10 Best Membership Sites Tools in 2026

Updated: February 2026

Membership and course platforms

Key Takeaways

  • Circle is our #1 pick for membership sites in 2026, scoring 86/100.
  • We analyzed 46 membership sites tools to create this ranking.
  • 4 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 84/100 - high-quality category.
1
Circle logo

Circle

Community platform for creators and brands

86/100
Paid

Circle is a community platform for creators and businesses to build online communities with courses, discussions, events, and memberships. Features include live streams, gamification, and custom branding.

2
Kajabi logo

Kajabi

All-in-one creator platform

86/100
Paid

Kajabi is an all-in-one platform for selling courses, memberships, and digital products. Course builder, website, email marketing, and payments unified. Pipelines automate marketing funnels and customer journeys. Community features engage members beyond content. Mobile app for learning on the go. Built for creators who want one platform for their entire business.

3
Circle logo

Circle

Community platform

85/100
Paid

Circle is a community platform for creators, brands, and businesses. Build engaged communities with discussions, events, courses, and member directories. Customize spaces for different topics or membership tiers. Native mobile apps and web experience. Monetize with paid memberships and gated content. Integrations with your existing tools. The community platform designed for modern creators and their audiences.

4
Thinkific logo

Thinkific

Course creation platform

85/100
Freemium

Thinkific is a platform for creating and selling online courses. Drag-and-drop course builder requires no technical skills. Host video, quizzes, downloads, and live lessons. Customizable landing pages and checkout optimize sales. Community features build student engagement. Student progress tracking and completion certificates. The course platform that lets experts turn knowledge into income.

5
Teachable logo

Teachable

Create and sell online courses

84/100
Freemium

Teachable is an online course platform for creators and entrepreneurs. Create courses with videos, quizzes, and coaching sessions. Sales pages and checkout convert visitors to students. Native email marketing nurtures leads and students. Affiliate marketing tools expand reach. Analytics reveal what content resonates. Over 100,000 creators use Teachable to teach what they know.

6
Mighty Networks logo

Mighty Networks

Community platform for creators and brands

84/100
Paid

Mighty Networks builds communities where members learn and connect. Courses, events, and discussion—community platforms for creators and organizations. The features support learning communities. The customization creates identity. The monetization is built in. Creators building learning communities choose Mighty Networks for course-integrated community.

7
Memberstack logo

Memberstack

Membership and authentication for no-code sites

82/100
Paid

Memberstack adds memberships to any website. Gated content, user accounts, and payments—membership features without platform migration. The integration works with existing sites. The setup is straightforward. The flexibility is high. Site owners adding membership features choose Memberstack for easy membership integration.

8
Tribe logo

Tribe

Community platform with customization

82/100
Freemium

Tribe builds branded community platforms. Custom communities for businesses—community infrastructure with your brand. The customization is extensive. The features are community-focused. The branding is complete. Organizations wanting owned community platforms choose Tribe for branded communities.

9
Podia logo

Podia

Sell courses and memberships

82/100
Paid

Podia is an all-in-one platform for creators to sell courses, webinars, downloads, and coaching. Build your store, email list, and community in one place. No transaction fees on any plan. Beautiful storefronts without design skills. Drip content and membership tiers. Everything creators need to monetize their expertise.

10
Substack logo

Substack

Newsletter platform for writers

82/100
Freemium

Substack powers newsletter businesses. Writing platform for paid newsletters—where independent writers build audiences. The platform defined independent newsletters. The discovery helps growth. The business model is clear. Writers building newsletter businesses often start on Substack.

Best Membership Sites For

What is Membership Sites Software?

Membership and course platforms

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the membership sites software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best membership sites tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Common Features of Membership Sites Software

Automation

Automate repetitive membership sites tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Membership Sites Software?

Membership Sites software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

  • Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
  • Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex membership sites needs
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
  • Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Membership Sites Software

When evaluating membership sites tools, consider these key factors:

  1. Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. Consider your budget. 4 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including Thinkific and Teachable.
  3. Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best membership sites software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, Circle ranks as the #1 membership sites tool in 2026 with a score of 86/100. Other top-rated options include Kajabi and Circle.

Are there free membership sites tools available?

Yes! Thinkific, Teachable, Tribe offer free plans. In total, 4 of the top 10 membership sites tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank membership sites tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in membership sites software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank membership sites tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

Rankings are updated regularly as we receive new reviews and as tools release updates. Last updated: February 2026.

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