Below is a basic overview the minimum hosting requirements to support a membership site with ecommerce functionality.
Please refer to our complete guide on hosting recommendations to support Paid Memberships Pro for more details on hosting compatibility.
Minimum Requirements
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.
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 [docs].
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.
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.
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 | Recommended Plan to Choose | Special Setup Docs |
|---|---|---|
| Nexcess | The Maker plan is the best option for a growing membership site. The “Spark” plan will work for smaller sites. | No special setup steps needed |
| SiteGround | The GoGeek plan offers strong performance with caching disabled. | SiteGround + PMPro Set Up Guide |
| Bluehost | The Plus or Choice Plus plans are our recommended options for Bluehost. | Bluehost + PMPro Set Up Guide |
| WP Engine | Any WP Engine plan will properly run Paid Memberships Pro. | WP Engine + PMPro Set Up Guide |
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.
Last updated on April 8, 2025
