PaywallTools monetization wizard

Best Memberful alternatives in 1970.

Looking for alternatives to Memberful? Here are the best options depending on your use case.

Why look for alternatives?

Memberful ranks lower on tax handling, advanced billing flexibility, which is the most common reason teams evaluate alternatives.

Top alternatives

01
MemberPress

WordPress membership and subscription plugin

The most popular WordPress membership plugin. Handles subscriptions, content restriction, course selling, and drip content. Works with Stripe, PayPal, and others.

Pricing
Basic $179/year. Plus $299/year. Pro $399/year.
Pick if
lowest fees matter most
Facts
PaywallsNo-code
02
Ghost

Open-source publishing with built-in paid memberships

Open source publishing platform with native paid memberships via Stripe. 0% platform fee — only Stripe's processing costs. Best for established writers who want full control.

Pricing
Self-hosted: free. Ghost(Pro): from $18/month. 0% platform fee on memberships.
Pick if
lowest fees matter most
Facts
PaywallsNo-codeOpen source
03
Beehiiv

Newsletter platform with paid subscriptions and ad network

Newsletter platform built for growth. Strong analytics, A/B testing for subject lines, paid subscriptions, and a built-in ad network. 0% platform fee on paid subscriptions.

Pricing
Free up to 2,500 subscribers. Scale from $42/month. 0% platform fee on paid subs.
Pick if
paywall and conversion tooling is the priority
Facts
A/B testingPaywallsNo-code
04
Patreon

Membership platform for creators

The original creator membership platform. Large built-in discovery network. High fees (8-15%) but strong brand recognition. Handles some tax compliance.

Pricing
Lite: 8% of earnings. Pro: 12%. Premium: 15%. Stripe fees on top.
Pick if
paywall and conversion tooling is the priority
Facts
Tax handlingPaywallsNo-code
05
Lemon Squeezy

Payments, subscriptions and MoR for indie SaaS

Default choice for indie SaaS founders. Tax compliance out of the box, license key management, excellent DX. Acquired by Stripe in 2024.

Pricing
5% + $0.50 per transaction. Acquired by Stripe 2024.
Pick if
you want global tax and VAT handled for you
Facts
Merchant of recordNo-code
06
Polar

Open-source monetization for developers

Lowest MoR fees on the market (4% + $0.40). Open source, built for developers and OSS projects.

Pricing
4% + $0.40 per transaction (lowest MoR fees on the market)
Pick if
you want global tax and VAT handled for you
Facts
Merchant of recordNo-codeOpen source
07
Gumroad

Sell anything digital, instantly

Fastest path from idea to first sale. Built-in marketplace gives discovery. High fees (10%) are the trade-off for zero setup friction.

Pricing
10% + $0.50 per transaction. 30% if sold via Gumroad marketplace.
Pick if
you want global tax and VAT handled for you
Facts
Merchant of recordNo-code
08
Payhip

Sell digital products and memberships

More customizable than Gumroad with better fee structure at volume. Does not handle VAT globally.

Pricing
Free: 5% fee. Plus $29/mo: 2%. Pro $99/mo: 0%
Pick if
you want the fastest, simplest setup
Facts
No-code

Comparison table

ToolPricingMoRA/BEase
MemberfulFree (10% + Stripe fees). Pro $49/mo (4.9%). Premium $199/mo (0% transaction fee).NoNo5/5
MemberPressBasic $179/year. Plus $299/year. Pro $399/year.NoNo4/5
GhostSelf-hosted: free. Ghost(Pro): from $18/month. 0% platform fee on memberships.NoNo3/5
BeehiivFree up to 2,500 subscribers. Scale from $42/month. 0% platform fee on paid subs.NoYes5/5
PatreonLite: 8% of earnings. Pro: 12%. Premium: 15%. Stripe fees on top.NoNo5/5
Lemon Squeezy5% + $0.50 per transaction. Acquired by Stripe 2024.YesNo5/5
Polar4% + $0.40 per transaction (lowest MoR fees on the market)YesNo5/5
Gumroad10% + $0.50 per transaction. 30% if sold via Gumroad marketplace.YesNo5/5
PayhipFree: 5% fee. Plus $29/mo: 2%. Pro $99/mo: 0%NoNo5/5

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