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MemberPress alternatives · Courses

Self-hosted alternatives to MemberPress

The MemberPress listing does not say it can be self-hosted. 10 of the 98 other course and community platforms in this directory can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

MemberPress is a paid product, starting at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50. 9 of them are free or have a free plan.

10 tools · Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from

How each one differs from MemberPress

  1. Sensei LMS

    WordPress course plugin with a free core and a paid Pro tier

    • Sensei LMS starts at $15 per month, billed yearly ($179), for Sensei Pro; the core plugin is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • Sensei LMS has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • Sensei LMS is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Sensei LMS also covers templates.
    Sensei LMS pricing and details

  2. Flarum

    Free open-source forum software you host yourself

    • Flarum is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • Flarum has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • Flarum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers online courses.
    Flarum pricing and details

  3. CourseLit

    Open-source course, download and community platform

    • CourseLit starts at $12 per month, billed yearly ($15 billed monthly). MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • CourseLit is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • CourseLit also covers email campaigns and digital downloads.
    CourseLit pricing and details

  4. Open edX

    Free open-source learning platform stewarded by Axim Collaborative

    • Open edX is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • Open edX has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • Open edX is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • Open edX also covers reports.
    Open edX pricing and details

  5. Moodle

    Open-source learning platform you host yourself or on MoodleCloud

    • Moodle has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • Moodle is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers community.
    Moodle pricing and details

  6. NodeBB

    Open-source forum software with managed hosting plans

    • NodeBB starts at $20 per month for hosting; self-hosting is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • NodeBB has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • NodeBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers online courses.
    NodeBB pricing and details

  7. phpBB

    Free open-source bulletin board software written in PHP

    • phpBB is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • phpBB has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • phpBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers online courses.
    phpBB pricing and details

  8. MyBB

    Free open-source forum software with plugins and themes

    • MyBB is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • MyBB has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • MyBB is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers online courses.
    MyBB pricing and details

  9. Simple Machines Forum

    Free open-source community forum software (SMF)

    • Simple Machines Forum is free. MemberPress starts at $399 per year at renewal, after a first year for $199.50.
    • Simple Machines Forum has a free plan. MemberPress does not.
    • Simple Machines Forum is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
    • MemberPress also covers online courses.
    Simple Machines Forum pricing and details

Common questions

Is there a self-hosted alternative to MemberPress?

Yes. Sensei LMS, Flarum, CourseLit, Open edX, Paid Memberships Pro, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB and 2 more can be self-hosted, according to their own sites.

Can MemberPress be self-hosted?

The MemberPress listing does not say it can be self-hosted. The listing was checked on Oct 17, 2026 against the pages it cites.

Which of these course and community platforms are free?

Sensei LMS, Flarum, Open edX, Paid Memberships Pro, Moodle, NodeBB, phpBB, MyBB and 1 more are free or have a free plan.

When was this checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 17, 2026 to Nov 13, 2026. Vendors change prices and plans without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

This page is built from the listings. A tool is here because its listing says so, and the order is how close each is to MemberPress: the alternatives its listing names first, then the tools that share the most features with it.