A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
by Edna Gilzow
More often than not when somebody begins an enrollment website, they are pondering the sacred goal of online pay which is repeating automated revenue. Everybody needs to have this sort of pay, isn't that so? It resembles gathering rent each and every month without expecting to gather it yourself. This digital book contains state-of-the-art data on how you can adapt enrollment locales the correct way.
LEARN MORE →Giving members a reason to join and stay
A membership can bring people together around useful resources, shared interests, ongoing support or access to your expertise.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Create members-only areas, manage access levels and collect subscription payments. Some tools add these features to a website you already run, while others provide a hosted space for content and community discussions. Consider what members will receive, how often you can deliver it and whether you need a content library, an active community or a combination of both.
Planning your first membership? Read our short planning guide below →
The directory is developing incrementally. We’ll add research and first-hand testing as we carry them out, while keeping straightforward listings useful for discovery.
aMember Pro is membership and subscription software installed on your own web hosting. Protect members-only content, create membership levels and collect one-off or recurring payments through services such as Stripe or PayPal. It works independently of WordPress and can also connect to a WordPress site. A single-site lifetime licence costs US$149 before tax, including six months of support and updates. Further support and updates are an optional US$80 a year. Hosting and payment processing are separate costs. A free online demo is available, with no downloadable trial. Installation assistance is included with the software.
○ Directory listing
Outseta adds member registration, login, protected content and subscription payments to an existing website or app. It also brings member records, email campaigns and support messages into one system, which can reduce the number of separate services you manage. Connect a supported site builder or add its signup and login forms to a custom site, then take payments through Stripe. A 14-day trial is available. Entry pricing is US$47 a month, or US$37 a month billed annually, for up to 1,000 contacts. This plan also carries a 2% Outseta transaction fee alongside Stripe’s processing fees. Your website and hosting are separate.
○ Directory listing
Payhip provides a hosted membership site for sharing exclusive content with subscribers. Offer different membership levels, publish private posts and downloadable resources, and schedule content for later release. Members can comment on posts and manage their own subscriptions, while you control which content each level can access. Recurring payments require Stripe, with options for weekly, monthly or annual billing. The Free plan has no monthly charge and supports unlimited members and membership levels, with a 5% Payhip transaction fee plus Stripe’s processing fees. Paid plans reduce or remove Payhip’s percentage fee; payment processing charges still apply.
○ Directory listing
Skool is a hosted platform for running a membership community around a shared subject or interest. A discussion feed, course library, event calendar and live calls bring content and member activities together. You can run a free community or charge for access, with points and leaderboards available to encourage participation. Group owners pay for the platform even when membership is free. Following a 14-day trial, the Hobby plan costs US$9 a month, with a 10% plus US$0.30 fee on each paid transaction. The Pro plan costs US$99 a month and offers lower percentage transaction fees.
○ Directory listing
WishList Member adds membership features to a WordPress website. Create free or paid membership levels, protect selected pages and posts, and release content gradually after someone joins. Members can manage their access through a dashboard, while payment and email integrations help connect subscriptions with your wider site. The Basic plan supports one website with unlimited members and membership levels. Current introductory pricing is US$149.50 for the first year, renewing at the standard US$299 annual price. There is no WishList transaction fee, although payment processing and WordPress hosting cost extra. Purchases include a 14-day money-back guarantee.
○ Directory listing
Decide who the membership is for and what gives people a reason to remain involved. That might be updated resources, regular feedback, group discussions or access to your expertise. Explain what members receive and how often. Keep the initial promise manageable: a schedule you can maintain matters more than a long list of planned features.
A hosted platform provides the space and manages its underlying software. Adding membership features to your own website gives you more responsibility for hosting, updates and backups. Consider whether you need private content, conversations between members, live sessions or several access levels. Start with the features needed to deliver your membership and check how you can export member information if your needs change.
Compare monthly or annual charges, transaction fees, payment processing and any separate hosting costs. Look beyond an introductory offer to the renewal price. Before inviting members, walk through registration, payment, content access and cancellation so the process is clear. Explain your billing schedule and what happens when someone leaves. Allow time for answering questions, welcoming new members and maintaining the resources or activities you have promised.