Below is a basic overview the minimum hosting requirements to support a membership site with ecommerce functionality.
Minimum Requirements
Please refer to our complete guide on hosting recommendations to support Paid Memberships Pro for more details on hosting compatibility.
WordPress Version
Paid Memberships Pro should work on any host that supports WordPress 5.2 or higher.
Server Type
We recommend a Linux-based server at the equivalent of a “Virtual Dedicated Server” or higher when choosing a hosting plan. Shared hosting plans that rely heavily on caching are not a good fit because membership sites cannot be cached as aggressively as standard sites.
Note: Windows-based hosting platforms should be able to run PMPro, but we do not do extensive testing on that setup. If you have issues, please contact us to work them out.
PHP Version
We strongly recommend a hosting environment that uses PHP version 7.4 or greater. We have new installs using PHP version 8.3 with very few issues. An occasional warning may appear if your wp_debug is active. Once reported, our team is working to correct these as they come in.
MySQL Version
While lesser versions will work, we recommend using MySQL version 8.0 or greater.
SSL
To enable SSL, you will need a dedicated IP address and an SSL certificate.
CURL
This command line tool is needed for several of our gateway integrations. In most cases you can ask your host to enable CURL for you if it is not enabled by default.
Purpose-Built Hosting For Paid Memberships Pro Sites
We’re opening up early access to our new hosting product—custom-built for the real demands of membership websites. Early access pricing starts at $100/mo. and includes a Plus license. Space is limited. Must be running PMPro. Application and interview required.
WordPress Hosting Company Compatibility
Below is a list of hosting companies we have worked with through our customers. Each host has specific recommendations and guides to set up a successful membership site.
| Hosting Company | Best For | Recommended Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Kinsta | Smaller sites (up to ~500 members) that want premium infrastructure and support. | Single-site plan includes 10GB storage. $30/month (billed annually at $350/year). |
| PMPro Plus Hosting | Any size membership site seeking a finely tuned, scalable hosting environment from the PMPro team. | Base plan includes 80GB storage, 2 CPUs, and 4GB ram. $100/month (billed monthly). |
| MemberHost | Sites that need fully custom infrastructure and proactive server tuning based on actual usage. | Pricing is bespoke. You’ll need to speak with their team to get a quote tailored to your needs. |
We have also documented compatibility steps for other popular WordPress hosts like Nexcess, SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine. These providers are widely used, and Paid Memberships Pro can run on them with some additional setup. However, for the best performance and support experience, we recommend choosing one of our top-tier hosting options compared above.
WordPress.com
We do not recommend WordPress.com. WordPress.com is a hosted service that restricts your ability to customize and monetize your site. The features you need for a membership site are only available on premium plans that are more expensive than our recommended hosts, while offering fewer features and lower performance.
WordPress.com’s limitations hinder your ability to scale and adapt as your site grows. You should start a self-hosted WordPress site and avoid WordPress.com entirely.
Get Support From Our Team of Experts
For more help with this PMPro feature, check out our Support Page with three ways to get support as a free or premium member.
Last updated on August 1, 2025
