PaywallWP vs Steady
PaywallWP
paywallwp.comSteady
steady.pageSide by side
| Figure | PaywallWP | Steady |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Paywall Software | 7.3 (#23) | 7.7 (#12) |
| Security | The site lists HMAC-verified webhooks, login rate limiting, CAPTCHA support, and server-side content protection as security measures. | Steady’s API is accessible only over HTTPS and uses OAuth 2.0 for application authorization. |
| Support | The purchase includes six months of direct email support and plugin updates; the documentation also points to ticket-based support. | The creator success team helps creators price membership tiers, plan launches and maintain momentum after launch. |
Plans
In their own words
Steady
Steady is a web and API platform for independent media makers, including magazines, newsletters, podcasts and video channels. It helps creators publish newsletters and memberships and earn directly from audiences. Newsletter sending is free without audience limits or escalating costs. Memberships use recurring billing, with monthly or annual charges, and Steady takes a 10% commission on membership revenue once earning begins; payment-provider fees and VAT also apply. The service supports full-site content gating, flexible paywalls, embedded buttons and supporter prompts. Newsletter tools can welcome readers automatically, resurface selected work and re-engage quiet subscribers. Externally hosted podcasts can be gated by membership tier and distributed through Spotify or private RSS. Steady Code adds website layers and embeds regardless of a site’s CMS. Creator income is transferred in lump sums, and failed payments are retried automatically. The Free plan is free. Custom domains are not supported.