type | GPL (open-source) | Commercial license |
| Use on Multiple Sites | ✅ Unlimited | Depends on plan |
| Integration with Subscriptions | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Summary: Both offer full functionality. The GPL version is cheaper but requires manual handling. The official version gives you updates, support, and peace of mind.
WooCommerce Memberships Pro Version History and Timeline
- 2015 – Official launch with basic content restriction and membership plans.
- 2017 – Added support for WooCommerce Subscriptions and content dripping.
- 2019 – Introduced member-exclusive product access and purchasing rules.
- 2021 – Performance improvements and tighter integration with WooCommerce core.
- 2023–2025 – Ongoing updates for security, compatibility, and new automation features.
WooCommerce Memberships Pro has steadily grown into a trusted tool for creating flexible, powerful membership sites.