10 Best Membership Site Builders and Platforms For Your Business

Do you wish you could expand your offerings and make more sales? Then, you need to start a membership site and create a new monetization channel for your business. In fact, 63.5% of membership businesses say their income got higher within the first year. 

With a dedicated membership site platform, you can set up your membership easily, have your own website in minutes, and engage your members successfully. However, what platform can be more suitable for your business?

In this article, you are about to find out:

• How can starting with a membership site platform be beneficial for you?
• Which platform may better suit your needs?
• What pricing system and benefits can those membership platforms offer you? 
• What do you need to consider when choosing a membership site platform?

Why start with a membership site platform? 

A membership site is your website where users pay a recurring fee to access exclusive content, services, or community features. By having a membership site, you can create a steady income stream, build a loyal customer base, and offer specialized content that adds value for your members. 

Starting with a membership site platform comes with multiple benefits. 

If you are a creator who enjoys financial stability and likes a predictable income stream every month, starting with a membership site platform is a great way to do so. That is why membership-based platforms offer you membership management tools, such as automated emails, membership perks, and communities. 

Besides providing a considerably higher income level, membership sites become an excellent touchpoint for you to engage with your students. In our days, businesses are looking for more ways to engage with their audiences directly. That is why membership site platforms cannot be overlooked. The fact is that 99% of memberships said their customers stay for longer than 3 months at a time. 

And, of course, starting with the platform offers the necessary insights into what members prefer and how you can improve the content to meet their needs. Nowadays, about 20.84% of the sites run their businesses on membership sites. 

One of them is Carrie Green, a successful entrepreneur, best-seller author and an online course creator. She started creating memberships in 2013 and soon earned her first million. Getting all the answers she sought from her audience, she began creating all those little guides, workbooks, and worksheets her students needed.

By the end of 2014, she already had 1441 members, thus gaining a monthly revenue of $36,000.  Her income became so steady that she could already make donations. Now, she inspires thousands of creators around the world to build their own membership-based businesses.

Which membership site platform is right for you?  

Now, the question is, which of the membership platforms can help you become a successful creator? Here is a quick rundown of the best membership site platforms for you. 

Uteach 

If you are looking for an all-in-one solution as your membership management software, Uteach can be the best solution for you. By all-in-one, we mean you can have your courses, digital downloads, communities, memberships, and bundles all in one place. 

Pricing: Uteach offers a flexible pricing system and 3 main plans. If you are a beginner, you can choose the Launch plan and also pay 10% of your sales. This system ensures you pay when you earn. Besides, all the features are included in all paid plans, as Uteach does not limit your creativity & business. 

It is not a secret that a great membership site platform should help you manage different formats of content. With Uteach, you can create and deliver a wide range of content, including pre-recorded video courses, live sessions, digital downloads, landing pages, blog pages, etc. 

Yet, diversified content is not the only way to engage your audience. You can also create paid and free communities to engage your members and build their loyalty toward your business. 

The best part is you can manage your membership site even without any technical expertise. Uteach offers lots of pre-made website templates for your niches so that you can get started easily. 

Main Features 

• 100% white-labeled membership site 
• Your branded mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices
• Community with the opportunity to create multiple discussion topics
• Detailed analytics and reporting for you to make data-driven decisions
• Opportunity to offer discounts and create memberships

“I have been with Uteach since shortly after their launch, and I could not be happier that I made the change. Uteach offers all of the advanced tools that course creators need. Where Uteach excels is in their customer support; they are always responsive and super friendly. Unlike other (more expensive) platforms, they provide additional blogging capability for SEO, a Mobile App, CRM customization, and all the integrations creators need to be successful. If you are a new course creator in search of a platform, UTeach should be your first choice”. 

G2 reviewer

Podia 

Podia is a simple and flexible solution for people who want to have their blog, newsletter, and products in one place. If you want to offer mainly online courses and digital downloads through your membership site, Podia is the best for you. 

Pricing: Podia has 4 main plans, including a free version. Yet, you can achieve merely nothing when you choose the first two pricing options. Why? They are simply too limited, and you can keep the larger part of your content in a draft version without being able to publish. So, if you decide to scale and start big, you should at least choose the Mover plan, which comes with 5% transaction fees. 

Podia is a truly simple solution and was first designed as a membership platform. The community features are available even in the Free version. You can create free, paid, and plan-based memberships for your community. 

When it comes to branding your membership site, Podia does not have much to offer. You cannot customize the templates in a way to fully match your business brand. Plus, as a membership site platform, it does not allow you to have a completely white-label website. With all this in mind, you can still choose one of the many templates Podia offers and build your membership site in minutes. 

Main features 

• Easy-to-use and straightforward membership website builder
• Blog publishing with the opportunity to create newsletters out of your blog articles
• Basic community functionality with discussion forums
• Opportunities to create groups
• Analytics and reporting tools, including your email performance analytics

“Podia is an All-In-One platform for creators to showcase their products, information, and stories for all to see. Moreover, you can also generate passive income using the built in email, community, and membership capabilities. I love it! One place - Does it all!” 

G2 reviewer

Teachable 

The next on our list of best membership website platforms is Teachable. If you plan on offering coaching, courses, and digital products on your membership site, Teachable is best for you. 

Pricing: Teachable offers 5 main pricing plans, with its top tier being $499/month. Besides the highest plan, all the other tiers come with limitations on the number of courses, products, and digital downloads you can create. If you do not want to pay transaction fees, consider getting either Pro or Pro+, depending on your needs. 

One of the best things about Teachable is that it is highly focused on online courses. You can, of course, offer your courses and products in a membership. The membership you create can be organized into different tiers. Teachable offers lots of customization options when it comes to memberships. For example, you can manage the students’ access level to your tiers, customize the price and content for each tier, have annual or monthly pricing, a free trial, etc. 

However, you cannot create and share blogs on Teachable, which may be important for your membership community. So, if creating blog articles is an inseparable piece of your life, you might want to consider other membership site platforms in our list. 

Main features 

• Create communities and share posts & updates with community members
• Get an easy and customizable landing page builder
• Access the mobile app (only for iOS devices)
• Offer discounts and additional content to your community members
• Access lots of third-party integrations 

“What I love about Teachable is its easy interface and assistance in collecting taxes from customers around the world. You do not have to worry about applying different tax rates. Teachable does that for you”.

G2 reviewer

Mighty Networks 

If your online creating business revolves around communities, look no further than Mighty Networks. On this membership management platform you can build member profiles, member lists, organize virtual events for your members, etc. 

Pricing: Mighty Networks offers 4 main pricing options and does not provide a free version. Even the lower tiers include the necessary features for you to be able to run your community and host online courses. The most affordable plan is the Community, which is $49 billed monthly. 

With Mighty Networks, you can host live events for your community members, offer pre-recorded courses, create discussions, etc. It is a nice solution to provide a dedicated space for your membership participants to engage and interact with each other. For instance, the community members can see the common interests and similarities with other members.

There is an opportunity to create Spaces for your members and connect those spaces to bundles. This way, you can decide which of your members can have access to your content on Mighty Networks, as well as any separate Space you created. 

For those who want to build memberships on a branded app, Mighty Networks created Mighty Pro. 

Main features 

• Advanced community features, chat, forums, and messaging included
• Branded mobile app and branded website for Mighty Pro users
• Advanced analytics and reporting tools for your membership website
• Your courses, live & virtual events, spaces, and communities all in one place
• Opportunity to create hidden plans and discounts 

“We like how well it integrates into our website. People interested in joining a safe community follow the link from our site. It's a great alternative to Facebook which has many privacy issues and we find our target audience seeking better spaces”. 

G2 reviewer

Kajabi 

Kajabi is another membership site platform for creator-led businesses. With your membership site built on Kajabi, you can offer coaching programs, communities, digital products and online courses. 

Pricing: Kajabi is known to be one of the most expensive solutions, if not the most expensive one. It does not offer a free plan and presents 5 pricing options for creators. The lowest tier starts at $69 for a monthly subscription. All Kajabi plans put limitations on the number of products, funnels and students you can have. 

You can set up a recurring revenue stream by building your membership on Kajabi. Your content may include not only your online course but podcasts and other products as well. Kajabi especially accentuates its marketing features. So you can build funnels and lead your visitors through those funnels until they become paying members. 

Kajabi also provides the analytical tools you need to analyze churn rates, track your revenue, and manage your members. However, it does not offer many options for you to have a complete white-label website with your own branding. 

Main features 

• Customizable templates for your membership website
• Accountability tools and challenges inside the community
• Funnel-building tools and automation
• Subscription-specific reports for your memberships
• Tools to automate key interactions with your audience 

“Membership is quite hard to implement on this platform. You have to customize how you create your courses, and members may look simple, but you'll end up with hundreds of products and offers as you continue having memberships. There's also no way to bundle, categorize or, if on the front-end, have all your over a hundred courses in categories”. 

G2 reviewer

Thinkific 

If you still haven’t found the membership website builder you need, we have more options for you. Thinkific is best if you want to create different formats of learning content, track progress, and market and sell your courses. 

Pricing: Thinkific offers 4 main pricing solutions without any free plan. Their most affordable plan starts at $49 when billed monthly. The platform limits the number of communities and admins you can create. Although pricier than the other solutions discussed in this article, Thinkific does not charge transaction fees. 

With Thinkific, you can generate income by creating paid membership communities. In fact, you can present your membership program with different pricing strategies.  For example, you can create an all-access-membersjip site, or create multiple membership packages for different tiers. 

Besides, you can bring more engagement by creating communities. You can assign communities to not only courses but products as well. Thus, you can control and manage everything within your community. 

Main features

• Membership website builder with drag-and-drop functionality
• A mobile app, which includes the community functionality
• Thinkific App Store with more than 80 apps
• Opportunities to create bundles and subscriptions
• Analytics and reporting tools for different aspects of your creation business

“It is a system that we have become familiar with because we use it for both online learning and membership. The support team is helpful and listens to our ideas”. 

G2 reviewer

WildAbricot 

WildApricot is an all-in-one membership management system. This platform allows you to manage your contacts, send emails, manage event attendees, create a website, sell products, manage payments, etc. 

Pricing: The pricing on WildApricot largely depends on paying intervals and the number of contacts you have. For example, you may decide to pay monthly, a year ahead, or even 2 years ahead. In the case of monthly billing, you should pay $60 for 100 contacts. There is also a free trial available. 

WildApricot offers all the tools you need to manage your membership. For example, you can add contacts to your database, make your pages available only for members, and automate recurring tasks, such as renewals & reminders. 

Besides, you can also choose one of the mobile-friendly templates and build your website with drag & drop functionality and widgets. The platform ensures fast payment processing and a mobile app for admins. 

However, you cannot create communities where your members can connect and collaborate. Though you can choose one of the website templates and customize it, they are not quite modern. 

Main features

• Create and manage events with descriptions and listings 
• Cloud-based database for your membership data
• Manage and track contacts with the emailing system
• eCommerce integrations
• Website templates fit for mobile devices as well

“What I like best about WilApricot is that it is like a one stop shop where you can manage memberships, events, booking system, online payment&donations and sending out flyers and newsletters at the same time. There are also templates we can choose on and we can do something and schedule it to go out anytime”. 

G2 reviewer

MemberSpace 

MemberSpace is a platform where you can build a website and create & sell your digital products. It integrates well with popular CMS solutions and allows selling your digital content with different pricing options, including free member plans. 

Pricing: MemberSpace does not offer a free version. Its paid plan starts at $39, plus you will need to pay a fixed 5% fee. 

MemberSpace will help you if you want a certain page or part of your website to become accessible only to members. Afterward, you will be able to send email campaigns, add members, manage them, and access the analytics. Thus, you can control access to the content on your membership site, whether it’s articles, videos, online courses, or digital downloads, and offer subscription plans or one-time payment options to your members. 

You can use MemberSpace to manage member sign-ups, process payments, and customize member experiences.  The membership website builders MemberSpace integrates with include WordPress, Squarespace, Webflow, and Wix. 

Main features

• Connect MemberSpace with your favorite CMS tool
• Opportunity to set up automated email campaigns
• Integrations with SSO and Zapier
• Member navigation options, including native menu
• Tiered access to your content 

“Once you set everything up, you don't have to worry about it too much. I also really like that I can use it with Monday.com via Zapier so that I can keep track of memberships. As well, I use the Community Box integration for listing and mapping our members. However, I've been particularly happy with the support that I'm getting”. 

G2 reviewer

Kartra  

Kartra is another marketing solution that enables you to create sales funnels, run marketing campaigns, host online courses, and automate detailed email sequences all in one platform. If you need powerful marketing tools, Kartra is for you. 

Pricing: Kartra offers 3 main pricing options, with the lowest tier being $119 if billed monthly. The contacts and webinars you can have for each tier are limited. You can also start with a 30-day free trial. 

With Kartra, you can upload your digital materials, host webinars, and share videos with your members. It allows running campaigns easily, as there are more than 90 campaigns already designed for you. In their turn, those campaigns help you map funnels and move your members through them. 

Besides, you can monitor your member data to ensure the onboarding process is smooth and your membership website is healthy. Your membership program can contain different tiers so that it fits the budget of every client. 

However, Kartra does not have a mobile app, and you cannot make your membership website available directly from an application. 

Main features 

• Landing page builder with more than 500 professional website templates
• Evergreen membership program with drip content functionality
• Opportunities to create coupons and limited-time deals
• Membership program tracking tools
• Email marketing tools to manage membership subscriptions

“ Having everything in one place is so handy. I love that my membership, my affiliate, my products, and my cart are all on the same platform. Yes, many all-in-ones do this, but I like the flow of Kartra. I also like the built-in page builder. It is a time saver. I also love having the analytics right there”.

G2 reviewer

Wix 

The last membership website builder on our list is Wix. It is a beginner-friendly tool that will help you build a professional online presence with the help of ready-made templates and a drag-and-drop interface.  Wix can be the solution for you, especially if you are looking to build an eCommerce site. 

Pricing: Wix offers four main pricing options. In fact, you can get started for free, build your website, and decide to pay for Wix Premium features later. If you are not using the paid version, you will not be able to connect a custom domain, remove Wix branding, etc. The four pricing options come with limitations to the storage space. 

If you build your membership website with Wix, you can access many membership features. For example, a member area feature can help you create content, especially for premium users. You can also manage the paid memberships and customize the user experience. 

Wix also offers community tools. Thus, you can have a website where customers can not only make purchases but also make new connections. 

Main features 

• SEO tools to optimize your membership website for search engines
• More than 800 beautiful website templates you can choose from
• CRM with chats, forms, and other ways to get leads
• A mobile app to run your business on the go
• Advanced email marketing capabilities

“I've designed about two dozen websites for clients using Wix. Very easy to use. The templates are excellent. New features are cutting edge. Customer service is a bit more difficult to reach. Integrations with other software programs seem adequate so far”.

G2 reviewer

Key factors for choosing a membership platform 

That is it! We have analyzed the best membership website platform for you. However, it may still be difficult for you to choose, as each of these platforms comes with its unique features. 

User experience 

It should go without saying that a great user experience is what you should be looking for in a membership website platform. A platform with an intuitive interface ensures that both you and your members can navigate it easily. 

Customization options

Another important factor to consider is customization and flexibility. Your membership platform should allow you to match the design and functionality of your brand and meet your specific needs. So, think about this.  Does the platform offer the kind of templates I need for my business? Can I create flexible membership tiers? How does the platform help me provide an exclusive experience for my members? 

Also, look if the platform puts any limitations on the number of members, storage, or anything you create. You might start small at the beginning, yet the platform should be able to accommodate your needs as you grow. 

Content management functionality

You'll need a system that allows you to easily create, organize, and deliver content to your members.

You should have all the flexibility when it comes to delivering your content. For example, can you use drip scheduling? Can you share blog content? How can you categorize the content? Would you have access to multimedia elements? 

Also, you may want to restrict access to certain content based on membership levels. So, choose a membership website builder that helps you manage access and provide diverse formats of content. For example, with Uteach, you can post and share everything, from pre-recorded courses and audio to digital downloads. 

Community management 

The reason people purchase memberships from you does not lie solely in your exclusive content. They are also interested in the experience you can provide. And what can channel that experience if not your dedicated community? 

With the help of the community, your members can gain new connections and collaborate with other members. Of course, you may be using third-party tools like Facebook groups to manage your community. However, if the community is the core of your business, choosing a platform that offers such features is always a better idea. 

Payment processing 

The payment methods a membership website platform provides play a huge part in whether people become paying members. If they cannot find a payment method supported by their country, they are unlikely to pay. 

That is why you need to analyze the payment gateways your platform offers and see if there are enough options for you. 

What is my next step? 

Essentially, whichever membership website builder you should choose depends on your business needs. As you can see, each of them has its unique functionality when it comes to website design, branding, membership management, and community. 

If you need a membership website platform where you can offer everything in one place, including online courses, digital downloads, and live and coaching sessions, consider starting with Uteach. With Uteach, you can also present your offers in bundles, offer memberships for your business needs, and engage your members with a dedicated community. 

Explore more of Uteach features and get started with your 14-day free trial today.