Normal view

Received before yesterday

11 Best WordPress Payment Plugins (Tested & Verified)

6 June 2025 at 10:00

When I first tried to accept payments on my WordPress website, the process was frustrating. Hours of setup, confusing settings, and test transactions that failed more often than they succeeded.

I quickly realized that choosing the wrong payment solution could mean the difference between a thriving business and lost customers.

The right payment plugin can help you securely process transactions, reduce cart abandonment, and boost your conversion rates. But what works for a small nonprofit accepting donations won’t necessarily work for a consultant selling services or an online store processing hundreds of orders.

That’s why I’ve personally tested over 20 WordPress payment plugins across different business scenarios. Each plugin on this list has been thoroughly vetted for reliability, ease of use, and real-world performance.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, you’ll find a solution that fits your needs and gets you paid without the headaches.

Best WordPress Payment Plugins (Tested & Verified)

Quick Overview: Best WordPress Payment Plugins

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick overview of the best WordPress payment plugins:

#PluginBest ForFree VersionPricing
🥇WP Simple PayStripe payment forms for subscriptions and services$49.50/year
🥈WPFormsPayment forms for Stripe, PayPal, Square, and Authorize.net$49.50/year
🥉WooCommerceSelling physical productsFree
4Easy Digital DownloadsSelling digital downloads$99.50/year
5WP CharitableDonation forms$69/year
6MyPayKitSquare payment forms$49.50/year
7MemberPressMembership sites$179.50/year
8Formidable FormsAdvanced payment forms$39.50/year
9Wishlist MemberProtecting premium content$149.50/year
10Thrive ApprenticeSelling online courses$149/year
11MemberMouseEnterprise-level membership websites$149.50/year

How I Test And Review WordPress Payment Plugins

You might be wondering how I actually tested all these payment plugins before recommending them. Well, I didn’t just skim the features on different blogs and move on.

I’ve worked directly with plugins like WP Simple Pay, MemberPress, and WPForms to accept payments on my own websites.

Plus, I personally tested every other plugin on this list to make sure it worked well and could process payments without issues.

Here’s what my testing process looked like:

  • 🛠️ I installed each plugin on a test site: I set up a clean WordPress site and installed each payment plugin just like you would. This helped me see how easy (or complicated) it is to get started, connect payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, and configure the basic settings.
  • 💳 I simulated real payments: Next, I ran test transactions using test mode. I checked if payments went through smoothly, how the plugin handled errors, and whether things like taxes, coupons, or recurring payments worked as expected.
  • 🔍 I checked for compatibility issues: I tested the plugin alongside popular WordPress tools and themes to make sure everything plays nicely together.
  • 🔒 I reviewed security and updates: Payment data is sensitive, so I also looked at how the plugin handles security, whether it’s regularly updated, and if the developers follow WordPress best practices.
  • 👍 I rated user-friendliness: Finally, I looked at how beginner-friendly the plugin is. Are the settings clear? Is the setup wizard helpful? Would a first-time user get overwhelmed or feel confident?

By the time a plugin makes it onto my recommendation list, it’s been through all of this and more. Having said that, let’s take a look at the best WordPress payment plugins.

🙌 Why Trust WPBeginner?

At WPBeginner, we don’t just write about WordPress—we actively run websites that accept online payments every day.

From selling our own digital products and services, we know firsthand how important it is to use a secure, reliable payment plugin.

A single payment error can mean lost sales or frustrated customers, which is why we take plugin testing seriously. We’ve tested dozens of WordPress payment plugins over the years to find the ones that work the best.

The recommendations you’ll find here aren’t based on guesswork—they’re based on real-world experience across different types of websites. If we wouldn’t trust a plugin for our own businesses, we won’t recommend it to you.

To learn more, see our editorial process.

1. WP Simple Pay – Best for Stripe Payment Forms

WP Simple Pay website

WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin if you’re using Stripe, especially if you want to sell services or subscriptions without building a full-blown online store.

When I first tested this plugin, I was impressed by how quickly I could create a working Stripe payment form without any of the complexity that comes with complete eCommerce platforms.

This plugin solves the biggest headache most service providers and subscription businesses face: getting paid without the technical nightmare of setting up complex store solutions.

We covered all the details and our hands-on experience in our WP Simple Pay review, so you can get the full picture there.

Add a form name and description

When I started creating my own payment forms, I found the drag-and-drop builder incredibly user-friendly.

Creating attractive, custom payment forms took minutes instead of hours. No coding skills are required, which is a significant advantage for many business owners.

I was also impressed by the payment options. It supports Stripe Checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay, ACH bank transfers, and even Buy Now, Pay Later options like Afterpay and Klarna.

Select Klarna payment method

Plus, you can set custom pricing fields, coupon codes, and multi-step payment forms.

However, what really stood out to me was the customization control. You can brand the entire payment form page to match your business.

Clean URLs, custom background colors, and layout adjustments can all work together to create a professional checkout experience that feels like part of your site.

GrabPay payment form preview

All in all, I recommend WP Simple Pay for anyone looking to sell services and subscriptions without setting up an online store.

It handles the payment complexity while keeping your WordPress site fast and reliable. No bloated code or performance issues that slow things down.

To get started, see our tutorial on how to accept Stripe payments in WordPress.

Pros of WP Simple Pay

  • Pre-made templates speed up form creation
  • Set up partial payments (for deposits) and installment plans for high-value services
  • Stripe handles all sensitive data for maximum security
  • One-click payments with Apple Pay and Google Pay
  • Flexible billing intervals for subscriptions
  • Built-in coupon codes and promotional discounts
  • Option to pass processing fees to customers
  • Easy purchase restrictions and limits

Cons of WP Simple Pay

  • Advanced features locked in free version
  • Only works with Stripe (no other payment processors)

Pricing: WP Simple Pay’s paid plans can range from $49.50/year to $209.65/year.

Why I recommend WP Simple Pay: What makes WP Simple Pay stand out is how easy it is to accept Stripe payments on WordPress with no need to build a full online store.

It’s a great fit if you’re offering services, running a membership site, or collecting subscriptions, one-time payments, or even deposits. The payment forms are simple, flexible, and work right out of the box.

2. WPForms – Best for Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.Net, and Square Payment Forms

WPForms homepage

WPForms is the best WordPress payment plugin for collecting customer information alongside payments, such as registration forms, order forms with custom fields, or surveys that include payment options.

The plugin also supports multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Square. This flexibility allows you to offer your customers a variety of payment options without needing to juggle different plugins.

We use WPForms here at WPBeginner for our contact forms and annual surveys, so I’ve seen firsthand how reliable and flexible this plugin can be. If you’re curious about all the things it can do, we go over them in more detail in our WPForms review.

A key advantage of WPForms is how it combines powerful form building with payment processing. You’re not limited to simple “pay now” buttons.

Instead, you can create comprehensive forms that gather the information your business needs while processing payments securely.

WPForms also comes with a variety of payment fields.

Add a Single Item Field to Your Form

You can add single-item payments, multiple items, dropdowns for selecting products or quantities, and even donation fields with preset or custom amounts.

This makes building complex payment forms super easy, even if you’re new to it.

One feature I found particularly helpful is the plugin’s AI-powered form builder.

It helps speed up the design process by generating form templates that you can customize with simple prompts. This can save you hours when creating new forms with payment integrations.

Additionally, the conditional logic feature is very powerful. Forms can show or hide fields based on user selections, creating a smooth experience that only displays relevant options.

WPForms AI Builder

Your customers see exactly what they need without confusion.

Overall, WPForms strikes a great balance between being powerful and user-friendly.

It’s perfect if you want to build payment forms combined with surveys, registrations, or quotes, all while securely processing payments through your preferred gateway.

For more information, see our tutorial on how to add a PayPal payment form in WordPress.

Pros of WPForms

  • Over 2,000 pre-made form templates
  • Drag-and-drop builder that’s genuinely beginner-friendly
  • Supports one-time payments and recurring subscriptions
  • Coupon code fields for checkout discounts
  • Automatic email notifications and confirmations
  • Complete spam protection
  • Secure data storage accessible from the WordPress dashboard

Cons of WPForms

Pricing: WPForms pricing starts at $49.50. However, to unlock the extensions for PayPal, Stripe, and Square, you will need the pro plan for $199.40/yr.

Why I recommend WPForms: It’s a great solution that gives you the flexibility to build forms that go beyond simple contact fields. Whether you’re setting up a survey, registration form, or quote request, WPForms makes it easy to include payment options right inside the form.

3. WooCommerce – Best for Selling Physical Products

Is WooCommerce the right eCommerce plugin for your WordPress website?

If you’re planning to build a full-fledged online store, I always recommend starting with WooCommerce. It’s the best WordPress payment plugin for selling physical products and managing inventory, shipping, taxes, and payments, all from one dashboard.

The plugin stands out as a complete eCommerce solution when you need more than simple payment collection.

You’re not just processing payments. Instead, you’re running a real business with product catalogs, inventory tracking, shipping calculations, and tax management.

I’ve been working with WooCommerce since its early days and have used it to build online stores for clients across different industries.

You can check out our full WooCommerce review to see why it’s such a solid choice.

One thing that has improved significantly over the years is the built-in payment integrations. PayPal and Stripe used to need separate plugins, but now they work smoothly right out of the box.

How to sell car parts online in WordPress

During my recent WooCommerce testing, I was particularly impressed with how plugins like FunnelKit’s Stripe integration can make the checkout process even better.

You get fully customizable, high-converting checkout pages that feel modern and fast.

The ability to design checkout pages, offer upsells, and accept express payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay can make a significant difference in conversion rates.

How to set up the FunnelKit Stripe payment gateway

In my opinion, WooCommerce is ideal if you want complete control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and gives you all the tools you need to grow.

If your goal is to turn your WordPress site into a full eCommerce platform, then WooCommerce is the payment plugin I’d trust every time.

Stripe checkout example in WooCommerce

To get started, see our beginner’s guide on WooCommerce made simple.

Pros of WooCommerce

  • Accepts diverse payment methods, including cash on delivery and bank transfers
  • Credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and local methods via Stripe
  • Supports one-time and recurring payments with subscription addons
  • Accept Square and Authorize.net payments with addons
  • Custom tax rules with flexible pricing options
  • Hundreds of payment-related extensions in the marketplace
  • Built-in refund management and order status controls

Cons of WooCommerce

  • Can feel like overkill for simple service payments or single digital downloads
  • Extensions required for certain payment gateways (costs vary)

Pricing: WooCommerce is free to use, but you’ll need to purchase extensions to add certain payment options like Square or Authorize.net. The pricing for these extensions can vary.

Why I recommend WooCommerce: In my opinion, WooCommerce is well-suited if you want extensive control over your store’s design and functionality. Whether you’re selling five products or five thousand, it scales well and offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you grow.

4. Easy Digital Downloads – Best for Selling Digital Products

Easy Digital Downloads Website

If you’re selling digital products, like eBooks, software, PDFs, or music, then Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is the ideal WordPress payment plugin for the job.

Unlike general payment plugins, EDD offers effective solutions specifically built for the unique challenges of selling digital goods.

It is particularly effective for digital product sales, where you need instant delivery, license management, and customer download tracking.

Our partner brands have been using EDD to sell their premium plugins for years, and it’s consistently delivered excellent results. We’ve also spent a lot of time testing it on demo sites to see how it performs in different scenarios.

We explain it all in our detailed review of EDD if you want a closer look.

What makes EDD perfect for digital sales is how it handles the entire customer journey. When someone buys your digital product, they instantly receive download links, account access, and professional receipts. No manual work required on your end.

The plugin accepts Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay right out of the box.

Connecting to Stripe in Easy Digital Downloads

I found the payment setup process much faster than configuring similar functionality with other plugins. The setup is straightforward and functions well without complicated integrations.

The one feature that impressed me most was the ability to pass payment processing fees to customers. This might seem minor, but over time, it saves significant money in transaction costs, especially when selling lower-priced digital items.

You can also set up one-time or recurring payments, offer discount codes, and even create custom checkout fields without needing a developer.

Configure the gateway fees

Another key strength of EDD is its scalability. With premium extensions, you can add license key generation, affiliate tracking, and customer email automation while keeping your payment flows smooth and secure.

If your site revolves around digital content, then this is a plugin I can confidently recommend for handling your transactions.

For step-by-step instructions on using Easy Digital Downloads, see our tutorial on how to sell digital downloads in WordPress.

Pros of Easy Digital Downloads

  • Cart and checkout system optimized for digital products
  • Customizable purchase receipts and confirmation emails for better branding
  • Test mode for simulating transactions before going live
  • Built-in sales and earnings reports for revenue analysis
  • Tax settings with VAT support for EU compliance
  • Customer account area for re-downloading purchases
  • Instant digital delivery after payment

Cons of Easy Digital Downloads

  • Advanced features are locked in the free plan.
  • Not suitable for physical product sales

Pricing: EDD’s pricing starts at $99.50/year for one site. You can also opt for the All Access Pass for $499.50/yr to unlock all the features.

Why I recommend Easy Digital Downloads: We use EDD to sell our premium plugins and software, and it’s always worked great. If you’re selling eBooks, PDFs, plugins, courses, or music, then EDD offers a payment processing and delivery system specifically designed for your business model.

5. WP Charitable – Best for WordPress Donation Forms

WP Charitable

WP Charitable is the best payment plugin for accepting donations in WordPress, especially if you’re running a nonprofit or a cause-based website.

It stands out as the specialized solution when you need more than basic payment collection for charitable causes. The tool makes it super easy to manage donor relationships, track campaign progress, and build long-term fundraising success.

Our team has tested this plugin extensively, both through demo campaigns and real-world use for our founder’s education nonprofit, the Balkhi Foundation.

WP Charitable makes the donation process seamless for supporters and removes a lot of the friction that usually gets in the way. You can get the complete details in our review of WP Charitable.

Instead of complicated checkout flows, you get simple, clean donation forms that integrate well with Stripe, PayPal, and other popular gateways.

recurring donations charitable preview

The user experience feels designed specifically for donors who want to give quickly and easily.

One of the things that stood out during my testing was how customizable Charitable’s donation forms are. You can set suggested amounts, let donors enter custom amounts, create recurring donation options, and even add goal meters to encourage participation.

Plus, it supports campaign management, so you can run multiple fundraisers at once and track their progress easily. Each campaign gets its own dedicated page, donation tracking, and goal visualization, which helps create urgency and transparency for donors.

Charitable drag and drop editor

I think most will also appreciate Charitable’s email integrations.

They help make it easy to automate thank-you emails and provide donors with donation receipts right away, something I know is important for nonprofit transparency and tax purposes.

Plus, built-in reports can help you make data-driven decisions, so you can maximize your fundraising efforts.

The bottom line? With a strong focus on donor experience and campaign management, Charitable is the best WordPress payment plugin for nonprofits.

You can start building your website easily by following our article on how to create a non profit website in WordPress.

Pros of WP Charitable

  • Dozens of pre-made templates for quick form creation
  • Unlimited donation campaigns with individual goals and forms
  • Custom checkout fields for collecting donor details and dedications
  • Multi-currency support for international fundraising
  • Offline payment tracking for checks and cash donations
  • Built-in reporting tools with donation history and data export capabilities
  • Goal meters and progress tracking to encourage donations
  • Automated donor communication and receipt generation

Cons of WP Charitable

  • Only PayPal is included in the free plan; Stripe and other gateways require paid plans
  • Limited to donation forms (not general-purpose like WPForms)

Pricing: Charitable’s pricing starts from $69 to $299 per year.

Why I recommend WP Charitable: The plugin is great for nonprofit fundraising, with features designed for charitable organizations. If you’re running fundraising campaigns and need more than basic payment buttons, I recommend Charitable.

6. MyPayKit – Best WordPress Square Payment Plugin

MyPayKit Square Payment Plugin for WordPress

MyPayKit is a great WordPress payment plugin for when you want to accept payments through Square without the complexity of a full eCommerce platform.

You get clean, professional payment forms that connect directly to Square’s payment processing system.

Since it’s a new plugin, I wanted to see how well it worked—and it delivered on its promise: offering a simple way to accept Square payments online.

This makes it excellent for collecting deposits, one-time payments, or even donations without forcing customers through a complicated checkout process.

MyPayKit form builder

Another thing I really appreciate is how lightweight MyPayKit is compared to other payment solutions.

Unlike WooCommerce or other store-focused plugins, it doesn’t overload your site with extra features you might not need. It focuses specifically on payment collection and does it well.

Plus, it’s not just limited to Square. You can also accept Stripe, PayPal, and Apple Pay if you want to expand your options.

But if Square is your go-to processor, MyPayKit makes accepting payments very easy and straightforward.

Pros of MyPayKit

  • Seamless Square integration
  • Clean, professional payment form design
  • Supports multiple payment processors (Square, Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay)
  • Handles both one-time and recurring payments
  • Simple 2-minute setup process for non-technical users
  • Perfect for service businesses and local retailers

Cons of MyPayKit

  • Limited advanced features compared to full eCommerce solutions
  • Primarily focused on Square (other processors feel secondary)
  • May not suit complex payment scenarios

Pricing: MyPayKit has a free plan with unlimited forms and transactions. However, there’s a 3% application fee. Paid plans start at $49.50 per year to remove the application fee and access premium features.

Why I recommend MyPayKit: It’s a great choice for accepting Square payments on your WordPress website. When I tested it, I found that it worked smoothly and allowed me to collect payments in just a few clicks.

7. MemberPress – Best for WordPress Membership Websites

MemberPress' homepage

If you are planning to sell subscriptions, memberships, or online courses on your WordPress website, then MemberPress is my top pick.

It’s a powerful payment plugin that offers payment processing combined with content protection and access control for your membership business.

We’ve used MemberPress to set up free online courses at WPBeginner, and we love its advanced (yet straightforward) access control and content protection features.

The plugin manages the entire member lifecycle from signup to content delivery without requiring manual work. If you want a full look at how it works, check out our MemberPress review.

MemberPress comes with built-in support for Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net, so you can start accepting payments securely from day one.

Connect MemberPress to PayPal Commerce

The payment gateway setup is straightforward and reliable across all supported processors. You can offer one-time payments, free trials, recurring subscriptions, and even charge based on access tiers.

This flexibility lets you create sophisticated pricing strategies that grow with your business.

What makes the plugin particularly well-suited for membership sites is how well everything integrates. When someone signs up, their access is instantly managed, and there’s no need to manually approve or update anything.

The tool is also great for building online courses. With the built-in MemberPress Courses addon, you can create lessons, lock premium content, and drip content based on membership levels.

If you’re a creator or educator looking for a simple way to monetize your content, MemberPress makes it easy to get started. To learn more, see our ultimate guide on how to create a membership site.

Pros of MemberPress

  • Multiple membership levels with different pricing tiers for upselling
  • Built-in coupon system for promotions and discounts
  • Immediate content access after payment processing
  • Automated payment reminders and failed transaction handling
  • Built-in tax support for compliance
  • Paywall feature for teasing premium content

Cons of MemberPress

  • Advanced features are locked behind paid plans
  • Higher starting price than simple payment plugins

Pricing: The pricing for the MemberPress basic plan is $179.50/year. However, to unlock its full LMS potential, including quizzes, assignments, and gradebooks, you will have to buy the pro plan for $399.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberPress: It’s an excellent WordPress plugin for building a membership site or selling courses. While WP Simple Pay works well for basic subscriptions, MemberPress takes it a step further by handling payments, locking down your content, and controlling which members have access to specific pages, lessons, or downloads.

8. Formidable Forms – Best for Advanced Payment Forms

Formidable Forms

If you’re looking to build advanced forms that calculate pricing and process payments based on user selections, then Formidable Forms is a great option.

It offers powerful form-building tools for creating interactive calculators, quote generators, and custom workflows.

During testing, I was able to easily build loan applications, pricing estimates, and shipping calculators that automatically updated totals based on user input.

And these aren’t static forms—they’re dynamic tools that adapt using conditional logic, changing fields, prices, or redirects based on answers.

This makes Formidable Forms well-suited for legal consultations, service quotes, and custom product estimates.

To learn more about what the plugin can do, check out our Formidable Forms review.

Editing the default value of a form field in Formidable Forms

I also really like how easily you can connect Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net to charge users after form completion.

Plus, the multi-page form support and integrated data tracking make it easy to manage both submissions and payments from one dashboard.

Overall, if your business needs intelligent forms that do more than collect payments, like guiding users through personalized pricing or registration steps, then Formidable Forms is a solid choice.

Pros of Formidable Forms

  • Advanced conditional logic for dynamic form behavior
  • Multi-page forms with integrated payment processing
  • Supports Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net
  • Comprehensive data management and submission tracking
  • Custom field types for specialized information collection
  • AI form builder to speed up initial setup

Cons of Formidable Forms

  • More complex than needed for simple payment collection
  • Steeper learning curve compared to basic form builders

Pricing: Formidable Forms starts at $39.50/year. However, to unlock calculations, you will need the business plan for $199.50/year.

Why I recommend Formidable Forms: It is a great option if you need more than just a simple payment form. You can build smart forms that automatically calculate the total based on user selections, and then let them pay right away using Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.net—there’s no coding required.

9. WishList Member – Best for Paywalls and Memberships

Wishlist Member

WishList Member is a reliable WordPress payment plugin if you’re building a membership site or want to protect premium content behind a paywall.

When I tested WishList Member, I found the integration with Stripe, PayPal, and other gateways to be quite easy. I didn’t need any third-party addons to start charging users for access.

For more details about how the plugin works, see our WishList Member review.

Setting up multiple payment gateways

I also appreciate the tool’s ability to create different pricing tiers and offer upsells inside your membership flow.

You can even pair it with your favorite page builder or LMS plugin if you’re offering courses.

If you want to build a paid membership community or sell gated digital content, WishList Member is worth checking out.

Pros of WishList Member

  • Automatic management of member upgrades, downgrades, and cancellations
  • Drip content feature for gradual content release
  • “Pay Per Post” option for selling individual content pieces
  • Strong integrations with email marketing tools (Kit, ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp)
  • Fully customizable login and registration forms
  • Granular content protection controls
  • Multiple membership levels with flexible pricing

Cons of WishList Member

  • No free plan available
  • User interface can feel overwhelming for beginners

Pricing: WishList Member’s basic plan at $149.50/year works well if you are just starting out. It offers unlimited memberships, upgrade paths, and restriction rules.

Why I recommend WishList Member: It is a great option if you’re building a membership site and want to protect your content. It’s designed to help you set up multiple access levels, build a community, and accept payments through Stripe or PayPal, without needing extra tools.

10. Thrive Apprentice – Best for Selling Online Courses

Is Thrive Apprentice the right membership and online course plugin for you?

Thrive Apprentice is a great choice if you’re building an online course business and want to control how students access your courses after they’ve paid.

It integrates seamlessly with Stripe and ThriveCart, which makes it easy to sell one-time courses, bundles, or memberships. The payment integration is very intuitive and doesn’t require complicated setup processes.

Want to learn more about what the plugin can do? We did a deep dive for our Thrive Apprentice review.

The best part? It also connects with Thrive Suite tools like Thrive Leads and Thrive Architect, so you can design your entire sales funnel—from opt-in forms to checkout to course delivery—without writing any code.

Restricting access to your online training using Thrive Apprentice

It makes it very easy to create a polished course experience. You can set access rules, offer free previews, lock lessons until payment is made, and even integrate it with WooCommerce for added flexibility.

If you’re looking for a powerful course builder that doubles as a payment solution, Thrive Apprentice is one of the best options available, especially if you’re already using other Thrive tools.

Pros of Thrive Apprentice

  • Access restriction tools for locking courses or individual lessons
  • Course bundle creation tied to specific pricing tiers
  • Free preview feature for showcasing content quality
  • Seamless WooCommerce integration for complex pricing
  • Custom login pages and thank you pages for smooth post-purchase experiences
  • Built-in student progress tracking and auto-enrollment

Cons of Thrive Apprentice

  • Limited to Stripe as the only payment gateway
  • No free plan available

Pricing: Thrive Apprentice costs $149/year for the standalone plugin. However, to unlock all the Thrive Themes plugins, you can opt for the Thrive Suite plan at $299 per year.

Why I recommend Thrive Apprentice: It’s a solid choice for anyone building an online course business. Thrive Apprentice provides a seamless course creation experience with built-in Stripe integration, allowing you to start selling immediately without the need for additional plugins or a complex technical setup process.

11. MemberMouse – Best for Enterprise-Level Membership Sites

MemberMouse Courses

MemberMouse is a comprehensive membership plugin designed for larger businesses and enterprises running premium membership sites.

Even when you are managing hundreds or thousands of paying members, it handles complex payment processing without any issues.

MemberMouse offers built-in support for major payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net, and Braintree. This means you don’t need any extra plugins to start collecting payments—it’s all ready to go right after installation.

If you’re curious about the tool’s other features, check out our full MemberMouse review.

Adding multiple payment gateways to your website blog, or online marketplace

The plugin handles one-time payments, subscriptions, and even free trials seamlessly.

Where MemberMouse really shines is in its advanced automation and customer management tools. You can set up smart rules to drip content, offer upsells after checkout, and downgrade or cancel access automatically based on payment status.

If you’re looking for an enterprise-level solution to manage paid memberships, MemberMouse is definitely worth considering.

Pros of MemberMouse

  • Create custom checkout pages and upsell offers
  • Automated access management based on payment status
  • Drip content scheduling
  • Has a ‘dunning’ system which automatically follows up on failed payments and helps reduce churn
  • Comes with an analytics dashboard
  • Supports gift memberships and free vs. paid trials for flexible offers

Cons of MemberMouse

  • No free plan
  • Limited design customization options

Pricing: Its basic plan starts at $149.50/year.

Why I recommend MemberMouse: If you’re building a membership site with tiered pricing, time-released content, and advanced automation, MemberMouse is built for that level of complexity. From what I’ve seen, it goes beyond basic membership plugins by offering enterprise-level tools, such as smart member segmentation, upsells, and detailed analytics.

My Verdict: What Is the Best WordPress Payment Plugin?

In my opinion, WP Simple Pay is the best WordPress payment plugin for accepting Stripe payments.

It’s perfect for anyone who wants to accept subscription or service payments through clean, customizable forms, without the need to build a full online store. You can offer deposit options, installment plans, and coupon codes, all while keeping the setup super simple.

If you need to build more advanced forms and want to accept Stripe, PayPal, Square, or Authorize.net payments, then WPForms is my top recommendation.

When it comes to selling physical products, you can’t go wrong with WooCommerce. It’s the most powerful option for creating a full-fledged online store, with built-in support for major gateways and powerful extensions like FunnelKit for optimizing your checkout flow.

For digital products specifically, I recommend Easy Digital Downloads. It’s more lightweight and built for selling software, downloads, and licenses.

Meanwhile, if your goal is to raise donations, WP Charitable is the best fit. I’ve tested it for several nonprofit sites, and its donation-focused features, like recurring giving, goal tracking, and customizable campaigns, make it stand out from generic form plugins.

Frequently Asked Questions: WordPress Payment Plugins

Here are some frequently asked questions about WordPress payment plugins.

Can I test WordPress payments before going live?

Most quality plugins, including WP Simple Pay, WPForms, WooCommerce, and Easy Digital Downloads, offer a sandbox or test mode that allows you to test payments with just a few clicks.

I recommend enabling this before launching to avoid errors and ensure everything works smoothly. To get started, see our tutorial on how to test Stripe payments in WordPress.

Can I charge a processing fee to customers in WordPress?

Yes, plugins like Easy Digital Downloads, WooCommerce, and WP Simple Pay let you pass the Stripe or PayPal processing fee directly to the customer. This is especially useful if you’re selling digital products with thin margins.

For step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial on how to pass the payment processing fee to customers in WordPress.

What’s the best plugin for accepting recurring payments or subscriptions?

MemberPress is ideal for subscriptions and membership sites. It supports recurring billing, access control, and integrates with major payment gateways out of the box.

Can I accept payments on WordPress without WooCommerce?

Yes, absolutely. Plugins like WP Simple Pay, WPForms, and MemberPress let you accept payments without setting up a full online store. They’re great for selling services, subscriptions, or digital downloads through custom forms.

For more information, see our guide on how to sell on WordPress without WooCommerce.

💡Related Guides: Managing Payments in WordPress

Looking for more information on how to manage payments in WordPress? Check out these additional guides:

Whether you need step-by-step tutorials, tips for boosting conversions, or guidance on securing your transactions, these resources will help you optimize your payment setup.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 11 Best WordPress Payment Plugins (Tested & Verified) first appeared on WPBeginner.

8 Best WooCommerce Affiliate Plugins Compared (Tried and Tested)

5 May 2025 at 10:00

When I launched my first online store years ago, I wanted to scale my business without spending more on marketing. That’s when I discovered affiliate marketing – it was like leading a team of salespeople promoting my products without any upfront costs.

But finding the right affiliate plugin for WooCommerce can be tricky. I’ve tested virtually every WooCommerce affiliate plugin on the market, learning the hard way which ones actually deliver results.

Today, I’m sharing my findings. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your existing affiliate program, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

Best WooCommerce Affiliate Plugins

WooCommerce Affiliate Plugins: My Favorite Picks

In a hurry? No problem! I have summarized the best affiliate plugins you can use for WooCommerce in the table below:

RankPlugin NameBest For…Starting PriceFree Version/Trial?
🥇AffiliateWPOverall affiliate management$149.60/year
🥈RewardsWPRefer-a-friend programs$79.60/ year
🥉Easy AffiliateSubscription products$99.60/year
4Advanced CouponsCoupon campaigns$59.50/year
5YITH WooCommerce AffiliatesFlexible affiliate rules$179.99/year
6ShareASaleFinding established affiliates$750 + fees
7Coupon AffiliatesSmall business owners$19.99/month
8SliceWPSimple affiliate programs$169/year

Want more information? Just keep reading to learn more about each plugin.

My WooCommerce Affiliate Plugin Review Process

For most of the WooCommerce affiliate plugins on this list, I tested them thoroughly by setting up demo websites. This hands-on approach gives much better insights than simply reading feature lists or user reviews.

While I tested most plugins on demo sites, we’ve used tools like AffiliateWP in our own business for years, which has given me deep familiarity with using it to run affiliate programs.

For each tool, I first checked how easy it was to get started. For example, some plugins automatically create registration forms and affiliate dashboards when they are activated, which reduces the amount of setup.

I also paid close attention to commission flexibility. Can you set different rates for products? How about recurring commissions for subscriptions? The best plugins let you create various commission structures to match your business model.

On top of that, a good plugin should offer accurate performance reports. This will allow you to see how successful your marketing efforts are and which affiliates are bringing the best results.

Next, I also looked at how each plugin handles affiliate payments. The most useful plugins provide multiple payment methods, automated payouts, and flexible payment schedules.

Finally, I looked at pricing structures and what you get for your money. While most affiliate plugins require an investment, I highlighted which essential features are available in free versions and which are locked behind premium tiers. 

📣 Why Trust WPBeginner?

At WPBeginner, we’re a team of WordPress experts with in-depth knowledge of WordPress, eCommerce, online marketing, and more.

We don’t just test these plugins. We use many of them in our own businesses, including running successful affiliate programs for our software and plugins.

Our recommendations come from extensive hands-on testing and real-world experience. We understand what WooCommerce store owners need because we work with these tools every day and regularly hear feedback from our community of users.

Want to learn more about our testing process? Check out our editorial guidelines.

Now, let’s look at the best WooCommerce affiliate plugins I’ve tested and reviewed.

1. AffiliateWP – Best Overall WooCommerce Affiliate Plugin

Is AffiliateWP the best affiliate management plugin for WordPress?

AffiliateWP is the best plugin for starting and running an affiliate program in your WooCommerce store. Many of our partner brands have used it on their websites because it’s easy to set up and works well for managing affiliate partners.

What’s more, AffiliateWP offers a ton of features for online stores. You can create special affiliate landing pages, set up fraud protection, and customize your affiliate dashboard. I’ve covered the plugin more extensively in my detailed AffiliateWP review.

Creating an affiliate network in WordPress

Getting started with AffiliateWP is super easy. Once the plugin is active, it automatically adds a sign-up form and creates a dashboard for your affiliate partners.

This beginner-friendly setup is one of the reasons why I put AffiliateWP at the top of my list.

I especially love the AI feature that helps review affiliate applications. It can look at each application and tell you whether to accept or reject it, along with clear reasons why.

AffiliateWP AI Review feature

Another thing that makes AffiliateWP really useful is its flexibility with payments. You can choose to pay your affiliates once, set up regular payments, or create different payment levels.

Plus, it sends automatic emails to keep you and your partners updated about sales and important changes.

Overriding the referral rate for individual affiliates

Pros of AffiliateWP:

  • The plugin setup process takes less than 5 minutes, with the registration form and dashboard created automatically.
  • Affiliates can create their own affiliate links right away through their dashboard, so they can start promoting your business.
  • I love the AI Affiliate Review feature, which screens applications and accepts or rejects recommendations automatically.
  • I’ve found the custom commission rules to be incredibly flexible. You can easily switch between one-time, recurring, or tiered payments, depending on what works best for your business.
  • The automated email system keeps both you and your affiliates updated about new sales, payments, and important changes.
  • The affiliate leaderboard feature has been great for encouraging partners to stay active.
  • The fraud detection system protects you from fake sales by automatically blocking self-referrals.
  • You can enable reCAPTCHA on your registration form to prevent spambots and scripts from signing up for your affiliate program.
  • The reporting dashboard shows clear statistics about your total earnings, average referral amount, and paid or unpaid referrals.
  • No matter which plan you use, you get multiple payout options, including one-click payouts and store credits.

Cons of AffiliateWP:

  • You’ll need to pay to use the plugin, as there’s no free version available.
  • Some useful features, like multi-currency support, are only available in higher-priced plans. So, you need to choose a plan based on the features you need, not the number of websites the plugin will be used for.

Why I recommend AffiliateWP: I picked AffiliateWP as my top choice because it’s powerful enough to handle big affiliate programs. But it’s still easy enough for beginners to use, making it perfect for most WooCommerce store owners.

Pricing: AffiliateWP has 3 main plans, ranging from $149.60 to $299.60 per year. The cheapest plan works great if you only have 1 website. You will get all the basic features you need: unlimited affiliates, 30 AI reviews, and tools to track sales.

I totally understand if this pricing seems steep for new small business owners. That’s why I am happy to share that WPBeginner readers can get up to 50% off their first purchase with our AffiliateWP coupon code!

2. RewardsWP – Best for Refer-a-Friend Programs

RewardsWP

RewardsWP is a beginner-friendly plugin for setting up and running a refer-a-friend program in your WooCommerce or Easy Digital Downloads store. It rewards your existing customers for recommending your online store, which is a low-effort way to drive more sales and conversions.

It’s incredibly easy to get started. The plugin automatically enrolls customers into the referral program right after they make a purchase, making the entire process hands-off for store owners.

One feature I like is the customizable Rewards Widget, which appears automatically when a user logs in to your site. It displays a unique discount code that the customer can share with their friends, making it super easy for them to start referring right away.

RewardsWP widget preview

You can personalize the widget by choosing your brand colors with a color picker, adjusting the launcher display settings, and selecting which social networks customers can use to share.

It’s a simple but highly effective way to boost customer engagement and word-of-mouth referrals.

Customize the RewardsWP widget

With RewardsWP, I like that you’re not limited to offering just one reward or focusing on a single audience. It gives incentives to both the referring customer and the friend they invite.

This double-sided reward system is built right in, which boosts participation and encourages faster conversions. The referring customer gets rewarded for each successful referral, while the invited friend gets rewarded on their first purchase.

Dual sides rewards

I was also really impressed with how the plugin automatically connects guest purchases to customer accounts. This ensures customers don’t lose their referral history or earned rewards if they later decide to create an account.

Pros of RewardsWP

  • It includes built-in email notifications, which let you automatically send a welcome email, notify advocates when their friends make a purchase, and alert referred friends once they claim their rewards.
  • You can easily track rewards and referrals right inside your WordPress dashboard.
  • RewardsWP comes with powerful fraud protection features like duplicate detection, IP filtering, and email validation.
  • It pairs effortlessly with AffiliateWP, which makes it simple to run both an affiliate and refer-a-friend program together.
  • The plugin has a smart self-referral detection system that blocks users who try to refer themselves using the same or modified email addresses.

Cons of RewardsWP

  • The plugin does not have a free plan.

Why I recommend RewardsWP: If you’re looking to create a refer-a-friend program for your WooCommerce or EDD store, then I recommend RewardsWP. It’s secure, beginner-friendly, and packed with powerful features that make running a referral program super easy.

Pricing: RewardsWP offers three paid plans, starting at $79.60 and going up to $159.60. The Basic plan is a great option if you simply want to create a refer-a-friend program on one website.

It includes unlimited members, unlimited rewards, and no monthly fees, making it an affordable way to get your referral program up and running.

3. Easy Affiliate – Best for Subscription-Based Products

Is Easy Affiliate the right automator plugin for your WordPress website?

Easy Affiliate is the ideal WooCommerce affiliate plugin for subscription-based businesses. It stands out because it offers a one-time commission option when affiliates drive new customers, as well as a commission option for all sales.

This way, you can create a commission structure that encourages affiliates to bring in quality, long-term customers. You can learn more about its features and capabilities in my complete Easy Affiliate review.

How to create an affiliate program for your subscription-based products

The affiliate dashboard is another standout feature. Unlike other plugins that can feel cluttered, Easy Affiliate organizes everything neatly in tabs.

Your partners can easily check their earnings, track their performance, and access marketing materials without getting overwhelmed.

What’s more, affiliates can generate their own tracking links and monitor how well each campaign performs. The dashboard shows everything from conversion rates to estimated payouts, keeping your partners engaged and motivated to promote your subscription products.

An example of an affiliate dashboard, created using Easy Affiliate

Easy Affiliate also integrates smoothly with popular email marketing services like Kit and ActiveCampaign. You can automatically add new affiliates to your email list and keep them updated about your products.

This helps you maintain good communication with your partners without extra work.

Pros of Easy Affiliate:

  • The setup process automatically detects your eCommerce platform and helps you integrate it in minutes.
  • During testing, I found that you can migrate your data from another affiliate plugin to Easy Affiliate in a few clicks. This way, you don’t need to set up your program from scratch.
  • The affiliate registration system lets you choose between public signups, manual approvals, or invitation-only access.
  • The Commission Levels add-on is useful for creating tiered rewards that keep top affiliates motivated.
  • The PayPal Mass Payment feature makes it easy to pay multiple affiliates at once without manual processing.
  • The plugin sends automatic email notifications whenever someone applies or earns a commission.
  • The affiliate reporting system clearly shows your program’s performance, including subscription metrics and conversion rates.
  • You can track affiliate campaign performance in Google Analytics by enabling UTM parameters with one click.

Cons of Easy Affiliate:

  • You need to purchase an additional add-on to get protection against self-referrals.
  • The plugin only supports PayPal or manual payments, which might limit your payout options.

Why I recommend Easy Affiliate: I recommend Easy Affiliate for subscription-based businesses because it offers the most comprehensive tracking and commission options for recurring payments.

Pricing: Easy Affiliate offers three pricing tiers from $99.60 to $199.60 per year. The cheapest Basic plan includes everything you need to start: unlimited affiliates, secure tracking, WooCommerce integration, and PayPal payments.

4. Advanced Coupons – Best Affiliate Coupon Builder

Is Advanced Coupons the right coupon plugin for your WooCommerce store or WordPress website?

Advanced Coupons is primarily designed for managing online store coupons. But its integration with affiliate plugins makes it an essential tool for running successful WooCommerce coupon campaigns through your partners.

For a complete breakdown of its features, take a look at my in-depth Advanced Coupons review.

The timing of affiliate promotions can make or break their success. That’s why I love how Advanced Coupons lets you schedule campaigns in advance. Your partners can plan their promotions better when they know precisely when coupons will go live.

Save time by scheduling your offers in advance

I was also very impressed with the auto-apply URL feature (since nobody likes typing in complicated codes, especially on mobile devices).

Your affiliates simply share a link, and when customers click it, the discount applies automatically. No copying and pasting is required.

Creating URL coupons for an online marketplace

The plugin also gives you a lot of control over your promotional strategy through its detailed rule system. This helps protect your profit margins while running affiliate campaigns.

Whether you want to set minimum purchase thresholds or limit usage per customer, Advanced Coupons lets you fine-tune every aspect of your affiliate coupon campaigns.

Pros of Advanced Coupons:

  • You can create new coupons in just a few clicks through the simple dashboard interface.
  • Instead of typing codes, customers can apply discounts by clicking a special URL link.
  • You can set exact rules, such as minimum spending amounts or limiting coupons to specific products.
  • Cart conditions let you create offers like “spend $50 to get free shipping” or “buy 3 items to get 20% off.”
  • The coupon scheduling system automatically activates and deactivates coupons at preset times.
  • The plugin offers multiple coupon types, including BOGO deals, percentage discounts, and free gifts.
  • You can start with the free version to test basic coupon features before upgrading.
  • The plugin works seamlessly with AffiliateWP and other major affiliate plugins, without any conflicts.

Cons of Advanced Coupons:

  • You’ll need to purchase a separate affiliate plugin to access affiliate-focused settings.

Why I recommend Advanced Coupons: It’s my favorite pick for affiliate coupon management because it makes creating and managing affiliate coupon campaigns simple.

Pricing: Premium plans start at $59.50 and go up to $149.50 per year. The cheapest plan, Growth, includes essential features such as auto-apply coupons, URL sharing, and campaign scheduling tools.

I also have a special Advanced Coupons discount code for WPBeginner readers.

5. YITH WooCommerce Affiliates – Highly Flexible Affiliate Plugin

YITH WooCommerce Affiliates

YITH WooCommerce Affiliates gives you complete control over how your affiliate program runs. I’ve tested many YITH plugins before, and they’ve always been reliable and user-friendly, and this one is no exception.

The reason I call it the most flexible is simple. There’s just one paid plan that includes all the features. Unlike other plugins that spread features across different tiers or add-ons, YITH gives you everything in one package.

Plus, you can add other YITH plugins if you need extra functionality for your WooCommerce store. For example, you can install a YITH plugin for creating a multi-vendor marketplace.

Creating affiliate forms is also super simple. You can ask for any information you need, from basic contact details to social media profiles.

Simply add these forms to any page on your site using a shortcode, and then review the applications from your dashboard.

YITH WooCommerce Affiliates Registration Form settings

Managing commissions is straightforward, too. You can set a basic commission rate for everyone and then create special rates for specific products or affiliates.

For instance, you could offer 10% on most products but give 15% on your premium items.

I also love the plugin’s payment system. You can choose to pay affiliates manually or automatically, set minimum payout amounts, and use PayPal, Stripe, or bank transfers.

You can even schedule payments for specific days of the month or when affiliates reach certain earnings.

YITH WooCommerce Affiliates payment options

Pros of YITH WooCommerce Affiliates:

  • You can build registration forms that ask exactly what you want to know about potential affiliates, like their social media profiles, website URLs, or marketing experience.
  • The dashboard clearly shows all affiliate activity, including clicks and sales, to help you identify which marketing channels are most effective.
  • There is a feature that lets you decide whether the first or last affiliate click gets the commission. This way, you can fairly reward either the affiliate who initially introduced the customer or the one who made the final sale.
  • During my tests, I found that you can use this plugin together with WooCommerce’s built-in coupon feature. Then, you can assign each coupon to different affiliates.
  • The plugin handles payments automatically based on your rules, like paying affiliates monthly or when they reach $100 in earnings.
  • You get clear WooCommerce reports showing which affiliates bring in the most sales.
  • The plugin sends automatic updates to affiliates about their earnings through email notifications.

Cons of YITH WooCommerce Affiliates:

  • The plugin doesn’t support multiple currencies.

Why I recommend YITH WooCommerce Affiliates: It offers an all-in-one solution that gives you complete control over your affiliate program without the complexity of multiple plans or add-ons.

Pricing: There’s a free version of YITH WooCommerce Affiliates that you can use to get started. But it lacks features like coupon assignment and commission notifications. You can also get the premium version for $179.99 per year, which includes all the features I mentioned in this review.

6. ShareASale WooCommerce Tracker – Best for Reaching Established Affiliates

ShareASale WooCommerce Tracker

ShareASale, now part of the Awin network, is one of the largest affiliate marketplaces in the world. This platform helps you connect your WooCommerce store with ShareASale’s vast network of pre-screened, professional affiliates.

The platform also handles everything from affiliate screening to payment processing, saving you countless hours of management work. This is why some of our partner brands use ShareASale and are satisfied with its performance.

One thing to note is that ShareASale is not a WooCommerce affiliate plugin. It is a third-party platform. However, it has a ShareASale WooCommerce Tracker plugin that lets you connect the platform with your website. The plugin makes integration surprisingly straightforward.

Once installed, you just need to enter your ShareASale Merchant ID in the WooCommerce Tracker settings. After that, the plugin automatically tracks all sales and commissions without any extra work on your part.

Linking the ShareASale WooCommerce Tracker plugin to your ShareASale account

ShareASale’s reporting system gives you a clear view of your program’s performance. You can see which affiliates drive the most sales, track conversion rates, and monitor commission payouts, all from one dashboard.

Pros of ShareASale:

  • You get instant access to thousands of professional affiliates looking for products to promote. Based on my research, this benefit is not offered by many affiliate plugins.
  • The platform handles all the technical aspects, from hosting to tracking to payments.
  • I found the analytics dashboard extremely detailed, showing everything from click data to conversion rates.
  • ShareASale manages all affiliate payments automatically, saving you from having to process them manually.
  • The platform screens all affiliates before they join, ensuring quality partnerships.
  • The integration with WooCommerce works well with the official plugin.
  • You can use the attribution tool to reward top-performing affiliates.

Cons of ShareASale:

  • The initial setup cost of $750 and a 20% transaction fee on affiliate commissions paid might be steep for small businesses.

Why I recommend ShareASale: For businesses ready to scale their affiliate program, ShareASale’s established network and automated management system can make it worth the investment.

Pricing: ShareASale typically requires an upfront payment around $650 to $750, plus a deposit and monthly platform fee. There’s also a 20% transaction fee on affiliate commissions paid.

While these costs are significant, they give you access to one of the largest affiliate networks available.

7. Coupon Affiliates – Best Freemium Affiliate Plugin

Coupon Affiliates for WooCommerce

Coupon Affiliates offers powerful affiliate features in its free version that you’d typically have to pay for in other plugins. Plus, you get 7 days to try all the premium features before deciding if you need them.

The free version gives you more than you’d expect. For example, you can create affiliate dashboards where your partners can view their stats, track the commission they’ve earned, and manage their own registration forms.

You can also choose how to pay them (either a percentage of sales or a fixed amount) and even set up recurring payments for subscription products.

I liked the referral link system that comes with the free version. Your affiliates can create their own tracking links, and when customers click these links, their coupon codes are automatically applied at checkout.

You can also view the most recent website visits via the affiliate coupon code URLs.

Coupon Affiliates' Referral URL Visits feature

If you upgrade to the premium version, you get more special features. For instance, you can create groups of affiliates and assign them special commission rates.

This will be helpful if you want to reward your top performers with higher commissions or set up different rates for influencers versus regular affiliates. 

Coupon Affiliates plugin's Affiliate Groups feature

Pros of Coupon Affiliates:

  • The free version displays important stats, such as total sales, clicks, and conversion rates.
  • Affiliates can check their referral orders and filter them by date to track their performance.
  • When affiliates share their referral links, their coupon codes are automatically applied at checkout.
  • The premium version lets affiliates earn commissions from other affiliates they recruit. In my research, I’ve only seen a handful of plugins that have this feature.
  • You can create different affiliate groups with their own commission rates and rules.
  • The affiliate leaderboard feature helps motivate partners to sell more.

Cons of Coupon Affiliates:

  • In my opinion, the dashboard design feels outdated and could use a modern refresh.

Why I recommend Coupon Affiliates: This WooCommerce affiliate plugin is perfect for businesses that want to start an affiliate program without a significant upfront investment.

Pricing: The free version of Coupon Affiliates includes core features like affiliate dashboards and commission tracking. Premium plans start at $19.99 per month or $12.99 per month with annual billing. There’s also a lifetime option at $599.99.

8. SliceWP – Simple, Easy-to-Use Affiliate Plugin

SliceWP

SliceWP makes managing affiliate programs feel effortless with its clean, modern dashboard design. During my tests of various affiliate plugins, I found SliceWP’s interface to be the most intuitive and easy to navigate.

The dashboard’s straightforward layout helps you evaluate your affiliate marketing performance without getting overwhelmed. You can see an overview of important statistics, including total referral revenue, the latest registered affiliates, and the latest commissions, among others.

SliceWP's dashboard

The plugin strikes a good balance between simplicity and functionality. In the free version, you get essential features like unlimited affiliates, customizable tracking links, and basic commission management.

If you need more, the premium version adds powerful tools like custom commission rates and social sharing from the affiliate’s account page.

What I particularly like is how SliceWP handles add-ons. Instead of making you buy them separately, all add-ons with 24+ options are included with the premium plans. This means you get everything from PayPal mass payouts to multi-level affiliate systems in one package.

Pros of SliceWP:

  • The affiliate dashboard shows clear statistics about clicks and sales.
  • You can add unlimited affiliates, even in the free version.
  • The affiliate plugin lets you review applications before accepting partners.
  • The premium version includes all 24+ add-ons at no extra cost.
  • You can set different commission rates for specific product pages or affiliates.
  • Email notifications keep affiliates updated about their earnings automatically.

Cons of SliceWP:

  • Based on my testing, I feel that the free version’s manual payout system could lead to errors since you have to select affiliates and amounts individually.
  • Compared to other affiliate plugins, SliceWP’s core plugin doesn’t have as many features.

Why I recommend SliceWP: This plugin is great for businesses that want a clean, professional-looking affiliate program that’s easy to manage.

Pricing: There’s a free version of SliceWP to get you started. Premium plans range from $169 to $259 per year, and both include access to all add-ons.

What Is the Best WooCommerce Affiliate Plugin?

After testing numerous WooCommerce affiliate plugins, AffiliateWP is my top overall recommendation. Its combination of powerful features and a user-friendly interface makes it perfect for both beginners and experienced users alike.

Plus, the AI feature that helps you review applications is a game-changer for saving time on program management.

On the other hand, if you want to create a refer-a-friend program in just a few minutes, then RewardsWP is the ideal choice. It is powerful, beginner-friendly, and secure.

If you run a subscription-based business, then Easy Affiliate might be a better choice. It’s specifically designed to handle both one-time and recurring commissions, helping you reward affiliates for bringing in long-term customers.

For businesses focusing on coupon-based affiliate marketing, Advanced Coupons works great alongside these plugins. While it’s primarily a coupon management tool, its scheduling features and auto-apply URLs make running affiliate coupon campaigns much easier.

WooCommerce Affiliates: Frequently Asked Questions

After reviewing the best WooCommerce affiliate plugins, let’s answer some common questions about running an affiliate program on WordPress.

Does WordPress allow affiliate links?

Yes, WordPress fully supports affiliate links. You can add them to your posts, pages, or anywhere else on your website. Just make sure to follow proper disclosure guidelines and mark affiliate links as ‘nofollow’ for SEO best practices.

Can I use WooCommerce for affiliate marketing?

Yes, you can create an affiliate marketing program with WooCommerce. However, you’ll need a dedicated affiliate plugin because WooCommerce doesn’t include affiliate tracking features by default.

The best plugins are AffiliateWP for overall management, Easy Affiliate for subscription products, or Advanced Coupons if you want to run coupon-based campaigns.

How do you create affiliate links in WooCommerce?

The process depends on which plugin you use. With AffiliateWP, affiliates get access to a dashboard where they can generate their own referral links instantly.

They don’t need to wait for you to create links. Instead, they can start promoting your products right after being approved. Other plugins like Easy Affiliate also offer similar features.

Discover More WooCommerce Tips and Tricks

Looking to learn more tips and tricks for managing your WooCommerce store? Check out these beginner-friendly guides:

I hope this article has helped you choose the best WooCommerce affiliate plugin for your business. You may also want to check out our ultimate guide to WooCommerce SEO and our expert picks of the best WooCommerce product grid plugins.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

The post 8 Best WooCommerce Affiliate Plugins Compared (Tried and Tested) first appeared on WPBeginner.

Plugins Team Unveils Roadmap for Phase 2 of Plugin Check

31 December 2024 at 17:59

Chris Christoff of the Plugins Team has published the roadmap of Phase 2 of the Plugin Check plugin. According to the statistics shared at this year’s State of the Word, 41% fewer issues were reported per approved plugin after launching the Plugin Check tool, enabling the team to approve 138% more plugins each week and significantly reducing the review queue length. 

In the words of David Perez, “Plugin Check is a tool for testing whether your plugin meets the required standards for the WordPress.org plugin directory. With this plugin, you will be able to run most of the checks used for new submissions and check if your plugin meets the requirements.”

David Perez also shared that the Plugin Check plugin significantly reduced the time for reviews, bringing the average wait time down from 37 weeks to 9 weeks, even as plugin submissions have almost doubled.

In Phase 1, Plugin Check was released to the community as a plugin available through WordPress.org. It currently has 2000+ Active installations. In October this year, it became a requirement for new plugin submissions to the Plugin Directory and for relisting plugins that were removed due to security issues.

Phase 2 of Plugin Check will expand its coverage to include updates made by plugin authors to plugins already listed in the Directory. Planned improvements for the second phase include enhanced documentation, more intuitive messaging, a revamped UI, conditional rule application, the addition of an experimental checks feature, easier output customization for better integration, and retroactive directory integration.

The Plugins Team revealed that the Plugin Check project also aims to help plugin authors keep up with the latest best practices by allowing them to quickly scan their plugins for performance improvements and best practice opportunities. The PCP team will also collaborate with other teams to support plugin authors.

Currently, Plugin Check evaluates plugins based on best practices across five categories: General, Plugin Repo, Security, Performance, and Accessibility. The Plugin Team encourages all plugin authors to integrate Plugin Check into their development workflows. 

Errors shown when Classic Widgets plugin is checked with Plugin Check

Specific rollout timelines and processes for Phase 2 will be shared in a future Make Plugins post as its release approaches. Those interested in contributing to the plugin can do so on its GitHub repository.

Details on the specific timeline and processes for Phase 2 will be shared in an upcoming ‘Make Plugins’ post as the release date approaches. Those interested in contributing to the project can do so through its GitHub repository.

Also check out Pascal Birchler’s post on Why you should start using Plugin Check.

❌