Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) vs SureMembers
Updated 5 Oct 2026. 25 features compared side by side.
Membership plugin formerly called Restrict Content Pro, now Kadence Memberships: free core with Stripe billing, Pro via Kadence bundles.
Access-control membership plugin from Brainstorm Force: unlimited memberships and content rules, with selling handled by SureCart or WooCommerce.
Choose Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) if…
- You prefer the more widely used option
Choose SureMembers if…
- You need member directory & profiles and Zapier / automation
- You want the lower entry price ($69/yr vs $299/yr)
- You weigh user ratings (5.0 vs 3.1 on WordPress.org)
SureMembers has 2 that Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) lacks, including Member directory & profiles and Zapier / automation. Both include 23 of the 25 features we track.
At a glance
Feature comparison
Click a screenshot to see both plugins side by side.
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) SureMembersAccess & content6/66/6
Free version allows unlimited levels with custom duration, price and signup fee.
Core allows unlimited memberships (access groups).
Restrict posts, pages, post types, categories, menus and widgets in free.
Protect the whole site, any post type, taxonomies and term archives in Core.
Drip Content is one of the Pro add-ons (paid, via Kadence Pro).
Drip content is a paid-plugin feature, included on every plan.
Option to show content excerpts to non-members in the free plugin.
Core has the suremembers_restrict shortcode; block-level rules need a paid plan.
Download Monitor and member downloads add-ons (Pro); no native direct-file blocking.
Downloads protection for files, videos and PDFs in the paid plugin.
Official LearnDash add-on grants course access by level; needs Pro.
Core integrations with LearnDash, Tutor LMS and SureDash courses; no own course builder.
Payments & billing8/88/8
Stripe is included in the free version.
Payments via SureCart (free, same vendor) or WooCommerce gateways.
PayPal (plus Authorize.net and Braintree) requires Pro.
PayPal through SureCart or WooCommerce; no gateway in SureMembers itself.
Auto-renewing memberships available in the free version.
Recurring subscriptions handled by SureCart or WooCommerce Subscriptions.
Free trials with expiry notices are a Pro feature.
Free or paid trials configured in SureCart.
Percentage or flat discount codes require Pro.
Coupons and promotions come from SureCart or WooCommerce.
Upgrades and downgrades with proration included free.
Upgrades and downgrades managed by SureCart's customer dashboard.
Printable, brandable invoices; no built-in tax/VAT calculation documented.
SureCart provides real-time tax/VAT and PDF invoices.
Group Accounts add-on lets one account manage multiple members (Pro).
Team accounts with configurable seats on Pro and Business plans.
Members & experience4/55/5
Auto-generated account, profile editor and billing pages in free.
No own account page; SureCart's customer dashboard handles billing and plan changes.
Custom sign-up fields need code; docs provide a custom fields tutorial.
Registration forms via the SureForms integration; no own form builder.
No native directory; integrates with BuddyPress or Ultimate Member for profiles.
Member list shortcode only; no profile pages or searchable directory.
bbPress and BuddyPress integration add-ons (Pro).
Core integrates with BuddyBoss and SureDash communities.
Activation, renewal, expiry and failed-payment emails free; templates in Pro.
Paid plugin sends access-granted, onboarding and password emails; billing emails via SureCart.
Integrations & tools5/66/6
Free version restricts WooCommerce products; member discounts add-on in Pro.
Core integration grants memberships from WooCommerce purchases.
Mailchimp, AWeber, ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign and more as Pro add-ons.
Connect email tools through OttoKit automations (same vendor).
No official Zapier app; available via third-party tools like WP Webhooks.
Automations via OttoKit; Abilities API and optional MCP server in Core.
Detailed earnings reports and analytics are a Pro feature.
Core analytics tab shows new members, growth, upcoming expirations and activity.
CSV import and export of members in the free plugin.
Import users via CSV in the paid plugin; no migration tool from other plugins.
Documented REST API, 60+ actions and filters, and WP-CLI commands.
Abilities API, optional MCP server, WP-CLI and documented filters.
Statuses: Yes Pro Add-on Partial 3rd-party No ?
Pricing compared
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) Freemium
| Free | $0 |
|---|---|
| Free (Kadence Memberships) | Free per year, Unlimited |
| Kadence Pro | $299 per year, Not stated |
| Kadence Elite | $499 per year, Not stated |
SureMembers Freemium
| Free | $0 |
|---|---|
| Starter | $69 per year, 1 site |
| Pro | $149 per year, 10 sites |
| Business | $199 per year, 100 sites |
| Business Lifetime | $599 lifetime, 100 sites |
Downloads trend
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships)
1,978 downloads last week
SureMembers
413 downloads last week
Verdict
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) and SureMembers are closely matched on features (90/100 and 88/100). The differences are in the details: SureMembers adds member directory & profiles and Zapier / automation. Paid plans start at $299/yr for Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) and $69/yr for SureMembers. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Biggest differences
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships): third-party. SureMembers: partial. Member list shortcode only; no profile pages or searchable directory.
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships): third-party. SureMembers: via add-on. Automations via OttoKit; Abilities API and optional MCP server in Core.
Written from the feature, pricing and install data on this page, not from hands-on testing. How we compare.
Which would you choose?
0 votes so far. Vote to see the results.
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FAQ
Which is better, Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) or SureMembers?
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) and SureMembers are closely matched on features (90/100 and 88/100). The differences are in the details: SureMembers adds member directory & profiles and Zapier / automation. Paid plans start at $299/yr for Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) and $69/yr for SureMembers. Check the features you rely on in the table below before deciding.
Which has more features?
SureMembers includes 25 of the 25 features we track, against 23 for Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships). Feature count is only part of the picture; check which of the differences matter to you.
Is Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) free?
Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $299/yr.
Is SureMembers free?
SureMembers has a free version on WordPress.org. Paid plans start at $69/yr.
Feature data last changed 5 Oct 2026. Spotted something wrong? Suggest an edit to Restrict Content Pro (Kadence Memberships) or SureMembers. Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you; it never affects our data or rankings.