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Which Plugins Should You Choose to Use With an a membership plugin? -

Apr 4, 2022

When creating an online class using WordPress it is likely that you'll discover there are often several routes to reach the goal.

WordPress is the perfect instrument for selling and creating online classes because it's versatile and also because you own the platform. However, there numerous plugins to choose from which can get somewhat overwhelming.

Maybe you're in this situation for your own online class and are not sure which way to go. Assuming you are going to host your own WordPress site, you'll end up making the following choices for your courses:

  1. Use only for your courses
  2. Only use a membership plugin
  3. Utilize both

The solution to this question will depend on the details of your project, so I can't offer a strict guidelines on when you should make use of each. But let's look at various examples.

1. Use only

If this is something you're thinking about, you really do not need a membership plugin for protection of content. Our LMS will safeguard your content, without the use for a membership plugin by using Our Access Settings.

Let's take for instance that you wish to market three classes. The contents of these classes (lessons, quizzes, etc.) can not be seen by those who have not yet registered. Only people who are registered to the course are able to view the material. If someone purchases one course, they won't have access to other courses. Only access is granted to only the course they purchased.

If the course you are taking isn't completely free, then you're probably thinking about how you can add the option of paying for your course. integrates with the following top shopping carts

  • Easy Digital Downloads
  • SamCart
  • ThriveCart (beta)

It is important to note that the WordPress shopping carts (1 and 2 above) integrate with numerous payment processors. comes with the following three payment gateways if you prefer to use no shopping cart:

  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • 2Checkout

There is no problem using one of these methods to accept payment. It will secure your course's contents without having to use an additional membership plug-in. People who choose this approach will appreciate the simplified process of designing their courses as it cuts back on having to learn another solution.

2. Use a Membership plugin (Only)

It is important to note that there may be instances where using an LMS plugin, such as this one, isn't needed.

If your work only requires the protection of just a few pages, articles or even assets that are on your WordPress site Then a membership plugin is what you'll require. A learning management tool is in this instance excessive.

A good example of this is when you have a site that offers a community forum as well as possibly some beneficial downloads available to your members. If this is the case it is not necessary to install a plugin like because there isn't a need for course enrollments, quizzing, certificates, badges or points and report.

3. Utilizing Both and a Membership Plugin

Although a membership-based plugin isn't essential however, there are advantages to using with the membership plugin, based on your requirements.

For instance, if you're interested in having more metrics about the members of your organization, then the membership plugin is a nice value-add. Many membership platforms come with reports built-in to them. Used in conjunction with this gives you more insight into the users you have.

Another scenario where you can use each is when you own already a membership-based website, but you would like to add the course features with a formal, organized fashion. It is easy to increase the value of your membership website through the creation of classes for members to take. It is not necessary to alter the method you handle your members either since in this case you continue using your membership plugin.

has direct integration with the following solutions for membership:

A word of warning Avoid locking in vendors!

Learning programs can vary in demands and at times, these needs change. Start your learning program using one of the options above and then switch between them as required.

The thing I've learned from nearly a decade working in the field of e-learning is that learning software and online courses are not the same for everyone. Learning evolves and so do expectations.

Whether you use or not I highly suggest that you stay clear of any product that promotes an e-commerce site that is a singular method for content protection. Also, be cautious of any solution that is billed with the tagline "all-in-one". This is rarely the case and if it's the case, then that means you're locked-in too. You don't want to be taking this risk. This has caused people major headaches over the years.

Still confused? Check out this webcast!

In this webinar we discuss the most common scenarios where employing a membership-based plugin in conjunction could make sense.