---
title: "Membership Types"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/software/learndash/memberdash/membership-types/"
description: "MemberDash offers four distinct membership types that control how content is accessed and who can see it. You’ll encounter these options during the onboarding p…"
vertical: "Software"
area: "MemberDash"
topics: ["Getting Started", "MemberDash", "Membership Levels", "Memberships", "Restricting Content"]
date: "2024-01-03"
last_modified: "2026-06-29"
---

# Membership Types

MemberDash offers four distinct membership types that control how content is accessed and who can see it. You’ll encounter these options during the onboarding process or when creating a new membership via **MemberDash > Memberships > Add New**. Each membership type serves a specific purpose and can help you tailor the membership experience to your site’s needs.

## Membership Types Overview

![Membership types](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/create-a-new-membership.jpg)### 1. Standard Membership

The **Standard Membership** is the most commonly used option and can support:

- **Recurring Payments:** Subscription-based access.
- **One-Time Payment for Permanent Access:** Lifetime access.
- **One-Time Payment for Finite Access:** Membership for a limited time (e.g., 30 days).
- **One-Time Payment for Date-Limited Access:** Membership valid between specific calendar dates.
- **Free Membership:** No payment required.

> **Use case:** Ideal for providing immediate, full access to protected content.

### 2. Dripped Content Membership

The **Dripped Content Membership** allows you to release content gradually over time at intervals you define.

- Commonly paired with **Recurring Payments** to keep users subscribed as new content becomes available.
- Useful for online courses, membership sites with tiered content delivery, or structured learning paths.

> **Use case:** Perfect for subscription-based learning or phased content releases.

### 3. Guest Membership

The **Guest Membership** is automatically available on all MemberDash sites and there can only be **one**.

- It controls content visibility for **site visitors who are not logged in**.
- Useful for: 
    - Previewing content
    - Displaying special offers
    - Encouraging users to sign up for paid memberships

> **Use case:** Target and engage anonymous visitors.

### 4. Default Membership

The **Default Membership** is designed for **logged-in users who do not have any active paid memberships.** Like the Guest Membership, each site can only have **one Default Membership.**

- Helpful for sites using: 
    - LearnDash
    - WooCommerce
    - GiveWP  
        These platforms may create WordPress users who have not yet purchased a membership.
- Content protected by the **Default Membership Protection Rule** is visible only to: 
    - Logged-in users without any active paid memberships.

> **Use case:** Show starter content or introductory offers to free users without exposing premium member content.

### Conclusion

Choosing the right membership type is key to creating a strategic membership experience that supports your needs. Whether you want to offer instant access, timed content delivery, guest previews, or special content for unpaid users, MemberDash’s flexible membership types give you full control over who sees what, and when.