Beyond just creating content, your course builder determines:<\/p>\n
- \n
- User experience:<\/strong> How easy is it for students to navigate your course?<\/li>\n
- Monetization options:<\/strong> Can you price your courses flexibly and set up memberships?<\/li>\n
- Customization & branding:<\/strong> Do you have full control over how your course looks and functions?<\/li>\n
- Integrations:<\/strong> Does it work with your preferred email marketing tools, payment gateways, and community features?<\/li>\n
- Ease of use:<\/strong> Can you set up a course quickly without a steep learning curve?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
With all that in mind, let\u2019s compare Thrive Apprentice<\/strong> and MemberPress<\/strong>, two popular options for WordPress users. Which one gives you the best experience, flexibility, and value for your online course business? Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice vs MemberPress: Let’s Break It Down<\/h2>\n
To help you make an informed decision, I’ll break down Thrive Apprentice and MemberPress across these key areas:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Ease of Setup\/Use<\/span><\/li>\n
- Templates & Design Options<\/span><\/li>\n
- Basic Course-Building Features<\/span><\/li>\n
- Advanced Course Features (Drip Control, Assessments, etc.) <\/span><\/li>\n
- Monetization Options<\/span><\/li>\n
- Customer Support & Documentation <\/span><\/li>\n
- Pricing<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I’ll share my real-world experience using both builders and tell you which one I think comes out on top. More importantly, I’ll help you figure out which tool makes the most sense for your specific needs.<\/p>\n
Sound good? Let’s get into the details of these powerful WordPress course builders.<\/p>\n
NOTE: <\/strong><\/p>\n
There are other solid WordPress plugins that offer course building like WishList Member, LearnDash, Teachable, and more, so check out this article for a more in-depth list of the Best Platforms to Sell Online Courses.<\/a><\/p>\n
Ease of Setup\/Use: Can You Get Started In 30 Minutes?<\/h3>\n
From my experience working with online course platforms, ease of setup can make or break your workflow. If a tool takes hours just to get a basic course live, it\u2019s already working against you. The best course builders should feel effortless, guiding you through the setup process so you can focus on creating content \u2014 not troubleshooting tech issues.For course creators, time is money.<\/strong> Whether you’re launching your first program or migrating from another platform, you need a system that lets you structure lessons, upload content, and start selling quickly\u2014without endless configurations.Let\u2019s see how Thrive Apprentice and MemberPress compare when it comes to getting started.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice Ease of Setup\/Use<\/h4>\n
Setting up Thrive Apprentice is incredibly straightforward. One thing I really appreciate about Thrive Themes is how they focus on guiding you from point A to a finished course<\/strong> with as little friction as possible.<\/p>\n
Once you install the plugin, you\u2019re immediately taken through a brief setup wizard<\/strong> where you:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Name your course platform<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Choose your initial templates<\/strong> for key pages like the course overview and lesson layouts<\/li>\n
- Enter the Thrive Apprentice dashboard<\/strong>, where everything is laid out clearly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/getstarted-4.png\" "\\"getstarted.png\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nThe Thrive Apprentice dashboard is one of my favorite parts of the experience. It\u2019s clean, simple, and intuitive, making it easy to find exactly what you need. From there, setting up your courses is even smoother.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/1-Access-Courses-1.png\" "\\"1")
<\/span><\/p>\nYou get a drag-and-drop editor that allows you to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Plan your entire course structure visually<\/li>\n
- Add, remove, and reorder lessons effortlessly<\/li>\n
- Make all changes in one place\u2014without bouncing between multiple tabs or the WordPress block editor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Everything happens within the same platform, which is a huge time-saver<\/strong>. I\u2019ve tested plenty of course builders that require navigating multiple windows just to get the basics set up, but with Thrive Apprentice, you can go from idea to a fully structured course in under 30 minutes<\/strong>\u2014or even less.<\/p>\n
For this, I’ve given Thrive Apprentice a 10 out of 10.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice Ease of Setup\/Use: 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress Ease of Setup\/Use<\/h4>\n
MemberPress also offers a fairly smooth setup process. One of the things I liked was their setup wizard, which ensures you cover all the key details upfront. As soon as you install the plugin, the wizard pops up automatically\u2014no need to search for it. <\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/MemberPress-Onboarding.png\" "\\"MemberPress")
<\/span><\/p>\nIt walks you through:<\/p>\n
- \n
- What type of products you want to sell<\/li>\n
- Your business goals<\/li>\n
- How you want your membership site to be structured<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This makes the initial setup simple, even if you\u2019re new to membership or course platforms.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019re in, the MemberPress dashboard is easy to find\u2014it’s located in the left sidebar of the WordPress admin panel. From there, you can click through the different options to familiarize yourself with the platform.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Find-MemberPress.png\" "\\"Find")
<\/span><\/p>\nHowever, when it comes to creating online courses, MemberPress takes a slightly different approach. Courses are built using the MemberPress Courses add-on<\/strong><\/a>, which comes included in all MemberPress subscriptions. While this is convenient, course creation happens inside the WordPress Block Editor, which was a bit of a downside for me.<\/p>\n
The WordPress Block Editor: A Pro or a Con?<\/span><\/p>\n
If you\u2019re already comfortable with the WordPress Block Editor<\/a>, you might not mind using it to build your courses. But from my experience, it feels a little<\/em> clunky \u2014 especially compared to more dedicated course builders like Thrive Apprentice.<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Block Editor works well for basic layouts and beginner-friendly themes.<\/li>\n
- But for more complex business use cases, it lacks flexibility<\/strong> and feels limiting<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Compared to drag-and-drop course builders, it\u2019s not as intuitive or fast<\/strong> to work with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That being said, MemberPress does a good job of keeping everything organized. The curriculum builder uses a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Name and structure your courses<\/li>\n
- Rearrange lessons<\/li>\n
- Keep track of your course pages and content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Overall, the platform is easy to navigate and keeps things structured, but the reliance on the WordPress Block Editor for course building holds it back slightly.<\/p>\n
MemberPress scores an 8.5 out of 10.<\/p>\n
MemberPress Ease of Setup\/Use: 8.5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
Ease of Setup\/Use Winner: Thrive Apprentice<\/h4>\n
Thrive Apprentice<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress<\/strong><\/p>\n
When it comes to getting started quickly, Thrive Apprentice takes the lead.<\/p>\n
Both platforms offer straightforward setup processes, but Thrive Apprentice provides a fully guided experience with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor \u2014 allowing you to structure, design, and launch your course<\/a> all in one place. In contrast, MemberPress relies on the WordPress Block Editor for course creation, which, while functional, feels less streamlined and flexible compared to Thrive Apprentice\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n
If you want a fast, frictionless setup with a builder designed specifically for online courses, Thrive Apprentice is the clear winner. It eliminates extra steps and lets you create a professional course in 30 minutes or less, earning it a perfect 10\/10 in this category.<\/p>\n
Templates & Design Options: Can I Tailor My Course Platform to Match My Brand?<\/h3>\n
A course platform isn\u2019t just about functionality \u2014 it also needs to look and feel like an extension of your brand. Whether you’re running a coaching business, a membership site<\/a>, or an online academy, your course pages should match your website\u2019s design, maintain consistency, and create a professional learning experience.From my experience, design flexibility can be a huge differentiator. Some platforms lock you into rigid templates with minimal customization, while others give you the freedom to fully control layouts, fonts, colors, and branding elements. The ideal platform should strike a balance between ease of use and creative control, allowing you to craft a visually appealing learning environment without needing advanced coding skills.So, how do Thrive Apprentice and MemberPress compare when it comes to customization and branding? Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice: Templates & Design Options<\/h4>\n
When it comes to templates and design flexibility, Thrive Apprentice strikes a great balance. It gives you enough customization options to ensure your courses don\u2019t look generic, but without overwhelming you with hundreds of choices that can slow down the setup process.You start with a selection of pre-designed templates, each with its own unique style. Unlike some platforms that lock you into a single course layout, Thrive Apprentice lets you choose from multiple designs\u2014giving you control while keeping the process efficient. I appreciate this because, in my experience, too much choice can lead to decision fatigue, especially for business owners who just want to get set up quickly.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
![\"Course](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/course-lesson-templates.png\" "\\"course-lesson-templates\\"")
<\/span><\/p>\nCourse Lesson Templates in Thrive Apprentice<\/p>\n
Beyond just picking a template, you can customize it further using the Thrive Visual Editor. This allows you to:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Add your logo, images, and text<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Adjust layouts and columns<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Refine the look and feel of your course pages<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You also get templates for course completion pages and certificates, but further customization for these requires <\/span><\/span>Thrive Architect<\/span><\/span><\/a>, Thrive Themes\u2019 landing page builder. While I would have liked to see full editing access within Thrive Apprentice itself, it\u2019s not a dealbreaker \u2014just something to keep in mind.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice delivers a solid mix of creative freedom and ease of use, and for this it gets a score of 8.5 out of 10.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice Templates & Design Options: 8.5\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress Templates & Design Options<\/h4>\n
When it comes to templates and design customization, MemberPress is surprisingly limited, especially for such a robust plugin. Unlike Thrive Apprentice, which offers pre-designed course templates, MemberPress relies almost entirely on the WordPress block editor to handle course design.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MemberPress-in-WP.png\" "\\"MemberPress")
<\/span><\/p>\nIf you’re someone who sees online courses as a secondary revenue stream, this might not be a dealbreaker. But if you\u2019re serious about branding your course platform and customizing your student experience, the lack of design flexibility could be frustrating.There are no built-in course templates, so you have to manually create layouts using the block editor.While the block editor does offer basic customization (text, images, videos, buttons), it doesn\u2019t provide a structured design system like other course builders.If you\u2019re experienced with WordPress, you might be able to get creative with blocks, but for beginners or business owners wanting fast and polished course designs, the process isn\u2019t ideal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A Small Plus: Certificate Templates (With a Catch)<\/h5>\n
MemberPress does offer certificate templates, but there\u2019s a catch \u2014 you only get them if you purchase the higher-tier plan that includes the certificate and quiz add-ons. If you’re using the Basic plan, you\u2019ll have to pay extra to access these features, which might not be compelling enough to justify an upgrade.<\/p>\n
For a tool as powerful as MemberPress, the lack of course design templates is a major downside. But, if you\u2019re already comfortable with the WordPress Block Editor or don\u2019t mind manually structuring your course layout, it might work for you.<\/p>\n
For this, I’ve had to give MemberPress a 4 out of 10.<\/p>\n
MemberPress Templates and Design Options: 4\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
Templates & Design Options Winner: Thrive Apprentice<\/h4>\n
Thrive Apprentice<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress<\/strong><\/p>\n
When it comes to design flexibility, Thrive Apprentice is the clear winner<\/strong>. It offers pre-designed templates that let you quickly create a polished course platform while still allowing customization through the Thrive Visual Editor. <\/a>While some advanced edits require Thrive Architect, it still provides a far better balance of creative freedom and ease of use compared to MemberPress.<\/p>\n
MemberPress, on the other hand, is heavily reliant on the WordPress block editor, which feels limiting for course creators who want a more professional look without manual design work. With no built-in course templates and restricted customization options, it simply doesn\u2019t offer the same level of design control. Thrive Apprentice takes this round with an 8.5\/10 vs. MemberPress\u2019 4\/10.<\/p>\n
Basic Course Building: What Features Are Available for Creating My Course Lessons?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
A great course builder isn\u2019t just about looking good \u2014 it also needs to provide the right tools to structure and deliver engaging lessons. At the core of any online course platform are features like lesson organization, multimedia support, progress tracking, and student engagement tools.<\/p>\n
From my experience, a solid course builder should make it easy to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Break content into structured modules and lessons<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Add different types of media<\/strong> (videos, PDFs, quizzes, audio, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Allow students to track their progress<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Customize lesson layouts without limitations<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some platforms give you complete control over how lessons are built, while others limit you to a basic structure with minimal customization. The real question is: Do Thrive Apprentice and MemberPress provide enough tools to make your course engaging and well-structured?<\/strong> Let\u2019s compare.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice: Basic Course Building Features<\/h4>\n
When it comes to course creation features, Thrive Apprentice gives you everything you need<\/strong> right out of the box\u2014no upgrades or add-ons required. That\u2019s something I really appreciate, especially compared to platforms that lock key features behind higher-tier plans.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you get with your subscription:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Drag-and-drop course editor<\/strong> \u2013 Easily structure your course with modules, chapters, and lessons<\/strong> in a clear, intuitive interface.<\/li>\n
- Customizable lesson pages<\/strong> \u2013 Modify lesson layouts and add media directly using a drag-and-drop editor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Drip content settings<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Set up scheduled lesson releases (we\u2019ll cover this in more detail later).<\/li>\n
- Interactive assessments<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Engage students with quizzes and various assessment types<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Certificates and rewards<\/strong> <\/a>\u2013 Motivate students with achievement-based recognition.<\/li>\n
- Detailed reporting<\/strong><\/a> \u2013 Track student progress and course performance with built-in analytics.<\/li>\n
- Custom access restrictions<\/strong> \u2013 Create <\/a>hidden courses<\/a>, cohort-based courses<\/strong><\/a>, and free trials<\/strong><\/a><\/strong> for premium content.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
What stands out is that everything is included in a single plan and there\u2019s no need to pay extra to unlock advanced course-building features. That makes Thrive Apprentice one of the most feature-complete course builders available on WordPress.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice scores another 10 out of 10, here.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice Course-Building Features: 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress: Basic Course Building Features<\/h4>\n
MemberPress provides all the essential tools needed to build a structured online course, but if you want more interactive or advanced features, you\u2019ll need to upgrade to a higher-tier plan.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what you get on the standard plan<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A curriculum builder<\/strong> to structure your course content<\/li>\n
- The ability to create and organize lessons<\/strong> (within the WordPress block editor)<\/li>\n
- Basic design elements<\/strong> to format your course pages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
However, if you want to:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Add quizzes<\/li>\n
- Include student assignments<\/li>\n
- Offer certificates for course completion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u2026you\u2019ll need to pay for an upgraded plan<\/strong>, which may not be ideal if you\u2019re trying to keep costs down. While this model makes sense for MemberPress\u2019 membership-focused approach, it feels restrictive compared to Thrive Apprentice, which offers these features without an extra cost.<\/p>\n
MemberPress gets a 6 out of 10 here.<\/p>\n
MemberPress Basic Course Building Features: 6\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
Basic Course Building Winner: Thrive Apprentice<\/h4>\n
Thrive Apprentice<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress<\/strong><\/p>\n
While both platforms provide the essentials for structuring an online course, Thrive Apprentice stands out by offering a complete set of course-building tools without requiring additional upgrades. With quizzes, certificates, interactive assessments, and custom access settings all included, it\u2019s a feature-rich solution from the start.MemberPress, on the other hand, locks advanced features behind higher-tier plans, which can be limiting if you want to create more interactive courses without extra costs. If you\u2019re looking for an all-in-one course builder without paywalls, Thrive Apprentice takes this round with a 10\/10 vs. MemberPress\u2019 6\/10.<\/p>\n
Drip Function: Can I Create a Custom Course Release Schedule?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
One of the key features of a strong online course platform is drip content functionality <\/strong>\u2014 the ability to schedule when lessons become available to students. This is especially useful for:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Keeping students engaged<\/strong> by releasing content over time instead of overwhelming them all at once.<\/li>\n
- Running cohort-based courses<\/strong>, where everyone progresses at the same pace.<\/li>\n
- Creating subscription-based models<\/strong>, where new content unlocks at scheduled intervals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
From my experience, a good drip function should allow for custom scheduling, flexibility in release timing, and automation to reduce manual work. Some platforms offer simple time-based dripping, while others allow more advanced conditions like unlocking content based on student progress.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s see how Thrive Apprentice and MemberPress compare when it comes to custom course release scheduling.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice: Drip Function<\/h4>\n
When it comes to drip functionality, Thrive Apprentice truly excels. Many platforms claim to offer custom drip scheduling, but in practice, they often have rigid or limited options. That\u2019s not the case here\u2014you get complete control over how and when your course content is released.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice gives you six different types of drip schedules<\/strong>, allowing you to customize exactly how your content is released:<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Drip-Options-to-Choose-From.png\" "\\"Drip")
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
- \n
- Scheduled Repeating<\/strong> \u2013 Lessons unlock at consistent intervals<\/strong> after the course starts.<\/li>\n
- Evergreen Repeating<\/strong> \u2013 Content unlocks at set intervals<\/strong> per student, meaning each learner progresses at their own pace.<\/li>\n
- Drip by Date<\/strong> \u2013 Set specific calendar dates<\/strong> for course content to become available.<\/li>\n
- Sequential Unlock<\/strong> \u2013 Requires students to complete lessons in order<\/strong> before accessing the next module.<\/li>\n
- Event-Triggered Unlocking<\/strong> \u2013 Use tools like Uncanny Automator<\/strong><\/a> to sync drip content with external triggers.<\/li>\n
- Custom Drip Schedules<\/strong> \u2013 Build a completely custom schedule<\/strong> based on your unique needs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
What makes Thrive Apprentice stand out is that these options don\u2019t feel overwhelming or complicated. The interface is intuitive, making it easy to set up the right structure for your course without getting lost in technical details.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice gets another 10 here.<\/p>\n
Thrive Apprentice Drip Function: 10\/10<\/strong><\/p>\n
MemberPress: Drip Function<\/h4>\n
MemberPress offers decent drip functionality, allowing you to control when different types of content\u2014pages, posts, and courses\u2014become available. While it doesn\u2019t offer as many granular customization options as Thrive Apprentice, it still provides enough flexibility for most course creators.<\/p>\n
Drip scheduling in MemberPress is handled through their Rules feature.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mlpxhq8ztvyc.i.optimole.com\/cb:p0Z2.44bbf\/w:auto\/h:auto\/q:mauto\/f:best\/https:\/\/thrivethemes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/MemberPress-Rules.png\" "\\"MemberPress")
<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Here you can configure:<\/p>\n
- \n
- What content is dripped<\/strong> (entire courses or specific lessons)<\/li>\n
- When it\u2019s released<\/strong>, based on:\n
- \n
- A fixed date<\/strong><\/li>\n
- A certain number of days after a user registers<\/strong><\/li>\n
- After a product purchase<\/strong><\/li>\n
- A certain number of days after a user registers<\/strong><\/li>\n
- When it\u2019s released<\/strong>, based on:\n
- Evergreen Repeating<\/strong> \u2013 Content unlocks at set intervals<\/strong> per student, meaning each learner progresses at their own pace.<\/li>\n
- Running cohort-based courses<\/strong>, where everyone progresses at the same pace.<\/li>\n
- Keeping students engaged<\/strong> by releasing content over time instead of overwhelming them all at once.<\/li>\n
- The ability to create and organize lessons<\/strong> (within the WordPress block editor)<\/li>\n
- Customizable lesson pages<\/strong> \u2013 Modify lesson layouts and add media directly using a drag-and-drop editor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Add different types of media<\/strong> (videos, PDFs, quizzes, audio, etc.)<\/li>\n
- Adjust layouts and columns<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Add your logo, images, and text<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Compared to drag-and-drop course builders, it\u2019s not as intuitive or fast<\/strong> to work with.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Choose your initial templates<\/strong> for key pages like the course overview and lesson layouts<\/li>\n
- Templates & Design Options<\/span><\/li>\n
- Monetization options:<\/strong> Can you price your courses flexibly and set up memberships?<\/li>\n