Website builders have come a long way. They can host your site, take payments, and even help you manage your community.
But building a subscription business takes more than good design; it takes the right systems behind the scenes.
Pick the wrong one, and you might find yourself chasing failed payments or managing renewals by hand.
The right platform manages these moving parts automatically. That way, you can focus on growing your business.
Is a Subscription Model Right for Your Business?
When you’re starting a new business, subscriptions are one of the easiest ways to earn steady income online.
Instead of selling something once, you offer ongoing value — like lessons, resources, or exclusive access — in exchange for a recurring payment.
Even a small number of subscribers can make a big difference, because their renewals create predictable revenue you can count on. The stability lets you focus less on finding your next sale and more on improving what you already offer.
Of course, subscriptions still take effort. You’ll need to keep members engaged and make sure payments run smoothly.
But once you have the right system in place, your subscription can grow quietly in the background while you focus on creating.
Subscriptions:
- Deliver predictable, trackable revenue month after month
- Reduce reliance on constant new sales
- Build loyalty that compounds over time
- Turn customer relationships into long-term assets
Many creators are already using this model.
Think of platforms like Patreon or Substack. These platforms let audiences support their favorite content creators through small monthly payments.
That same approach works for any niche: offer consistent value, and your community will happily pay to keep it coming.
Every renewal adds to your revenue without adding extra work. Over time, that compounding effect makes subscriptions one of the most sustainable and profitable business models online.
The Best Subscription Website Builders (And Why They’re Not What You Think)
Your search for a subscription platform likely started with a focus on website design.
This is a common approach, but it overlooks the most critical part of your business: the system that manages your sales and customers.
Think of your website as the storefront. Behind every profitable membership site or recurring service lies a platform that does more than host content. It automates as much of the process without upsetting your workflow or your customers’ experience.
That’s the gap most website builders can’t bridge. They can handle these processes in a vacuum. Problem is, they struggle with making everything work together. Core functions like automation, payments, renewals, and user access often live in separate silos.
So, when we talk about the “best” subscription website builders, we’re really talking about tools built for conversions.
You want a platform that handles the entire sales cycle and gives you the freedom to focus on delivering value, not managing tech.
What Features Should a Subscription Website Builder Actually Have?
Peek into any smooth-running subscription business and you’ll find a system managing the moving parts in the background.
The right platform lets you automate the repetitive work — like payments and renewals — so you can focus on creating and growing.
When choosing a platform, focus on features that keep everything connected and consistent, like:
- Recurring payments & billing automation — Automation takes care of renewals and plan changes for you. That way, payments stay on schedule and customers stay happy.
- Gated content & member management – Nothing kills trust faster than someone paying and not getting access. Good member management tools handle logins and permissions to make everything run smooth.
- Integrated checkout & upsells – A built-in checkout keeps all data in sync so orders don’t get lost or delayed. The more tools you stitch together, the more things are likely to break.
- Email marketing & segmentation tools — Keeps customers engaged long after signup. Automated follow-ups and simple audience filters help you stay relevant and keep members from drifting away.
- Analytics & conversion tracking — Shows you what’s working and what’s not. Tracking a few key factors — like sales and churn — helps you spot and fix issues while they’re still small.
- Dunning management (failed payment recovery) — When a customer’s payment fails, dunning automatically retries the charge and sends reminders so subscriptions don’t lapse. Without it, those quiet failures pile up, and a few missed renewals can turn into a serious loss in revenue.
- Scalability & integrations — A good platform connects with the tools you already use and can handle higher volumes without breaking or slowing down.
- Security & compliance — You’re dealing with other people’s hard earned money. Your platform of choice should secure all transactions and encrypt all data. It also needs to stay compliant with standards like GDPR, so you don’t run afoul of the law.
- Strong customer support — Issues will inevitably arise. Such is the nature of software. When it happens, you want help from people who understand the platform and can actually solve the problem.
- Ease of use — Finally, simplicity matters. Setting up and using the platform should be doable by anyone who can follow a step-by-step guide. If it starts feeling like a full-time job, then it’s probably not the right pick for you.
All these features have one job: to keep your business running without constant oversight. The right platform ties them together so you can focus on growing your business.
7 Best Platforms for Building Your Subscription Business in 2025
Now that you know what makes a strong subscription platform, let’s look at how the top tools stack up in practice.
Each tool is built with a different philosophy. Some focus more on design, others on automation or content delivery. What matters is finding the one that fits how you run your business.
The table below gives a quick overview of what each platform does well (and where it falls short) before we dive deeper into their real-world pros and cons.
The table reveals the core trade-offs, but the details show the true philosophy of each platform.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at how they actually perform, what makes each stand out, and where they fall short when you start using them day to day.
ThriveCart
ThriveCart is a checkout and cart software built to help online businesses sell more.
It’s designed for creators and small businesses who sell digital products or memberships and want automation without ongoing fees.
Unlike most website builders, which start with design and bolt on sales tools later, ThriveCart was built from the ground up to handle selling online.
Every part of the platform, from checkout flows to upsells, is optimized for conversion rather than aesthetics.
ThriveCart’s features make it one of the few “set it and forget it” systems for running a subscription business.
Strengths
ThriveCart automates the heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.
- Handles recurring payments, upgrades, and downgrades automatically.
- Built-in dunning management recovers failed payments and reduces churn.
- Supports upsells, order bumps, and checkout funnels without plugins.
- Integrates easily with Stripe, PayPal, and major email tools like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit.
- Includes Learn+, a built-in LMS for hosting courses or gated content.
Weaknesses
The trade-off for all that automation is less design control. ThriveCart’s page editor focuses on performance and conversion, not flexibility.
- Limited design flexibility — the editor focuses on conversions, not visuals.
- Fewer built-in site features compared to general builders like Wix or WordPress.
Pricing starts at a $495 one-time payment for the Basic plan, with optional upgrades for Pro+ and Ultimate tiers. Higher plans add features like advanced analytics, dunning, and deeper automation for scaling businesses.
ThriveCart is ideal for creators, coaches, and small business owners who rely on recurring payments and want a reliable, conversion-focused system that runs itself.
If you’d rather automate sales than manage plugins or monthly fees, this is the platform to beat.
Wix
Wix is one of the most popular website builders around, known for its drag-and-drop design and beginner-friendly setup. It’s a go-to choice for creators and small businesses who want to get online fast without learning code or managing plugins.
Wix’s strength lies in how quickly you can go from idea to launch. It’s ideal for testing a concept, building a branded site, or setting up simple recurring payments.
However, when it comes to running a large-scale subscription business, its simplicity can also be its limitation.
Strengths
Wix delivers one of the easiest building experiences on the market — polished, visual, and fast.
- Simple drag-and-drop editor that makes design intuitive for beginners.
- Supports recurring billing and members-only pages through built-in tools.
- Includes basic automations for order confirmations and email updates.
- Excellent templates and visual presentation for branded sites.
- Large app marketplace with add-ons for bookings, forms, and payments.
Together, these features make Wix a great “first step” for subscription-based projects that don’t need advanced workflows or integrations.
Weaknesses
Wix’s ease of use comes at the cost of depth. It’s more of a website builder with subscription options than a full subscription platform.
- Limited flexibility for complex billing models or tiered memberships.
- No built-in dunning management or advanced automation.
- Migrating away from Wix can be tricky once your site grows.
To sell subscriptions, you’ll need at least the $29/month Business plan (the cheaper $17 plan doesn’t include recurring payments). Expect to pay more if you add premium apps or advanced features.
Wix is best for small creators, freelancers, and early-stage businesses who want a clean, professional-looking website with minimal setup. For those planning to build a business where recurring revenue is the central focus, the lack of a robust commerce engine will likely become a significant obstacle.
Kajabi
Kajabi is a well-known platform for creators who want to manage memberships and online content in one place. It offers tools for website design, course hosting, email marketing, and payment processing, all within a single system aimed at simplifying setup and management.
For creators who want to focus on their content and community rather than juggling tools, Kajabi offers a premium, integrated experience. Everything from checkout to email sequences is built in, with no extra plugins required.
Strengths
Kajabi’s main draw is convenience. All the tools you need to sell and manage a subscription business come bundled together.
- Built-in tools for courses, memberships, and gated content.
- Native email marketing, automations, and landing pages.
- Supports recurring payments, coupons, and tiered pricing options.
- Polished templates that make it easy to create professional sites quickly.
- Excellent customer support, tutorials, and community resources.
Every feature works together out of the box, reducing the technical friction that often slows down creators.
Weaknesses
All-in-one convenience comes at a cost. Kajabi’s pricing can climb quickly as your business scales, and some customization options are limited.
- Higher starting price than most competitors.
- Advanced automations and analytics are locked to higher-tier plans.
- Template customization is somewhat restricted, giving most sites a “Kajabi look.”
Kajabi starts at $71/month when billed annually (or $89/month on the monthly plan). Higher tiers unlock more products, contacts, and automation features. These are particularly valuable if you’re managing several courses or a growing subscriber base.
Kajabi is best for creators, coaches, and educators who want everything — from marketing to course delivery — in one place. If you’re willing to pay a premium monthly fee for simplicity and reliability, Kajabi is a solid investment.
WordPress + Plugins
WordPress remains the go-to option for creators who want total control over how their subscription business runs.
It’s not the easiest platform to start with, but it’s by far the most customizable. And that flexibility is what keeps it relevant after two decades.
With plugins like MemberPress, WooCommerce Subscriptions, or Paid Memberships Pro, you can turn a standard WordPress install into a full-featured membership or subscription platform.
Where platforms like Wix or Kajabi prioritize simplicity, WordPress trades convenience for freedom.
You own your data, your design, and your setup, but you’ll also be responsible for maintaining it.
Strengths
WordPress offers unmatched flexibility and scalability, especially for those who don’t want to rely on an all-in-one platform.
- Total control over your design, features, and pricing structure.
- Huge ecosystem of plugins to handle payments, memberships, and automation.
- Easy to expand as your business grows — no platform lock-in.
- Strong community support and endless tutorials for troubleshooting.
Weaknesses
The trade-off is that WordPress takes more effort to manage.
- Requires manual setup, plugin updates, and basic technical know-how.
- Automations and dunning often need paid add-ons or integrations.
- Plugin conflicts or hosting issues can cause headaches without careful setup.
The base WordPress software is free, but costs add up quickly. Between web hosting, premium themes, and essential plugins, expect to pay anywhere from $30–$80 per month for a reliable membership setup.
Bear in mind that the freedom to customize comes with significant responsibility. You are not just the business owner; you become the system administrator. You are responsible for ensuring all plugins work together, performing security updates, and troubleshooting conflicts.
What you save in platform fees, you often spend in time and maintenance. A single failed update or plugin conflict can put your revenue at risk.
WordPress is best for tech-comfortable creators who want complete control over their brand.
If you’re the type who likes to own every part of your system instead of renting it from an all-in-one platform, WordPress is still the gold standard.
Podia
Podia is one of the simplest ways for creators to start selling memberships without worrying about the tech side.
It’s built for speed and simplicity: you can sign up, add your products, set pricing, and start accepting payments in under an hour.
Some platforms — like WordPress or Shopify — rely on integrations. Podia keeps everything under one roof, instead. It gives you a dashboard with a clear storefront, as well as tools for marketing and content delivery.
That simplicity is also what makes Podia so appealing to solo creators and educators who’d rather spend time creating than configuring. It’s not the most powerful platform out there, but it’s one of the least intimidating.
Strengths
Podia’s biggest strength is ease of use: it makes selling online feel effortless, even for beginners.
- Built specifically for creators selling courses, downloads, or memberships.
- No plugins or coding needed — everything works out of the box.
- Includes email marketing, checkout, and digital hosting in one platform.
- Clean, distraction-free interface that’s easy to manage long term.
- Excellent support and tutorials geared toward non-technical users.
Weaknesses
Podia’s simplicity means it’s not built for complex automation or scaling a large membership site.
- Limited integrations compared to advanced platforms.
- No built-in dunning management or sophisticated marketing workflows.
- Fewer customization options for site design and analytics.
Pricing starts at $33/month for the lower-tier plan, though it includes transaction fees. The higher tiers remove those fees and unlock more tools for automation and growth.
Podia is best for independent creators, coaches, and educators who want a straightforward way to sell content without the tech overhead.If you’d rather create and connect than configure plugins or manage a team of tools, Podia might be the way. Keep in mind that the simplicity comes at a cost if you’re planning to scale, and you may need to switch to another platform with more features for the same cost. If you want to learn more, we provided a more in-depth review of Podia.
Shopify
Shopify is best known as an eCommerce powerhouse. Its infrastructure is built to handle high-volume sales, and its checkout process is trusted by millions of consumers worldwide. For businesses that sell physical goods, it is a top-tier choice.
However, Shopify was not designed with subscriptions as a core feature. To manage recurring revenue, you must rely on third-party apps from its marketplace.
When you add apps like Conjured Memberships, or BOLD Memberships, it becomes a capable platform for recurring revenue models like memberships and access-based products.
While these apps are powerful, this approach introduces complexity and additional costs. You become responsible for managing multiple systems, and your monthly bill increases with each new app you add.
Shopify is the right platform for established e-commerce brands that want to add a subscription component to their existing product line. For businesses where subscriptions are the central model, the need to bolt on critical functionality via separate, paid apps makes it a less integrated and more expensive solution.
Strengths
Shopify’s biggest strength is how well it integrates sales, payments, and scalability.
- Industry-leading checkout trusted by millions of stores.
- Built-in handling for taxes, currencies, and global payments.
- Wide range of third-party apps for subscriptions, loyalty, and automations.
- Highly reliable infrastructure with 24/7 uptime and support.
- Great scalability for growing creators and established businesses alike.
Weaknesses
The tradeoff with all this power is the platform’s complexity.
- Subscription tools require separate apps, adding extra costs.
- Managing multiple apps can get confusing or time-consuming.
- Heavier focus on physical products than digital memberships or content.
Shopify’s basic plan starts at $39/month, but running subscriptions typically requires paid apps costing an additional $20–$60/month.
Shopify is best for creators and small brands who already sell physical or digital products and want to layer subscriptions into their business.
If you value stability, growth potential, and access to the world’s most robust eCommerce ecosystem, Shopify offers a future-proof foundation.
Thinkific
Thinkific is a platform built specifically for educators who want to sell online courses and learning-based memberships. Its primary strength is its focus on the student experience, providing clean, intuitive tools for creating and managing structured educational content.
What makes Thinkific stand out is how approachable it is. You can build and launch a professional learning site without touching code or worrying about plugins.
However, its specialization in education means it is not a comprehensive subscription engine. It’s worth noting that the platform lacks the sophisticated financial tools needed to maximize recurring revenue, most notably a dunning management system to handle failed payments.
Its community and marketing features are also less developed compared to other platforms, making it less suitable for a business model that is not strictly course-based.
While it’s less flexible than WordPress or Kajabi, Thinkific’s simplicity makes it ideal for creators who want to teach or build a recurring revenue stream around their knowledge.
Strengths
Thinkific’s design focuses on helping educators succeed online without technical friction.
- Built specifically for online courses and learning-based memberships.
- Clean, intuitive dashboard that’s easy to navigate.
- Supports recurring billing and flexible pricing models (monthly or annual).
- Includes solid video hosting and course management tools.
- Integrates with tools like ConvertKit, Zapier, and ActiveCampaign for automation.
Weaknesses
Thinkific works best within its educational niche, but it’s less suited for general subscription businesses.
- Limited site customization and design freedom.
- No built-in dunning or advanced automation workflows.
- Community and engagement tools feel basic compared to dedicated membership platforms.
Paid plans start at $49/month with a 5% transaction fee, though access to advanced integrations and revenue features requires higher tiers.
Thinkific is best for educators, coaches, and course-based creators who want an easy-to-manage platform.
How to Create Your Subscription Website with ThriveCart in 5 Steps
ThriveCart handles everything a subscription site needs without requiring extra plugins or tools. This makes it a reliable option for anyone who wants to start quickly and manage everything from one place.
It doesn’t take long to have ThriveCart take over the daily operations for your subscription business.
In fact, you can go from blank dashboard to fully automated membership system in under an hour.
Step 1: Connect Your Payment Processor
Before creating your first product, connect your payment processor so ThriveCart can manage recurring billing and refunds.
From your ThriveCart dashboard, click on your profile picture and select Integrations.You’ll see options for Stripe Connect+, PayPal, and other supported gateways.
Click “View Settings” on your chosen processor and sign in using your existing credentials.
Once connected, ThriveCart syncs your account instantly. You won’t need to configure anything else.
We recommend to connect both a Stripe and PayPal account to support international payments.
Step 2: Create Your Product and Set Up Recurring Payments
It’s time to add the heart of the membership: your first subscription product.
From your ThriveCart dashboard, click “Create Product.” You’ll be met with a simple setup wizard to define what you’re selling and how often you want to charge customers.
Under Pricing Options, choose Subscription as your payment type. Set your billing frequency and your price.
As you complete each field, ThriveCart displays a live summary, making it clear exactly how customers will be billed and when renewals occur.
Step 3: Set Up Fulfillment and Upsells
Open the Fulfillment tab in your product settings. This is where you tell ThriveCart what to do once someone buys.
You can choose to:
- Add buyers to a membership platform such as ThriveCart Learn+, Wishlist Member, or Teachable
- Send an automated email with access details or bonus content
If using Learn+, connect it to your course so new members get instant access.
If you’re using a third-party tool, ThriveCart handles the integration automatically.
After fulfillment, take a moment to boost your revenue per customer with upsells and order bumps.
- Order bumps are small, one-click add-ons shown directly on the checkout page (like an extra training video or bonus resource).
- Upsells appear right after purchase, offering a higher-tier plan or complementary product.
Both options are built into ThriveCart. You can add them under the Bump or Upsells tabs. Even a simple $10 add-on can increase your total revenue by 20-30%.
Step 4: Build and Customize Your Checkout Page
Head to the Checkout tab inside your product setup. ThriveCart gives you several conversion-tested templates to choose from:
Once you’ve picked a template, you’ll enter the editor. Here, you can click on any block to edit it, where you can:
- Add your logo, colors, and typography for consistency
- Include testimonials, FAQs, or a brief guarantee to build confidence
Once the design feels right, you can add your checkout form. Visit the checkout tab inside the editor and pick your preferred checkout style:
- Single-step checkout: everything on a single page for faster signups
Multi-step checkout: separates info and payment for higher trust:
Once you’re happy with your page, hit “Complete”. The site will be generated in the background. Optionally, you can add tracking with e.g. a Facebook pixel.
Step 5: Set Up Automation Rules & Test Your Checkout
The final step is to make sure your subscription runs on autopilot.
Head to the Behavior or Automations tab for your product. Here you’ll set up rules that tell ThriveCart what to do when specific events happen.
For example:
- When a payment succeeds, add the customer to your email list or tag them as an active member.
- When a subscription is cancelled or refunded, automatically revoke access to your membership area.
These triggers cover every stage of the subscriber journey.
Before launching, run a test transactions in test mode to confirm automations, emails, and dunning rules work.
Once your tests pass, you are ready to publish your website.
You now have a complete, conversion-optimized subscription system
The Smarter Choice for Your Subscription Business
Your subscription website does more than act as a pretty showcase for your offer. It’s the system that helps you grow your business while reducing admin work.
When you buy into a platform that doesn’t suit your needs, two things happen:
- You create more work for yourself
- You lose sales when automations or payments fail.
Most creators don’t struggle with their product, they struggle with the systems that should support it. Instead of focusing on creating more, they drown in technical busywork. And that’s time that should go into creating and selling.
The smarter choice is to use a platform built for selling, not just showing. ThriveCart combines payments, renewals, and automations in one place, giving you a reliable setup that runs smoothly in the background while you focus on growth.
If you’re ready to simplify how you sell, ThriveCart is the place to start.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the true cost of using a subscription website builder?
The monthly price is only part of the total cost. Expect also to pay extra fees for payment processing, optional add-ons, and integrations like email or analytics. Some builders include these features, while others rely on paid apps. Always check what’s built in before committing. Plus, expect a degree of vendor lock-in: you may be able to export some data, but migrating to a new system might prove difficult.
Can I integrate a subscription system into my existing website?
Yes. Most platforms allow you to embed checkout forms or connect third-party tools for recurring payments. This lets you keep your current site design while adding subscription functionality behind the scenes.
How do I handle content access if a user cancels their subscription?
Your system should automatically remove access when a subscription ends. That can be handled through built-in settings or by linking your payment and content tools. Automating this step prevents errors and keeps your content protected. If you’re using manual setups, connect your payment system to an automation that removes access once a subscription lapses.
Can I use my own domain with a free builder?
Usually not. Most free plans only give you a subdomain (for example, yoursite.wixsite.com). To use your own domain name, you’ll need a paid plan that allows custom URLs and removes platform branding. And, naturally, your own domain.
Is Wix good for memberships?
Wix supports basic memberships and recurring payments, but it’s best for small projects or testing ideas. Advanced tools like automation, dunning, or complex pricing tiers aren’t included. If you’re scaling a membership or need full control, a dedicated platform works better.
What’s the difference between membership and subscription?
A subscription is a payment model with recurring billing for ongoing access or products. A membership adds exclusivity and community, usually offering gated content or interaction. Most membership sites rely on subscription payments to sustain access over time.