Best WooCommerce Access Control Plugins Compared (2026)

Why restrict WooCommerce store access?

Not every WooCommerce store is meant for the general public. Whether you run a wholesale operation, an employee discount program, a members-only club, or an invite-only launch, you need a way to control who can purchase.

The WordPress ecosystem offers several approaches, each with different trade-offs. This guide compares the most popular options in 2026.

1. GateCoupon (Coupon Gating)

GateCoupon requires customers to apply a valid coupon code before they can complete checkout. Products remain visible and SEO-indexed, but purchasing is locked behind a code.

Best for

• Invite-only stores
• Pre-launch campaigns
• Employee discount programs
• B2B access with minimal setup

Features

• Require any valid coupon or a specific code
• Cart blocking + checkout validation + URL protection
• Server-side validation (cannot be bypassed)
• Custom error messages
• Minimum cart amount threshold
• Category restrictions (PRO)
• Role exclusions (PRO)
• WooCommerce Blocks support (PRO)

Pricing

• Free: full coupon gating, cart blocking, custom messages
• PRO: $29/year (1 site), $79/year (unlimited sites)

Pros and cons

|---|---|

2. WooCommerce Memberships

The official WooCommerce extension for membership-based access control. Integrates tightly with WooCommerce Subscriptions for recurring payments.

Best for

• Membership sites with content dripping
• Subscription-based access
• Stores needing per-user access tracking

Features

• Membership plans with timed access
• Content and product restriction
• Drip content scheduling
• Member discounts
• Integration with WooCommerce Subscriptions

Pricing

• $199/year (1 site)

Pros and cons

|---|---|

3. MemberPress

A popular WordPress membership plugin that integrates with WooCommerce for product access control.

Best for

• Course and content creators
• Sites with multiple membership tiers
• Communities with forums and LMS

Features

• Unlimited membership levels
• Content access rules
• Built-in course builder
• Community forums (addon)
• Integration with major payment gateways

Pricing

• Basic: $359/year
• Plus: $599/year
• Pro: $799/year

Pros and cons

|---|---|

4. Password Protected (Site-Wide)

The simplest approach: lock the entire site behind a single password using the built-in WordPress feature or a plugin.

Best for

• Development/staging sites
• Internal company stores
• Temporary maintenance lockdowns

Features

• Single password for the entire site
• No registration required
• Built into WordPress (or lightweight plugin)

Pricing

• Free

Pros and cons

|---|---|

5. Restrict Content Pro

A membership and content restriction plugin that works alongside WooCommerce.

Best for

• Publishers with premium content
• Sites mixing free and paid content
• Stores with subscription products

Features

• Unlimited subscription levels
• Content restriction shortcodes
• Payment gateway integrations
• Member management
• Detailed reporting

Pricing

• $99/year (1 site)
• $249/year (unlimited sites)

Pros and cons

|---|---|

Comparison matrix

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Which should you choose?

Choose GateCoupon if:

• You need simple checkout access control
• SEO matters (products should be indexed)
• You don't need per-user membership tracking
• You want the fastest possible setup
• Your budget is limited

Choose WooCommerce Memberships if:

• You need per-user access tracking
• You want content dripping
• You're already using WooCommerce Subscriptions
• You're building a full membership site

Choose MemberPress if:

• You're building an online course or learning platform
• You need forums and community features
• Budget isn't a primary concern
• You want an all-in-one solution

Choose Password Protection if:

• The site is for internal use only
• SEO is irrelevant
• You need a temporary lockdown
• Simplicity is all that matters

Choose Restrict Content Pro if:

• You're a publisher with premium content
• You want affordable membership features
• You need unlimited subscription levels

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all solution. For simple, SEO-friendly checkout gating, GateCoupon offers the best value at the lowest complexity. For full membership sites with per-user tracking and recurring billing, WooCommerce Memberships or MemberPress are the established choices. Evaluate based on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level.