The platform
for
news publishers
Turn readers into subscribers. A fully managed WordPress paywall and membership solution built for local news.
Revenue & new subscribers
Top Content — Paid Conversions
Top Content — Free Conversions
Subscribers
Browse, filter, and manage every reader account in one place.
| Name | Level | Status | Expires | Joined |
|---|
Group Accounts
Manage subscriber teams and track seat usage across all groups.
Setup checklist
- Go to Levels → edit a level → enable “Group Accounts” and set a seat count. Save.
- When a subscriber purchases that level, a group is created automatically and they become the group owner.
- Group owners manage their members from the My Account page ([ppaccess_account] shortcode) — no separate page needed.
- To create a group manually for an existing subscriber, use the form below.
Create Group Manually
All Groups
| Group Name | Owner | Level | Seats Used | Total Seats | Actions |
|---|
Subscription levels
Define the plans readers can subscribe to — pricing, billing intervals, and access rules.
| ID | Name | Price | Interval | Trial | Actions |
|---|
Checkout
Configure checkout style, form flow, and page templates.
Live preview
This is an approximate preview that updates as you change the options below — it may not be 100% accurate.
Digital Subscription
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Evening subscriber-only newsletter with the day’s updates.
- Unlimited, 24/7 access to all of our reporting.
- Support Ridgeline Gazette reporting.
Checkout
Content restrictions
Decide which post types, taxonomies, and visitors hit the paywall.
Metering
Restriction rules
| Post Type | Taxonomy | Number Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Post | All | 1 |
Lapsed access
IP Protection
IP-based metering — the sole gate for anonymous and free-registered visitors.
IP view log
99,050 total entries in the log. Showing the 200 most recent IPs.
| IP Address | Distinct Articles | Last Seen |
|---|
Paywall
Style the paywall card readers see — preset, layout, copy, plan tiles, and live preview.
Style preset
Live preview
Gain access to this article plus our newsletter.
Transactions
Every Stripe charge, refund, and free claim — searchable and filterable.
| User | Level | Amount | Status | Type | Gateway | Date |
|---|
Gift subscriptions
Inspect purchased gifts, delivery status, redemption status, and resend recipient emails.
| Created | Buyer | Recipient | Level | Amount | Delivery | Status |
|---|
Coupons
Create discount codes, set redemption limits, and scope them to specific levels.
| Code | Type | Value | Redeemed | Expires | Status | Actions |
|---|
Conversion funnel
Email templates
Customize the emails sent to subscribers — welcome, renewal reminders, payment failures, and more.
Preview
SUBJECTWelcome to Ridgeline Gazette
EMAIL BODYTools
Import, export, inspect system events, and migrate from Leaky Paywall.
Export subscribers
Import subscribers
Event log (last 100 matching events)
| Date | Level | Type | Payload |
|---|
Settings
General preferences, Stripe keys, captcha, and other plugin-wide configuration.
Currency options
PaywallProject is a fully managed WordPress paywall plugin solution that simplifies subscription management, helping publishers grow audiences, increase newsletter signups, and convert readers into paying subscribers or donors.
Features
Everything you need to launch, grow, and monetize
Turnkey WordPress website
Fully hosted & managed. Turn it on, choose a design, add your branding, launch it. See live demo
River trail extension breaks ground
Subscription system
Free registration, metered access, donations, and group subscriptions. See live demo
Newsletter system
Publish newsletters faster from WordPress. Supports automation and email sending. See live demo
Good morning, Ridgeline.
River trail extension breaks ground
Read more →5 things to do this weekend
Read more →Advertising system
Integrated ad placement and rotations on your site and in your newsletter.
Migration assistance
On Substack or Ghost? We’ll move your content and subscribers over for you.
Total control
Developer access. Use your Stripe account. Move your site to your own host anytime.
How it works
How readers become subscribers
1. Register for free
A registration wall turns anonymous traffic into a known audience — you get the email before you ask for a card.
Gain access to this story, plus unlimited free reading. No paywall.
Enter your email Continue2. Meter it your way
Set how many free articles readers get, by section or by audience, then show only the plans that fit.
3. Check out in one screen
Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card. Coupons, group seats, and tax are handled in the same flow, on your domain.
Print + digital
Your print list lives here too
Most paywalls stop at digital. PaywallProject collects the mailing address at checkout, keeps print and digital on one subscriber record, and hands your printer a clean list every week.
Shipping address
Street88 Oakfield Road1. Collected at checkout
Print plans ask for a delivery address in the same flow as the card — no second form, no follow-up email chasing it. Digital and print live on one subscriber record from day one.
2. A list your printer can use
Download active print subscribers as a CSV — addresses, expiry dates, ready for your mail house. Or pull the same list through our API and keep it in sync automatically.
Print subscriber management is included in every plan.
Real publishers, real sites
A weekly in Massachusetts, a daily in West Virginia, a neighborhood site in Brooklyn. Same platform underneath. No two look alike.
Trusted by 100+ publishers Start your site
What publishers are saying
PaywallProject has been an essential partner for the all-digital Salem Reporter. Their fully managed setup means we have an expert and available team handling the technical side: hosting, updates, security. When we need support, they’re responsive and knowledgeable. And their counsel on growing our subscriber base has made a material difference in our revenue.
Les Zaitz
Publisher, Salem Reporter · Oregon
PaywallProject understands what independent publishers need. The fully managed tech means our team stays focused on the storytelling that matters to our community. Their support has remained incredibly responsive and reliable, and their help in growing our donor base has strengthened our ability to do the journalism Appalachia deserves.
Dana Coester
Publisher, 100 Days in Appalachia · West Virginia
We encountered the Paywall Project during a major financial crisis. The hosting service saves us money, streamlines our online subscription model, and absolutely sets the bar for the best tech support.
Niki Turner
Publisher, Rio Blanco Herald Times · Colorado
The Paywall Project’s technical support has been invaluable as I transition my legacy newspaper into a digitally robust media company. I often recommend the team and their services to other publishers.
Rashah McChesney
Publisher, Chilkat Valley News · Alaska
They make the specialized aspects of our online newspaper presence easy to update and easy to manage. That lets us deliver news and special features to our digital readers more easily and professionally.
Kate Shunney
Editor, Morgan Messenger · West Virginia
A relief to have every technical aspect of our site covered. Finally, we can spend our time writing as our subscriber base grows.
Gary Kopycinski
Publisher, News Park Forest · Illinois
We couldn’t be more satisfied with the outstanding service provided for our organization’s digital needs. The hosting, updates, support, and overall customer care have been truly top-tier. Their reliability and responsiveness have allowed us to work efficiently and significantly strengthen our online presence.
Francisco Pérez Alviárez
Publisher, Venezuela Inmortal · Venezuela
As a content creator, and non-traditional publisher, I wasn’t sure PaywallProject was built for someone like me — but it’s been a perfect fit. My site is fully managed: hosting, plugin updates, Stripe integration, all of it. Their in-house Paywall plugin is the best I’ve used — fast, and every setting you’d want (copy, design, subscriber emails) is right there in the WordPress dashboard, laid out in a way that actually makes sense. Stripe alone can make a solo creator nervous, and I never have to think about it. It means I can focus on making content, knowing my whole site is in good hands.
Evan Handyside
Musician, Intellimusica · Pennsylvania
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to purchase additional software licenses and hosting?
All software and hosting is included and fully managed by our team.
What is included with website development?
We offer several custom PaywallProject WordPress themes designed specifically for news publishers. You can choose from one of our preferred templates at no extra cost, or bring your own. We apply your branding and get your site up and running fast.
What is proactive site monitoring?
We partner with BigScoots, an industry-leading managed WordPress host, to monitor your site every 60 seconds. If an issue is detected, no matter the time of day, our hosting partner works to resolve it right away.
Do I need to hire a developer alongside PaywallProject?
No. Every aspect of your website and paywall is managed by PaywallProject. Need a highly custom feature? Our development team will provide a free estimate.
Can you migrate our existing site content?
Yes. Regardless of your current CMS, we can migrate your site into WordPress. Contact us for an estimate.
How long does it take to get up and running?
On average, about two weeks or less.
Still have a question? Talk to our team.
Ready to grow with
?
See how you can boost subscribers, ads, and revenue with an all-in-one publishing stack.
Up and running in about two weeks. 0% revenue share, always.