PaywallProject
What PaywallProject is
PaywallProject is a WordPress paywall and membership service aimed at local news publishers. Its metered paywall lets publishers set free article limits by day, week, or month and apply different limits by section or post type. The meter uses IP addresses to count anonymous and registered visitors, including when cookies have been cleared or a private window is used. A dashboard covers digital and print subscriptions and donations. Publishers can create segmented newsletters in WordPress, manage ad inventory through Ads Glue, and offer payment options through a WooCommerce integration. E-editions are archived, searchable page-flip issues that do not require a separate reader login, and an AI-powered calendar organizes regional events. The listed Free plan costs $10 a month and includes unlimited subscribers and e-editions, with documentation and email support; users handle hosting and setup. Standard is listed at $995 a month. The site says launch takes about two weeks or less on average.
Who it suits
It suits local news publishers using WordPress who need metered access, subscription and donation management, or digital editions. Publishers should note that the listed Free plan leaves hosting and setup to them.
What it does well
- Sets article allowances by time period, section, or post type
- Tracks anonymous and registered visitors by IP address
- Dashboard manages subscriptions and donations
- E-editions are searchable and archived
- Newsletter creation includes automated segmentation
What to know first
- The listed Free plan requires users to handle hosting and setup
- The listed Standard plan costs $995 a month
- Slack support is an add-on
Limits
The Free plan is listed at $10 a month and says publishers handle hosting and setup. Standard is listed at $995 a month and includes unlimited subscribers, e-editions, newsletters, ad management, and priority email support.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Unlimited subscribers · E-editions · Docs and email support · You handle hosting and setup | $10 a month |
| Priority Slack support add-on | Available with any plan · Shared Slack channel for support | $100 a month |
| Managed service add-on | Available with any plan · Site design, build, hosting, and maintenance | $200 a month |
| Branded mobile apps add-on | Available with any plan · iOS and Android apps · Push notifications and ads | $300 a month |
| Standard | Unlimited subscribers · E-editions · Newsletters · Ad management · Priority email support | $995 a month |
As paywallproject.com lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the PaywallProject website.
- Choose the Free plan or a listed paid plan.
- Use the Free plan’s documentation and email support, or select a managed service add-on.
- Plan for a launch that the site says takes about two weeks or less on average.
Verdict
PaywallProject brings paywall, membership, newsletters, advertising, and e-editions into a WordPress-focused service for local news. Check the plan details carefully: the listed Free plan costs $10 a month, while Standard is $995 a month.
Questions
Is PaywallProject free?
A Free plan is listed at $10 a month. The pricing note also describes the product as freemium, with paid service from $299/mo.
What platforms and CMS does it support?
The listed platforms are Android, iOS, and web. WordPress is the supported CMS.
What does the Free plan include?
It lists unlimited subscribers, e-editions, documentation, and email support. Publishers handle hosting and setup on this plan.
What does Standard cost?
The Standard plan is listed at $995 a month. It includes unlimited subscribers, e-editions, newsletters, ad management, and priority email support.
Which payment processor does it support?
Stripe is listed as a payment processor. A WooCommerce integration can offer payment gateways and options beyond a single processor.
What support add-ons are available?
Priority Slack support is listed at $100 a month and is available with any plan. Managed service and branded mobile apps are also listed as add-ons.
Facts from PaywallProject's own pages
- Advertising
- Ads Glue is described as a built-in ad platform for selling, scheduling, and tracking publisher ad inventory. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- E-editions
- E-editions provide page flip issues that are archived and searchable, without requiring a third-party platform or separate reader login. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Hosting and monitoring
- The FAQ says hosting is included with fully managed service and that BigScoots monitors sites every 60 seconds. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Local events
- Its AI-powered calendar gathers and organizes events from a publisher’s region automatically. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Metered paywall
- Publishers can set free article allowances by day, week, or month and by post type or section. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Meter tracking
- The meter tracks anonymous and free registered visitors by IP address, including after cookies are cleared or a private window is opened. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Newsletters
- Publishers can create, personalize, and send newsletters directly from WordPress with automated segmentation. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Payments
- The product supports a WooCommerce integration to offer payment gateways and options beyond a single processor. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Product
- PaywallProject describes itself as a fully managed WordPress paywall and membership solution built for local news. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Setup time
- The site says launch takes about two weeks or less on average. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Subscriber tools
- The platform provides a dashboard to manage digital subscriptions, print subscriptions, and donations. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The Free plan includes documentation and email support; Standard includes priority email support, and Slack support is an add-on. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Target audience
- The maker says its mission is to generate sustainable recurring revenue for local news publishers and states that its founder created it to help local news publishers. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Technology partners
- The pricing page lists WordPress, Stripe, BigScoots, Newsletter Glue, Advanced Ads, Broadstreet, Plausible Analytics, and WPForms in its tech stack. · paywallproject.com, 30 Sept 2026
Where PaywallProject stands on Freedom251
- Paywall Software#8 of 30