5 Best Platforms for Building a Membership Site in 2024

Want to build a membership site? Check out our analysis of the best membership site platforms available in 2024!

Oct 25, 2024
5 Best Platforms for Building a Membership Site in 2024
The subscription economy has increased by an impressive 435% in less than a decade. This growth is largely due to how well membership sites attract and keep customers. These platforms help creators share more of the content their audiences want, leading to stronger connections and loyalty.
A key benefit of membership sites is that they create a steady income for creators, allowing them to make money from their unique offerings.
For course creators and content entrepreneurs, the benefits of membership sites are clear. It's all about using your existing audience to offer them exclusive, valuable content that keeps them coming back.
If you’re interested in building a membership site, this guide will show you the best membership site platform options for 2024.

TL;DR

  • Membership Site: A website offering exclusive benefits (like premium content and events) to members, generating recurring income through subscriptions and fostering a community.
  • Membership Site Platform: Software that supports the structure of a membership site, managing tasks like member rosters, payments, and content sharing.
  • Benefits of Membership Sites:
      1. Recurring Revenue: Provides stable income through subscriptions.
      1. Scalability: Easily serves a large number of members with minimal extra work.
      1. Community Building: Connects like-minded individuals, enhancing engagement.
      1. User-Generated Content: Encourages members to contribute, boosting platform growth.
      1. Bundled Offers: Allows for added value through exclusive content and perks.
  • Choosing the Right Platform: Consider pricing, essential features, user-friendliness, customization, scalability, and integration capabilities.
  • Top 5 Membership Site Platforms for 2024:
      1. Bullet.so: Notion-based builder offering content restriction and member management.
      1. Kajabi: Versatile platform for various products, includes email automation and analytics.
      1. MemberSpace: Integrates with existing websites, focusing on easy member management and content protection.
      1. Squarespace: Design-focused builder with membership features and beautiful templates.
      1. Podia: All-in-one solution for courses, memberships, and digital products, known for its simplicity.
Each platform offers unique features tailored to different needs, making it essential to choose one that aligns with your goals for a successful membership site.

Quick comparison of Best Membership Site platform of 2024

Platform
Used for
Key Features
Price
Bullet.so
Entrepreneurs, Creators & Communities
Customizable sites, user engagement tools
$19/month
Kajabi
Pre-Recorded Courses & Basic Memberships
All-in-one solution, marketing automation
$159/month
Memberspace
create and manage membership-based websites and communities.
Easy integrations, content protection
$199/month
Squarespace
Design-Centric Users
Beautiful templates, drag-and-drop editor
$23/month
Podia
Course website builder
Course creation, email marketing, one-time payments
$33/month + 5% transaction fees

What is Membership Site?

A membership site is a website that offers exclusive benefits to members, either paid or free. These benefits often include premium content, training, events, or special offers.
Membership sites enable creators to generate recurring income through subscriptions, fostering a community where members feel they belong, rather than just being customers. Successful membership sites can grow into 6-, 7-, or even 8-figure businesses by offering valuable, tailored experiences that keep members engaged.

What is Membership Site platform?

A membership site platform is the software solution that powers the structure of a membership site. Most membership-based businesses rely on these third-party platforms rather than building their own from scratch.
These platforms provide out-of-the-box solutions for handling essential tasks such as managing member rosters, processing payments, creating subscription plans, and facilitating discussions and content sharing.
Using a dedicated membership platform allows creators to focus on delivering valuable content and experiences without worrying about the technical complexities of running the site.

Benefits of a Membership Site

A top-notch membership site platform can bring several significant benefits to your business:
  1. Recurring Revenue Streams: Membership sites create a stable and predictable income through monthly or annual subscriptions, helping businesses generate consistent cash flow.
  1. Scalability: Once your membership site is set up, it can scale with minimal additional work. You can serve thousands of members with just a few hours of management per week.
  1. Community Building: A membership site connects your audience with like-minded people, offering them growth opportunities and a focused environment they can’t find anywhere else.
  1. User-Generated Content (UGC): Encourage members to contribute content, reviews, or discussions, creating a self-sustaining platform that drives growth—similar to how social media platforms thrive.
  1. Bundles and Premium Offers: You can bundle memberships with additional perks such as exclusive events, courses, coaching sessions, private groups, and other premium content. These extra benefits add immense value to your membership offering, enticing more users to join.
Membership sites offer a smart, scalable way to monetize your expertise, build a thriving community, and provide value to a dedicated audience.
By choosing the right platform, you can simplify the process and focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional content and experiences to your members.

How to Choose the Best Membership Site Platform

Choosing the right membership site platform is crucial for your success. Here are some key factors to consider:
  • Can I afford the platform’s pricing, and does it offer value for the features I need?
  • Does the platform offer key features like content protection, user engagement tools, payment processing, and customization options?
  • How user-friendly is the platform for both myself and my members?
  • Does the platform allow me to fully customize my site’s design and functionality to match my brand identity?
  • Can the platform handle my growth as my membership site expands?
  • Does the platform integrate with my other tools?

5 Best Membership site platforms for 2024

1. Bullet.so: The Best Membership Site Platform

Bullet.so: A Notion Website builder
Bullet.so is a Notion-based website builder that serves as the best membership site platform for creators and communities. It provides a streamlined way to manage and build your membership site. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features for content restriction and member management, Bullet.so is an ideal choice for anyone seeking a simple yet effective solution.
What sets Bullet.so apart is its ability to offer three types of membership controls:
  • Password Protection: This feature allows users to secure their content behind a password, ensuring that only paying members can access it. This not only protects exclusive content but also increases perceived value, making members feel special and more likely to stay subscribed.
  • Email Confirmation Access: By requiring users to confirm their membership via email, Bullet.so helps ensure that only legitimate members gain access to content. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access and helps maintain a trusted community, allowing creators to foster stronger relationships with their audience.
  • Segment-Specific Content Restriction: This feature lets users restrict content based on specific membership levels, allowing creators to tailor the experience for different groups. For example, premium members might access exclusive courses or resources, while basic members see different content. This customization enhances user satisfaction and engagement, as members feel they are receiving benefits suited to their level of support.
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Easily secure your content with Bullet.so. Get started today!
Key Features:
  • User-Friendly Interface: Bullet.so leverages Notion’s intuitive design, enabling quick setup of your membership site and easy member engagement without a steep learning curve.
  • Built-in Membership Features: Monetize your site with exclusive content for subscribers, using features like gated access, password protection, and user segmentation to enhance value.
  • Custom Domain Integration: Connect your site to a custom domain for a professional look, boosting your brand identity and credibility.
  • Effortless Content Management: Utilize Notion as your CMS for real-time content updates, ensuring seamless creation and organization without coding.
What users say about Bullet.so:
Review in building a membership site

2. Kajabi

Kajabi is popular among business owners because it’s versatile and easy to use. It allows you to sell various products, like courses and memberships, and includes tools for email automation and funnels. While some users have faced email delivery issues, Kajabi provides everything you need to create and manage a membership site.
Kajabi
One of Kajabi's main strengths is its membership management capabilities. It combines website building, payment processing, and content delivery in one platform, making it easier to run your membership program.
Although it can be a bit pricey, many users find it user-friendly and appreciate the Kajabi University resources that help them learn how to use the platform effectively.
Key Features:
  • Automated Member Management: Helps organize and support your members easily.
  • Analytics Tracking: Monitors important metrics like churn rate and recurring revenue.
  • Scalability: Supports different membership sizes, allowing you to grow your community.
Kajabi makes it simple to generate recurring income, build customer loyalty, and establish your authority in your niche—all while streamlining your membership operations.

3. MemberSpace

MemberSpace is a top choice for businesses that already have a website and want to add membership functionality without starting from scratch. It integrates smoothly with popular platforms like WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace, making it easy to set up a membership site without switching platforms.
MemberSpace
The platform is simple to use, with features like content protection and easy member management. You can control who sees your content, restrict access to paying members, and create custom membership plans.
Key Features:
  • Seamless Integration: Works with your existing website on platforms like WordPress and Squarespace.
  • Content Protection: Restrict access to members-only content.
  • Custom Membership Plans: Offer different tiers and pricing for your memberships.
MemberSpace makes it easy to transform your current site into a membership platform, offering flexibility and security for your members.
What users say about Kajabi:
A review from kajabi user

4. Squarespace

Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular website builder known for its stunning design templates and drag-and-drop interface. While it's primarily used for creating beautiful websites, it also offers membership site features. It’s a great choice for users who prioritize design and want to add membership functionality to their site.
Squarespace allows creators to sell subscriptions, offer member-only content, and manage memberships directly within their existing website. Its user-friendly interface makes it easy to customize your site’s look and feel while keeping everything professional.
Key Features:
  • Beautiful Design Templates: Perfect for design-focused creators who want their site to stand out.
  • Built-In Membership Tools: Offer member-only content and subscriptions.
  • Easy Customization: Simple drag-and-drop editor for quick site updates.
Squarespace is ideal for creators who want a visually appealing membership site with easy-to-use tools and customization options.
What users say about squarespace:
A review from squarespace user

5. Podia

Podia
Podia is an all-in-one platform designed for creators and coaches who want to sell courses, memberships, and digital products. It's known for its simplicity and affordability, making it a great option for those just getting started with a membership site.
With Podia, you can create a membership program, manage email marketing, and even sell one-time digital products—all from a single platform. It’s designed to streamline the process of building and growing your audience, with tools that support creators in delivering value and engaging their members.
Key Features:
  • Course Creation: Sell online courses and memberships with ease.
  • Email Marketing: Built-in tools for sending newsletters and promotions.
  • One-Time Sales: Sell digital products alongside memberships.
Podia is perfect for creators who need a straightforward, all-in-one solution to sell memberships, courses, and digital content without the hassle of managing multiple tools.
What users say about Podia:
A review from the Podia user

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating a membership site can be a great way to monetize and build a loyal community. Picking the right membership platform is important because it helps you manage members, payments, and content easily.
Platforms like Bullet.so, Kajabi, MemberSpace, Squarespace, and Podia each have special features that cater to different needs. By using these platforms, you can provide your members with exclusive content and a valuable experience.
With the right tools and a good plan, your membership site can grow and become successful over time.
💡 Build your membership site with Bullet.so and engage subscribers effortlessly. Start now!

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Can I use my existing website for a membership site? Yes, platforms like Memberspace allow you to integrate membership features into your current website seamlessly.
2. Why should I use a membership site platform?
Membership platforms make it easy to manage members, payments, and content, so you can focus on giving value.
3. Can I make money with a membership site?
Yes, membership sites can earn money through subscription fees, allowing creators to monetize their expertise.
4. What features should I look for in a membership platform?
Look for features like content protection, tools for engaging members, payment processing, and customization options.
5. Which membership platform is best for beginners?
Platforms like Podia and Bullet.so are user-friendly and great for beginners wanting to start a membership site.