Memberful vs Recurly: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Memberful and Recurly comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Memberful
Membership software for creators
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need membership sites features specifically
- • You need membership software for creators
- • You want to start free and upgrade later
Recurly
Automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need subscription billing features specifically
- • Automates subscription management and recurring billing for digital businesses.
- • Offers advanced churn mitigation, revenue recovery, and global payment capabilities.
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Membership Sites | Subscription Billing |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Memberful | Recurly |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 179 | 0 |
| Categories | Membership SitesSubscription Billing | Subscription BillingPayment Processing |
Understanding the Differences
Both Memberful and Recurly solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Memberful positions itself as "membership software for creators" while Recurlyfocuses on "automate exceptional digital subscription experiences to grow recurring revenue and improve retention.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Memberful
Memberful makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution.
When to Choose Recurly
Recurly is worth considering if you need a professional-grade tool. Scoring 85/100, it edges ahead in our evaluation.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Memberful lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Memberful
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Recurly is built for teams that are leveling up.
We'd pick: Recurly
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Recurly takes enterprise seriously.
We'd pick: Recurly
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Memberful, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Recurly higher (85/100). But the community has upvoted Memberful more (179 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Recurly Does Better
- Higher overall score (85/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Memberful If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Recurly (85/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Recurly scores higher in our analysis, but Memberful might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memberful or Recurly better?
Based on our analysis, Recurly scores higher with 85/100. Memberful isfreemium while Recurly is paid. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Memberful to Recurly easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Memberful and Recurly offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Memberful is freemium with a free tier.Recurly is paid with potential trial. Visit their websites for current trial offers.