The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →You can sell WordPress courses without WooCommerce by using a course or membership platform with its own checkout, or by connecting a payment provider directly. LearnDash documents a built-in Stripe checkout; LifterLMS offers its own ecommerce checkout; and MemberPress Courses adds course delivery to a membership-focused setup. The right fit depends on supported payment methods in your country, whether you need recurring billing, and how closely course access should be tied to memberships.
Choose a checkout that fits how you sell
WooCommerce is not required for course checkout. The main decision is whether the learning platform’s own payment flow covers your needs, or whether you need a broader ecommerce integration. Compare payment methods, recurring access plans, bundles or memberships, and the checkout structure before committing.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Platform | Checkout approach | What to assess | Documented caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| LearnDash | Built-in Stripe integration, with additional ecommerce integrations listed. | Stripe availability where you operate; one-time versus recurring sales; whether you need memberships, bundles, or a broader cart. | Stripe is not available in every country. LearnDash Stripe documentation and Stripe Connect setup guide. |
| LifterLMS | Its own ecommerce checkout supports Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.Net. | Gateway availability in your country and support for the billing schedule you plan to use. | Choose either LifterLMS ecommerce or WooCommerce; recurring plans require a payment method that supports recurring billing. LifterLMS ecommerce documentation and recurring payments guidance. |
| MemberPress Courses | Course functionality within a membership platform. | Whether course access should be managed through memberships and whether the current checkout flow suits your sales structure. | The cited setup guide describes the shopping cart as beta and notes that interface labels may vary. MemberPress Courses setup guide. |
How to decide which approach to use
Choose LearnDash if direct Stripe checkout matches your payment needs
LearnDash documents Stripe Connect as a way to connect an account through LearnDash settings, as well as sales models including one-time purchases, subscriptions, memberships, presales, and bundles. Check Stripe’s availability in your country and confirm that the documented sales model fits the access you want to sell. If you need a payment option beyond its built-in Stripe flow, review LearnDash’s listed integrations before choosing.
Recommended Free Tools
Choose LifterLMS if its own checkout and gateways cover your plan
LifterLMS describes a dedicated ecommerce checkout for courses and memberships, with Stripe, PayPal, or Authorize.Net. It also presents WooCommerce as an alternate ecommerce system, so use one checkout approach rather than assuming both are part of a single setup. For a recurring access plan, verify that the specific gateway and payment method you intend to offer support recurring charges. LifterLMS says its Stripe add-on does not automatically enable new payment methods: check its guidance on gateways and recurring payments.
#1 Best Overall
Choose MemberPress Courses if memberships are central to access
MemberPress Courses adds learning-management functionality to a membership-based site, making it a candidate when membership rules are already central to how you grant access. The referenced setup guide describes its shopping cart as beta, so check the current checkout behavior and interface before building your sales flow around it. By contrast, LearnDash says its built-in content protection does not require a membership plugin; do not add one unless its access rules serve a separate need.
Check these details before opening sales
- Map the access model. Decide whether a buyer gets lifetime course access, access for a defined period, a subscription, or course access through a membership. Confirm that the selected platform supports the model you intend to sell.
- Confirm gateway availability. Check the provider’s current availability for your country and the payment methods you want to accept. LearnDash specifically notes that Stripe is unavailable in some countries.
- Validate recurring billing. If charging on a schedule, confirm that the gateway and selected payment method support recurring payments. Do not assume that every method offered by a gateway can be used for subscriptions.
- Review the checkout experience. Verify the current settings and buyer-facing steps in your installed version, particularly if using MemberPress’s cart, which its guide identifies as beta.
- Test the complete purchase path. Confirm that a successful payment grants the expected course or membership access, and that the flow behaves as intended before directing customers to it.
What to verify because product details can change
Payment availability, setup screens, integrations, and beta status can change. The product documentation cited here was accessed on October 7, 2026; consult the current documentation and your account’s settings before launch. Current plugin prices, transaction fees, country-by-country gateway coverage, and affiliate terms are not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
