Comparison
Far LMS vs other WordPress LMS plugins
A short, honest overview of five WordPress plugins for selling courses and memberships, with prices checked in November 2026.
In short: There is no single best WordPress LMS plugin: LearnDash, Tutor LMS and LifterLMS are the established choices with large ecosystems, MemberPress is a membership plugin with a course builder, and Far LMS is a newer, Stripe-focused plugin with a free version, no commission and a built-in CRM. Pick by the payment gateways you need, your number of sites and your budget.
Five WordPress LMS plugins side by side
Prices are the vendors’ yearly list prices for the cheapest paid plan, checked in November 2026. Always confirm on the vendor’s pricing page.
| Plugin | Free version | Starting price per year | Subscriptions | Commission by the vendor | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Far LMS | Yes, one-time Stripe sales, no time limit | €290 (Basic), or €35 a month; Pro €590, founder’s price €390 | Yes, from Basic | None (0%) | Academies that sell with Stripe and want a CRM included |
| LearnDash | Not listed on its pricing page | $350 (1 site) | Memberships with MemberDash, included | None stated on the pricing page | Established sites, many sites, WooCommerce |
| Tutor LMS | Yes, free core on WordPress.org | $199 (1 site) | Subscriptions add-on (premium) | None stated | Many gateways, SCORM, H5P and live lessons |
| LifterLMS | Yes, free core on WordPress.org | $398 (1 site) | Memberships in the core | None stated | Building from a free core with add-ons |
| MemberPress | Not listed on its pricing page | $399 (Launch) | Membership plugin | 4.9% on Launch; 0% on Growth and Scale | Membership sites with some courses |
Detailed comparisons
Far LMS vs LearnDash
The established LMS with plans by number of sites, against a free Stripe-first plugin with a built-in CRM.
Far LMS vs Tutor LMS
Two plugins with a free version. Tutor LMS offers more gateways and learning formats.
Far LMS vs LifterLMS
A free core plus paid add-ons, against one plugin where Stripe sales are free from day one.
Far LMS vs MemberPress
A membership plugin with courses, against an LMS with no commission on any plan.
How to choose
Start from your constraints, not from a feature list. A few questions solve most of the decision:
- Which payment gateway do your students use? If it is not Stripe, look at LearnDash, Tutor LMS, LifterLMS or MemberPress. Far LMS works only with Stripe.
- How many sites? One site: any of them. A network of many sites: look at the multi-site licenses of LearnDash, Tutor LMS or LifterLMS.
- Do you want to test before paying? Far LMS, Tutor LMS and LifterLMS have free versions.
- Do you want email marketing in the same plugin? The Pro plan of Far LMS includes a CRM; others rely on add-ons or external tools.
- Still comparing? Our guide to choosing an LMS plugin goes deeper.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best WordPress LMS plugin?
It depends on your case. Established plugins such as LearnDash, Tutor LMS and LifterLMS have larger ecosystems; Far LMS is a good fit if you sell with Stripe and want no commission and a CRM in one plugin.
Which WordPress LMS plugins have a free version?
Far LMS, Tutor LMS and LifterLMS have free versions. LearnDash and MemberPress do not list one on their pricing pages.
Do these plugins charge a commission on sales?
Only one listed fee: MemberPress’s Launch plan charges 4.9% per payment. The other pricing pages state no commission. Payment processors charge their own fees in every case.
How do I try Far LMS?
Download the free version, or start the 7-day Pro trial inside the plugin.
Sources (checked 14 November 2026)
Competitor facts come from the official pages below. Prices are in US dollars, exclude taxes and change often, so check the vendor’s pricing page before you decide. Far LMS facts come from this website.
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