Head-to-head · September 2026
Simple Members Area vs Private Area for WordPress
Private Area for WordPress comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against Simple Members Area.
Simple Members Area
There are a lot of really well done, inclusive membership plugins out there… but sometimes they are overkill…
Private Area for WordPress
👉 For more information about the plugin, visit the documentation website.
| Metric | Simple Members Area | Private Area for WordPress |
|---|---|---|
| Active installs | 60+ | 60+ |
| Downloads (30 days) | 95 | 60 |
| Download trend | +14.5% | +22.4% |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 3/5 |
| Reviews | 2 | 3 |
| Health score | 31/100 | 26/100 |
| Last updated | 12 years ago | 6 years ago |
| Tested up to | WP 3.9.40 | WP 5.5.22 |
| Support resolved | — | — |
| Requires PHP | Any | 5.6+ |
| First released | Aug 2014 | Mar 2020 |
Daily downloads, last 90 days
Simple Members AreaPrivate Area for WordPr…
Choose Simple Members Area if…
You care most about downloads (30 days) and health score.
- Small user base (60+ active installs)
- Very few reviews so far
- No update in 12 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 3.9 (latest is 7.1)
Choose Private Area for WordPress if…
You care most about download trend, reviews and last updated.
- Small user base (60+ active installs)
- Low rating so far — 3/5 from only 3 reviews
- No update in 6 years
- Only tested up to WordPress 5.5 (latest is 7.1)
FAQ
Simple Members Area vs Private Area for WordPress: quick answers
Straight answers, pulled from live WordPress.org data.
Live data from WordPress.org · checked Sep 28, 2026
Which is better, Simple Members Area or Private Area for WordPress?
Private Area for WordPress comes out ahead, winning 4 of 6 head-to-head checks against Simple Members Area. Choose Simple Members Area if you care most about downloads (30 days) and health score. Choose Private Area for WordPress if you care most about download trend, reviews and last updated.
Is Simple Members Area more popular than Private Area for WordPress?
Simple Members Area is the more popular of the two with 60+ active installs, compared with 60+ for Private Area for WordPress.
Can I use Simple Members Area and Private Area for WordPress together?
Both plugins cover area, members and private, so most sites only need one. Running two plugins that do the same job can cause conflicts and slow your site down — pick the one that fits best and remove the other.
Are Simple Members Area and Private Area for WordPress free?
Yes. Both are free to download from the official WordPress.org plugin directory. Either may also offer paid upgrades from its developer.
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