Most “best membership platform” lists are built for course creators and online communities. They’re not much help if you’re an ecommerce or retail brand trying to turn one-time buyers into loyal, paying members.
This list is different. We’ve rounded up 10 membership platforms built specifically for ecommerce, tools that let you sell membership tiers, gate perks, and reward repeat purchases directly from your store. Each entry covers what the platform does well, where it falls short, what it costs, and how real users rate it, so you can pick the right fit without demoing all 10 yourself.
TL;DR: 10 Best Membership Platforms at a Glance
| # |
Platform |
Rating |
Best For |
Starting Price |
| 1 |
99minds |
5.0/5 (36 reviews) |
Ecommerce brands turning buyers into loyal members across multiple platforms |
Free to install, plans from $49/month |
| 2 |
Bold Memberships & Loyalty |
4.3/5 (81 reviews) |
Members-only access control on an existing store |
First 10 members free forever, then $0.13/member/month |
| 3 |
Appstle℠ Memberships |
5.0/5 (802 reviews) |
A polished, high-volume member portal |
Free (25 members), from $19/month |
| 4 |
Conjured Memberships |
4.8/5 (89 reviews) |
Perk and content-driven membership programs |
Free dev plan, from $9.99/month + fees |
| 5 |
Memberply Memberships |
5.0/5 (7 reviews) |
Zero percent transaction fees |
$49/month flat |
| 6 |
Rivo |
4.8/5 (1,354 reviews) |
Loyalty-first brands wanting VIP tiers |
Free (200 orders/month), from $15/month |
| 7 |
Smile.io |
4.9/5 (4,292 reviews) |
Widely integrated points-and-referrals loyalty |
Free (200 orders/month), from $15/month |
| 8 |
LoyaltyLion |
4.5/5 (508 reviews) |
Data-driven, analytics-heavy loyalty programs |
Free (400 orders/month), from $199/month |
| 9 |
Recurpay |
4.9/5 (496 reviews) |
Budget-conscious brands starting with subscriptions |
Free (3.5% fee), from $19/month |
| 10 |
Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards |
4.7/5 (944 reviews) |
Brands wanting loyalty and reviews under one platform |
Free (under 100 orders/month), from $199/month |
What Should You Look for in a Membership Platform?
A good membership platform needs to do more than gate a discount code. Before comparing specific tools, check each candidate against these criteria:
- Flexible tier and pricing controls: Set up multiple membership levels with different perks and renewal terms, rather than a single fixed plan
- Transparent payment processing and transaction fees: These eat into your margins over time, so confirm the real cost at your order volume, not just the advertised starting price
- Perk flexibility: The best platforms let you mix points, store credit, exclusive access, and free shipping instead of locking you into one reward type
- Ecommerce and POS sync: Members should earn and redeem the same perks whether they buy online or in-store
- CRM and marketing integrations: The platform should connect to the tools you already use instead of becoming a data silo
This list focuses on ecommerce-native membership and loyalty tools, ones that tie perks directly to purchases, rather than platforms built for hosting courses or community content.
Here’s a closer look at each platform, including features, limitations, pricing, and real user ratings.
Here’s a closer look at each platform, including features, limitations, pricing, and real user ratings.
99minds is built for ecommerce and retail brands that want to turn one-time buyers into loyal, paying members. It follows a simple four-step model: set up your program, create membership tiers and perks, engage members with automated rewards, and optimize based on performance data.
Unlike most other platforms on this list, 99minds isn’t tied to a single ecommerce platform, so you can run the same membership program whether you sell on Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, or Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
This flexibility makes it a practical pick for growing brands that might expand to a new sales channel or platform down the line, without having to rebuild their membership program from scratch.
99minds best features
- Works across Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, so you’re not locked into one platform if your store grows or migrates
- Flexible membership management to create and edit tiers, pricing, duration, and perks from a single dashboard
- Automated 99minds loyalty rewards and renewals, so members get points and perks without manual work on your end
- Unified 99minds store credit, loyalty, and memberships in one system instead of juggling separate apps
- A 99minds tiered loyalty program that combines naturally with paid membership tiers for deeper engagement
- 99minds MemberPass, a membership card that lives directly in a customer’s Google or Apple Wallet
- Seamless 99minds integrations with CRM, POS, and marketing automation platforms
99minds limitations
- Full membership functionality is available starting on the Premium plan, so smaller stores may need to grow into it
- Built specifically for ecommerce loyalty and membership programs, not for hosting courses or community content
- Free: 50 free monthly transactions, 1 integration
- Basic: $49/month
- Pro: $99/month
- Ultra: $199/month, adds VIP tiers and Apple and Google Wallet integration
- Premium: $499/month, adds full membership programs and advanced VIP tiers
- Enterprise: custom pricing
99minds ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 5.0 out of 5 (36 reviews)
- G2: 5.0 out of 5 (5 reviews), with reviewers highlighting easy setup, POS integration, and responsive support
2. Bold Memberships & Loyalty
Bold Memberships & Loyalty lets Shopify merchants gate exclusive products, content, and discounts behind paid membership plans, with recurring billing handled automatically. It comes from Bold Commerce, a company known for its subscription and checkout tools, so it tends to fit naturally into stores already running other Bold apps.
The app works well for brands that want a straightforward way to sell access to a members-only catalog or price tier, rather than building out a full points-based loyalty program.
Store owners can set up multiple membership levels, each with its own perks and price point, and manage everything from a single Shopify admin panel.
Bold Memberships & Loyalty best features
- Members-only access control for products, collections, and content
- Tiered membership plans with automated recurring billing
- Perks like exclusive discounts and early access to new products
- POS recognition, so in-store staff can identify members at checkout
Bold Memberships & Loyalty limitations
- Some advanced tier customization options are reserved for higher-priced plans
- Available only for Shopify stores, so BigCommerce or Salesforce Commerce Cloud brands will need a different option
Bold Memberships & Loyalty pricing
- Free: first 10 members free forever
- Paid plans: $0.13 per member, per month after that, with no flat monthly base fee
Bold Memberships & Loyalty ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.3 out of 5 (81 reviews)
3. Appstle℠ Memberships
Appstle℠ Memberships takes an Amazon Prime-style approach, letting stores build membership plans with perks like free shipping, member-only pricing, and exclusive content, all managed through a dedicated member portal.
It’s part of the wider Appstle℠ suite of subscription and loyalty apps, so it integrates naturally if you’re already using Appstle℠ for subscriptions or rewards elsewhere in your store. The app tends to appeal to larger catalogs and higher-volume stores, thanks to its polished member-facing portal and flexible plan builder.
Merchants can create multiple tiers with different perk combinations and let customers self-manage their membership right from their account page.
Appstle℠ best features
- Amazon Prime-style membership plan builder with flexible perks
- Automated billing and renewal management
- A dedicated member portal where customers manage their own plan
- Migration support for stores switching from another membership app
Appstle℠ limitations
- The number of available features can feel like a lot to configure at first
- Currently limited to the Shopify ecosystem
Appstle℠ pricing
- Free: up to 25 members
- Paid plans: from $19/month
Appstle℠ ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 5.0 out of 5 (802 reviews)
4. Conjured Memberships
Conjured Memberships focuses on perk-driven membership programs, letting stores gate content, classes, and downloadables behind paid tiers alongside more standard perks like free shipping and early access.
It’s built by the Conjured team, whose broader catalog of subscription apps means it pairs naturally if you’re running other Conjured tools on your store. The platform suits brands that want to combine physical perks, like free shipping or early access, with digital extras such as gated tutorials or downloadable content.
Membership tiers are fully customizable, letting merchants mix and match which perks unlock at each price point.
Conjured Memberships best features
- Membership tiers with recurring billing built in
- Gated content, classes, and downloadable perks
- Early access and free shipping as configurable member perks
- Integrates with other Conjured subscription apps for a unified setup
Conjured Memberships limitations
- Transaction fees apply on top of the monthly plan cost
- Only available to Shopify merchants
Conjured Memberships pricing
- Free: developer/test stores
- Paid plans: from $9.99/month, plus transaction fees
Conjured Memberships ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.8 out of 5 (89 reviews)
5. Memberply Memberships
Memberply Memberships keeps things simple with a flat monthly fee and zero transaction fees, making it an appealing option for stores that want predictable costs as membership sales grow. The app strips membership management down to the essentials, tiers, perks, and gated access, without a lot of extra configuration to learn along the way.
This makes it a good fit for smaller stores or first-time membership programs that want to test the waters before investing in a more feature-heavy platform. Because pricing doesn’t scale with member count or sales volume, costs stay predictable even as your program grows.
Memberply Memberships best features
- Zero percent transaction fees on membership sales
- Tiered membership plans with member-only discounts
- Gated content and product access by tier
- Straightforward, flat-rate pricing
Memberply Memberships limitations
- Fewer built-in integrations than some larger competitors
- Built exclusively for the Shopify platform
Memberply Memberships pricing
- $49/month flat, no transaction fees
Memberply Memberships ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews)
6. Rivo
Rivo is a loyalty and rewards platform that layers VIP tiers, points, and referrals on top of your store, giving members a reason to keep coming back even without a formal paid membership plan. It’s built for brands that want to reward repeat purchases and engagement rather than sell access outright, using points and status tiers as the core mechanic.
Rivo pairs loyalty with a referral program in the same dashboard, so you can run both without stitching together separate apps. It’s one of the more widely reviewed loyalty apps on the Shopify App Store, with a large user base spanning store sizes.
Rivo best features
- Points-based loyalty program with customizable earning rules
- VIP tiers that unlock perks as customers spend more
- Built-in referral program to turn members into advocates
- Unified customer profiles across loyalty, referrals, and reviews
Rivo limitations
- VIP tiers are unlocked on higher-priced plans
- Doesn’t extend beyond Shopify, so multi-platform sellers will need a different tool
Rivo pricing
- Free: up to 200 orders/month
- Paid plans: from $15/month
Rivo ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.8 out of 5 (1,354 reviews)
7. Smile.io
Smile.io is one of the most widely used loyalty platforms on Shopify, combining points, VIP tiers, and referrals with a large library of app integrations. It’s designed to work well for stores of nearly any size, from small shops testing their first loyalty program to larger brands running multi-tier VIP systems.
Customers earn and redeem points through a branded Loyalty Hub, which can be customized to match your store’s look and feel. Smile.io’s long track record and broad integration ecosystem make it a common choice for merchants who want a loyalty program that plays well with their existing marketing stack.
Smile.io best features
- Points program with flexible earning and redemption rules
- VIP tiers and referral program built in
- A dedicated Loyalty Hub where customers track their rewards
- Wide range of integrations with marketing and helpdesk tools
Smile.io limitations
- Some customization options require a higher-tier plan
- Shopify-only, with no native BigCommerce or Salesforce Commerce Cloud support
Smile.io pricing
- Free: up to 200 orders/month
- Paid plans: from $15/month
Smile.io ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.9 out of 5 (4,292 reviews)
8. LoyaltyLion
LoyaltyLion leans into data, giving merchants detailed analytics and customer segmentation alongside its points and VIP tier features. It’s aimed at brands that want to understand exactly how their loyalty program affects repeat purchase rate and customer lifetime value, not just run a points system.
The platform lets you segment members by behavior and target specific groups with tailored rewards or campaigns. LoyaltyLion tends to appeal more to established, data-driven brands than to stores just getting started with loyalty.
LoyaltyLion best features
- Points and VIP tier program with flexible rules
- Deep analytics and customer segmentation tools
- Customizable loyalty page to match your brand
- Detailed reporting on program performance and ROI
LoyaltyLion limitations
- Entry-level pricing is higher than several other platforms on this list
- Limited to Shopify stores
LoyaltyLion pricing
- Free: up to 400 orders/month
- Paid plans: from $199/month
LoyaltyLion ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.5 out of 5 (508 reviews)
9. Recurpay
Recurpay started as a subscription management tool and has expanded into member perks, positioning itself as a budget-friendly option with real, human support behind it. It’s a good fit for stores that already sell subscription products and want to layer membership-style perks on top, rather than building a separate program from scratch.
Recurpay is known for hands-on onboarding, including free migration help for stores switching from another subscription app. That combination of affordability and support has made it popular with smaller or newer ecommerce brands.
Recurpay best features
- Subscription and recurring order management
- Member-only perks and discounts tied to subscription status
- Free, white-glove migration from other subscription apps
- Direct access to human support, 24/7
Recurpay limitations
- The free plan carries a transaction fee
- Available exclusively on Shopify
Recurpay pricing
- Free: 3.5% transaction fee
- Paid plans: from $19/month
Recurpay ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.9 out of 5 (496 reviews)
10. Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards
Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards pairs a points, VIP tier, and referral program with Yotpo’s broader reviews and SMS marketing suite, making it a natural fit for stores already using Yotpo elsewhere. Because it shares customer data with Yotpo’s review and SMS products, brands can trigger loyalty rewards based on reviews left or texts opened, without extra setup work.
The app supports multiple reward types, including points, VIP tiers, and referral bonuses, so merchants aren’t limited to a single reward mechanic. It’s a common choice for mid-size to larger brands that want their loyalty program tied into a wider customer marketing stack.
Yotpo best features
- Points-based loyalty program with VIP tiers and referrals
- Tight integration with Yotpo reviews and SMS marketing
- Customizable rewards page and redemption options
- Detailed program analytics and reporting
Yotpo limitations
- Entry-level paid plans are priced higher than several other platforms on this list
- Shopify-only, though it pairs naturally with other Yotpo products
Yotpo pricing
- Free: under 100 orders/month
- Paid plans: from $199/month
Yotpo ratings and reviews
- Shopify: 4.7 out of 5 (944 reviews)
All 10 platforms on this list can help you build a paid membership or loyalty program, but they’re not interchangeable. Most of the competitors here are Shopify-only apps focused on either loyalty points or membership access control, not both. If you want a single system that combines membership tiers, loyalty rewards, store credit, and gift cards, and one that isn’t locked to a single ecommerce platform, 99minds is the strongest fit on this list.
With its 99minds membership program, you get flexible tiers, automated rewards, and a MemberPass that lives in your customers’ digital wallets, all running the same way whether your store is on Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, or Salesforce Commerce Cloud. Get started with 99minds and launch a branded membership program in minutes.
Pairing membership tiers with a referral incentive is one of the fastest ways to grow your member base. If that’s on your roadmap, see our breakdown of the 8 best Shopify referral apps for options that plug in alongside a membership program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best membership platform for creators?
99minds and Bold Memberships & Loyalty both work well for creators selling digital content or perks through their store. If you're building a dedicated course or community platform instead of an ecommerce membership program, a standalone course platform is built specifically for that use case.
What is the difference between a membership platform and a course platform?
A membership platform ties perks like discounts, points, or exclusive access to a paid tier within your existing store. A course platform is built to host and deliver lessons, videos, and community content, usually as a standalone product rather than an add-on to an ecommerce store.
Which membership platform has the lowest transaction fees?
Memberply Memberships stands out with 0% transaction fees on its flat $49/month plan. Check the TL;DR table above for a full breakdown of pricing and fees across all 10 platforms.
Are standalone community platforms better for community memberships?
Standalone community platforms are a strong choice if you're building a community separate from your store, but they aren't built for tying membership perks directly to ecommerce purchases the way the platforms on this list are. If your membership program lives inside your store, an ecommerce-native platform like 99minds will be a better fit.
What are the best free membership platforms to start with?
Rivo, Smile.io, Appstle℠ Memberships, and Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards all offer usable free tiers with order or member caps, so you can test a program before committing to a paid plan. 99minds also lets you get started free, with 50 monthly transactions included.
Which membership platform integrates best with Shopify?
All 10 platforms on this list are available as Shopify apps. 99minds includes a dedicated
99minds Shopify integration, but it isn't limited to Shopify: the same membership program also runs on Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, and Salesforce Commerce Cloud.
How do I build a membership site on WordPress?
If your store runs on WordPress, a dedicated WordPress membership plugin is commonly used for gating content and managing paid membership tiers. If you sell on Shopify, BigCommerce, or Salesforce Commerce Cloud instead, you'll want a platform-native app like the ones covered in this list.
Can I host courses and a membership on the same platform?
Conjured Memberships supports gating classes and downloadable content behind membership tiers, which covers light course-style use cases. For a full course-building platform with lessons, quizzes, and student progress tracking, a dedicated course platform will serve you better.
What is the easiest all-in-one membership platform for beginners?
Appstle℠ Memberships has a low barrier to entry with its free plan for up to 25 members. 99minds also keeps setup simple with a guided four-step process: set up, create, engage, and optimize.
Do I need a dedicated fan-support platform or a membership app?
A dedicated fan-support platform is built for creators to collect recurring fan support, not for ecommerce stores selling products. If you're running an online store, 99minds or Bold Memberships & Loyalty will fit your use case far better.
